What SDA to buy

polk500

My mission for audio in 2016 is to dive into the black hole known as SDA and all that comes with it.

The first problem is what one to buy? As I've been looking on the internet I realized that there is a lot of SDA Models out there and different variations of each and the pricing is all over the scale.

Then there's the Mod's that come with it, VR3 has for sale the Abbot crossover modifications while they look stunning especially with the window and blue lights unfortunately at this time they are beyond my means ( I'm have one daughter and the wife in University and the other one going in two years so money is a bit tight)

So I will be doing the Mod's myself as a Carpenter by trade refinishing or replacing parts of the cabinets, grills, rings is going to be fun, Electronics well I know the basics and look forward to learning more.

So for you owners and modder are you satisfied with the ones you have if not what Model do you have would you have got or have gotten?

Thanks
Roger

gudnoyez

I own 2.3TLS, 2B studios, and a pair of CRS+s the later two will get the TL treatment I say look for a pair you can TL with the RDO 198s but if they rarely come available in your area get any if you can. It's weird I had 4 pair of SDA'S at one time.

I looked frantically for over a year to find none and all of a sudden they were selling like crazy besides the 4 I owned, I have passed on a pair of 2.3 non tls, another pair of CRs+s and recently a pair of the older SDA 2s with two tweeters was available not sure if those sold or not the others didn't hang around long but the ones with two tweeters were on Craigslist for over 2 months not sure if the guy was able to sell them or not he was asking two much for them. Good luck in your search, you got a pair of Gimpods boards to use

honestaquarian

I have a pair of 3.1TL's that I found on eBay

Mikey081057

I have a pair of 2.3's in FL that i can save you some money on. They look and sound great. All mods are done. VR3 xovers, 194's,larrys rings, re veneered ,dyna matted etc...gas is cheap!!!

mikeyb128

I'm pretty sure there is a pair of 1.2 on cannuck audio mart. But the guy wants 3 grand

mikeyb128

mikeyb128 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure there is a pair of 1.2 on cannuck audio mart. But the guy wants 3 grand

Scratch that just checked and they are gone. Sure is a lot of RTIA 9's on there!

Nightfall

mikeyb128 wrote: »

mikeyb128 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure there is a pair of 1.2 on cannuck audio mart. But the guy wants 3 grand

Scratch that just checked and they are gone. Sure is a lot of RTIA 9's on there!

Yeah scalpers that are buying them up on that sale you guys have up there reselling them for more money to the dummies

leftwinger57

I was very lucky to get my '87 2Bs from a desperate house wife's moving sale for $50. I did do all the conventional mods myself w/ the the exception of the x-overs which went to Trey @VR-3 at that time,then converted the blade/blade i/c to the Neutrik-Speakon connectors out to Dave which made a world of difference. SDAs are a finicky speaker to place which I don't think anyone has brought up to you yet. The spacing must be front firing w/ a spread no more than 8/10' w/ no angle or tow in or out. Also how big is your room,2Bs are the little guys of the bunch and all the other models are wider way taller and a lot heavier.

Conradicles

Mikey081057 wrote: »

I have a pair of 2.3's in FL that i can save you some money on. They look and sound great. All mods are done. VR3 xovers, 194's,larrys rings, re veneered ,dyna matted etc...gas is cheap!!!

We have a winner!

westmassguy

Whatever you end up buying, make sure it's 4th or 5th generation, so your new boards will be compatible.

polk500

Mikey081057 wrote: »

I have a pair of 2.3's in FL that i can save you some money on. They look and sound great. All mods are done. VR3 xovers, 194's,larrys rings, re veneered ,dyna matted etc...gas is cheap!!!

Yes gas is cheap but Fl is along ways away from me. But I will PM you later as I'm certainly interested. Thanks

nbrowser wrote: »

SDA is Canada is rare, right now there's a guy trying to sell a pair in my area, SDA 2s twin driver single SL2000...for $750, I think he's off his rocker but...when my triple driver SDA2 came up for sale I jumped due to the price...cost me more to send money off for the rings but I digress...

Seems like the more desirable ones are 2.3TL or 3.1TL and the ever present 1.2 series for the big boys.

You are so right Ken they are rare, this is not my first time looking but I'm getting a set of the big one this time even if I take a road trip down south.

leftwinger57 wrote: »

I was very lucky to get my '87 2Bs from a desperate house wife's moving sale for $50. I did do all the conventional mods myself w/ the the exception of the x-overs which went to Trey @VR-3 at that time,then converted the blade/blade i/c to the Neutrik-Speakon connectors out to Dave which made a world of difference. SDAs are a finicky speaker to place which I don't think anyone has brought up to you yet. The spacing must be front firing w/ a spread no more than 8/10' w/ no angle or tow in or out. Also how big is your room,2Bs are the little guys of the bunch and all the other models are wider way taller and a lot heavier.

The room is 14 X 12 X 8' ceiling, It's a spare bedroom that I'm turning into a dedicated two channel room.

westmassguy wrote: »

Whatever you end up buying, make sure it's 4th or 5th generation, so your new boards will be compatible.

Thanks I will keep that in mind.

Cheers

westmassguy

2Bs, 1Cs, SRS2s (pin/blade), or even CRS+s will be plenty for that size room

polk500

Just put an offer in on a pair of SDA 1c for $550 he have them listed for $650 will see if he accepts it.

Cheers

Mike Reeter

polk500 wrote: »

Just put an offer in on a pair of SDA 1c for $550 he have them listed for $650 will see if he accepts it.

Cheers

Are these 1C's or 1B's ?

westmassguy

According to the handbook, there was a studio version, with black ash vinyl, but also early 1Cs used 1B cabinets, and bl/bl interconnects.
Best to verify what the innards look like.

polk500

Still waiting for the seller to reply to my second offer. If he accepted I will see if I can get more details?

Cheers

Schurkey

If they're brown, they're probably 1Bs.

Pull any one of the mid-woofers (inspecting more than one is better to assure that all the drivers are proper.) If you remove a mid-woofer and it's a 6509, you're looking at 1B. If it's a 6510 or 6511, it's a 1C.

scootr

Don't look my 1c's, I don't have the facia board at bottom, and the Oak panels top and bottom are about 1/8" inch larger than side panels. But I hear Polk didn't waste anything, used up inventory. Best to do as suggested, pull drivers. Then u will know what year they made!

chandler9a

Polk500, did you end up getting the SDA's you were looking at?
Where are you located? I may be able to help you out as we tend to get these coming up in my area often and I can let you know if they are worth the drive or not.

honestaquarian

I used to own a pair that looked just like those. They're SDA-1B's

polk500

Not yet still looking, It's kinda of tough when you live in the frozen north shipping is crazy. I'm driving down south in May to LA, I will start looking in April and hopefully can score a set of the big boys then...

Cheers

boston1450

Swing over to Denver area. Thats Polk country there

mikeyb128

I've kept my eyes peeled and there is nothing up here! There are even lots of wanted ads looking for vintage polks.

Nightfall

boston1450 wrote: »

Swing over to Denver area. Thats Polk country there

What can I say, we know what fun and musical sounds like.

polk500

chandler9a wrote: »

Polk500, did you end up getting the SDA's you were looking at?
Where are you located? I may be able to help you out as we tend to get these coming up in my area often and I can let you know if they are worth the drive or not.

Sorry chandler I didn't catch your question. North West Alberta, Canada: AKA the frozen wastelands..... Of audio hell

Cheers

chandler9a

Ah okay, I'm on the East Coast, U.S. so I guess that would be quite a trip. Keep us posted with questions when you do find a potential pair, we can certainly help with advice. Good luck

notified

Hi as a 1b owner myself [or1c I haven't got a around to removing a driver yet] In regards to buying them as westmass pointed out to me recently the 1b cannot be altered to use momo block amps where as the early model 1c using the iso. transformer can,If that's a consideration explain to the seller and ask to remove a driver for confirmation

Schurkey

notified wrote: »

the 1b cannot be altered to use momo block amps where as the early model 1c using the iso. transformer can,If that's a consideration explain to the seller and ask to remove a driver for confirmation

Not exactly. ANY 1C can be made compatible with an isolation transformer that allows non-common-ground amplifiers to be used.

Some 1Cs require a simple wiring modification, others are plug-and-play if you have the Polk isolation transformer. All of them need mods to use the aftermarket, larger isolation transformer--which is recommended by those who've tried both the Polk transformer and the aftermarket one.

notified

My Bad! Should have extended that sentence to read: "where as the [early 1c] when using the iso. transformer can be used with mono blocks." [discussed in relation to the 1b early 1c twin physical looks]

polk500

polk500 wrote: »

chandler9a wrote: »

Polk500, did you end up getting the SDA's you were looking at?
Where are you located? I may be able to help you out as we tend to get these coming up in my area often and I can let you know if they are worth the drive or not.

Sorry chandler I didn't catch your question. North West Alberta, Canada: AKA the frozen wastelands..... Of audio hell

Cheers

So far north the sun barely makes it a above the horizon this is at 1:30 pm.

cnh

boston1450 wrote: »

Swing over to Denver area. Thats Polk country there

What happened to "Mystery", that guy could smell vintage Polks as soon as they crossed into Colorado and then haggle to get the BEST price on them! That's who you need in your corner!