Aftermarket upgrades to SL2000

jmitchnh

Has anyone researched the possibility of replacing the SL2000 with an aftermarket (Vifa, Morel, etc) tweeter? I know the RDO-194 is the standard Polk replacement, but have heard mixed reviews about them. Is there a specification sheet for the SL200 that could be used for comparison purposes? Curious

AudioGenics

best way is to try it yourself and see if the mod works for you.

if there is not much chatter then either it has not been done before
or not a popular change.

AudioGenics

found this search...

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-79658.html

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79658

heiney9

jmitchnh wrote: »

Has anyone researched the possibility of replacing the SL2000 with an aftermarket (Vifa, Morel, etc) tweeter? I know the RDO-194 is the standard Polk replacement, but have heard mixed reviews about them. Is there a specification sheet for the SL200 that could be used for comparison purposes? Curious

Yep, many have tried a few different types, models of tweets and the general consensus is the RD0's from Polk are the best fit.

The sl2000 specs are proprietary so no help there.

But, knock yourself out, spend some coin and then come back and get the RD0's

H9

jmitchnh

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I guess I'll just stick with the SL2000's for now. To my ear they sound nice and detailed. A bit bright but I kinda like that crisp high end. From what I've read, they sound worse at higher volumes which I almost never listen at. I absolutely love my SDA-1Cs, which sound better than any speakers I've ever heard. I suppose spikes are next, then maybe x-overs.

AudioGenics

might try upgrading IC and Speaker cables ( controversial )
or environmental sound panels / proofing

could just be your listening area also needs tuning.

dorokusai

You should at least try a pair of RD-0194 before making a lasting decision. It's already a drop-in and if it sounds better, perhaps you can delve deeper into a similar frame design replacement from other manufactures. Personally, I don't believe its worth the time or effort. There are a handful of other things you can modify on your current speakers until you sell them.

I cannot stand to listen to the SL2000 at all....for any length of time.

heiney9

jmitchnh wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I guess I'll just stick with the SL2000's for now. To my ear they sound nice and detailed. A bit bright but I kinda like that crisp high end. From what I've read, they sound worse at higher volumes which I almost never listen at. I absolutely love my SDA-1Cs, which sound better than any speakers I've ever heard. I suppose spikes are next, then maybe x-overs.

The RD0194-1's are leaps and bounds better than the sl2000, do yourself a favor and try them if you haven't. If for some reason you are in the 2% that likes the sl2000 better then you can flip them for no loss here on the forum.

Spikes and X-overs are a great idea, but if you haven't atleast put 300-500 hours on a pair of RD0194-1's you are doing yourself a great disservice.

H9

heiney9

dorokusai wrote: »

I cannot stand to listen to the SL2000 at all....for any length of time.

I get physically ill after about 20 minutes listening to the sl2000 now that I've spent 2-3 years with RD0's.

H9

cnh

jmitchnh wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I guess I'll just stick with the SL2000's for now. To my ear they sound nice and detailed. A bit bright but I kinda like that crisp high end. From what I've read, they sound worse at higher volumes which I almost never listen at. I absolutely love my SDA-1Cs, which sound better than any speakers I've ever heard. I suppose spikes are next, then maybe x-overs.

I have to agree with Brock and, to some extent with Doro, though I haven't heard the RDOs yet, I don't care for my SL2000s much. And as for detail and imaging--they are a distant second to my JBL 035ti tweeters which are less harsh, more detailed and smoother to my ears though they are pure 'metal domes'?

So RDOs are most definitely in order.

Good Luck on the search/experiment--keep us posted.

BTW, I remember disliking the SL2000 even before I knew what it was--when I first heard it in Record stores in NYC in the 80s?

cnh

dorokusai

cnh wrote: »

I have to agree with Brock and, to some extent with Doro, though I haven't heard the RDOs yet, I don't care for my SL2000s much. And as for detail and imaging--they are a distant second to my JBL 035ti tweeters which are less harsh, more detailed and smoother to my ears though they are pure 'metal domes'?

So RDOs are most definitely in order.

Good Luck on the search/experiment--keep us posted.

BTW, I remember disliking the SL2000 even before I knew what it was--when I first heard it in Record stores in NYC in the 80s?

cnh

What am I saying different CNH?

FTGV

dorokusai wrote: »

You should at least try a pair of RD-0194 before making a lasting decision. It's already a drop-in and if it sounds better, perhaps you can delve deeper into a similar frame design replacement from other manufactures. Personally, I don't believe its worth the time or effort.

Agreed,the engineering has already been done.Even if you used one of the better tweeters from the likes of SEAS,Vifa or ScanSpeak etc,there is a good chance it would sound inferior to the RDO194.It would in all likelihood require modification to the crossover,thus would require one to have the ability to do accurate frequency response and impedance measurements to do it correctly.

Toolfan66

All SL2000's hit the FM when I get them..

IMO just get the 194's, and give them some hours before passing judgment as H9 has suggested...

dorokusai

FTGV wrote: »

Agreed,the engineering has already been done.Even if you used one of the better tweeters from the likes of SEAS,Vifa or ScanSpeak etc,there is a good chance it would sound inferior to the RDO194.It would in all likelihood require modification to the crossover,thus would require one to have the ability to do accurate frequency response and impedance measurements to do it correctly.

Great point FTGV and while it's not so much an "inferior" issue....it just adds so many other variables, that it should become a crazy idea at that point.

If you want to add a SEAS or Morel (for example)l....think about building your own loudspeaker. There are a ton of designs based on both tweeters that sound great....the world is your oyster at that point. I go for known fixes when it comes to vintage loudspeakers from Polk Audio....and it's even cooler, Club Polk user forum.

cnh

dorokusai wrote: »

What am I saying different CNH?

I'm not saying you are. The qualification is that I can actually listen to SL2000s some since I have them in my SDAs. I don't like them much but they're not the worst things I've heard. I was just noting you have a 'stronger' reaction to them...even though mine is not far behind.

RDOs are on the table for the new year...as a gift to my ears!

cnh