Update from SDA-2B to newer fronts ?

Thunderace_32
Thunderace_32 Posts: 2
edited January 2011 in Speakers
Hi guys.
I currently run the following as my home theater system

Fronts - Polk Audio SDA-2B (vintage)
Center - Polk Audio CSI40
Rears - Polk Audio FXi/A6
Subs - SVS SB12 NSD (dual)
Reciver - Denon AVR-591
Screen - Samsung 50" plasma

Anyway the question I have is. I am thinking if updating the front speakers
with the 2 SVS subs the speakers i get wont need to produce much bass (i think)
The models I'm looking at are either the RTi/A5 or the TSi/500.
Which would be the better replacement? Or should I just stick with the SDA-2B's although they are old they still work fine.
Or are there other models be better suited as a replacement, I love polks and want to stay with them.

thx :smile:
Post edited by Thunderace_32 on
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Comments

  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 887
    edited January 2011
    Welcome to CP Thunderace. I am by no means an expert, but I will share my thoughts as you asked and I have not seen a response. Specification wise, the RTi Series would be better than the TSi for Home Theater speakers.

    Here is where opinion comes in. I would not trade SDA 2Bs for RTi. Go to a brick and mortar store and put your ears on the RTi and judge for yourself as best you can with different environments. If you search these forums you will find many ways to freshen up the components of the 2Bs for a lot less than the RTi will cost and I feel they will sound better.

    Good Luck!
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited January 2011
    Are you running your SDA's with a Denon 591?
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2011
    Keep the SDA's, and get yourself an external amp!!!! Neither the RTi's or the TSi's are going to have an edge over the SDA's IMO.

    However, you're running into some serious limitations with your AVR. Those SDA's are 4 ohms nominal as far as I know...and your receiver is being pushed to it's absolute LIMITS driving them. I'm not familiar with that AVR, but it doesn't appear to have pre-outs. Your biggest improvement would come in the form of upgrading to an AVR with pre-amp outputs, and getting an external amp. That will really bring those SDA's to life, and bring out their true potential. Even an amp like the Adcom GFA-545, which is 100 wpc of good clean high current power, will turn those SDA's into an entirely different pair of speakers. I used to run my SDA 2A's off my Onkyo 606, and they sounded great...but when I got my Adcom 545 and 2 channel pre...I realized that I hadn't even heard what they truly sounded like yet. 99% of the AVR's on the market simply aren't capable of bringing SDA's to life.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2011
    For home theater I'll take the RTI's over your 2b's. Best thing to do is go take a listen so you'll be able to form your our opinion.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,779
    edited January 2011
    The RTi A5's would be a better timbre match and are designed for HT. The 2B's are great speakers, but are designed for music.

    BTW, the 2B's are 6 ohm nominal, not 4.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    The RTi A5's would be a better timbre match and are designed for HT. The 2B's are great speakers, but are designed for music.

    BTW, the 2B's are 6 ohm nominal, not 4.

    Well, I had both RTi8's and SDA 2A's here at the same time for quite a while, and I used both in my HT system. The SDA's trumped the RTi8's in every aspect...both for music and HT use. The SDA effect just goes hand in hand with the whole concept of surround sound, because of how wide of a front sound stage the project. It helps them to "reach out" and integrate more seamlessly with the surrounds. They also blended surprisingly well with the CSi5 that I had at the time. There was still a tonal difference between them, but it never stuck out like a sore thumb. My front soundstage was very cohesive.

    My mistake on the impedance. I was thinking of my 2A's, which are 4 ohms nominal(correct?). Either way, that AVR is by no means bringing out those SDA's full capabilities. No AVR will really make SDA's shine though in my experience.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Thunderace_32
    Thunderace_32 Posts: 2
    edited January 2011
    Thanks for the response guys
    looking at what you guys have said
    I may move the SDA's to to another room and just use as stereo music setup running off an Onkyo TX-D595 amp that I have which has a switch on the back for 6/4 ohm speakers.
    And then get RTi's that way all my speakers will be 8 ohm.Ii don't want to have to buy another amp as the AVR isn't that old.

    that way I could possibly get the SDA's back out again at a later date if I can get an amp better suited to the job
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