Favorite SDA?

falconcry72

I have decided to go balls to the wall on a pair of SDA's. Full mods, no expense spared.:cheesygrin: My first thought would be to use my 1C's, since I already have them, and they already have RD0's, rings, and gaskets, but on the other hand, if I'm going to go all the way, I'd like to start with the best possible pair.

I'm thinking it should be one of the SRS's so I get the wider-set woofers and 15" passive. The TL'able SDA SRS 2 is at the top of my list, mainly because the 1.2's are just so damn big and heavy.

It would be cheaper and easier to stick with the 1C's, but I don't mind starting over it will be a lot better in the end. What say you?

Toolfan66

My favorite SDA's are the ones I own...:cheesygrin:

newrival

After owning over half, and hearing the other half, of all the SDA or SRS models, my favorites are the CRS+, 3.1tl, and the 2b. In that order. The only models I haven't heard are the SRS2, but have a feeling they would be near the top. I think the smaller models with a pair of well integrated subwoofers are head and shoulders above the the largest models.

F1nut

I'd like to start with the best possible pair.

2.3TL's

Polkersince85

F1nut wrote: »

2.3TL's

+1
Everything you need in SDA.

Toolfan66

newrival wrote: »

After owning over half, and hearing the other half, of all the SDA or SRS models, my favorites are the CRS+, 3.1tl, and the 2b. In that order. The only models I haven't heard are the SRS2, but have a feeling they would be near the top. I think the smaller models with a pair of well integrated subwoofers are head and shoulders above the the largest models.

I still don't get the subwoofer with SDA's thing just as I don't get the subwoofer in a car that rattles it to death, and I disagree with the head and shoulders above the larger models as well.. I owned the 2b's and they hold their own without a subwoofer and they were stock, I will still say as I have in the past if one needs a subwoofer with SDA's something else is going on in the food chain..

Now if one is using their SDA's in a HT setup then I can understand..

Toolfan66

F1nut wrote: »

2.3TL's

Yep I love em and if I didn't have a fully hot rodded set of 1.2tl's I would have had a set many moons ago. None the less I'm happy with what I have and done to these bad boys..

F1nut

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Yep I love em and if I didn't have a fully hot rodded set of 1.2tl's I would have had a set many moons ago. None the less I'm happy with what I have and done to these bad boys..

Rightfully so Larry, rightfully so.

nooshinjohn

2.3TL's here as well, but there is a lot to be said for the 1c's. They are a very good speaker. I have heard the hot-rodded 2.3TL's though, and I must say I wish I would have kept my damn mouth shut about how good they could be in HT... I would have had them sitting in my rig right now.

bluecomet

I will vote for my modded 1.2tl's. There just amazing speakers. I am fortunate to own the collection I have and I can see why other members like the other models mentioned but if you have a large room the 1.2tl's are the way to go.

headrott

The only SDA's I have not heard are the 1.2TL's and 1B's. I own 2B's, 3.1TL's and 2.3TL's and can say that the 2.3TL's would be my choice. The 1C's are good, but the 3.1TL's are better and the 2.3TL's better yet. Better being defined as more present sounding, not necessarily higher fidelity. Although I feel safe in saying that the 3.1TL's have higher fidelity than the 1C's due to the ability to use the RDO-198 tweeters. The fidelity of the 3.1TL's is similar to the 2.3TL's, but the 2.3TL's sound fuller and more present. Hope this helps.

heiney9

1C's

Fongolio

How come no one has asked the most important question.....what size of room will you be using them in? The big boys for big rooms and 1C's for medium to smaller.

chandler9a

Fongolio wrote: »

How come no one has asked the most important question.....what size of room will you be using them in? The big boys for big rooms and 1C's for medium to smaller.

I was just about to ask this. Room size is key here. My father has the fully modded 1.2TL's and they are simply amazing, but his room is huge and they belong there. I have fully modded 1C's and, to me, they are perfect for my room size. I have a pair of 2.3's sitting idle and wouldn't want them in my system because they are just too big and wouldn't sound right, hopefully another room some day.

I have never heard the 3.1TL's but I'm sure they are sweet. I would say stick with the 1C's unless you have the room for something bigger, or if you just want to try something new.

+1 on not using a sub with SDA's for music...

Oldfatdogs

The 1c sound fantastic in my 13 by 13 room.I have never had the pleasure of hearing the other SDAs.

falconcry72

Thanks for the responses.

The room is 14 x 30 x 8, with the speakers on the 14' wall.


I was thinking that the SRS 2's would be a good compromise in terms of size, plus I thought that their simpler design could be beneficial.

For people who have heard the SRS 2's, 2.3's, and 1.2's, how do the SRS 2's stack up??? (keep in mind I would TL them).

heiney9

How are SRS2's a simpler design than the CRS, 2B and 1C? Two x-over boards and no non-common ground capability? With the advent of the 1C, they drastically simplified the SDA's x-overs. Just sayin'

H9

leroyjr1

falconcry72 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses.

The room is 14 x 30 x 8, with the speakers on the 14' wall.


I was thinking that the SRS 2's would be a good compromise in terms of size, plus I thought that their simpler design could be beneficial.

For people who have heard the SRS 2's, 2.3's, and 1.2's, how do the SRS 2's stack up??? (keep in mind I would TL them).

The SRS2's are 1c's on steroids.

bluecomet

You have the room for any of the SDA speakers. The SRS 2's that are pin/blade sound very similar to SDA 1c's only with a bigger soundstage. If you feel you need a bigger soundstage for your room after lessoning to your 1C's then any of the SRS 2 and larger speakers may be for you. Personally in that room, I would be on the look out for 1.2tl's or 2.3tl's. Weather you get SRS 2's or larger you are going to need a hand truck and another strong individual. At that point, what's the differance, it's a project moving them, especially if steps are involved.

falconcry72

heiney9 wrote: »

How are SRS2's a simpler design than the CRS, 2B and 1C? Two x-over boards and no non-common ground capability? With the advent of the 1C, they drastically simplified the SDA's x-overs. Just sayin'

H9

I was thinking simpler compared to the 2.3's and 1.2's.

falconcry72

bluecomet wrote: »

...Weather you get SRS 2's or larger you are going to need a hand truck and another strong individual. At that point, what's the differance, it's a project moving them, especially if steps are involved.

That's a good point. I can handle my 1C's, but I don't think I could move the SRS 2's by myself, so I might as well go bigger if they do sound better.

falconcry72

Anyone care to compare the 2.3TL's to the 1.2TL's?

newrival

Toolfan66 wrote: »

I still don't get the subwoofer with SDA's thing just as I don't get the subwoofer in a car that rattles it to death, and I disagree with the head and shoulders above the larger models as well.. I owned the 2b's and they hold their own without a subwoofer and they were stock, I will still say as I have in the past if one needs a subwoofer with SDA's something else is going on in the food chain..

Now if one is using their SDA's in a HT setup then I can understand..

Yeah, you and I will just never agree on this point until you hear properly integrated subs. The fact that you brought up rattling cars is proof that you just don't understand subs within a balanced system. There is a huge benefit to having a separate cabinet for the sub bass portion I the FR, and until you hear it, I guess you and I will just not disagree on principle.

Toolfan66

newrival wrote: »

Yeah, you and I will just never agree on this point until you hear properly integrated subs. The fact that you brought up rattling cars is proof that you just don't understand subs within a balanced system. There is a huge benefit to having a separate cabinet for the sub bass portion I the FR, and until you hear it, I guess you and I will just not disagree on principle.

I said I don't understand subs with SDA's I don't see where they are needed just as a sub that rattles a car to death.. Not that I don't understand properly integrated subs I have two of them in my system downstairs and I love them.. Nowhere did I say I see no need for them at all..

nooshinjohn

falconcry72 wrote: »

Anyone care to compare the 2.3TL's to the 1.2TL's?

2.3Tl's all day long and twice on Sunday. There was just something that seemed right about them. Given that they will be on the short wall instead of the long one, They would still be my choice. It would seem that the majority agree with that, so stop fighting it and just go with the flow.:cool:

Remember(waves hand) "these are the SDA's you will be looking for"...(in my best Obi-Wan voice).:cheesygrin:

audiocr381ve

2B's, duh! :cheesygrin:

drumminman

I've never heard a comparison between different models of SDA's side by side, same room, same equipment. I can't offer an opinion based on that kind of experience, but that being said I've thoroughly enjoyed my 2.3TL's.

When I began looking for a set of SDA's, I read here that many experienced Polkies consider the 2.3TL's the cream of the crop.

I would seriously love to hear the 1.2TL's vs the 2.3TL's per above. If I was in your situation I would stick with the later models due to the fact that they can be used with the AI-1 interface (a major increase in sound quality even when used with with common ground amps) and they are the most mature (and last) version of the SDA concept. Given your room size I doubt you could go wrong with either model.

heiney9

Toolfan66 wrote: »

I said I don't understand subs with SDA's I don't see where they are needed just as a sub that rattles a car to death.. Not that I don't understand properly integrated subs I have two of them in my system downstairs and I love them.. Nowhere did I say I see no need for them at all..

Yep, subs with SDA's are overkill unless you are set-up in an extremely gigantic room.

H9

drumminman

I would add or unless your speaker positioning is less than ideal due to room constraints.

heiney9

drumminman wrote: »

I would add or unless your speaker positioning is less than ideal due to room constraints.

I suppose that's possible, but if you are constrained by room placement, then other things suffer with SDA's. And actually if you have those sorts of placement issues where you need a sub, then SDA's probably aren't for you or atleast you will never get 100% of what they are capable.

I was listening to Patty Larkin the other day and I had my windows rattling on certain songs with very low bass.

H9

falconcry72

One advantage for me going with the SRS 2's is that I already have enough rings and gaskets for them, with the exception of the passives. If I went 2.3's or 1.2's I'd have to source tweeter and MW rings and gaskets in addition to the passives. Probably not impossible, but a consideration nonetheless.