SDA-2A VS RTA-12b

BKphoto
BKphoto Posts: 409
edited February 2014 in Vintage Speakers
I will have both soon and my wife is going to kill me so one has to go...physically the 12's are in better shape...and I'm kind of leaning that way (peerless tweets) but want to hear what you guys have to say...money is not the worry I have less than 200 beans in both combined...

what say you...?

BK...
Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,266
    edited February 2014
    Never mind. I was thinking of a different model.
    • SDA 2BTL · Sonicaps · Mills resistors · RDO-198s · New gaskets · H-nuts · Erse inductors · BH5 · Dynamat
    • Crossover upgrades by westmassguy
    • Marantz 1504 AVR (front speaker pre-outs to Adcom 555)
    • Adcom GFA-555 amp · Upgrades & speaker protection added by OldmanSRS
    • Pioneer DV-610AV DVD/CD player
    • SDA CRS+ · Hidden away in the closet
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited February 2014
    I'd opt for the 2As, over the 12Bs, but I prefer SDA over conventional speakers. The 2As will be rather expensive to upgrade vs the 12Bs. The crossovers are more complex, and have some very large value capacitors. The 12Bs are not inexpensive to upgrade either, but not the same league as the 2As.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited February 2014
    I liked SDA-12C's over SDA-2B's.
    Not sure how different 12B's and 2A's are from the other letter versions but should be close.
    If you like SDA and have room for proper setup, SDA.
    If not, then 12B's have more midrange for my taste and are not that picky for placement.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • Mr. Bubbles
    Mr. Bubbles Posts: 736
    edited February 2014
    I own both and prefer the 2A over just about any other speaker I currently own for pure listeniong pleasure. That said, if you have plenty of time to SIT and listen the 2A's are a no brainer here due to the SDA effect. However if most of your listening is not really sitting still in the sweet spot, I would opt for the 12's. SDA is useless outside the sweet spot, the 12's don't fall prey to this nearly as bad.

    Or.... just ignore the wife and keep both. for the money you have in them you may want to switch them out from time to time or use them in different areas of the house. Give the wife an open door to buy herself something. That usually makes these things easier.
    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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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited February 2014
    Mr. Bubbles wrote: »
    Or.... just ignore the wife and keep both. for the money you have in them you may want to switch them out from time to time or use them in different areas of the house. Give the wife an open door to buy herself something. That usually makes these things easier.

    Great advice there, BK. Those are both large speaker pairs. A couple of questions to consider first, though: Is the garage big and comfortable? How cold does it get up there in garages in Westchester County? If no garage, how big/warm is the doghouse?
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  • Hofy
    Hofy Posts: 169
    edited February 2014
    teekay0007 wrote: »
    Great advice there, BK. Those are both large speaker pairs. A couple of questions to consider first, though: Is the garage big and comfortable? How cold does it get up there in garages in Westchester County? If no garage, how big/warm is the doghouse?

    Now why would he put his wife in the garage or the doghouse? Hehe.

    I have heard some people like the RTA12's better as they have a larger sweet spot than the SDA effect.
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited February 2014
    hahaha....i agree with the keep both if i can swing that....

    garage is cold....dont need to put drinks in the fridge cold...ha...i can sneak the 2A's down in the basement behind my photo set...then just act like the 12's are the 2A's "what do you mean dear those are the same ones" ha...

    I think i'm going to do the 12's first...

    one thing I have to find out that may have a say is this....I'm going to have my Hafler XL-280 converted to a musical concepts dual mono + their other goodies...Not sure this will still be a common ground amp or not...
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited February 2014
    BKphoto wrote: »
    hahaha....i agree with the keep both if i can swing that....

    garage is cold....dont need to put drinks in the fridge cold...ha...i can sneak the 2A's down in the basement behind my photo set...then just act like the 12's are the 2A's "what do you mean dear those are the same ones" ha...

    I think i'm going to do the 12's first...

    one thing I have to find out that may have a say is this....I'm going to have my Hafler XL-280 converted to a musical concepts dual mono + their other goodies...Not sure this will still be a common ground amp or not...
    2As must have a common ground amp, and you cant use the AI-1, it will not work with the 3rd generation SDAs
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited February 2014
    thats what i need to find out...what is the AI-1...?
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited February 2014
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?74472-The-AI-1-Dreadnought-Project-Pt.1


    http://vr3mods.com/LCSDAUpgrade.php


    time for a little reading
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited February 2014
    sorry man but a little too over the edge for a $100 pair of 2A's

    much easier to sell them or part them out if my amp isnt compatible after the mods...
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited February 2014
    Knowing what I have learned here how limited you are w/ the SDA series I might not have jumped on them all that fast. But for $50 in the shape they were in I had to. Now the rap is front facing only, no tow in or out and no more of a spred of 8/9'.This is pretty limiting and I was lucky to have enough room for the placement of the 2Bs. If I now had my choice I still might go w/ Vandersteen 2ce sigs, Klipsch KLF 20s, or Fortes, or Ohm/Walsh 2or3xos. Even w/ my mirror imaged DCM TF 350s placed on the sides they still sound great.Logistics are a big consideration w/ SDA.

    speakers001_zpsf58960fb.jpg
    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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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited February 2014
    I think this was the shot I was going for. But the the SDA pix is a perfect spred w/ me at the couch at 9'.This is the shot I was going for showing the TF 350 left side and the ADC 303ax also left side of my living room.


    allspeakers005_zps57e2ff89.jpg
    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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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited February 2014
    our living room / listening room is a typical size, pretty big...

    that being said I am leaning towards the 12's...

    probably sell the 2A's or part them out if anyone interested in either...Between the 12's and the 10's I have plenty of speaker to choose from...plus i just got a pair of Infinity RSe's to go with my Marantz 1060 for my garage/mancave...
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited February 2014
    Haven't heard 2A's but I have peerless 12B's and they are very good.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,761
    edited February 2014
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Haven't heard 2A's but I have peerless 12B's and they are very good.

    Me too. Great speakers!
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited February 2014
    Have had the 2a's and 12b's and still have the 12c's enough said!
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    edited February 2014
    I have RTA 12c's with the usual mods. New caps and resistors, dynamat, hurricane nuts etc. I have used RDO 194's and the Peerless clones from Midwest Speaker in them. Not sure which tweeters I prefer yet. To mix it up a little more I just found a nice set of Peerless tweeters and I am going to put those in this evening to see how they sound. Overall they are a great sounding speaker.
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  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,266
    edited February 2014
    Faustin, I didn't think you could swap 194s with Peerless tweeters. I thought the holes in the cabinets for them were different. Have you made modifications so both will work in your cabinets?
    • SDA 2BTL · Sonicaps · Mills resistors · RDO-198s · New gaskets · H-nuts · Erse inductors · BH5 · Dynamat
    • Crossover upgrades by westmassguy
    • Marantz 1504 AVR (front speaker pre-outs to Adcom 555)
    • Adcom GFA-555 amp · Upgrades & speaker protection added by OldmanSRS
    • Pioneer DV-610AV DVD/CD player
    • SDA CRS+ · Hidden away in the closet
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited February 2014
    TennMan wrote: »
    Faustin, I didn't think you could swap 194s with Peerless tweeters. I thought the holes in the cabinets for them were different. Have you made modifications so both will work in your cabinets?

    RTA12's don't have cutouts tweeter is attached to a plate in the top hat..
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  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,266
    edited February 2014
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    RTA12's don't have cutouts tweeter is attached to a plate in the top hat..
    Ah yes. I had forgotten about those. I'm not sure why. I looked a a pair of those before I bought my 2Bs. Senior moment I guess. :)
    • SDA 2BTL · Sonicaps · Mills resistors · RDO-198s · New gaskets · H-nuts · Erse inductors · BH5 · Dynamat
    • Crossover upgrades by westmassguy
    • Marantz 1504 AVR (front speaker pre-outs to Adcom 555)
    • Adcom GFA-555 amp · Upgrades & speaker protection added by OldmanSRS
    • Pioneer DV-610AV DVD/CD player
    • SDA CRS+ · Hidden away in the closet
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited February 2014
    what was the question again?:mrgreen:
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited February 2014
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    RTA12's don't have cutouts tweeter is attached to a plate in the top hat..
    Some have wire struts attaching them, while some have a molded fascia piece.
    100_1671.JPG
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited February 2014
    yep i was thinking of the wire rod/strut set up when he said Peerless....

    https://www.google.com/search?q=Polk+rta12&client=firefox-a&hs=e2h&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9Nj7UoTmFMHmqgH3jYEI&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAw&biw=1440&bih=794

    top picture 2nd from left

    I had thought (wrongly of course) that the fascia plate was already cut out for SL2000....leave it to Polk to prove me wrong once again:frown:
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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    edited February 2014
    TennMan wrote: »
    Faustin, I didn't think you could swap 194s with Peerless tweeters. I thought the holes in the cabinets for them were different. Have you made modifications so both will work in your cabinets?

    They originally came with the sl-1000 tweeter. The RDO 194's don't sit flush like the sl-1000 or Peerless, and I had to drill a couple of small holes to screw them down. So they work but I personally do not like the way they fit, but I suppose it is more me because it is not perfect.
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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    edited February 2014
    westmassguy wrote: »
    Some have wire struts attaching them, while some have a molded fascia piece.
    100_1671.JPG

    Dave are those my crossovers??????
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited February 2014
    Nope, you never sent me the tweeters.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    edited February 2014
    Your right. I knew better than to send you a pair of Peerless. lol
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited February 2014
    You're the Peerless **** not me. I'll take my RDOs thank you very much.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    edited February 2014
    Peerless ****???? I resemble that remark. I did put the Peerless in the 12's yesterday and I will be honest, it is hard to determine if the Peerless, the Peerless clones or the 194's sound better. I guess the only way to really tell is to have 2 or 3 sets of speakers side by side with different tweeters and be able to switch back and forth. I suppose having the original tweeter in a vintage speaker is part of the mystic.
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