Vintage RTA vs SDA -- which ones are better?

Mystery

I saw few of those pop up in local CL.
SDA 2 for $300 and RTA 12T for $350.

What's the general consensus on which ones are better?
Not only these model but overall RTA 12T, 15T vs SDA 1b, c etc...
Is RTA effect drastically different than SDA effect?

pitdogg2

Mystery wrote: »

I saw few of those pop up in local CL.
SDA 2 for $300 and RTA 12T for $350.

What's the general consensus on which ones are better?
Not only these model but overall RTA 12T, 15T vs SDA 1b, c etc...
Is RTA effect drastically different than SDA effect?

My personal opinion is I'll take SDA any day all day and twice on Sunday...But I'll never kick an RTA series out of my house. Both are very good but different speakers.

EndersShadow

I tend to see the SDA's recommended over the RTA all day long. Specifically the 1C's if you can find them. Not familiar at all with the SDA 2's so will let the experts chime in.

chandler9a

I'd take the SDA's but if you are not into that kind of sound, the RTA's would be a fine choice.... They are just two different to compare I believe.

heiney9

I would say SDA's but later SDA's get a larger nod over early SDA's. Which SDA 2's are you talking about?

heiney9

The RTA12 is a completely different animal than the RTA8, 11 and 15. So which RTA's are you talking about?

Mystery

Thanks for replies.
Not buying immediately but wanted to get more information to jump in if something shows up in my range.
I saw few RTA 8T, 11 and now 12T showed up. The 12T looked like SDA or monitor 10 but RTA8 looked like tower speaker.
I have not heard RTA neither SDA so no idea on their effect.
There was one SDA 2B I think few weeks ago that's gone at $300.

heiney9

I am not sure what you mean by a "12T" .

Do a search this has been covered umpteen times before (the differences)

H9

Mr. Bubbles

I have both the SDA 2A and the RTA 12. I am not sure exactly which version of the 12 I have. They both sound great. Overall I prefer the SDA2A to any other speaker I currently own as a whole. It is hard to compare the SDA to most anything else as it is a totally different animal when sitting in the sweet spot. If you will be sitting in one location and listening, I would go for the SDA, no question. if the seating will vary somewhat, the RTA12 may be just as good but probably no better. If the SDA is cheaper then all the better.

heiney9

The SDA 2B would be the prefered model 2 to get, preferably the pin/blade. Yhey have better drivers, can be TL'd and used with the AI-1 for non-common ground amps. The cabinets look nicer and are built better, the x-over is simpler as well.

As much as I have liked the RTA 12's I have heard, I much prefer the SDA's.

H9

Mystery

Okay then, SDA it is that I'll look for.

nhhiep

get the SDA, if you don't like it. then don't use the cable, which making them as normal stereo speakers.

Joe08867

actually it doesn't work that way nhhiep.

I would say SDA's all the way. RTA's are nice but SDA's are better.

heiney9

nhhiep wrote: »

get the SDA, if you don't like it. then don't use the cable, which making them as normal stereo speakers.

Nope, they aren't normal stereo speakers with the cable removed. If one doesn't like the sound of SDA's, sell them and get something else. Removing the cable doesn't make them like other speakers, especially in the earlier versions of SDA's.

H9

drumminman

Don't know if there's such a thing as an RTA 12T. At least, I've never heard of it.

Mystery

drumminman wrote: »

Don't know if there's such a thing as an RTA 12T. At least, I've never heard of it.

Yes, you are correct.
It's only 12.
http://denver.craigslist.org/ele/3021034708.html

Dawgfish

I've owned RTA-12Bs and modded SDA-1Cs in the past. I currently own a set of SDA SRS 2's. Overall I agree with what the others are saying, I personaly prefer the SDAs but the RTAs are quite nice in their own right. RTA-12s sound especially nice with vocals, jazz, and accoustical music. If that is what you are listening to mostly, they are a great choice and outperform many modern speakers being produced today. If the right deal shows up I wouldn't turn my nose up on some RTA-12s. The price for the RTAs in the ad you listed is a little on the high side, but they appear to be in excellent to mint shape. I would try to listen to them if you could and see if you could talk him down to $275 to $300ish if you like how they sound. My dos centavos for what it's worth (I guess dos centavos).

heiney9

Mystery,

If you can do a search (the search function is poor) member named Geppy has done a lot of archiving of the various models in the RTA12 line. But I agree with Dawgfish, if the right deal comes up for a nice pair certainly give it some consideration.

H9

Mystery

heiney9 wrote: »

Mystery,

If you can do a search (the search function is poor) member named Geppy has done a lot of archiving of the various models in the RTA12 line. But I agree with Dawgfish, if the right deal comes up for a nice pair certainly give it some consideration.

H9

Will do. Thanks for all your comments.

drumminman

My modded 12C's are outstanding. They present a huge soundstage with great center imaging. Though not quite at the SDA level, they're nevertheless impressive.

Though unmodded ones probably sound pretty good, the ones you've provided a link to are gonna need some work, as in new caps an resistors. Those components are 30+ years old so they're well past their "use by" date. Xovers in the 12's are somewhat complicated, so they use lots of components, = $. I would factor in the cost of upgrades when thinking of making an offer.