POLK SDA 1B's

VinylIsCool

Supposedly in great shape with original boxes for $400...

Would these be good for vinyl with a marantz 1060 amp??

What made these speakers so special? and is that price high, low, average?

Thanks everyone.

:-)

Big Dawg

In great shape with original boxes, interconnect cable, manual, etc., I think that is a very fair price. Others may say it is a bit high, but i disagree. They are very similar to the early SDA SRS2 speakers which I own. They can be upgraded to use RDO198 tweeters. That is less than the "parted out" value of the speakers, and it's a really nice example of SDAs.

It's much easier to experience the SDA effect than it is to describe it. To me, it creates a much wider soundstage, nearly limitless, in fact. Many times I've sat listening to my 2 channel setup (only 2 front SDA SRS2 speakers) and have heard sounds from the side, or even from behind. But saying it that way makes it sound gimmicky, which it isn't.

In addition to the SDA effect, the speakers faithfully reproduce sound throughout the audible spectrum, from the shimmer of a cymbal to the deep resonance of a pipe organ. The RDO198 tweeters help a lot, and should be considered a required upgrade.

Big Dawg

One more thing. The marantz, I believe, is common ground, but you need to be sure before you set up the SDA interconnect cable. Also, it is only 30 watts, which may not be enough depending on your listening preferences. FWIW, I use a 40 wpc tube amp and have almost never felt that I needed more power.

VinylIsCool

I live in a condo... So I'm actually not a high volume guy. Wondering if the sda's will be overkill, or that my amp won't power them well.
Not looking for louder, just curious if I'm missing part of the music with my current monitor 10's.... If so, the sda's would be worth the upgrade to me.

bored184

The SDA's are great speakers but they will need a little more juice then the Marantz can put out it to really make them shine. DO NOT get me wrong the Marantz is a great piece of vintage gear, Ive got a few Marantz pieces my self. I have a pair of SDA-1Cs that I had hooked up to a Marantz 2226 (26 wpc) for a little while. They sounded all right but they really woke up when I introduced a Carver TFM-25 into my system. That is when I went down the slippery slope of separates. I live in duplex so I have to keep the volume down to.

Schurkey

[QUOTE=VinylIsCool;1929069Not looking for louder, just curious if I'm missing part of the music with my current monitor 10's.... If so, the sda's would be worth the upgrade to me.[/QUOTE]
Yes, you're missing stuff with the M-10s that would be apparent with SDA-1Bs in good condition.

TennMan

VinylIsCool wrote: »

I live in a condo... So I'm actually not a high volume guy. Wondering if the sda's will be overkill, or that my amp won't power them well.
Not looking for louder, just curious if I'm missing part of the music with my current monitor 10's.... If so, the sda's would be worth the upgrade to me.

My first Polks were 10Bs. They are great speakers but I sold them after getting my SDAs. I currently own a pair of SDA-2Bs and a pair of SDA-CRS+. I don't think you are missing part of the music with 10s versus SDAs but you are certainly missing out on the musical experience that is quite often referred to as the SDA effect. The music just seems to open up with SDAs. The voices and instruments are separated and have their own place in the room, which is sometimes outside the speakers instead of just in between them. I don't get the sounds from the extreme right and left or the rear like some people do. There are a lot of factors that determine how SDAs will sound such as the speaker placement in the room, the music source, the gear that is powering the speakers and your seating position in relation to the speakers. The SDA effect is something that is real and something you'll not want to do without once you hear it.

I prefer the sound of the 2Bs in my listening (living) room. It has is 14 x 20 with a high trey ceiling but I would think the CRS+ would be the best SDA speaker for a condo. They are about 1/3 the size of the 2Bs and the SDA effect is just as good. However, in my opinion, the 2Bs have a little more punch in the bottom end and a smoother mid-range. Other people here will tell you that they prefer the sound of the CRS+. Which one you like is probably a matter of personal taste as much as it is speaker performance. Both are fine speakers and you wouldn't go wrong with either one. As I said before the 10s are good speaker but if you get the chance you should get a pair of SDAs.

Big Dawg

VinylIsCool wrote: »

I live in a condo... So I'm actually not a high volume guy. Wondering if the sda's will be overkill, or that my amp won't power them well.
Not looking for louder, just curious if I'm missing part of the music with my current monitor 10's.... If so, the sda's would be worth the upgrade to me.

I agree, it's not about loud but about sound quality, detail, and musicality. I have a pair of monitor 10s, and while they're very nice speakers, they are not in the same league as the 1b SDAs, which are quite good.

Can you audition them?

Btw, if the denon is common ground (almost certain that it is), it will be fine for now until you decide you're ready to hear more of the music.

Let us know what you do, and post a few pictures when (not if) you buy them.