Got a pair of Polk Audio SDA CRS

cortico

westmassguy wrote: »

You're still only 28"-29" to the tweeter, even with spikes. Ear level.

Thanks, I have the original stands drawings and will do a replica of those. I experimented different heights and the difference in sound is huge.

Can you please let me know what would be your personal preference between Clarity ESA or Sonicaps for the CRS? I like the sound of my monitor 5b with clarity ESA.

The sonicaps are a bit pricier, although I am curious about it, I used them before but sold the speakers without having the chance to listen it well.

Ps, I stacked a box on top under the speaker, as a temporary height solution...

westmassguy

You can't go wrong with either Sonicaps or Clarity ESA. I personally prefer Sonicaps, as they're a but warmer then the ESAs to my ears. Wait till Sonicap has a Sale.

cortico

DSkip wrote: »

Its possible they didn't run the SDA cable and two of the tweeters are actually working, just not engaged. I'd check all the tweeters before tossing them just to be sure.

You were right, the twitters are good. Probably they didn't run the interconnect.

Would the neutrik speakon connector fit in the existing connector hole?

machone

cortico - I recently upgraded my 1As to speakon. You will have to enlarge the hole.
See attached drawing.

cortico

just thinking, I am wiling to experiment with the dimensional tweeter.

is it a good idea to increasing the resistor value more than .5ohms to compensate the polyswitch removal and to tame the dimensional tweeter a notch? lets say 8.2ohms or even 9.1 ohms?

cortico

As recommended, disconnecting the dimensional tweeter and installed the RDO-194s. As expected, it sounded a bit dull in the begging but this perception quickly went away. Without a doubt, this is the best upgrade with most noticeable and imediate results to the CRS.

I also noticed that without the dimensional array tweeters, what appeared like a faint "reverberation" in the sound, had disappeared. In lack of s better description, the speakers sounded more "real" to me.

Since, I have been in thinkering mode. I though in taking the RDO-194 out of my monitor 5b to install it as CRS dimensional tweeters. I was ready to dislike it, but surprisingly, it sounded dam good too!!

Next steps will be the new interconnect plugs and cable, and most likely, I will call it done for now.

cortico

... and the RDO-194 on the dimensional tweeters location came out and back to the monitor5 , better this way! sounds cleaner and natural... It's more pleasent to listen.

westmassguy

cortico wrote: »

... and the RDO-194 on the dimensional tweeters location came out and back to the monitor5 , better this way! sounds cleaner and natural... It's more pleasent to listen.

That's why Polk eliminated them

cortico

I got the speakon connectors order, nothing wrong with the quality, but, I decided to return them.

Firstly, I ordered the screw tabs, unlike the solder tabs the screw tab version is not air tight. Personally, I also find them to big and the aesthetics are off on a vintage speaker.

So, I refrain myself from modifying the cabinets, left the existing connector well alone, crafted myself a smaller an interconnect with my favorite cable flavor and made spade connectors out off copper. It works perfectly....looks good too.

F1nut

Could of had a V8.....

cortico

It looks very neat! That interconnect looks pretty hefty!

Rex81

When I replaced my SL-2000s with the RDO-194 I felt I lost some sparkle... for about 15 seconds. Then I realized the smoothness is better.

cortico

That happens when you switch back and forth. After some time of continuous listening the RDO reveal themselves as superior tweeter.

F1nut

cortico, how are things sounding now with the upgraded cables?

cortico

F1nut wrote: »

cortico, how are things sounding now with the upgraded cables?

it's funny, I thought it would be negletable but, the highs seem less pronounced, more balanced with mids and lows. I think the 20' long cable was attenuating mids and bass...if that makes sense.

cortico

In addition, i red that is possible to hear improvements in sound stage width and depth. Although, my physical room and speaker placement are far from ideal and it may collapsing tha SDA thing.

In any case, the set sounds wider and deeper than my monitor 5b, for sure.

F1nut

cortico wrote: »

it's funny, I thought it would be negletable but, the highs seem less pronounced, more balanced with mids and lows. I think the 20' long cable was attenuating mids and bass...if that makes sense.

If you mean the stock cable, it was passable. Better quality cable always makes a difference.

cortico

Definitely! Here an updated version of new cable with old stock original style plugs. Nothing the rave about, but I deoxite the receptacle and it seems to have solid contact a enough grip...

cortico

Improvised a "bench" to elevate speaker height, was able to get the bottom of speaker 28" above floor...

gudnoyez

Very nice looking vintage rig you got going on there bet it sounds pretty sweet!

cortico

gudnoyez wrote: »

Very nice looking vintage rig you got going on there bet it sounds pretty sweet!

I don't have much experience with newer systems but this marantz sounds very, very good. Does excellent job driving this CRS.

agfrost

Looks very nice. I have the same CRS and need to rotate them back in as I haven't listened to them in a while.

Some night when you sit down for a "serious listening session," move that coffee table to another room temporarily and see if it improves your listening experience at all.

Have fun!

Jay

gudnoyez

Those CRS don't need gobs of power to sound good. I have ran my CRS+ with a Yamaha AVR, an Adcom 535, and currently use an Adcom 545II on them. That's a nice Marantz you got there I'm sure it does a fine job on those CRS of yours, as long as you don't go crazy on the volume.

cortico

gudnoyez wrote: »

Those CRS don't need gobs of power to sound good. I have ran my CRS+ with a Yamaha AVR, an Adcom 535, and currently use an Adcom 545II on them. That's a nice Marantz you got there I'm sure it does a fine job on those CRS of yours, as long as you don't go crazy on the volume.

I don't like to listen too loud, never past noon, that's already too loud, usually it like it around 10-11 o'clock...

cortico

agfrost wrote: »

Looks very nice. I have the same CRS and need to rotate them back in as I haven't listened to them in a while.

Some night when you sit down for a "serious listening session," move that coffee table to another room temporarily and see if it improves your listening experience at all.

Have fun!

Jay

I actually move the table (pretty heavy solid walnut) towards the chairs I have on the wall opposite to the speakers. I use the table as foot rest not the most confertable, I confess!

cortico

Here is one more...

cortico

Finally got around my CRS to install the metal rings. Pretty straight forward. The drill came out pretty clean, toke the chance to staple down the polyfill, dress the wiring, applied armacell and damper material to the back of the driver basket.

Had only one setback when reattached the passive radiator grille, the screw entered in an angle and damaging the female thread and the screw (jackass). Not a biggie, but I had to redo the thread with a special tool...

I left the protection grille out for now, I'll reinstall once the armacell is fully compressed.

Thanks Larry! This is pretty easy and a good improvement to this speakers.

westmassguy

Looks Great!

cortico

Thanks Westmassguy, Finished today, looks neat! I have a much better seal and it does sound better.

RandyCroissant

Very nice!!