SDA1B and common ground amp?

LVA

Hello,

This will be my first post here. I have a chance to pick up a pair of SDA1Bs, these would be my first Polk speakers. They are missing the interconnect cable, but these can be easily made it seems...

I read in their manual that I have to make sure that my amp has common ground and before I pick them up, I wanted to make sure they work with my current amps, a Kenwood KA-1500 & a Kenwood KA-9100.

Does anyone here know whether the Polk speakers will work with these amps or not? Thanks in advance!

Schurkey

LVA wrote: »

They are missing the interconnect cable, but these can be easily made it seems...

Blade/blade interconnect cables were still available from Polk brand-new, and may still be available. Call Polk Customer Service and ask.

As an alternative, you can replace the original connectors with your choice of newer-style connectors, and use ordinary speaker cable (16 gauge or heavier) with whatever special ends you selected.

LVA wrote: »

I read in their manual that I have to make sure that my amp has common ground and before I pick them up, I wanted to make sure they work with my current amps, a Kenwood KA-1500 & a Kenwood KA-9100.

Does anyone here know whether the Polk speakers will work with these amps or not? Thanks in advance!

Easiest way to determine this is to take an ohmmeter and measure the resistance between the negative speaker terminals of the two channels. You'd better have LESS than one ohm of resistance.

If the amps are not common-ground, you can leave the interconnect cable between the speakers OFF, you'll lose all the SDA magic, but otherwise the speakers will sound just fine.

The 1Bs CANNOT use the isolation transformer (Polk AI-1, or aftermarket version) to allow the use of non-common-ground amplifiers. That is, they can be modified, and will be electrically compatible...but it screws up the sound quality especially in the bass.

When you get around to it, be sure to look up the recommended modifications for the SDA speakers. They will make an enormous improvement in the sound quality.

westmassguy

LVA wrote: »

Hello,

This will be my first post here. I have a chance to pick up a pair of SDA1Bs, these would be my first Polk speakers. They are missing the interconnect cable, but these can be easily made it seems...

I read in their manual that I have to make sure that my amp has common ground and before I pick them up, I wanted to make sure they work with my current amps, a Kenwood KA-1500 & a Kenwood KA-9100.

Does anyone here know whether the Polk speakers will work with these amps or not? Thanks in advance!

The KA-1500 is under powered for the 1Bs even if it's common ground. The KA-9100 is highly regarded, but from the photos of the chassis it has dual power supplies, and might be dual mono. It may be internally strapped, but as Schurkey said, check with a good ohm meter.
The best route for the interconnect, is to make your own with SpeakON connectors, and quality 10-12 gauge wire of your choice.