Studio Black SDA

SDA1C

Just wondering but what is the largest, most power handling SDA in studio black? I like the piano top but not nearly as much as the Black vinyl. I thought I saw a 2.3 in the studio vinyl but not totally sure as the pics weren't great.

Thanks, 1C

Toolfan66

No such thing as a 2.3 studio, you own the largest studio version.

VR3

Someone likes black vinyl??? Hmmmmmmmmmm

SDA1C

Toolfan66 wrote: »

No such thing as a 2.3 studio, you own the largest studio version.

I was afraid you say that. If I could find the original cabinet plans I would seriously consider speaking to my buddy with the cnc router. It'll buzz a 3/4 sheet of mdf in about 45 seconds.

If only I could clad them in black latex:twisted:...'nother thread...or maybe forum on that one though.

audio_alan

Why not try your hand at making some "Piano Black" tops? Paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint.... It's time consuming, but it should look better than black vinyl/latex. It would also blend in well with other black speakers...

Just a thought.

EndersShadow

Or just take the caps off and have them sprayed piano black at a local body shop? Wouldnt think it would cost too much. I believe someone here did that to theirs.

heiney9

SDA1C wrote: »

I was afraid you say that. If I could find the original cabinet plans I would seriously consider speaking to my buddy with the cnc router. It'll buzz a 3/4 sheet of mdf in about 45 seconds.

If only I could clad them in black latex:twisted:...'nother thread...or maybe forum on that one though.

You could have used the cabinets you gave away when you parted out the 1C's. Those were the standard issue cabinets. You could have refinished those in black w/piano finish end caps much easier than converting a pair of "studio version" cabs.

H9

heiney9

EndersShadow wrote: »

Or just take the caps off and have them sprayed piano black at a local body shop? Wouldnt think it would cost too much. I believe someone here did that to theirs.

Studio version cabs, don't have end caps.

H9

heiney9

The studio version of the 1C was made to be a little cheaper than the standard cabinets. They were $200 less a pair for the cheaper cabinet style (studio). It doesn't have the bracing nor the real wood end caps of early regular cabinet 1C's. Later regular cabinet 1C's had real wood laminate, IIRC.

IMO, always go for the regular cabinet vs. the studio cabinet, they are built a little better with better damping and vibration control and are hands down aesthetically better looking.

H9

SDA1C

heiney9 wrote: »

The studio version of the 1C was made to be a little cheaper than the standard cabinets. They were $200 less a pair for the cheaper cabinet style (studio). It doesn't have the bracing nor the real wood end caps of early regular cabinet 1C's. Later regular cabinet 1C's had real wood laminate, IIRC.

IMO, always go for the regular cabinet vs. the studio cabinet, they are built a little better with better damping and vibration control and are hands down aesthetically LOOK LIKE **** in a blackened room.

H9

Fixed it for ya!

seriously...


I don't want to change my beautiful studios. If I liked the wood better I would have kept the others instead. I do not like wood nor shiney black.

To the point of internal bracing... I happen to have a chance cube here lol... JK. I do however have a set of studios that I know like the back of my hand and right next to them I have a set of EMPTY standard version and the bracing is exactly the same.
When did they change the bracing?

SDA1C

heiney9 wrote: »

You could have used the cabinets you gave away when you parted out the 1C's. Those were the standard issue cabinets. You could have refinished those in black w/piano finish end caps much easier than converting a pair of "studio version" cabs.

H9

ohhh I get it...you weren't paying attention, again. I am considering building a set of 2.3 studios (3/4 medite clad in black vinyl).. If I had the original routing plans I could have a buddy zip out the front panels.

SDA1C

EndersShadow wrote: »

Or just take the caps off and have them sprayed piano black at a local body shop? Wouldnt think it would cost too much. I believe someone here did that to theirs.

I considered this while I was a midst. I did notice it would be quite easy to do that. In fact the sides and top already covered in black vinyl so it would be no more than popping off the tops. However, the pr is in a lower spot in relation to the floor. One thing I did notice was a (don't want to say muddy) more spread out less focal bass response. It seemed to bounce off the floor instead of your chest. I rather prefer the studio in all aspects. Definitely a great suggestion I just chose to go a different direction.

SDA1C

audio_alan wrote: »

Why not try your hand at making some "Piano Black" tops? Paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, paint.... It's time consuming, but it should look better than black vinyl/latex. It would also blend in well with other black speakers...

Just a thought.

I considered this for a brief moment but it doesn't really suit my style. I don't care for shiny tops and the extra work just wouldnt justify the reward (there is no reward to me in shiny top lol)

I have considered the rta 15 that has the piano black top. In that event I would put some glass ontop of the studios and it would mimic the piano black with out the work.

heiney9

SDA1C wrote: »

already covered in black vinyl so it would be no more than popping off the tops.

What tops? Studio versions don't have end caps (that's what I assume all are talking about when they say remove the tops) SDA's with end caps can have the end cap (top) removed. Studio cab's don't have a "top" that can be removed. I have seen a standard cabinet in black, not sure if it was factory issue however.

Also in relation to the studio vs the standard that is my opinion that they are more pleasing to eye, so try not to take things so personally. If you love your black studio's then I'm happy for you.

H9

SDA1C

I didnt see the IMO, sorry bout that.

If you look closely at the standards I have they are in essence a studio version with caps and sides glued to it.
Let me snap some pics real quick.

Conradicles

SDA1C%20Restoration%20046.jpg

These looked preety sweet...A guy on the forum painted the end caps.

heiney9

Pics are fine but I'm fully aware of the Studio and Standard cabinets. The PR is in a different position look at the spacing between the bottom MW drivers and the PR's. The PR sits lower in the Std cabinet and it's not because the cab is shorter, it physically sits lower.

H9

SDA1C

Note the difference in distance to the driver arrays between the standard and the studio. I don't think is correct. I think I might have a set of sda1c studios and sda1 studios modified to look like standards.

I might have just run into something interesting. These might be 1's not 1c's...

anyway heres the pics of interesting differences, and similarities

heiney9

There were some variations when they changed to a new generation. You could also have 1B's.

H9

SDA1C

Those do look sharp Conradicals. I wonder when and what models the 1c had the longer spacing between the PR and the array.

SDA1C

heiney9 wrote: »

There were some variations when they changed to a new generation. You could also have 1B's.

H9

Why clad in vinyl just to clad in wood? I also have staples that were pushed back up into the cabs of the standards. It looks to me like these were seriously modified to mimic the standard version.

heiney9

SDA1C wrote: »

Those do look sharp Conradicals. I wonder when and what models the 1c had the longer spacing between the PR and the array.

1C standard cabinet

H9

tommyt21

Conradicles wrote: »

SDA1C%20Restoration%20046.jpg

These looked preety sweet...A guy on the forum painted the end caps.

New "younger guy" here what model speaker is that it's gorgeous!

nooshinjohn

When I owned these speakers, they hade side panels on them covered in grill cloth. the vinyl underneath was the way they came from the factory. They were NOT studios.The only mod I made was to alter the side panels so that they looked more like the 3.1TL's and the SRS.

SDA1C

Thanks for the clary John. Did you ever take off the bottom caps?

Toolfan66

I completely tore down my 1C's picked up some solid oak wood and made new end caps, made new side panels as well. They look fantastic with the darker wood as I am not fond of the blond wood caps that came with them. They can be a pain to get the old ones off from the glue and staples to hold them in place.

SDA1C

I am leaning towards a set of 2.3 in the black vinyl...however, I am also putting some serious thought in doing some fun stuff with this set of cabs I can't seem to get rid of. Those piano blackies look bitchin! lol. The thought of black walnut has crossed my mind as well. The whole "solid wood" would certainly be the only way to go. particle board is kind of cheesy for a total rebuild material.

Toolfan66

tommyt21 wrote: »

New "younger guy" here what model speaker is that it's gorgeous!

They are SDA 1C's

WilliamM2

If you want black 2.3's, why not stain the real wood veneer black? Vinyl looks cheap, and is much less durable. I was more than happy to pay an extra $200 for real wood and cloth sides when I got my 1C's back in '89.

Toolfan66

WilliamM2 wrote: »

If you want black, why not stain the real wood veneer black? Vinyl looks cheap, and is much less durable. I was more than happy to pay an extra $200 for real wood and cloth sides when I got my 1C's back in '89.

I did that with a set of 2B's and they looked ok but I was not wowed by it then when I took on the 1C's project I did the same thing and that's when I was like f#*k this I need to get some real wood and just do it right. I made the right choice they look great and it pushed me to do my 1.2tl's..

SDA1C

I prefer the look of the full face grill. The wood or top hanging over the tip of the grill just looks stupid to me. The vinyl being less durable is subjective I'd say. Mine are near mint and have the vinyl. I see the set next to me that had a veneer redo and they are still less on the condition scale than my studios. I have some light fading in my grills (very slight) and a nick in the lower left side where the vacuum scraped by (God bless her! lol). Other than that they are show room. I think durability is more of a how they are treated when you are talking finishes or coatings.