SDA's at low volume - are they the right speaker?

SingleMaltKing
SingleMaltKing Posts: 19
edited April 2014 in Vintage Speakers
Hello, Polk forum. Am new here, and am setting up to return to Polks for music listening after a few decades of too much home-theater sound. Would appreciate some insight...

80 % of my music listening is in my home office, with the music at low and low-to-mid volume levels, and am considering some SDA 2A's. My question - will SDA's show off their chops at these lower levels? Or should I consider a smaller speaker like a 5jr or a 7?
Thanks, and I'm really happy about my return.

Signed - Former owner of 10's & 7's
Post edited by SingleMaltKing on
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Comments

  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    edited April 2014
    One of the absolute most important aspects of proper sound from SDAs is proper placement within the room.
    If you do not have the room to properly place them, then I would consider a more traditional stereo speaker.

    Here's a little light reading to get your learn on: http://vr3mods.com/uploads/SDA_Handbook_2011_Rev3.pdf
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    edited April 2014
    I have seen/heard speakers that didn't sound right at low volume. For awhile, one of the British companies actually advertised their stuff as "The Quiet Speakers" instead of "Loudspeakers".

    I can't say I've had any problem with my 1Bs at low volume. On occasion, I put the CD player on 'Repeat All", turn the lighting off on the preamp, and intentionally fall asleep to the system at low level. Still sounds "good", but not loud at all.
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited April 2014
    In my experience, SDA's don't have bass unless pushed a little bit and then they are not at low volume.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • Stew
    Stew Posts: 645
    edited April 2014
    +1 on placement. My 2B's sound great at low volumes. That's how I do most of my listening . Upgrades also make a big difference. Low DCR SDA inductors probably made the biggest improvement at low volumes . Bass is much better.
    SDA 2B-TL (Sonicap/Solen/Mills, Erse Super Q, Rings, Spikes, No-Rez)
    1000VA Dreadnought
    Dared SL-2000a (Siemens & Halske TM 12AT7WA's, Brimar 5Z4G)
    Jolida JD-100a (Sylvania BP TM Gold Brand 5751's), NAD C275BEE, Blue Jeans

    RTiA3, Onkyo TX-SR605
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    edited April 2014
    SDA's sound great at low volume with plenty of bass, BUT you need an amp with big brass attachments.
    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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  • SingleMaltKing
    SingleMaltKing Posts: 19
    edited April 2014
    F1nut wrote: »
    SDA's sound great at low volume with plenty of bass, BUT you need an amp with big brass attachments.

    All - thanks for the advice.

    F1Nnut - I'm having trouble finding an amp with the attachment or specification of "big brass" - are they like gold-colored capacitors?
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited April 2014
    I also find that my 2Bs do quite well at lower volumes especially playing albums. You heard it before, placement is critical and for an office system they just might be on the large size if you don't have a front on spred of 6/8 feet or so.
    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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  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited April 2014
    SingleMaltKing wrote: »
    All - thanks for the advice.

    F1Nnut - I'm having trouble finding an amp with the attachment or specification of "big brass" - are they like gold-colored capacitors?

    big schwinging caps
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  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,266
    edited April 2014
    F1nut wrote: »
    SDA's sound great at low volume with plenty of bass, BUT you need an amp with big brass attachments.
    I'm stumped on this one. Are those the things that hang between the legs of the big brass monkeys?
    • 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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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    edited April 2014
    TennMan wrote: »
    I'm stumped on this one. Are those the things that hang between the legs of the big brass monkeys?
    Brass doesn't conduct electricity very well. I prefer copper "attachments" for audio/video use. Silver would be even better, but too expensive for me.
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited April 2014
    Scotchy, scotch scotch...down in my belly...

    I have the 2A's in a 12'x12' room and listen at various volumes. I find them to be very nice at any volume as long as I'm sitting in the sweet spot.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2014
    SDA would not be my quiet speaker of choice, as I think they really stand out with a little more volume and power. How about a pair of single-driver full range speakers, or something else with high sensitivity?
    Jake
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  • SingleMaltKing
    SingleMaltKing Posts: 19
    edited April 2014
    zingo wrote: »
    SDA would not be my quiet speaker of choice, as I think they really stand out with a little more volume and power. How about a pair of single-driver full range speakers, or something else with high sensitivity?

    Jake, have an option for RTA 8T's - would they be better for lower volumes?
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    edited April 2014
    Human beings are less sensitive to lower frequencies at lower listening levels. This is based on the Fletcher-Monson Curve: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher%E2%80%93Munson_curves
    The infamous "Loudness Switch" or "Variable Loudness Control" Attempts to over come this.
    To me, if a speaker has pronounced bass at low listening levels, there's something wrong with the design, and or overall frequency response of the speaker. A well designed speaker will appear to roll off deep base at low levels. It's not the speaker, it's your ears.
    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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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2014
    SingleMaltKing wrote: »
    Jake, have an option for RTA 8T's - would they be better for lower volumes?
    Should be a similar result as it uses similar drivers in a similar cabinet.
    westmassguy wrote: »
    It's not the speaker, it's your ears.
    I would agree, except that speakers behave differently under various circumstances. Maybe not be producing prodigious bass, but I find there are many speakers that sound much more full at lower volumes and with lower power than vintage Polks.
    Jake
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  • SingleMaltKing
    SingleMaltKing Posts: 19
    edited April 2014
    zingo wrote: »
    Should be a similar result as it uses similar drivers in a similar cabinet.


    I would agree, except that speakers behave differently under various circumstances. Maybe not be producing prodigious bass, but I find there are many speakers that sound much more full at lower volumes and with lower power than vintage Polks.

    Zingo, what are examples? Any current Polks fit that description?
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited April 2014
    you also don't want your space filled with speakers...get a pair that compliments your listening area, not overwhelms it...
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited April 2014
    Go with near field monitors or powered monitors or small bookshelf like NHT superzero, Advent mini etc.
    They are designed (at least in my experience work better) for low level listening.
    I had a pair of Event ASP8 and they sounded amazingly good up close and at low volumes.

    Folks here jump on this statement anytime someone asks powering SDA's "You have to have over 200 watts amp with high current" and then also comment the same speakers will be the choice for low level listening.
    I disagree. If one design can serve all listeners, man my choice would be so limited.
    I don't even use my SDA's in the evening when I can't make them normal volume. I use Advent bookshelves that sound better but no competition at normal/loud volumes.

    Expecting comments explaining power vs volume vs details... yada yada... :wink:

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2014
    SingleMaltKing wrote: »
    Zingo, what are examples?
    What is your price range and amplification?
    SingleMaltKing wrote: »
    Any current Polks fit that description?
    Probably not
    Jake
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited April 2014
    monitor 4's, 5jr...?
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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