Possible Polk SDA SRS Purchase

Thorton

Need Help. I've never purchased used speakers and found these local for sale. I believe SDA SRS. They have been stored in a basement for 10 yrs and the guy did not have any equipment to test them on. Overall, they are in decent shape. The wood is good no cracks or water damage. One side panel needs the cloth repaired. I pushed in the midranges with no binding or freezing problems I believe. The drivers look to be in excellent condition for how old they are. Well built by Polk. You can tell that moisture was present in the basement since the driver screws have some surface rust. No interconnect cable.

Here's my questions:

1.) Are these the SDA SRS model since I believe that is a blade/blade connection?
2.) Could the moisture that was present in the basement have caused problems with the internal wiring/electronics?
3.) Could I hook up my old Denon AVR to them and test them on low volume? I could bring an amp if I had to.
4.) What should I also look for or test?
5.) What is a good low price for these?

These babies are huge, intimidating and would look awesome in my basement. Thanks for the assistance.

F1nut

1. Yes.
2. Doubtful, that's just surface rust.
3. Yes.
4. Just listen.
5. Under $1200.00.

Thorton

Thanks F1 for the straight forward answers!

I have a few more questions since they have passed the first test.

1.) I've read about speaker location. Would my placement of these bring out the best in them or be a problem since they will be placed on the sides of an entertainment center? Distance apart will be 10-13 ft. About 20 inches to 2 ft from the back wall so the entertainment center will not obstruct them. The closest side wall is 8-9 ft away. And the MLP is 14 ft away.

2.) I believe I can get a very good price for these. If they sound OK should I go for it or wait for the more desired 1.2TL or 2.3TL? I know I could resell them but they're Freakin huge!

3.) I'm assuming in the stock form (all drivers functioning) that these will be a significant improvement over my A9's for music. Am I assuming correct? The only SDA's I've heard were stock 2.3's and they were very nice.

Nightfall

They will destroy your A9's.

Edit: When properly powered, of course.

F1nut

Distance apart will be 10-13 ft. About 20 inches to 2 ft from the back wall

Problematic. 6 to 8 feet apart is the ideal distance and that far away from the back wall will kill the bass response.

Thorton

OK. I know many don't prefer it but I can keep the subs in the mix for bass. That's the way I'm set-up with my A9's now. Since toe-in is not recommended does the farther distance apart kill imaging? And if the distance apart as you say is problematic, I will just probably pass. Thanks again F1!

F1nut

I would hate to see you pass on them just for that reason. Who knows, each room is different.

PolkieMan

I use my 2 subs for movies because I like the bass heavy on special effects and I don't want to damage my babies.
When I listen to music I go to 2 channel mode. Mine are 6' 9" inside to inside.

Thorton wrote: »

OK. I know many don't prefer it but I can keep the subs in the mix for bass. That's the way I'm set-up with my A9's now. Since toe-in is not recommended does the farther distance apart kill imaging? And if the distance apart as you say is problematic, I will just probably pass. Thanks again F1!

Thorton

Well, I just got excited seeing these close to me, the condition they were in and the price. Then I remembered threads about blade/blade not being able to use a isolation transformer. So I'd have to buy the speakers and another amp then maybe find out placement is not ideal. If I did like them, I'd probably throw in more cash upgrading them. I would really love to try these speakers out with my set-up but I'm gonna pass and keep looking. Thanks guys for the help.

Moose68Bash

F1nut wrote: »

I would hate to see you pass on them just for that reason. Who knows, each room is different.

Let me second F1nut's note of caution about passing on these. Mine are a good 12' feet apart, and I have no complaints!

nooshinjohn

Moose68Bash wrote: »

Let me second F1nut's note of caution about passing on these. Mine are a good 12' feet apart, and I have no complaints!

And let me third this... Mine currently sit 10 feet apart and 3 feet off the back wall and sound amazing. After my room is done, they will be set correctly. I have not seen a set of these for sale in Los Angeles in the nearly two years I have had them, so if you walk away from these, you are likely not going to see another set within 500 miles of you for a very long time.

Mr. Bubbles

I'll throw my opinion in and fourth that motion. mine are close to 13 ft apart and I have no complaints either. I know its not optimal but it is still awesome. Think for a second and determine how many things in life are truly optimal; few to none in most cases but you still enjoy most of those things very much. get them if you can. You will not regret it over that distance. Not at all.

gmcman

Thorton, if you are on the fence, and if money isn't a big issue, then I think you should go get them and if things don't work out...at least you have them and likely could sell them for what you paid.

I haven't seen too many threads on people not liking these speakers.

I agree these don't come around often especially with the wood in such great shape as you stated.

Bigerik

Location (these being local), and condition, are always the most important factors when considering very big, heavy speakers. I'll happily pay over the going rate if these two factors are met to my satisfaction.