Tweeters

Rookie
Rookie Posts: 20
edited January 2011 in Vintage Speakers
I have a pair of SDA2's that appear to have the original SL-1000 silver tweeters [stamped Nov 1984].

I also have a pair of 5b's with the same style silver tweeter [stamped 1984].

My question is did the SDA2's and 5b share the same tweeter?
Post edited by Rookie on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2011
    Yep. The SDA's and the Monitor series always shared tweeters. Both the SDA's and the Monitors used the SL-1000's and the SL-2000's. Some of the Monitors used the SL-2500's, as did some of the SDA's. Some of the SDA's used the SL-3000's, but I don't believe any of the Monitors ever used the 3000's. Some of the earlier Monitors used the Peerless tweeters, but none of the SDA's ever did.

    Monitors and SDA's with the SL-1000/2000 can both use the RD0-194 replacement tweeters, where as the 2500/3000 equipped speakers can use the RD0-198 replacement tweeters.

    Hope that helps ya.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited January 2011
    TaliaWilebskiv wrote: »
    Improbable submit! This might help a lot of folks find out about this matter.








    sim so dep viec lam

    Sorry, double post.

    reported
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rookie
    Rookie Posts: 20
    edited January 2011
    Can you do a simple swap of the SL-1000's in SDA2's and 5b's with Peerless tweeters? and are they a better tweeter then the RDO-194's?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited January 2011
    The RDO 194 is the only replacement for the SL-1000 and 2000 tweeters. I am pretty sure you cannot use the peerless as a replacement for those. As to if the peerless are better than the RDO's, I am not sure, but the RDO's are very good in my opinion. Softer for sure over the SL tweeters.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DON73
    DON73 Posts: 516
    edited January 2011
    The backing plates on the Peerless tweeters I have are larger than the ones in my 7s that had the 2000s.
    TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    edited January 2011
    Big Dawg, stop quoting the spammers.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2011
    The RDO-194 tweeters are not a drop in replacement for the SL-1000's. The leads are in a different position, and I think the cut out is a different diameter.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dcoil
    dcoil Posts: 153
    edited January 2011
    I just replaced all of the SL-2000's in my SRS with the RDO-194. This was a drop-in replacement. I just done the L speaker and am doing some analysis. I'm also still burning in my XO'v upgrades, but the highs imho are much better. They were sometimes a bit edgy - maybe even shrill on some material. Now just smooth! Highly recommended upgrade!
    SDA SRS modded: X’ovrd, de-polyed, inductorized, interconnectorized, re-posted, dynamited, RDO’d, spiked, gasketed, ringed (Larry's), and grill cloth blinged! Done this on my own? Not a chance. Thanks to Raife and all who forged easy to follow upgrades. At least a 100% improvement in sound and my personal listening pleasure! :cheesygrin:Pass XP-10 preamp, Parasound A21 amp, Pioneer Elite DV-58AV (Ric Shultz modded), Audioquest Sky IC's, No longer need my Sunfire sub after mods...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited January 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    The RDO-194 tweeters are not a drop in replacement for the SL-1000's. The leads are in a different position, and I think the cut out is a different diameter.

    bingo +1 SL2000 plate is just a bit bigger. so in order to replace the SL1000 with RDO or SL2000 you would need to route or chisle the hole a bit more
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rookie
    Rookie Posts: 20
    edited January 2011
    I'm starting to wonder... to upgrade my SDA2's from the original [4] SL-1000's to [4] RDO-194's will cost $200+ if I want to rework the crossovers more $$$.

    I'm I wasting my money on these speakers, should I be looking for another set of speakers that can out perform my SDA2's and if so what do you guys suggest?

    I bought the SDA2's with no interconnect cale [blade style] also a pair of 5b's for $225. The SDA2's are in nice shape but some of the wood veneer has chiped off the bottom stands, the 5b'd are in excellent shape.

    Did I pay to much? can I get my money back out of these... I kind of jumped the gun and should of did my reserch before I bought them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    edited January 2011
    You'll never get your money back from upgrades/tweaks/mods on any piece of audio gear. You don't do it with the money in mind, you do it because you want enjoy the improvements.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rookie
    Rookie Posts: 20
    edited January 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    You'll never get your money back from upgrades/tweaks/mods on any piece of audio gear. You don't do it with the money in mind, you do it because you want enjoy the improvements.

    F1nut thanks for the reply. My question was is there a polk speaker that sounds better then the SDA2 that doesn't need mods.

    Then I will sell my pair, I was just hoping I can get my money back out of them or did I pay to much? :redface:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited January 2011
    Rookie wrote: »
    I'm starting to wonder... to upgrade my SDA2's from the original [4] SL-1000's to [4] RDO-194's will cost $200+ if I want to rework the crossovers more $$$.

    You will probably never get your money back on them with all the upgrades but like F1nut said, "You don't do it with the money in mind, you do it because you want enjoy the improvements." Keep in mind that finding something on the current market to replace the SDA's would be hard to do and cost a heck of a lot more..

    Also, I would suggest not connecting the Dimensional Tweeter in your SDA2's. Try that out before you order 4 tweeters. They sound much better this way. That is why Polk eliminated the Dimensional tweeter in later versions.

    And if you still want to order four tweeters you can voice match the 5's to the SDA2's.

    By the way you paid a nice price for them as a set.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited January 2011
    Most all speakers out there that are 20+yrs old will indeed benefit from new caps and resistors. Where will you find the quality of speaker you have for such a small investment? If you like the sound then be satisfied with how they are now. For what it's worth I found unhooking the dimensional tweeter cause phasing issues in my situation.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited January 2011
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    Most all speakers out there that are 20+yrs old will indeed benefit from new caps and resistors. Where will you find the quality of speaker you have for such a small investment? If you like the sound then be satisfied with how they are now. For what it's worth I found unhooking the dimensional tweeter cause phasing issues in my situation.

    Not to sound like a jerk but are you sure it was the dimensional and not the other one?

    I had the same problem until I realized my error.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited January 2011
    Well yes the dimensional is on the outside and the stereo is on the inside of the cabinet.
    not to mention the guy before me hacked the wires inside to try and run all drivers off one Xover so yes i had to rewire all and was very clued in so to speak. Kim from Polk CS helped me rerun the wires in the beginning and when i rebuilt them over Xmas i ran all new Furtech 14ga. wire to all from the boards to do away with all the butt connectors i had originally ran to check all drivers to make sure none were ruined from the hack job.

    and no your not a jerk very good question
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited January 2011
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    and no your not a jerk very good question

    Thanks, finally someone doesn't think I am a jerk.

    You did a lot of work to your speakers. I did the RDO replacement and crossovers but didn't rewire the works.

    Although I am debating replacing the internal wiring. Considering the wire I use from the amp to the speakers why keep the stock wires internally. Kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited January 2011
    not much to be gained Polk used good wire to start with. My case was different wires had 2 or 3 joints in each

    F1nut (jesse) recommended Furtech and it is not cheap like 8.00 a meter
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    edited January 2011
    Rookie wrote: »
    My question was is there a polk speaker that sounds better then the SDA2 that doesn't need mods.

    Too subjective for a definitive answer. That said, most speakers will benefit from crossover upgrades.
    Then I will sell my pair, I was just hoping I can get my money back out of them or did I pay to much? :redface:

    I believe you paid the going rate.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    edited January 2011
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    For what it's worth I found unhooking the dimensional tweeter cause phasing issues in my situation.

    That's very interesting.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited January 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    Big Dawg, stop quoting the spammers.

    My bad, sorry Jesse
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rookie
    Rookie Posts: 20
    edited January 2011
    Ok, I' sure there are lots of ways to upgrade the SDA'2 but who is the expert on this forum?

    I would like there opinons on what mods work best and who I can trust to do the job if I get over my head... Thanks for the help!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2011
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    For what it's worth I found unhooking the dimensional tweeter cause phasing issues in my situation.
    Did swapping leads on one of the tweeters correct the phase isue?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited January 2011
    Rookie wrote: »
    Ok, I' sure there are lots of ways to upgrade the SDA'2 but who is the expert on this forum?

    I would like there opinions on what mods work best and who I can trust to do the job if I get over my head... Thanks for the help!!!

    There's several folks on the forum that are more than capable of helping you. Can you solder? If you like the sound you have now be happy and enjoy them. Replacing the Caps and resistor's is the first step after that you could do the tweeters, but I myself like the SL1000 tweeters in mine so for now i kept them in play.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,451
    edited January 2011
    Tour2ma wrote: »
    Did swapping leads on one of the tweeters correct the phase isue?

    It never was a question of swapping leads. When i disconnected the D tweet for me it seem to bring too much to the center and not enough to the sides. My thought on this are that when Polk put them in the center the tweeter had equal sides of the cabinet to radiate off of but when the tweets are on the top L/R you have one side of the tweeter that has little cabinet to radiate off of on one side. I would love to hear some SDA1 b's or C's I myself have a pair of SDA1 Signature and SDA2a's both have been recapped and new resistors.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,567
    edited January 2011
    When i disconnected the D tweet for me it seem to bring too much to the center and not enough to the sides.

    If you are use to the extra effect the D tweeters give then I can see where you would say the above. Try listening with the D tweeters disconnected for say a month, then go back and see what you think.
    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

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2011
    ^ +1.... obviously not a phase issue...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter