Looking for help on some SDA1's

ommp333

Hi guys and girls,
I have a question that I could use your help on. I recently picked up a pair of SDA1's and they didn't come with their interconnect cable. I am sure that this question has been asked a bunch of times before but I can't seem to find the answer when I search so that's why I am asking the masters.
These SDA's have 2 small ports just below the tweeters, just FYI and the interconnect 'ports' on the backs show 2 pins protruding and just below them is a small hole. (hope that makes sense) I am wondering if there is a way I can make an interconnect cable or if Polk might still sell these???????
I notice that when I plug in the speakers to my receiver one of the tweeters on each speaker isn't working. (the left one on the L speaker and the right one on the R speaker) I am assuming that with the interconnect these tweets will come alive? Am I correct in that assumption or do I need to replace those tweeters?
Sorry if this is a question that's been asked a thousand times.
Thanks for all you help and advise.

pitdogg2

you are correct you need the IC to get BOTH the dimensional woofer and tweeter to work. Below is a link I'm guessing that you have the very first SDA1 with the RTA type of IC cord connection. That will be hard to get you may need to go to binding post or nutrik connection. I have yet to see one of those cables ever come up for sale on eBay. I'm sure some others will chime in to help further.

http://www.gimpod.com/sda-id.html

ommp333

Thanks so much for the response and information pitdogg2. I just checked out the link and it's awesome btw. Yes I do need the 3 prong RTA 12 type cable. I just e-mailed Polk and asked them if these were still available,(long shot I know but ya gotta ask)
I have been a long time lurker and the above was my first post here at Club Polk. I have to say that the information here and on this site is a blessing for us 'Polkies'. But you all know this already. I look forward to spending more time here and gettin' to know some of you fine folks.
Thanks again pd2.

ommp333

Well I received a response from Polk and as I suspected, no dice on the cable. So I will have to try and fabricate one somehow OR someone here could sell me their spare one that's just sittin' on the closet floor.:cheesygrin:

Oldfatdogs

This member might be able to help you out.

http://www.vr3mods.com/

pitdogg2

ommp333 wrote: »

Well I received a response from Polk and as I suspected, no dice on the cable. So I will have to try and fabricate one somehow OR someone here could sell me their spare one that's just sittin' on the closet floor.:cheesygrin:

you'll have better luck finding a winning lotto ticket someone tossed out. Maybe someone with trashed RTA12's will have the ends but making the cable will be on you.

zane77

Ommp333, Welcome to the club and modding the connections on your speakers will be just the first of several mods that you can do to bring those vintage speakers into the 21st century. A lot of fun and a great learning experience along the way.

ommp333

Thanks Oldfatdogs for the link. I will have to check it out in more depth.
Thanks Pitdogg2 for the info. I kinda thought the RTA's had a blade-blade interconnect cable????? The socket on the back of the SDA1 doesn't look like the same. But thanks for the response and help for sure.
Zann77. Thanks for the welcome and your right. Unless I can find the correct cable I will have to mod the connector and whilst I'm in there probably recap and rewire.
Thanks again guys for your help and guidance. I have had a pair of the SDA 1C's, 2B's, RTA12C's and liked them all with the 12's probably being one of my favs. I have also had every one of the monitor series and really like the 10B's and 7C's..
I am not sure exactly how much time and effort I want to put into these. They are a nice speaker to be sure, (solid wood is a nice thing to see) but from what I have read the 'Transitional 1's' were greatly improved upon with even the 1A's, ect...

ommp333

I have checked out the link you posted Oldfatdogs and really appreciate the info. It looks like I will have to mod the interconnect socket to maybe a binding post or ???? I will get into these babies soon and see what I can do.
I am still looking for the correct interconnect cable for these SDA1's so if anyone has a spare just sittin' around, and wanted to sell, I would be eternally grateful.
Thanks you guys for the info.

F1nut

Consider upgrading to SpeakON connectors. You'll be able to use a much cable than the original.

ommp333

Thanks F1nut. I found these on Parts express. I was thinking about the 2 left ones, second row from the top. Am I right in thinking I need a 4 pole and do you think that these would work?????? I think that I might have read that only 1 of the 'pins' carries the signal so maybe a 2 pole would work. Do you know if this is correct? (I guess I could look up the schematic and check for myself.) Just thought I would ask.

http://www.parts-express.com/cat/speakon-hpc-speaker-connectors/686_826_1510?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=S_Cats_E&utm_group=speakon-hpc-speaker-connectors_686_826_1510_E&utm_term=speakon%20connectors

ommp333

Ya know, now that I recollect, it might have been one of the later SDA's that had just the 2 blades where only one of the pins carries the signal and the other was used to help anchor the connector. So I guess that a 4 pole would be the way to go.

pitdogg2

I wouldn't think you need 4 pole as your speakers have two internal wires that connect to the connector piece. On your BOTH carry signal. Your should be just like the next connector which we call Blade/Blade with one a little larger than the other so as not to plug in wrong(may damage speaker) or at the very least wipe out the SDA affect.

when you do this keep in mind that the switch is inside the cabinet itself not the wire Make sure you wire just as they were inside.

pitdogg2

ommp333 wrote: »

Ya know, now that I recollect, it might have been one of the later SDA's that had just the 2 blades where only one of the pins carries the signal and the other was used to help anchor the connector. So I guess that a 4 pole would be the way to go.

that would be a much later SDA speaker that used the Pin/blade design NOT YOUR PAIR. Your wire should be +2+ -2- and the switch is inside. For instance inside the cabinet for the Blade/Blade pair the blue wire would go to the large blade on one side and the blue wire would go to the smaller blade on the other. Now I do not know what color wire you have so study carefully before you do anything.

F1nut

I've only seen pictures of that connector and cable for your speakers, so I don't know what the wiring configuration is. You can get the 4 pole and if you only need two poles it wouldn't be a problem.

Are these the ones you're looking at? Neutrik NL4FX Speakon SPX Cable Connector 4P and Neutrik NL4MP Speakon Connector 4 Pole Panel Mount. If so, they are an excellent choice.

ommp333

Ya those were the ones I was looking at. I have never worked with this type of connector before but I assume it's pretty straight forward as to how to connect any cable...... ?
Thanks so much for responding to my questions you guys. It is Mucho Appreciated.