CRS+ vs SDA-2B vs Monitor 12 Series 2... Suggestions needed!

AFEuphman

Hello all! You all have probably seen my various posts in rescuing a pair of CRS+ (pin/blade) speakers. I really like them, and maybe as importantly, the wife is used to them! Now, I live in Williamsburg, VA and there I an opportunity to obtain a second pair of Polks! This is where I have to lean on everyone else's shoulders... Again! Here's my quandary:
1) Are the SDA-2Bs considered a large upgrade over my CRS+? If they are, might purchase them and put the CRS rescue on the back burner for a little while and use the 2Bs...
2) Or... Are the 2B speakers of only a small difference, and seeing as I have some SDA speakers already, it would be smarter to grab the Monitor 12 Series 2s, instead! (They look so cool!)
3) Or finally... Shut up John, the CRS+ speakers are really going to be great once you are through, and you should stop lurking on craigslist! And the wife won't punch you... And I should spend the money (between $200-300 depending on the model) on doing caps, etc...

Well, thanks in advance for all the help. Somebody said this hobby would eventually consume me... I guess it's happening!

-John

AFEuphman

I guess I should also say that the living room is hardwood floors and about 20x16' with the speakers on one of the long walls. Listening position is about 10' from them. I'm not trying to get more volume, necessarily... The CRSs already have plenty of that! Just seeing what maybe would be better in the progression (addiction!) different speakers or upgrade the ones I have!
Thanks again!

drumminman

Hey AFE, I can see you headed down the rabbit hole

The modded CRS+'s are highly thought of around here. Some of the 2B owners like 'em pretty well too, though. I'm sure owners of each will chime in.

How much are the 2B's?

If it was me I'd do both. After all, you need something to listen to while you're doing the mods! Speaking of which, once you mod either using the ideas on this forum you'll be amazed at how good they sound. There's also alot of satisfaction from taking them to their full potential. Or at least full until someone comes up with the next tweak!

Good luck!

jaygax

AFEuphman wrote: »

Well, thanks in advance for all the help. Somebody said this hobby would eventually consume me... I guess it's happening!

you are definitely right! its happening to me too. money, money, and more money!

evhudsons

I could be spending my money on liquor and Houres, but I get just as high and just as lady satisfied with my SDA CRS+

AFEuphman

HAHAHA!!! All very wise and true words!
So, there are two sellers in driving distance with 2Bs... One is a black studio for $200 and one is the regular version for $299. That last person also has the Monitor 12s for $275. His pics and description make me think they are in good shape. The seller with the studios is open about a few scratches but says they are working great and the grills are good, too. He also has boxes.

inspiredsports

To give you the best advice, I'm curious as to what you are using for amplification, and what your future thoughts on amplification are (solid state versus tube).

Also, do you like to tweak electronics components yourself?

What types of music do you like and at what volume levels do you listen?

Budget amount over the next 2 years?


I will say I'm very partial to 2B's and they will reward you with better sound for virtually every dollar you put into them or your system.

If you are willing to go for a larger than average amplifier, 2.3TL's are arguably the pinnacle of the SDA line.

AFEuphman

Wow, some tough questions, but here you go!
1) Amplification - I recently acquired a Carver CM1090 integrated. If I remember correctly, it's rated at 100w@8ohm... I think. I suppose I will stay solid state for the foreseeable future. I really don't have plans on upgrading the amp anytime soon.*
2) Electronics tinkering - I've been messing up electronics since I was a kid! :-) Yeah, I'm a part time computer hardware guy, so I don't mind a little tinkering around. I really haven't done much soldering, but I'm not afraid to practice up!
3) Music and Volume - This is the toughie... I'm a professional military musician, but that doesn't limit my listening. *I listen to a lot of classical music with wide dynamic ranges (I'm a brass player), but I also love to throw on some jazz and then some classic rock as well as more current stuff (I have a secret Eminem collection). Lately, though, I've been listening to a whole bunch of Alison Krauss and Union Station type stuff. I LOVE how clean a recording can sound. Discovering types of bluegrass and folk music has been eye opening to me.*
As far as listening levels... I'm married, but at least she's a trumpet player! I like to listen at a loud enough level to be able to hear inner voices in a performance. I can't give you a db level, but I'll say a nice "full/room-filled" volume. I generally don't pound away at it, but Tchaikovsky and Eminem aren't supposed to be played softly, either! Once I get home I'll get out the spl meter!
4) 2yr budget - Another tough one... Well, I'm contemplating a speaker purchase in the $200-300 range... I'm not really sure how much cap/tweeter/whatever upgrades cost... I GUESS I would say maybe $500 over that time period.*
As for the 2.3Tls... WOW! Those are amazing, but until I have my own listening room and bank account, the wife would throat punch me! She is used to the CRS size... The floor standers are going to reeealy be a stretch... But if it's worth it, it's worth it!
Thanks again for all the help!!!*

AFEuphman

Finally back home and used the JBL app on the iPhone (can't find my real meter). It actually seems relatively decent. Anyway, looks like I don't listen much above 85db, and it never hit 90db. Everyday listening would be a bit less... maybe mid-high 70s? It seems that these CRS+s are plenty capable of the volume I want.
I've thrown out a lot of info, and learned a bunch already. Rather than asking to compare/contrast/suggest between 3 different speaker pairs, maybe I should have started with one comparison, and then asked about the next. My first question probably should have been "I've never heard a pair of 2Bs... With the opportunity to purchase a pair or upgrade my CRS+ speakers, what should I do?" I see that the pairs are remarkably similar... Maybe that's the answer right there... spend my $300 on upgrades rather than new speakers...? Do they sound very similar to each other?
The Monitor 12s would then be a seperate question... besides a larger complement of drivers, in what way would the sound be "different?"
OK, I'll stop, except to say thanks once again for the advice!

evhudsons

yes, my advice, spend the money on upgrades. Then add a high current amp. Then and only then can you call yourself an audiophile. It's the first rung of the ladder down the hole.

inspiredsports

Good feedback. SDA 2B's could be secured and modded for what you described.

In my mind they are a step up from CRS's due to their greater interior volume that allows them to drive a 12" passive radiator, heavier cabinet weight that supports the greater bass potential of the 12" passive, and don't require speaker stands.

They actually take up less floor space due to vertical versus horizontal orientation and can still be carried/moved by 1 able bodied man.

They fit your listening space and volume levels to a tee.

PS.: note that the CRS and 2B crossovers and drivers are identical except for the passive radiators. Any parts (besides the passives) that you buy for the CRS will work in the 2B.