SDA purchase and in need of rebuild

custopper30

Well long story short, I ended up purchasing some SDAs from a local here in Minnesota. We have been talking about it for 2 weeks or so and finally was able to meet and I was able to purchase them. I was lucky enough to have you guys tell me that $70 was a unbeatable price for them, but I know this will freak you all out but I got them for way less then that. Before I talk about the price I wanted to say that I was able to test them out and listen to them on my receiver at a local gas station. I just ran a extension cable and connected my iphone with the USB and then tested the speakers. They all sounded really really well besides some visible damage to the cabinets and the speakers themselves. Never less, I thought of it being a project that I can do over the summer before going back to college.

Some back news about the purchase was that this guy was given these speakers by his friend because he didn't want them as they aren't in the best condition. Then this guy stored them in his mom's basement, until she was cleaning it the past week and was about to throw them out.... yes throw them out... So he took them and contacted my listing on craigslist that I was looking for speakers. He contacted me about them saying he wanted $75 or so for them. Well after long time of chatting back and fourth and finally meeting today. I jumped on the deal and got them for $15, yes I am not joking $15. When we meet again, he is bringing the grills as he forget them and I am purchasing them for another $5. So all in all, I bought the pair of SDA in rough condition for $20.

Here are some pictures of the purchase. Also, I am thinking that I need to rebuild them to make them better. I just don't know where to even start or before that what the cost will be to repair/rebuild them. One of the speakers (mid driver) scratches when pushing in, but that is the only speaker that does that. All 4 mid drivers middle cone fabric is pushed in but doesn't seem to affect the sound quality of the speakers. I don't know how to repair them if it is even possible at all.

Also, I believe these are SDA2A if I am not mistaken.

Here are the pictures!

zane77

That was a steal for $20, the scratchy driver can be replaced call Polk Customer Service, mention you are a club member for a discount. Start reading the SDA threads in the Vintage Speaker section. You can go as far as you want to as far as modding these speakers, did you get the interconnect cable?

custopper30

There was no interconnect cable. Is it possible to make one? What is it used for? I also have an 8ohm receiver (denon 1912) but could I run the speakers in series to make them 8ohm?

Mystery

$20 is a robbery.
Pushed in dustcaps can be pulled with tape or vacuum or glue trick.
Use speaker cable with banana plugs to make pin/blade cable.
If it's blade/blade, it's more work.

hertz9753

Hook those speakers up and tell us how they sound.

custopper30

I don't have a 4 ohm capable receiver, but I do have a 8ohm denon 1912 and could wire it in series to make them 8ohm. Would that be ok?

Mystery, how do I know what connection I need to use?

zane77

Look at the back where the speaker terminals are above those there will be another connector either two blades or pi/blade connector. No you shouldn't wire the speakers in series

custopper30

So I'll have to get a new receiver for these speakers? Damn..

hertz9753

Can I have a picture of the back of one speaker?

TennMan

custopper30 wrote: »

So I'll have to get a new receiver for these speakers? Damn..

I think your receiver should be fine to try out your new speakers if you don't crank it up to high for an extended period. If you want to shake the walls you might need something else. According to the spec sheet found here for the 1912 it is good down to 6 ohms. The specs for my Pioneer receiver are the same and it works without any problems with my 2Bs.

hertz9753

TennMan wrote: »

I think your receiver should be fine to try out your new speakers if you don't crank it up to high for an extended period. If you want to shake the walls you might need something else. According to the spec sheet found here for the 1912 it is good down to 6 ohms. The specs for my Pioneer receiver are the same and it works without any problems with my 2Bs.

I agree. I don't see a problem with testing the drivers with the Denon 1912.

PolkieMan

Yes the unit will be fine with these speakers unless your room is 30x30 you wear a hearing aide and like the loudness and the bass at full. Is the IC connection a little round hole and rectangle or is it two rectangles?

F1nut

Those are 2A's with the blade/blade SDA cable. Polk still sells that cable. I'd be surprised if you ever see the grills.

Do NOT connect the speakers in series.

PolkieMan

I wonder why they still have the blade blade and not the pin blade?
Probably because the pin blade was easier to DIY.

DO NOT connect in series.

(The scratchy driver can be replaced call Polk Customer Service)
1st pull the driver there should be an Mw 65xx on the back it should be 6510
The new drivers look different the voice coil wires are hidden and the cone
has more of a rough texture.
I like the vintage drivers they come up on ebay.
The 6510 is fairly common.
Do not throw the scratchy driver away usually they can
be repaired. Always keep a spare.



http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=202963

Here is the SDA Handbook print it read it, please.

vr3mods.com/uploads/SDA_Handbook_2011_Rev2.pdf‎

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-Audio-MW-6510-M8T-6-5-Driver-Woofer-Speaker-Pair-Tested-Sound-Great-/271209354108?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3f2556537c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-WOOFERS-MW6510-Excellent-CONDITION-MONITOR-8T-11T-SDA-CRS-SDAII-/221230912439?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item338263d3b7

F1nut wrote: »

Those are 2A's with the blade/blade SDA cable. Polk still sells that cable. I'd be surprised if you ever see the grills.

Do NOT connect the speakers in series.

HTguru1982

I used to run some RTA12C's with a 8ohm Yamaha receiver and for moderate volume levels, it did just fine. When I added an Adcom amp, they really opened up. I would suggest looking for an Adcom GFA-535 or 545. They can be had typically for $100-$200

F1nut

I wonder why they still have the blade blade and not the pin blade?
Probably because the pin blade was easier to DIY.

The company that made the blade/blade and pin/blade connectors was bought out many years ago, then years later that company was bought out. The current company makes a blade/blade connector that is similar to the original, but no one makes the pin/blade connector.

Using an RCA connector works (sort of), but it doesn't have the blade part for added support or in the case of the AI-1, the necessary second connection.

F1nut

It looks like Cinch is no longer making the blade/blade connector as Mouser and Digikey list it as obsolete. However, it appears that Jameco still has some. http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_248760_-1

Note that the original blade/blade and pin/blade connectors made by Beau were a sealed molded design and Cinch's blade/blade is not.

Mystery

F1nut wrote: »

Using an RCA connector works (sort of), but it doesn't have the blade part for added support or in the case of the AI-1, the necessary second connection.

Banana plug is better choice and those with wider middle part fit so good and tight that no additional support is needed.
Also, that receiver is fined for normal volume.
I'm using an old Denon avc-2000 and no issue so far.

boston1450

Great find. Great price. Hope he does get the grills also

soundfreak1

If you need a blade/blade cable i have one i dont need. Pm me if interested. I got it from a fellow polkie.

westmassguy

If they are indeed 2As, the Receiver will be OK at low to moderate levels, however these speakers drop below 4 ohms at certain frequencies 50-150 Hz, so be careful and be warned. My pair have been completely rebuilt and upgraded, so any questions you have, I'd be happy to answer. I wouldn't recommend investing in a new IC cable. You're better off making your own with some 10-12 gauge, quality speaker wire, and convert the ends to Speakons.

TennMan

westmassguy wrote: »

If they are indeed 2As, the Receiver will be OK at low to moderate levels, however these speakers drop below 4 ohms at certain frequencies 50-150 Hz, so be careful and be warned. My pair have been completely rebuilt and upgraded, so any questions you have, I'd be happy to answer. I wouldn't recommend investing in a new IC cable. You're better off making your own with some 10-12 gauge, quality speaker wire, and convert the ends to Speakons.

I had westmassguy make a cable for my 2Bs with Speakon connectors and they are great. Very heavy duty and easy to use. I can recommend him if you happen to need someone to upgrade your crossovers. The work westmassguy did on recapping my crossovers with the TL upgrade was top notch. He's a great guy to deal with.

westmassguy

Thanks, Don't make me blush Ronnie

custopper30

Polkieman, the link for the handbook doesn't work. Pulls up that the URL is invalid.

Everyone, thank you for the great and fast replies. I haven't fully taken a look at the speakers to see what exactly I will have to spend to repair, but I do want to make this a project to rebuild something great.

As for the grills, I know I will get them very very soon. It is just a matter of time when him and I cross paths again. He is looking for the interconnect cable, but I bet my money he doesn't even know what it is suppose to look like.

My next question for everyone is this.... If I wanted to run these speakers correctly with the rest of my HT, what options do I have? Do I need to buy an amp just for those speakers, if so which one is a good one and a lower price if possible? Or do I just have to buy a whole new receiver to be able to run these?

pglbook

Custopper, you got a steal of a deal. Congratulations. My advice would be to take your time, ask lots of questions, and follow the advice of the experts here in order to get those speakers back to life. You will love the sound of SDA speakers. I got a pair of SDAs back in January and have never looked back. The interconnect cable is a must to get the SDA sound so definitely get an IC cable. The one soundfreak is offering looks great. Enjoy!

F1nut

Mystery wrote: »

Banana plug is better choice and those with wider middle part fit so good and tight that no additional support is needed.

The diameter of a banana plug is too large to fit into the pin hole.

Mystery

F1nut wrote: »

The diameter of a banana plug is too large to fit into the pin hole.

Ah, I see.
So to use banana plugs, p/b terminal needs to be upgraded/replaced with binding post?

westmassguy

He has 2As which are Blade/Blade.
The best solution for the Interconnect Cable is Speakon Connectors

aldine

I am also in the twin cities and I saw your add on Craig's list. Good score. Last winter I got some 1cs and westmassguy was a great help as I rebuilt them. Good luck with them. I love mine.

F1nut

Mystery wrote: »

Ah, I see.
So to use banana plugs, p/b terminal needs to be upgraded/replaced with binding post?

That's what a lot of folks have done. Personally, I prefer Neutrik speakON connectors.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?142058-A-slightly-different-take-on-the-Dreadnought

PolkieMan

This Work fine, takes a minute it's a big pdf file.

http://vr3mods.com/uploads/SDA_Handbook_2011_Rev2.pdf

Your receiver does not have Pre-Amps out for an external amp.

http://usa.denon.com/DocumentMaster/US/Specification%20Sheet_AVR1912.pdf

So yes if you must play very loud or full bass
( I never use tone controls don't need them)
then you are looking at another receiver and a separate amp.
or separates period.
Do you have a large room like 20 x 20?
You have 90 wpc for normal listening.

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/umc200
http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/x-series/products/xpa5

custopper30 wrote: »

Polkieman, the link for the handbook doesn't work. Pulls up that the URL is invalid.

Everyone, thank you for the great and fast replies. I haven't fully taken a look at the speakers to see what exactly I will have to spend to repair, but I do want to make this a project to rebuild something great.

As for the grills, I know I will get them very very soon. It is just a matter of time when him and I cross paths again. He is looking for the interconnect cable, but I bet my money he doesn't even know what it is suppose to look like.

My next question for everyone is this.... If I wanted to run these speakers correctly with the rest of my HT, what options do I have? Do I need to buy an amp just for those speakers, if so which one is a good one and a lower price if possible? Or do I just have to buy a whole new receiver to be able to run these?