Which SDA is for me

factorz

So I have decided that I would like to make the jump to a pair of SDA's, but not sure across all the models what I should be on the look out for. To give you quick history I currently own RTA-12C (fully modded), 4's, 5b, CS1 and love them all. The RTA, CS1 and 4's are in my main TV room so they tend to pull a lot of HT duty with the 5b's currently in my 2 channel listening area in the basement. I use a old Vector Research VR-5000 to power them and it's not that I am unhappy, but have always wanted to own SDA's.

My listening area is a half finished basement that is 14 x 40 and I tend to listen to a lot of rock with some jazz, country. I have seen some SDA-1 pop up lately in my area, but haven't gone as far as checking them out. Since I modded my 12C I know the benefits and would plan to do it to what ever I pick up. So with all this said what should I look out for? If I have missed any important info let me know. Thanks everyone!

thsmith

I suspect you could use any that you wanted in a room that size. I would think the 1.2 or SRS big boys could breath in that room.

I suspect the CRSs would be too small but sitting near field they would be fine.

My 1Cs fill my 15x26 just fine.

I would have to go with 1.2 TLs in that room.

I am confident you will get additional recommendations.

factorz

I should note that while the area is 14x40 the area where I sit and have everything is more like 14x20. There is no wall behind me or anything, but this area is carpeted and the rest is tile.

leroyjr1

Are you in Milwaukee? How does the rta 12's do filling that area?

factorz

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Are you in Milwaukee? How does the rta 12's do filling that area?

Yep, South side. They did a good job, but I can't say I ever really put alot of power behind them.

Toolfan66

2.3tl's

bluecomet

Any of the larger SDA or SRS models with a room that size. Some sugestions SDA 1C, 3.1tl's, SRS 2's, SRS 2.3tl's or any of the big boys. Look for the best pair you can find. All are great speakers but I prefer the big boys in a big room with proper amplification.

factorz

Wow I guess I didn't think my room was big enough for the larger SDA's and I agree with ou Lasareath that finding them might be tough locally. Locally I tend to see 1 & 2's pop up. Would these versions under perform in my room?

Mr. Bubbles

I would recommend getting whichever model comes available in your price range.

I personally prefer the 2's to the 1's. but again I would get whatever i could get my hands on to begin with. These things are getting pretty hard to come by if you are looking for a specific model. You can always change later.

leroyjr1

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Are you in Milwaukee? How does the rta 12's do filling that area?

factorz wrote: »

Yep, South side. They did a good job, but I can't say I ever really put alot of power behind them.

Where we're you when I sold all my SDA's? I had

2.3tl (2 pair)
3.1tl
SRS 2's
1c's ( 2 pair)
2 B's (2 pair)
CRS'S (2 pair)

factorz

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Where we're you when I sold all my SDA's? I had

2.3tl (2 pair)
3.1tl
SRS 2's
1c's ( 2 pair)
2 B's (2 pair)
CRS'S (2 pair)

I guess I am late to the Polk party! Did you ever end up selling your TV?

leroyjr1

No..

cnh

If I remember correctly, 14' is the "minimum" amount of free wall space you need to generate a true SDA effect! You have that.

With a room that size, I'd agree with much of the above. The bigger the better. But you're also going to need some powerful amps for that room. Since the room is FULLY open that means that it can handle the bass effects from the very largest SDAs. I'm surprised Sal's room can handle that. That's a bit on the small side for the very Big Boys who like to "breathe".

On another note. I also own, or picked up a VR-5000 sometime last summer along with a pair of HH Scott S-11s that I run in my HT room as an extra two channel vintage rig. The VRs seem quite clean and crisp with a decent FM tuner. 44 watts x 2?

I bet it sounds pretty good with the Monitor 5s. My 5As are currently being powered by an old JVC silver face which does a phenomenal job with them at only 40 watts a side, I can barely turn her up!

Enjoy!

cnh

factorz

Yeah I really enjoy the VR-5000 and it works really well with the 5B. Everytime I spend some time with the combo I am impressed with the sound and tempted to do all the updates to them as well.

Well it sounds like the general feedback is the big boys would work fine in my room and now I just need to wait. I will say I find it hard to believe some of the asking prices on my local CL for SDA's. Often I have seen the same model listed here for well below what is listed local. I guess the Milwaukee SDA market is hot!

leroyjr1

Have you experienced any other speaker besides Polk? If vintage is your thing I'd get your ears on some ADS as well.

factorz

I don't know if vintage is my thing. When I first started it seemed that I could get more bang for my buck going vintage then new. I also liked the strong support Polk had with a good following so I had a place to get help with questions. It was also cool the mods people were doing to their Polks.

I have thought about going new and have looked at more affordable brands (Emp Tek, Tekton, Aperion, Emotiva) but not sure I would get the same result. I have been to a couple local shops in our area and listened to speakers I could never afford to entry level and I never felt like anything blew Polk out of the water.

heiney9

factorz wrote: »

I have thought about going new and have looked at more affordable brands (Emp Tek, Tekton, Aperion, Emotiva) but not sure I would get the same result.

You won't, that's for sure.

drumminman

Properly modded SDA's are unique. They do many things very well, included allowing you to hear the emotion of the players in the performance provided your upstream gear is up to the task.

Like you I have the RTA 12's modded and they have a similar character, so if you like those the SDA's are the next step up.

factorz

drumminman wrote: »

Properly modded SDA's are unique. They do many things very well, included allowing you to hear the emotion of the players in the performance provided your upstream gear is up to the task.

Like you I have the RTA 12's modded and they have a similar character, so if you like those the SDA's are the next step up.

I believe you. Now I just need to find someone local who is looking to part with a pair. At least I have a nice pair of 5B's and RTA to make the wait a little easier!

leroyjr1

factorz wrote: »

I don't know if vintage is my thing. When I first started it seemed that I could get more bang for my buck going vintage then new. I also liked the strong support Polk had with a good following so I had a place to get help with questions. It was also cool the mods people were doing to their Polks.

I have thought about going new and have looked at more affordable brands (Emp Tek, Tekton, Aperion, Emotiva) but not sure I would get the same result. I have been to a couple local shops in our area and listened to speakers I could never afford to entry level and I never felt like anything blew Polk out of the water.

If you ever in brown deer you're more than welcome to stop by and listen to my systems. I've heard some speakers that I liked more than SDA's but for much more than SDA's cost. SDA's are a great bang for buck all around speaker that does many things right.

factorz

leroyjr1 wrote: »

If you ever in brown deer you're more than welcome to stop by and listen to my systems. I've heard some speakers that I liked more than SDA's but for much more than SDA's cost. SDA's are a great bang for buck all around speaker that does many things right.

Thanks Leroy. I sent you a PM. To everyone else thanks for the input and I feel I have a better understanding of my next step, but keep the suggestions coming. If and when I do pick something up I will make sure to post some pictures.

chandler9a

I say get the best ones you can find in the best condition. Sure, if you have the room AND the power, the big boys are just a whole different animal. That does not take anything away from any of the other models however. I personally use the 1C's modded fully, they are amazing but my living room is about the right size for them.

I was listening to my fathers 1.2TLs today and they sound better to me, IF the room allows. I know its hard to find the perfect speaker within range so get your feet wet with a good deal on any of them when it comes up.

gdb

Road Trip !!! To PA for some tasty 1Cs - the low price will pay for the gas outlay.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?132816-1C-s-All-Original-no-mods

factorz

gdb wrote: »

Road Trip !!! To PA for some tasty 1Cs - the low price will pay for the gas outlay.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?132816-1C-s-All-Original-no-mods

Yeah I saw that and already asked if he is going to be in WI any time soon with with the speakers in his car

Road trip is out unless I want my wife to change the locks while I am gone.

drumminman

gdb wrote: »

Road Trip !!! To PA for some tasty 1Cs - the low price will pay for the gas outlay.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?132816-1C-s-All-Original-no-mods

:cool:

I had to drive 4 1/2 hours each way for my 2.3TL's - purchased from a CP member. Great transaction, honorable guy. The only issue is I had to wait 4 1/2 hours to get them home and connected :cheesygrin: Only added to the excitement.

Oh yeah, I unloaded them and got them into the house by myself - 150 lbs each :eek: Thank goodness for hand trucks. . . .and gravity!

factorz

drumminman wrote: »

:cool:

I had to drive 4 1/2 hours each way for my 2.3TL's - purchased from a CP member. Great transaction, honorable guy. The only issue is I had to wait 4 1/2 hours to get them home and connected :cheesygrin: Only added to the excitement.

Oh yeah, I unloaded them and got them into the house by myself - 150 lbs each :eek: Thank goodness for hand trucks. . . .and gravity!

That is some real dedication and only proves more how great SDA are.

gdb

That's impressive but, I know a guy who drove approx. 8 hrs. one way (partway thru a snowstorm) to pick up his dream set of Carver ribbon speakers !:eek: If any 2.3TLs become available within 5-600 mi. of me.........my truck will be on the road, pronto !:cheesygrin:

TNHNDYMAN

I've got a set of 2.3TL's 30min away from me but sadly don't have the $ for them. It's killing me. $875 is all I need to borrow

gdb

That hurts ! How much ya got ? I just happen to have some lovely SRS2s that will need a new home if I drive to TN soon !!!! LOL :cheesygrin:

headrott

drumminman wrote: »

:cool:

I had to drive 4 1/2 hours each way for my 2.3TL's - purchased from a CP member. Great transaction, honorable guy. The only issue is I had to wait 4 1/2 hours to get them home and connected :cheesygrin: Only added to the excitement.

Oh yeah, I unloaded them and got them into the house by myself - 150 lbs each :eek: Thank goodness for hand trucks. . . .and gravity!

Sounds like we had very similar experiences with buying and setting up the 2.3TL's. I only drove about 3 hours each way however. But, I had to get them out of the car, bring them into the house and take them downstairs by myself! Thank God it was downstairs and not up!:eek:

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

I've got a set of 2.3TL's 30min away from me but sadly don't have the $ for them. It's killing me. $875 is all I need to borrow

That is a very good deal if they are in good shape. I hope you get the money. Do you have any gear to sell to fund the speakers?

TNHNDYMAN

Yes- I have plenty of gear to sale, just need to have some buyers come quick and am hoping the guy will hold for another week. Talked to him 1st of the week and he was going out of town. Was supposed to have his girlfriend show them to me Wed but never heard from her...hoping still avail since the ad is still up.