The Great 2.3TL Adventure...or as my wife says, "You have a problem."

ZLTFUL
ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
edited April 2014 in Vintage Speakers
Recently, Travis posted up a pair of SDA 2.3TLs for sale in Indiana.
In his thread he mentioned that RTA15TLs could be a possible replacement for him and he would entertain trade offers.
Of course, Dan, the great enabler (don't worry bro...I'll get you back! :loneranger:) mention in the post that I had a pair that had full upgrades done that I had put in storage when my daughter moved in.
After exchanging some messages, Travis and I came to an arrangement and Dan offered up his house as an audition and meet up location.

So, yesterday, the big day arrived. I loaded up my RTA15TLs into my wife's Scion tC (henceforth referred to as the "Truck Car"), popped a cooler full of protein bars and water into the passenger seat and at 5:20am was off.
I was up well before the sun and with a Java Monster (Kona Blend) in my belly and several songs on my wife's iPod, I was off to Dan's place outside of Indianapolis nearly 7 hours away.
10267770_10203792050950800_6594474841467576765_n.jpg

The drive was rather uneventful. And I made excellent time.
Arriving at Dan's place, Travis had already arrived and they were inside listening to the 2.3s.
We unloaded the RTA15TLs and after bringing everything into the living room at Dan's place, I took this pic:
10270559_10203792051030802_7132952010315801368_n.jpg

The 2.3s are definitely imposing. And you can hide a pair of LSi15s behind one speaker...
10269481_10203792051110804_1576790308331789309_n.jpg
10270559_10203792050990801_3850649140555502912_n.jpg

We chatted a while and listened to some music but soon, I had to think about loading up and heading home...
The biggest question everyone asks when I show up in my wife's Scion is if I really think that the speakers are going to fit in there.
I have had 4 LSi15s in there...2 RTA15TLs and 2 Klipsch KG3.5s...and my wife has hauled some impressive loads of shelving materials and building supplies...it truly is a little "Truck Car".
Anyway, since I had another 7 hours to return home, Dan helped me load up...
1491647_10203792051070803_9027154628363875616_n.jpg
I am always amazed at the amount of stuff that this little car can swallow.

And off again for home.
I saw this guy rise in the morning and on the way home, set again...
1514618_10203792051950825_2012136167942074357_n.jpg

Anyway, thanks again to Dan for allowing us to invade his house and to Travis for the great deal.

Now to decide on an amp... :cheesygrin:
"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
Post edited by ZLTFUL on
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Comments

  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited April 2014
    Impressive little car and congrats! I see spikes in your future.
    "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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  • tygr1955
    tygr1955 Posts: 45
    edited April 2014
    Wow, and I thought 4-1/2 hours was a long drive to get mine last weekend.

    Congratulations!
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited April 2014
    Nice score man and Thank your car as well, oh and your wife, lol
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited April 2014
    Nice!
    Hatchback helps.
    I was having hard time with 2B's in a Camry.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited April 2014
    Funny thing about 2.3TL's. When I was thinking about getting mine I showed the wife a pic to prepare her. She said go ahead if it makes you happy, but from her body language it was more like, "oh geez, here we go again . . . "

    I was positive that she would hate the way they look b/c of the sheer size. Once I got them set up she loved 'em. They look classy is how she put it. They replaced Def Tech BP30's, which are only ~ 9" across the front baffle - quite a size difference.

    You might be surprised at her reaction!
    "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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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited April 2014
    Glad you made it back safe! I am thrilled with the !5TL's, I hope the SDA's bring you much joy!
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited April 2014
    trav0810 wrote: »
    Glad you made it back safe! I am thrilled with the !5TL's, I hope the SDA's bring you much joy!
    Looks like you have 11TL's as well?

    Let us know how you like 15's vs 11's.

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    edited April 2014
    The 11TLs are Dan's (Endershadow). We didn't even get a chance to A/B them vs the 15s hehe
    "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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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited April 2014
    The 11TLs are this guys :smile:.

    I don't listen as loud as most normally so they work quite well for me especially since no rear passive so I can put em up close to the wall.

    The 15s I am sure dig deeper and get MUCH LOUDER since they have double the drivers but do for me the 11TLs are the bees knees.

    Still planning on Maggie's at some point though lol.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited April 2014
    Congratulations on some excellent speakers. Are the crossovers stock, or modified?
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited April 2014
    The SDA's are stock with the exception of the RDO's
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
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  • BKphoto
    BKphoto Posts: 409
    edited April 2014
    nice job...

    I always say "see honey, I'm not the only one"
    Marantz 1152 DC- Denon DP 1200, Soundsmith Carmen MKII- ADS L980 - Blue Jeans IC's
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    edited April 2014
    trav0810 wrote: »
    The SDA's are stock with the exception of the RDO's

    Actually, I have already started sorting the crossover upgrades. Thanks for that btw...makes my life much easier hehe
    "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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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    edited April 2014
    headrott wrote: »
    Congratulations on some excellent speakers. Are the crossovers stock, or modified?

    Stock with RDO 198s currently but he also included the full array of caps, the Gimpod boards, Larry's rings and dynamat. I have my work cut out for me! :cheesygrin:
    "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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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited April 2014
    ZLTFUL wrote: »
    Actually, I have already started sorting the crossover upgrades. Thanks for that btw...makes my life much easier hehe

    Glad to get them to someone with the ability to finish the upgrades!
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,416
    edited April 2014
    You guys are making me wish I was "back home in Indiana."

    Seeing 2.3TL's and the LSi-15's together in the same room made for some nostalgic moments on my end... Glad you guys had some fun.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited April 2014
    Congrats on your new 2.3TL's Ryan, they are a prime example of the SDA line-up. Enjoy!
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited April 2014
    Glad this deal worked out for everybody.Both of you enjoy your new to you speakers.

    BTW nice on your part there Middleman.

    Dan
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited April 2014
    Congratulations!
    I hope that you can find as many years of pleasure from yours that I have gotten from mine.
    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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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2014
    Nice score! I hope to be entering the 2.3 tl club also if this prospective job comes through.
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited April 2014
    Congratulations Ryan sounds like you had a good time and the trip was worth it bringing those back enjoy your 2.3 TL' s waiting to hear some impressions after you get settled in with them. There is still a pair of 4th gen 2.3s here in town right down the road from me I'm on the fence about. Once again enjoy
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited April 2014
    Congrats to all! I really wanted to crash this session under the guise of bringing some LSiM703 or some modded LSi9s for comparison but I know you guys had a full day of serious business. Love the pic of all the gear out at once..
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited April 2014
    Glad it worked out for all involved, sounds like fun. Hope you both enjoy your new-to-you's!

    Good on you, Dan, for all the coordinating, etc. Love it when a plan comes together...




    Wow! Funny how when you're near a pair of LSi15s they seem like some pretty big speakers and sound like some big speakers. Then, next to those 2.3s they look like little girly-man speakers! Hope there was no back injuries pigeon-holing those monsters into the little "car truck"!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited April 2014
    cincycat13 wrote: »
    Congrats to all! I really wanted to crash this session under the guise of bringing some LSiM703 or some modded LSi9s for comparison but I know you guys had a full day of serious business. Love the pic of all the gear out at once..

    Shoulda spoke up lol... We woulda gladly added you in the mix :smile:.....

    Heck you can just come over to checkout the RTA 11TL's, LSi 15's or whatever :smile:.

    I actually will probably be doing a GTG here in the next month or two once the weather is nice for longer.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited April 2014
    Oldfatdogs wrote: »

    BTW nice on your part there Middleman.

    Dan

    Indeed, Dan allowing us to meet at his house was a tremendous help.
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
    Thorens TD320
    Modified Carver C-1
    Carver TFM 42 and 45 Amplifiers
    Polk RTA15TL Speakers w/Decato mods
    White Lightning Moonshine DIY Speaker Cables and Interconnects
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited April 2014
    trav0810 wrote: »
    Indeed, Dan allowing us to meet at his house was a tremendous help.

    Thanks guys, but TBH it was with selfish intent on my part :smile:.

    I got to hear/see/touch 2.3's and RTA 15TL's without having to really lift a finger or do any driving. Add in I got to hear em on my gear in my setup (though we all agree NONE of them optimally setup) I think it was well worth it :smile:...

    There aren't that many guys local (that I have found yet) that I can talk audio with at "my/our" level :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • mccarty250
    mccarty250 Posts: 220
    edited April 2014
    Wow. And here I thought that some of us that do all of our own work as far as recaps/refoams/diy speaker builds etc. might know something ;)

    I guess we were wrong.
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  • amb426amb1
    amb426amb1 Posts: 148
    edited April 2014
    Great to see another set of 2.3's make their way into IA. Looks like you have a host of upgrades to keep busy with...enjoy a great pair of speakers.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited April 2014
    mccarty250 wrote: »
    Wow. And here I thought that some of us that do all of our own work as far as recaps/refoams/diy speaker builds etc. might know something ;)

    I guess we were wrong.

    LOL.. I dont consider you "local" as your about 50 mins away now that I am in Brownsburg :(.....

    You and Jeff are ABOVE my level, but again not local anymore lol....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited April 2014
    I can't believe how a pair of 2.3 TL fit inside a Scion TC. I had to borrow my uncle's Tahoe to haul the 3.1 TL back home. Congratulation on the speakers.
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