Noob to SDA questions...

dpgaloot

Hi guys,

I'm a cabinetmaker with a love for older 2-channel gear. I've loved my Monitor 10Bs for a long time now, but have never heard any SDAs. Reading here is giving me the itch to restore some vintage Polks, and I'd like to try my hand at some SDAs. As I've been reading about the different models, I'm struggling to find real comparisons between different models. For example, I can pick up a local pair of 1c's for about half what a pair of SRS 2's is going for, yet the number of drivers looks the same to me. What justifies the price difference on the SRS's? Also, I see the "tl"s listed but can't find any reference info on what makes them different or more desirable. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks...

stubby

Generally, buy the SDAs that will fit the room you have to work with. Without going on at length about what constitutes a "large" room vs. a "small" room, cabinet size and driver count gives you an idea about what direction to go.

Of the two models you mentioned, the SRS will go a bit lower in bass with more dynamic range and punch than a pair of 1Cs. Many around here like the 1C because of its more compact size, while maintaining good SDA imaging and bass. It just does not have quite the stage or bass as the SRS2.

TL models are 1.2, 2.3, and 3.1 and are generally more desirable than earlier models. They were the last of the line in the SDA series and had the most R&D work. Just do a search on TLs and you should find a wealth of info.

dpgaloot

Thanks for the response. I've been reading these forums a lot, search and I are becoming friends.

I picked up the SDA SRS2 speakers. I am very excited to try them out, as I said I've been listening to 10Bs for years but never heard any SDAs. I do have another question though....can I use my 70's receivers to power the SDAs or will I have common ground issues? I don't have any meters to test the outputs (I'm not really an electrical guy, is that going to change?) but I don't want to damage the speakers or receivers. I have a Sansui 9090 and Pioneer 1280, both are over 100wpc. I've been reading about monster Carver and Sunfires and mono blocks, but I'd like to start listening to the SRSs now if they will work okay with what I've got.

Thanks!

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dpgaloot

F1nut

I'm not familar with the Sansui, is it a receiver or an integrated?

The Pioneer I know is a receiver and therefore is common ground, so you can use that one.

Marty913

F1nut wrote: »

I'm not familar with the Sansui, is it a receiver or an integrated?

The Pioneer I know is a receiver and therefore is common ground, so you can use that one.

The Sunsui is a receiver

dpgaloot

Thanks guys,

I stuck the SRS2's in my office (about 16'X18') and they sound great! Noticeable improvement over the 10s, and I love those 10s. Bass is richer and deeper. The stereo imaging is really improved, and I'm happy with my purchase. My wife gave me "the eye" as I was having my kids bring them in, but even she commented how good they sounded.

I'm going to take the 10's to the shop to get some updating done once I finish the 5's. I've read a couple of geoff727's refurb threads and am inspired to give it a try myself.

Phasewolf

Do you have the sda cable? Had too ask because it seems too be lost so often.

stubby

Phasewolf wrote: »

Do you have the sda cable? Had too ask because it seems too be lost so often.

Yeah, and are they the original model with blade/blade IC, or the later Pin/Blade? If B/B, they are nominal 4 ohm dipping down to just over 2 ohms at times and will put your receiver at risk for clipping if you drive them too hard. The receivers you own have far better power supplies than most new models, so you shouldn't have to run right out and buy a stronger amp..........yet. Just saying most people get better sound with a dedicated power amp. For now, experiment with placement and enjoy!

stubby

Tour2ma

F1nut wrote: »

The Pioneer I know is a receiver and therefore is common ground, so you can use that one.

All receivers are common ground? Even dual-mono receivers?

dpgaloot wrote: »

For example, I can pick up a local pair of 1c's for about half what a pair of SRS 2's is going for, yet the number of drivers looks the same to me. What justifies the price difference on the SRS's? Also, I see the "tl"s listed but can't find any reference info on what makes them different or more desirable. Any help is greatly appreciated.

dpgaloot,
Glad you're liking them. Your SRS 2's are a rarer bird (prettier, too, IMO) than the SDA 1 series, but not double the price rarer. Here's a link to the MSRP data... http://polksda.com/list.shtml

So which of your receivers got the pleasure of driving your new Polks?
FYI... your Pioneer is 185 WPC vs. the Sansui's 110, but that could just be some of that 70's rating war stuff. :cool:

F1nut

Tour2ma wrote: »

All receivers are common ground? Even dual-mono receivers?

Did I say that.....ummmm, no.

BTW Bruce, one of the new guys used the word **** in a post. You better hunt him down and set him straight.

dpgaloot

Hey Guys,

I do have the original cable, it is in very good condition and is pin/blade. I'm really happy with the overall condition of these speakers, the grills are nearly perfect and there aren't any scratches or distractions on top as if they had been used as plant stands. I paid a couple hundred more than some of you would have, but Polk and especially SRS is pretty rare where I live and they are in the best overall condition of any vintage speakers I own. I found the PDF that describes placement and have been playing around with that, it really does make a big difference. I've got them against a wall, about 3' from the sidewall and just over 7' apart. I still need to figure out how close/far from the wall as I guess that impacts low range sound reproduction. I'm assuming they are set up to be bi-amped as they have two sets of power connectors that appear to be bridged.

I'm driving them now with the Sansui (110wpc) and they seem to be doing fine. I haven't gotten the Sansui volume past the 11-oclock(ish) position, they were loud and sounded great. They do suck up the power compared to the 10B's, I definitely have the volume on the receiver higher to get the same sound levels. I may swap out the Pioneer and see if it sounds any better, I can't tell the difference between the two receivers with the 10B's.

I'm going to work on some simple things first, I need to get some decent cables (just using 16-gauge wire right now) and install some spikes. I might even order some of the RDOs I've been reading about here, everyone seems quite pleased with that upgrade. If I do order them, can I burn them in on Monitor 10s and then move them to the SRS? Easier to leave the system in the workshop running constantly than the one in the office. I'd like to think that I'll stop there, but I'm getting this feeling that then I upgrade the crossovers, find someone named Larry and beg him to make "rings" for me, upgrade my amp, spend my evenings rebuilding the speakers and constantly asking my wife if they sound better, upgrade my amp(s) again, buy a preamp, mortgage my house, stop using digital media as an audio source, upgrade my amp(s) again, and finally hope to keep them in the divorce.

Thanks again for all the help guys, I couldn't be happier with them and I'm just getting started.

Tour2ma

I was pulling for the Sansui, but was concerned that it might not be common ground. Glad it did not blow up due to a thoughtless post.

BTW, if you know how to use a multi-meter, you can check resistance between the negative speaker-out posts. If the resistance is essentially zero, it's common ground.

F1nut wrote: »

Did I say that.....ummmm, no.

F1nut wrote: »

The Pioneer I know is a receiver and therefore is common ground...

Ummmm, yes, that is exactly what you said... I will await your sentence dissection that shows it's not...

F1nut wrote: »

BTW Bruce, one of the new guys used the word **** in a post. You better hunt him down and set him straight.

Post a link and I'll be happy to... just as I, and others, did you...

BTW... I'm still waiting for that list of places to which I haven't been invited back...

F1nut

Tour2ma wrote: »

Ummmm, yes, that is exactly what you said... I will await your sentence dissection that shows it's not...

If you weren't so blindly intent on following me around looking for any excuse to criticize any comment I make because your little girly feelings got hurt you wouldn't have missed the first part, THE PIONEER.

Post a link and I'll be happy to... just as I, and others, did you...

Nah, I'll just chuckle knowing how much it's eating at you.





Taken at a local music store just for you, been there for years. I asked the clerk if anyone ever complained, he just looked at me funny and said, why would they? 'Nuff said.