Craigslist hunting: SDA-2b or RT16?

brandino

Hi all! I need some opinions since I’m at a loss for what to do. I’ve come across 2 new Craigslist finds just put up today that I’m having a hard time comparing.

First is a set of SDA-2b’s that look pretty pristine for 200$, no word yet on if they have the interconnect cable but ill let everyone know when I hear from them. I’ve always wanted a set of SDA’s since I grew up listening to my dad’s 3.1tl’s until the right tweeters started to go and sold them off. >:[

Second is a pair of RT16’s, asking 80$. Hard to tell from the photo but they look like they’ve suffered a bit of abuse, I’ll know more when I go to audition.

From what I’ve read on here it seems like the SDA’s would be a no brainer, but I’m planing on using these in a stereo HT setup, where they would be used for 50% movies/television and 50% music listening, and so far I've only seen one person claim to use any SDA’s in a HT setup. There’s even one user in this thread (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?104532-Rt16&) that claims the RT16 is better for movies and trades punches with an SDA for music too.

So anyone that has heard or has one of these 2, do you think one outperforms the other? Does one of these look like the better deal to you?

Thanks,
Brand

Nightfall

SDA's all day long.

F1nut

2B's as if there was any question to begin with.

westmassguy

2B or not 2B, that is the question. This is a no brainer for sure. I use my 2ATLs for just that purpose.
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

TennMan

westmassguy wrote: »

2B or not 2B, that is the question...

I like it! :biggrin:

tophatjohnny

The 2 B's are a great choice! Where it all started in my journey that never seems to end!

george daniel

2B's all day long.

ZLTFUL

SDAs all day, every day, twice on Saturday and three times on Sunday with bread pudding for dessert.

bluecomet

I think you have your answer. You may not even need a sub with the 2b's. They are impressive on the low end of the sound spectrum. The question people ask the most will be if your center speaker matches up well with SDA's. I have had good luck in the past using older RT centers and the LS350 center to match up with SDA's. $200 is a fair price for SDA 2b's in excellent condition. Buy them, you won't regret it, plus you can tl them in the future so they can reach there maximum potential.

nspindel

2B, not even a question. Then hold on to your wallet, it's going to be a fun ride!

jimbo1421

Hey guys,

Should brandino consider whether he has the right kind of space for SDAs? They seem to need 15 feet of uninterrupted wall space for the SDA effect to fully develop. Plus the bass response depends on keeping them close to the wall behind them. Because of room layout issues I have to have my SDAs 20" from the back wall. My CRS+ bass response is much better than my 1B pair, perhaps due to the rear facing passive bass radiator. Just a thought.

Jim

westmassguy

He will also need proper amplification to drive them. A typical AVR will not do, even the higher end models. If his AVR has pre-outs, connecting a good power amp well take care of it.

boston1450

I use my 1c's or 2b's & they work fabulous. Not sure why i bought a powered sub unless its a major action movie & then the wife hates it more. 200 bones id be running to get them. Good Luck & hope it happens

Oldfatdogs

OK, I will be an enabler.Get both see what floats your boat,everyone needs two rigs.

Dan

brandino

Well I guess it's no surprise what I brought home......

These SDA's weren't as clean as pictures first seemed, odd scratches on the sides of the cabinet, and on one set the dust covers on the woofers were pushed in. However they sounded great, drivers had good extension and in the bass reflex test they took a few seconds to return to neutral. I thought about haggling over the scraches and the dust covers but decided that more than anything I just wanted these home as soon as I could get them there.

Initial listening gives me that feeling that leaves you with a goofy @ss grin you didn't realize was there. It's everything I remember my dad's being, the bass goes looowwww, highs and mids don't seem overly bright or fatiguing, and the sound stage is ..... well, everyone knows about that. :>

Next step is ordering some cables and SpeakOn connectors to make a new SDA bridge. New crossovers will probably come later.

Thanks to everyone who left feedback! It made the choice that much simpler.
Brand

Oldfatdogs

Enjoy your new to you speakers,I saw those on CL this morning and kept telling myself I didn't need them.Good thing your quick.


Dan

brandino

Oldfatdogs wrote: »

Enjoy your new to you speakers,I saw those on CL this morning and kept telling myself I didn't need them.Good thing your quick.


Dan

Don't worry, I left the SDA SRS 1.2's for you .
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/ele/4550216877.html

Oldfatdogs

Just a bit out of the price range right now.My 1Cs have to do for now.
Have a good weekend listening.

Dan

nspindel

Congrats on the new 2B's!

If you are going to build a new SDA connection, you should have a serious thought about building a Dreadnaught (search on that if you don't already know what it is). The top-level transformer required to build it is a special order part, with a minimum purchase amount of 10. Reason I'm bringing this to your attention is there is a group-buy starting up right now, 6 people have already signed up. The last group-buy was 2 years ago, they don't happen often.

If you are going to rebuild the crossovers, you should seriously consider doing the TL-mod, which will allow you to replace those SL2000 tweeters with the (much better) RD-0198. Crossovers, inductors, dynamat, hurricane nuts, armacell, you've got some work to do! You'll really enjoy the ride.

gudnoyez

Go with the 2b's never mind you chose the better pair enjoy.

boston1450

Congrats on your new speakers. Very nice good timing too if ya got a long weekend to enjoy them

kdblove_99

I have 11ts. Some SDA 2bs just came on Craigs for $175