Indelible Impressions
markamerica
Posts: 203
There are few times in life when something makes an indelible impression that truly changes your way of viewing the world. For me, there have been several things that fell into this rare category, and I must admit that it's a hodgepodge of seemingly unrelated items, the only real common element being me. For each person, the things that make such an impression are different. In the 1980s, coming of age, I was hit with a number of such things. Being 20 in 1985, I could accept that at the time, I had been primed for such impressions.
I was welcomed to Germany as a soldier in August that year by the blast of a car-bomb as I walked out the Military Airlift Command's terminal's doors at Rhein-Main Airbase. That made a huge impression on me about the seriousness of what I was doing, where I was, and what it all meant. I saw a fellow servicemember die. I stood guard around the bomb crater my first night in Germany. I was no longer simply a curious and enthusiastic young man on a great adventure: I was a soldier and I though I did not know the enemy's name, I knew that I was now at war. I can still smell the morning dampness of the air when I think about it. I can still see pieces of the car propelled through the air, and I can still hear the screams of terror.
In 1986, I met my bride. I still remember that day as if it happened yesterday. She made an impression on me that has, for my part, seen us through thick and thin all the years since we married in 1988. Between the terrorist's car-bomb, and meeting the bride to be, I had seen something else that made a huge impression on me. I got to listen to the newly-delivered SDA-SRS speakers made by Polk Audio in a listening room at our local Post Exchange. I'd never heard anything like them. I'd never known that anything could reproduce sound, and breadth of sound-stage in the manner these speakers did.
Many people remember where they were when JFK was assassinated. I wasn't yet conceived, so that's not an event to which I can relate all that well. When men walked on the moon, I remember my father explaining how brave they had to be as they landed on that distant, dead world, pocked with craters and more than a quarter-million miles from home, and that moment when Armstrong took that small but giant leap. Another impression that sticks with many people is 9/11. I was at work, summoned to the conference room by our head of enforcement and security, a fellow veteran, though of an earlier generation. He'd been on duty as an officer that day in Dallas. Together, we watched on live TV as the second plane careened into the WTC. Though 1600 miles away, we could feel their terror. Strangely, I could smell the dew-laden morning of Germany sixteen years before. I could hear the panic. I could see the desperation, but also the sense of resolve. John could feel 1963. Different, but also the same.
Some things stick with you. I had purchased a pair of Polk's SDA-2Bs in 2007, almost exactly twenty years after having sold my first pair of Polks, the SRSs. Having gotten them out of layaway, that the bride-to-be and I needed wheels more than speakers. In 2008, I managed to capture a pair of SRSs again. with the help of my bride, who I never told about the speakers, back when I sold them off along with all my other gear in 1987, because she was already upset that I was selling off my gear, afraid that somehow, someday, I would regret it.
In 1990, we brought forth our only child into the world. In 2008, we nearly lost her. In all the years between, we had joy and also hard times. Last year, I nearly lost my bride. This year, my daughter and son-in-law made us grandparents. These were all events that left indelible impressions, grand and awful, that either brighten my days or darken my nightmares. It is this category of distinct impressions into which the first moment of listening to the SDAs way back in 1985 had fallen.
These speakers still make me smile each time I play music through them. They evoke an emotional response from me, something no other speakers have ever done. They did it in that PX listening room, and they did it again this morning. I've listened to hundreds of pairs of speakers, perhaps thousands, but none ever managed to make me love the sound of what I was hearing like the SDAs. To me, they are a fantastic creation by great minds, and they remain the most satisfying reproduction of sound I've heard. I think their longevity with owners owes to their unique design, and the underlying principles upon which thy were devised, because they sound real. They transport you to the real places you have been, the real things you have heard, and they make it all come flowing back to you.
We're only a short while from the 30th anniversary of the SDA-SRS. At 49, I'm now a grandfather, my daughter's daughter still months from her first steps. I love my life, most of the time, always have, and so as I get ready to close out its first half-century, I suppose I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. This past week, I cleaned up the 2Bs, made sure they were in good shape, and delivered them into the ownership of my daughter and her soldier husband. I want my grandchild's life to be filled with music played through superior loudspeakers. I want that she will have a firm impression of what is good sound, and with it, an impression of the grandfather who loved her.
I want to thank Matthew Polk for building a company and its superior products. The people who work for Polk Audio are still there supporting these legacy products, and that's much more important than most people would ever guess. It means that we who own the legacy products(and not a few of the newer ones) will be able to share those impressions for a long, long time. We just replaced 20 tweeters, and the new ones sound even better than the originals. There was a time when I'd have thought that impossible.
I don't know if I'll make it another ten years, but my SDAs will. I don't know if I'll see the granddaughter's graduation, wedding, or her own eventual child(ren.) What I do know is that from now until as many days and years as may yet pass beneath my feet will have elapsed, as she grows and learns and wonders at the world around her, when with her grandfather, she will hear music, and it will be beautiful because of the Polk SDAs, and she will know the difference a grand idea makes in the life of a simple man. She should know. Somebody should tell her. For now, that somebody is me.
Is it odd that on the downslope of one's life, one should want to combine those most beautiful, indelible impressions all in one place at one time? I don't think so. It's said that smells and sounds build the most enduring memories, because of the way we are wired. Today, the house will smell of brisket and baking cornbread. Today, my daughter and son-in-law will be coming over, bringing the grandchild along. We will hear beautiful music played through speakers that will make the musicians and vocalists come alive on a virtual sound-stage before us, and we will revel in it. We will love and laugh and know the joyful moments that build indelible impressions, and that's as good as it gets.
Though they can't know it, Matthew Polk and all those with whom he worked to build these marvels will be in the room with us. For all the help you forum members have provided in helping me to improve upon the impossibly good, and for the fellowship, you too will be here among us. DarqueKnight's SDA compendium, bound in a three-ring binder sits on the coffee table, Westmassguy's great ideas, F1nut's wry sense of humor, and Drumminman's solid integrity come along for the ride too. Larry's excellent rings. VR3's stunning examples. Many, many more. All of you are here in the room with us, and you've helped to make my life beautiful.
Thank you all for enriching my life.
I was welcomed to Germany as a soldier in August that year by the blast of a car-bomb as I walked out the Military Airlift Command's terminal's doors at Rhein-Main Airbase. That made a huge impression on me about the seriousness of what I was doing, where I was, and what it all meant. I saw a fellow servicemember die. I stood guard around the bomb crater my first night in Germany. I was no longer simply a curious and enthusiastic young man on a great adventure: I was a soldier and I though I did not know the enemy's name, I knew that I was now at war. I can still smell the morning dampness of the air when I think about it. I can still see pieces of the car propelled through the air, and I can still hear the screams of terror.
In 1986, I met my bride. I still remember that day as if it happened yesterday. She made an impression on me that has, for my part, seen us through thick and thin all the years since we married in 1988. Between the terrorist's car-bomb, and meeting the bride to be, I had seen something else that made a huge impression on me. I got to listen to the newly-delivered SDA-SRS speakers made by Polk Audio in a listening room at our local Post Exchange. I'd never heard anything like them. I'd never known that anything could reproduce sound, and breadth of sound-stage in the manner these speakers did.
Many people remember where they were when JFK was assassinated. I wasn't yet conceived, so that's not an event to which I can relate all that well. When men walked on the moon, I remember my father explaining how brave they had to be as they landed on that distant, dead world, pocked with craters and more than a quarter-million miles from home, and that moment when Armstrong took that small but giant leap. Another impression that sticks with many people is 9/11. I was at work, summoned to the conference room by our head of enforcement and security, a fellow veteran, though of an earlier generation. He'd been on duty as an officer that day in Dallas. Together, we watched on live TV as the second plane careened into the WTC. Though 1600 miles away, we could feel their terror. Strangely, I could smell the dew-laden morning of Germany sixteen years before. I could hear the panic. I could see the desperation, but also the sense of resolve. John could feel 1963. Different, but also the same.
Some things stick with you. I had purchased a pair of Polk's SDA-2Bs in 2007, almost exactly twenty years after having sold my first pair of Polks, the SRSs. Having gotten them out of layaway, that the bride-to-be and I needed wheels more than speakers. In 2008, I managed to capture a pair of SRSs again. with the help of my bride, who I never told about the speakers, back when I sold them off along with all my other gear in 1987, because she was already upset that I was selling off my gear, afraid that somehow, someday, I would regret it.
In 1990, we brought forth our only child into the world. In 2008, we nearly lost her. In all the years between, we had joy and also hard times. Last year, I nearly lost my bride. This year, my daughter and son-in-law made us grandparents. These were all events that left indelible impressions, grand and awful, that either brighten my days or darken my nightmares. It is this category of distinct impressions into which the first moment of listening to the SDAs way back in 1985 had fallen.
These speakers still make me smile each time I play music through them. They evoke an emotional response from me, something no other speakers have ever done. They did it in that PX listening room, and they did it again this morning. I've listened to hundreds of pairs of speakers, perhaps thousands, but none ever managed to make me love the sound of what I was hearing like the SDAs. To me, they are a fantastic creation by great minds, and they remain the most satisfying reproduction of sound I've heard. I think their longevity with owners owes to their unique design, and the underlying principles upon which thy were devised, because they sound real. They transport you to the real places you have been, the real things you have heard, and they make it all come flowing back to you.
We're only a short while from the 30th anniversary of the SDA-SRS. At 49, I'm now a grandfather, my daughter's daughter still months from her first steps. I love my life, most of the time, always have, and so as I get ready to close out its first half-century, I suppose I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. This past week, I cleaned up the 2Bs, made sure they were in good shape, and delivered them into the ownership of my daughter and her soldier husband. I want my grandchild's life to be filled with music played through superior loudspeakers. I want that she will have a firm impression of what is good sound, and with it, an impression of the grandfather who loved her.
I want to thank Matthew Polk for building a company and its superior products. The people who work for Polk Audio are still there supporting these legacy products, and that's much more important than most people would ever guess. It means that we who own the legacy products(and not a few of the newer ones) will be able to share those impressions for a long, long time. We just replaced 20 tweeters, and the new ones sound even better than the originals. There was a time when I'd have thought that impossible.
I don't know if I'll make it another ten years, but my SDAs will. I don't know if I'll see the granddaughter's graduation, wedding, or her own eventual child(ren.) What I do know is that from now until as many days and years as may yet pass beneath my feet will have elapsed, as she grows and learns and wonders at the world around her, when with her grandfather, she will hear music, and it will be beautiful because of the Polk SDAs, and she will know the difference a grand idea makes in the life of a simple man. She should know. Somebody should tell her. For now, that somebody is me.
Is it odd that on the downslope of one's life, one should want to combine those most beautiful, indelible impressions all in one place at one time? I don't think so. It's said that smells and sounds build the most enduring memories, because of the way we are wired. Today, the house will smell of brisket and baking cornbread. Today, my daughter and son-in-law will be coming over, bringing the grandchild along. We will hear beautiful music played through speakers that will make the musicians and vocalists come alive on a virtual sound-stage before us, and we will revel in it. We will love and laugh and know the joyful moments that build indelible impressions, and that's as good as it gets.
Though they can't know it, Matthew Polk and all those with whom he worked to build these marvels will be in the room with us. For all the help you forum members have provided in helping me to improve upon the impossibly good, and for the fellowship, you too will be here among us. DarqueKnight's SDA compendium, bound in a three-ring binder sits on the coffee table, Westmassguy's great ideas, F1nut's wry sense of humor, and Drumminman's solid integrity come along for the ride too. Larry's excellent rings. VR3's stunning examples. Many, many more. All of you are here in the room with us, and you've helped to make my life beautiful.
Thank you all for enriching my life.
SDA SRS, SDA SRS1.2TL, SDA-1C,SDA 2B, Soundcraftsmen Amplification (A5002s, MA5002s, MA5002As)
Comments
-
What a beautiful and heartfelt post! Thanks for sharing!
The only thing I can add is that you're kinda "young" to be a Grandpa? That certainly would make me feel old and I've got more than a few years on you. I hope not to achieve that status until I'm closer to seventy! lol
SDAs! Hard to get over them!
Enjoy them with your family!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
CNH,
Thanks! I was almost 25 when she was born, and she was just over 24 when she delivered the granddaughter. Besides, I like to point out, at least insofar as I am concerned: It isn't the years... It's the miles. Think of me as the four-year-old car with 220K miles...LOL Not chronologically old, but worn the heck out.
MarkSDA SRS, SDA SRS1.2TL, SDA-1C,SDA 2B, Soundcraftsmen Amplification (A5002s, MA5002s, MA5002As) -
Mark, you have a knack for story telling. Well done.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/ -
Wow, nice, thoughtful post. Glad you're here Mark."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
-
Wonderful story. Your too young to say I hope I'm here for another 10 years as you stated. Be healthy for your daughter & grandchildren. Gives you more time to enjoy your SDA's too
.. -
Mark,
A moving "memoir" and an inspiration to all of us Polkies!
Sounds to me like you are a fine father and grandfather.
Best, warm wishes to you.Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
This post really caught my attention.
I can't afford any of the SDAs, so I've never followed SDA posts thoroughly. I'd just read a few here and there and quickly head back to M7 posts. And like you Mark, I've always appreciated posts from WMG, DK, F1,DRMNM, VR3 & others.
So I went back and read about 30 of your posts, not to find SDA info but to see how you treated people, technical ideas and general correspondence.
When I read this post i thought "who is this guy?" Now I know; markamerica in in the same league as those listed above.
Enjoy that Granddaughter!
HT: Marantz NR-1603, Oppo 981, Def Tech SM55, SVS PB-1000
BR: iPad Mini, Audio Engine A5+
2C: Parasound ZDAC V.2, Sony DA80ES, Sony XDR-F1HD, SVS Prime Tower, JSE .6 Infinite Slope
Office: MBAir, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, JBL LSR-308
Projects: Polk RTA12, Polk Monitor 7, Revox B225CD, BIC 3-TM -
westmassguy wrote: »Mark, you have a knack for story telling. Well done.
No sir, thank you!drumminman wrote: »Wow, nice, thoughtful post. Glad you're here Mark.
Drumminman, The pleasure is mine.
Boston1450, Like I said, it's the miles.Moose68Bash wrote: »Sounds to me like you are a fine father and grandfather.
Best, warm wishes to you.
Moosebash, you're too kind. Jury's still out on me. Best of all things to you, too!
OldSchoolPolk, Being as M7s were the first Polks to which I was ever exposed, I can say this: There isn't a thing in the world wrong with those.OldSchoolPolk wrote: »This post really caught my attention.
So I went back and read about 30 of your posts, not to find SDA info but to see how you treated people, technical ideas and general correspondence.
Uh-oh... I hope I didn't bore you to death. I get wordy at times.OldSchoolPolk wrote: »When I read this post i thought "who is this guy?" Now I know; markamerica in in the same league as those listed above.
That's high praise, undeserved I think, but I'll try to live up to some of it.OldSchoolPolk wrote: »Enjoy that Granddaughter!
For absolutely so long as I am able. Yesterday turned out to be a grand day with the babe screeching with delight as the music played and she bounced[very gently] on grandpa's knee, grinning ear-to-ear. I think she was actually "singing" such as it is at four months old. Whatever it was, we had a great time. Kept the music moderately low. Wouldn't want to damage that fragile hearing before Grandpa has helped her acquire a good taste in music. Supper was good. Company was great. So she'll be a bit spoiled... Isn't that the grandparents' privilege?
Geeze fellas, your good will makes a guy feel mighty humble. Again, thank you all!
SDA SRS, SDA SRS1.2TL, SDA-1C,SDA 2B, Soundcraftsmen Amplification (A5002s, MA5002s, MA5002As) -
Very nice.
-
Thanks for sharing, keep coming back.
Seriously, nice story and we're lucky to have you here.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 -
Good post,, thanks for sharing,, one thing that is etched in my brain is/was stepping off the plane in 1970 in SE Asia,,talk about a wake up call!JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
-
Bless you!
You have a great story about your journey.My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160
Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |
ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4
Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |
Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |
Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |
Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's
Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's | -
Thanks for sharing, keep coming back.
Seriously, nice story and we're lucky to have you here.
F1nut, thank you!
Conradicles, Thank you also!george daniel wrote: »Good post,, thanks for sharing,, one thing that is etched in my brain is/was stepping off the plane in 1970 in SE Asia,,talk about a wake up call!
Thanks. I imagine stepping off the plane in that place at that time was more than a wake-up call. Glad to know you!
Mikey, Thanks! My story isn't probably very unique. I'm sure that many veterans like me found their love of all things Polk(and audio generally) in a PX/BX at some overseas locale, or even stationed stateside. I just know that of all the things that ever made a big impression on me, hearing the SRSs for the first time was mind-blowing. They seemed unobtainable to me at that moment, but I set about the idea to get them anyway...LOL Funny, as I think about it, I thought the same of my wife the first time I spied her...
Life is full of wonders. The SDAs are a marvel, and so I stopped by my daughter's home tonight to give the gift of amplification to go along with the 2Bs. After the brief system test, I left the three of them in peace as my daughter danced around the room with the granddaughter in her arms, enjoying good music and great stereo, the son-in-law apparently smitten with all of it. I don't have a pot of money to give them, but they have nice-sounding music.
SDA SRS, SDA SRS1.2TL, SDA-1C,SDA 2B, Soundcraftsmen Amplification (A5002s, MA5002s, MA5002As) -
Mark, money is transient. I doubt they'd remember what they spent it on 5 years from now. You've given them an heirloom, a gift that will remind them of Dad/Granddad, and will last for decadesHome 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/ -
Nice. Very nice post, Mark . . . I kid you not, I've got a tear in my eye
Thanks for sharing
GlennAC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
Pre Cary SLP-05
Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
Mains Salk HT2-TL
Rythmik F12 -
What a wonderful write up.
I can't write like that but I certainly feel the way you feel and as I mentioned before mine can go only after I do, nothing to me sounds as good. 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 -
Wow - just rad the entire thread. We need more like this here...
Great story!!Pio Elete Pro 520
Panamax 5400-EX
Sunfire TGP 5
Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
PS Audio GCPH phono pre
Sunfire CG 200 X 5
Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
OPPO BDP-83 SE
SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
Ctr CS1000p
Sur - FX1000 x 4
SUB - SVS PB2-Plus
Workkout room:
Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
Onkyo TX-DS898
GFA 555
Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
Ft - SDA 1C
Not being used:
RTi 38's -4
RT55i's - 2
RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
LSI 15's
CSi40
PSW 404 -
Very touching mark, but you do know without pics that little grandaughter does not exist.
I have gotten in the habit since losing my wife in february of asking people to hold their loved ones for me, look them in the eye, and tell them how much they mean to them, because someday one of them will wish they still could.
You dont seem like the kind of guy who needs to be reminded of that.
god bless,
Scott and Debhumpty dumpty was pushed -
Thanks to mark and others here. Many insightful and wonderful comments here.
The past year or so has been one of those kind of wake up years with things that have made me focus on the important things in life. Slitghtly over a year ago my brother in law was diagnosed with throat cancer very shortly after haveing a ptretty bad head injury. Unrelated issues but it just seemed to all flow together. he appears to be healing well but still have many related issues due to the chemo and raiation. About a year ago we were told that my step mother had about a year to live due to cancer, so far it appears we will surpass that mark with her doingpretty good, she is currently going through some treatments in a "study" type environment as other treatments have been exhausted. During the same period I lost an uncle to cancer who was incurable at time of diagnosis. A little over a month ago my son in law incurred severe head trauma while out of town at a Carolina panthers game and no one seems to know exactly how as he was not around anyone he knew at the time. He is healing while having to re develope certain areas of his brain to the best of his/ others abilities. Due to right frontal lobe damage we are dealing with memory loss and anger issues that he cannot control or is even aware of in most cases. However we have been blessed that he has made the recovery that he has so far. During his hospital stay, our grandchildren came to stay with my wife and I, along with our 2 girls who are are 10 and 12. I am 45 and my wife 38 (she is not the mother of my oldest daughter, who is 26). I was thrown back into the toddler world and it was so wonderful and so extremely stressfull all at the same time. They were with us for several weeks but are now back home with mom and dad who is healing surprisingly well but still with a long road.
Anyway, my point being this thread just made me think of all these things again all at once where as I had gotten to focusing on the necessary issues at the moment/s. There are always special moments and people in our lives that make huge impressions for varying reasons. Don't take them for granted, and try to cherish them all you can. you never know when things can change, be it slowly or in an instant. I will try to find some pics of the grand babies. i dont have any handy right now.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. -
Thank you for your thoughts. My pair have a lot of meaning for me because my wife went through the roof when I brought them home a year or two ago. We are still together and every time we watch a tear jerking movie. I feel the sweet sound of music passing through them in the movie had some part in the tears in her eyes. Peace.MIT Magnum MH-750, Monster HTS 5100MKII, Sony 77" Class - A80CJ Series - 4K UHD OLED,PS4, Def Tech 15” sub,LSIM 706c, Sunfire Signature Grand 425 x 4,Parasound hca 120, LSiM 702 x 4, Oppo 103D, SDA SRS 1.2, Pioneer Elite SC63 , Pioneer Elite BDP-05 “Why did you get married if you wanted big speakers?”
-
westmassguy wrote: »Mark, money is transient. I doubt they'd remember what they spent it on 5 years from now. You've given them an heirloom, a gift that will remind them of Dad/Granddad, and will last for decades
Let's hope so. Besides, hopefully by the time I hit that final overload, they'll have a spiffy house and be ready for an upgrade from the 2Bs to something larger...
Glenndog, thank you!
Polkieman, I'm with you. Spent a little time today listening to loud, clean music with excellent bass reproduction, and that awesome dimensional aspect of these speakers for which we seem to share a fervor. Thirty-five year-old amps, speakers nearing 30, and there's just no replacing them. The RDOs sound so good all around. Starting to acquire the last of my parts for my cross-over builds. Still need to decide whether I want custom PCBs again, or just point to point. Anyway, it's all good when the music is playing.
Vmaxer, thank you!
Scottyboy, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Having come so uncomfortably close to losing my wife last December, I can't imagine how you're feeling. Holding the ones we love close is a critically important thing we often forget to do in the daily grind. I've always been a bit of a tough nut, but these last few years have softened me considerably, if you know what I mean, and I suspect you do. Again, sorry for your loss. You have my sincerest condolences.
Mr.Bubbles, Sounds like you're having a worse year than my last few combined. It's one of those oddities, I guess really only odd because it's new to me, but a feature of aging: I noted wryly to my wife that for the first time in my life, I'm older than my doctor, and I don't get invited to nearly so many weddings as funerals. I suppose that's part of the reason I love my Polk SDAs and my Soundcraftsmen amps: They remind me of the golden era of my life when I was surrounded by wonders and too stupid yet to fully appreciate them. The arc of my life at the time would have led me to believe that things could only ever get better, and for a time, they did. It's funny how that seems to suddenly plateau. I'm sorry to read of your troubles, but I'm glad we here have something beautiful to share, with one another, and with our progeny.Thank you for your thoughts. My pair have a lot of meaning for me because my wife went through the roof when I brought them home a year or two ago. We are still together and every time we watch a tear jerking movie. I feel the sweet sound of music passing through them in the movie had some part in the tears in her eyes. Peace.
Yeah, these speakers seem to knock on the doors of their hearts with the music they play. It's their eyes that see large, dark, looming objects. Fortunately, my bride long ago gave up trying to curb my zeal for my sound system. She accepts it now, and she doesn't mind their size so much because she enjoys listening to them too. Her heart hears them too.
Thanks to all!SDA SRS, SDA SRS1.2TL, SDA-1C,SDA 2B, Soundcraftsmen Amplification (A5002s, MA5002s, MA5002As) -
Just read your post Mark. Thank you very much for posting your thoughts on family, friends, and SDA speakers. Very nice sir. Keep on listening with your family and "all of us".
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."![:\](https://forum.polkaudio.com/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
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
