SDA speakers: which prefer?

Titonine
Titonine Posts: 18
edited January 2014 in Vintage Speakers
Hi there,
I'm looking for a pair of SDA speakers. I love SDA SRS esthetics. What are differences between various version and which to prefer? Please give me an advise about other SDA models too.
Thank you.
Post edited by Titonine on
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  • Mr. Bubbles
    Mr. Bubbles Posts: 736
    edited January 2014
    welcome to the forum and good luck on your SDA search.

    I have had several models and have heard several more. A big part of your decision on which to buy will actually be dictated by which ones you are able to locate and purchase. I am of the belief that any SDA is a good SDA. They are unique in their being SDA's to begin with but also each model I have heard seems to have their own uniqueness in themselves. Buy what commes up that you are able to buy, worry about better models if they ever come up and your budget allows, but don't skip a purchase just because you may prefer a different model as that model may be well down the road, if ever.

    However, back to your specific question; if you want them for critical listening I would prefer the SDA 2B's or even the 2A's. To my ears they are the most accurate and have the fullest range. Now they are not nearly as bad **** as the SRS, 1.2, or 1.2TL's. Out of those i would say be conscious of whether you prefer top end or bottom end. Tough all three do the full spectrum well, the TL models have much more detailed top end that is less fatiguing. However I find the SRS to have a slightly better bottom end. These three are also kind of an ego thing as well. Any of these three would be my second choice. Third would be the CRS+. with the 1 series in last place for my taste.
    If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?!


    Monitor 5Jr, Monitor 5, RTA12, RTA 15TL, SDA 2A, 1c, SRS 2, 1.2TL, CRS, Atrium.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited January 2014
    Some say the 2.3TL's are the sweet spot of the SDA line, which is what helped me with my decision. I love mine though I haven't heard many of the other SDA models.

    The CRS+ get a lot of love around here too, as do the 1.2TL's.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited January 2014
    Mr.Bubbles, very enlightening that you consider the 2B one of your favorites. When getting mine I had know idea of the pecking order of the SDA line and how muched loved the 2Bs are. I have no other experiance with any other SDA model but w/ modding or not they are one great set of speakers. If given the choice of my model or the studio version I would pick mine old day long.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • Titonine
    Titonine Posts: 18
    edited January 2014
    How can I identify 2A from 2B please?
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    edited January 2014
    Sda srs 2.3tl
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited January 2014
    My favorite is the SDA SRS 2.3TL as well.
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    edited January 2014
    FIRST choice: Any SDAs that use the pin/blade interconnect cable. Allows the isolation transformer in the SDA interconnect cable, which provides amplifier freedom--no requirement for common-ground amps.

    SECOND choice: Any SDA using the blade/blade interconnect cable, but new enough to not use an SDA tweeter. These speakers can sound tremendous. but your amplifier choices are more limited.

    Short story: Newer is better. Don't get "taken" on the price by some eBay scammer who is trolling for idiots. Size the speaker to the room, and to your budget. Any speaker pair you buy will need repair work, and you'll want to modify them (unless it's already been done.)
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  • Titonine
    Titonine Posts: 18
    edited January 2014
    Thank you all for the answers.
    Schurkey wrote: »
    SECOND choice: Any SDA using the blade/blade interconnect cable, but new enough to not use an SDA tweeter. These speakers can sound tremendous. but your amplifier choices are more limited...
    Which models use an SDA tweeter and which models should be avoided? Now I have a vintage solid state amplifier Grundig V7000.
    RMS power: 2 x 30 watts into 4 ohms
    Music power: 2 x 50 watts into 4 ohms
    It's a small amp but it sounds exquisitely. I would use that for now otherwise I'll have to think of a new amplifier.

    P.S.: should I avoid models with the older SL1000 silver tweteer?
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited January 2014
    I would avoid any that are not the newer pin/blade if possible but then a good deal might change my mind.
    So you could say I prefer the last two newest generations and they are easier to drive and upgrade.

    Did you look at the Sda Handbook?

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



    Titonine wrote: »
    Thank you all for the answers.

    Which models use an SDA tweeter and which models should be avoided? Now I have a vintage solid state amplifier Grundig V7000.
    RMS power: 2 x 30 watts into 4 ohms
    Music power: 2 x 50 watts into 4 ohms
    It's a small amp but it sounds exquisitely. I would use that for now otherwise I'll have to think of a new amplifier.

    P.S.: should I avoid models with the older SL1000 silver tweteer?
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
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  • Titonine
    Titonine Posts: 18
    edited January 2014
    My god, I have to study for many days. :) Thank you!

    Is there any lenght limit about interconnection cable? Distance between my speakers is about 4 meters.

    And considering my amplifier which model would you choose?
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited January 2014
    SDA SRS 1.2tl
    SDA SRS 2.3tl

    Are a tie for me.

    SDA SRS2 Pin blade version
    CRS+
    SDA 2B
    SDA 1C

    SDA SRS 1.2
    SDA SRS
    SDA SRS 2.3
    SDA 3.1tl
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited January 2014
    Titonine wrote: »
    How can I identify 2A from 2B please?
    there are lots of info here. You can dig on search & read for hours to compare . They are all fine speakers. I enjoy the SDA2b the most for the size of my rooms.. The big boys need room & way more power than i can provide. There are alot of factors involved here. Before buying any SDA do some home work. Welcome to CP
    Some info here http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?100513-Differences-between-SDA2-SDA2a-and-SDA2b
    ..
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  • Mr. Bubbles
    Mr. Bubbles Posts: 736
    edited January 2014
    A little off topic but Titonine, I just noticed you are in Italy. My older sister lives near but not in, Bologna. I can't remember the name of the exact area. I hope to be able to visit someday.
    If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?!


    Monitor 5Jr, Monitor 5, RTA12, RTA 15TL, SDA 2A, 1c, SRS 2, 1.2TL, CRS, Atrium.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited January 2014
    Titonine wrote: »
    My god, I have to study for many days. :) Thank you!

    Is there any lenght limit about interconnection cable? Distance between my speakers is about 4 meters.

    And considering my amplifier which model would you choose?
    read up on PLACEMENT for SDA's usually 6-8ft apart with at least 3 ft on each side available
    ..
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited January 2014
    Titonine, you're gonna need an amp with more power. While the Grundig may sound sweet and may get sound to come out of SDA's, it will not allow them to make music as they're intended. Something high current/ high power and common ground would be the ticket, around 200 wpc minimum. More = better. You can use a non common ground amp with later generation SDA speakers if you use an AI-1 (search Dreadnought here on the forum).
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Titonine
    Titonine Posts: 18
    edited January 2014
    Mr. Bubbles wrote: »
    A little off topic but Titonine, I just noticed you are in Italy. My older sister lives near but not in, Bologna. I can't remember the name of the exact area. I hope to be able to visit someday.
    Nice! :) I live in Salento, it's in south of Italy. Can I hope you'll bring me a pair of SDA one day? :D

    Dimensions of my room are: 18 x 13 ft. I can place the speakers 10-11 ft apart (I can't decrease the distance between them due to cabint), with sufficient space at the sides. Any advice?

    I wish my model had a flat fine high range.
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