Love at first listen Polk Audio SDA SRS 3.1

Less_Opinion

I was ready to graduate to a high end system after many years of mid end systems and many weeks of listening to every thing on the market. I had only heard of polk at the time, when I walked into Sound Central a small family owned music paradise in South St. Louis during the 1980s and 90s. After a discussion with the sales rep and a trip to the listening room to listen to his favorites which were the same as every one else's favorites Tony the owner walked in and said that he needed help unloading speakers he had at home trying / testing. While they were busy I walked out to my truck and brought in a "Little Feat" cd that I was fond of that featured a lot of midrange and horns. As they finished wiring the polks into the listening room I handed the cd to the rep. and ask him to play it through some Canadian built speakers with Vifa drivers in them that I liked, satisfied but not sold and Tony hearing my choice of music suggested I listen to the 3.1s and I did for about 30 seconds, gave the sales rep the kill it sign with my hand across the neck. By then he was pretty sure I was just there to listen to good sound. I was sold. I went back to the showroom and told Tony to reload them into my truck and that if he was interested he could sell me a brand new Marantz receiver to run them with. I Never had any regret and for my listening habits I have yet to here anything better, but I did use them without the cable to rock and roll of course.

F1nut

Thanks for sharing your story.

I do have a question about your last words, "but I did use them without the cable to rock and roll of course." Are you referring to rock and roll music or cranking the volume?

pitdogg2

Plug in that cable......

nooshinjohn

I rock mine at near live event levels with the cable all the time.

Less_Opinion

Less_Opinion wrote: »

I was ready to graduate to a high end system after many years of mid end systems and many weeks of listening to every thing on the market. I had only heard of polk at the time, when I walked into Sound Central a small family owned music paradise in South St. Louis during the 1980s and 90s. After a discussion with the sales rep and a trip to the listening room to listen to his favorites which were the same as every one else's favorites Tony the owner walked in and said that he needed help unloading speakers he had at home trying / testing. While they were busy I walked out to my truck and brought in a "Little Feat" cd that I was fond of that featured a lot of midrange and horns. As they finished wiring the polks into the listening room I handed the cd to the rep. and ask him to play it through some Canadian built speakers with Vifa drivers in them that I liked, satisfied but not sold and Tony hearing my choice of music suggested I listen to the 3.1s and I did for about 30 seconds, gave the sales rep the kill it sign with my hand across the neck. By then he was pretty sure I was just there to listen to good sound. I was sold. I went back to the showroom and told Tony to reload them into my truck and that if he was interested he could sell me a brand new Marantz receiver to run them with. I Never had any regret and for my listening habits I have yet to here anything better, but I did use them without the cable to rock and roll of course.

Without the cable was just a personal preference with some music I preferred the cross talk included.

Andohaspolk

If played without the cable do the sda drivers work at all? Or is it just the stereo array that plays?

FestYboy

Just stereo.

Tony M

Little Feat....Oh, the memories!

One of my favorites;
https://youtu.be/SkZsSydzQjM
And this one too.
https://youtu.be/9IyRNKleyyg
And while I'm digging em on Youtube;
https://youtu.be/Xe0XitIq5O8
And how can we forget this CLASSIC!!
https://youtu.be/nVJf6LhPB7Q

pitdogg2

Andohaspolk wrote: »

If played without the cable do the sda drivers work at all? Or is it just the stereo array that plays?

The SDA driver should play some bass from the sub bass drive circuit, but you're missing out on the reason these speakers are so special.

If these were a blade/blade first or second generation SDA then no it would not play anything.

Tony M

One more nice classic song from Little Feat!
I live on Dixie Ave. in "the land of Dixie" so this hits home for sure.
https://youtu.be/3z-GwdaKrn8