SDA 1C's

thegreek74

Just scored these beauties from a friend as a gift. Hooked them up to my Bryston 4b nrb and they sounded great... However I did some reading on the reviews and on the back of the speakers and I need help with the interconnect wire.... Either to buy or construct one? All help is much appreciated.....

Schurkey

Common-ground amplifier? You need a simple wire from pin terminal to pin terminal. OEM was ~16 gauge, I think. The difficult part is getting something to fit the existing pin terminal. I'm told that an RCA connector center pin is acceptable once the outer part of the connector is removed. Of course, an RCA interconnect isn't suitable because the conductor is typically very small.

Most folks would replace the OEM pin/blade sockets with something else. A speaker binding-post was common, now folks seem to have moved-on to SpeakOn connectors.

thegreek74

Awesome, looks like I'll be obtaining the 20ft 16 gauge wire... Also going to obtain the soldering iron and learn a bit.... Was just wondering if someone knew the polarity of the pin/blade?

michaeljhsda2

pin is positive, blade is negative

pitdogg2

don't worry about the blade part unless you are using non-common ground or mono-bloc amps it means nothing in your case. Only the pin carries the signal.

pkquat

thegreek74 wrote: »

Awesome, looks like I'll be obtaining the 20ft 16 gauge wire... Also going to obtain the soldering iron and learn a bit.... Was just wondering if someone knew the polarity of the pin/blade?

If you don't already have the wire, the general consensus is that it should match your existing wire gauge and quality. Since you have a Bryston Amp I assume it is greater than 16 ga.

thegreek74

Great advice and also thank you..... I guess just drill out the rivits and remove the plug then obtain a binding post replace it where the hole is... Then get same size wire I use for the for my cables .. Then link them together... Question I have is on the power 250 a side under powering them?

MrBuhl

^^ I would think about using Speak-On connections if you're going to go ahead and replace the whole socket anyway ^^ better than a binding post and many here use them.

250 is ample. That Bryston is well thought of here. You are in great shape there. Time to start thinking about upgrading/updating the crossovers and a myriad of other little tricks we have to spend your money maximize your sound experience here! Seriously, I have a fully modded set of 1c's and the difference isn't subtle.

Congrats they are amazing speaks as-is!

thegreek74

Awesome, again thank you for the advice... I need to replace one of the mids cause of previous user error... Spoke with the guys at Polk seems they have a newer generation of the mid.. Question I have is go all in and replace all 8 or just the one? If they work great? Also seen where the whole upgraded crossover has been a discussion... Who mods them and their contact info would be great... Since I'm asking duo to the age of them should I replace the tweeters? Again thank you for all the right info...

thegreek74

pitdogg2

MrBuhl wrote: »

^^ I would think about using Speak-On connections if you're going to go ahead and replace the whole socket anyway ^^ better than a binding post and many here use them.

Yes this ^^^^^ and why not step up to 12ga. if your making one anyway? can't hurt.. Many here went to the speakon better connection and keeps someone else from using it as a speaker cable hook up.

MrBuhl

I would only replace the bad one - the drivers and surrounds are pretty robust, the butyl rubber wears well. No need to replace any that are working.

You'll want to read up on reinforcing your magnet joints with JB Weld or Loctite PowerGrab adhesive. Easy and cheap insurance for the drivers.

MrBuhl

For Crossover mods reach out to @Wessmassguy, he has a company DHS Speaker Service that can fix you up - he also did mine.

For the tweets - those are something you might consider if you're in for the crossovers and anything else anyway - the stock version has a spike that isn't as smooth as the new RDO-194.

MrBuhl

LOL - Welcome to the rabbit hole!

thegreek74

Right on, I guess use the SpeakOn 2 pole version for the speaker connections and another 2 pole for the interconnect with 12 gauge wire and 20ft?

MrBuhl

I used the four pole and only for the SDA interconnect, they are a little more robust I think, but of course you only end up using two of the four then.

I may have misunderstood you previously, you may consider upgrading your binding posts yes - I wouldn't use Speak-On for those. @helipilotdoug can help you out with connections and binding posts as well. He runs DouglasConnection.

thegreek74

Right on, priceless info.....looks like I have a new outlook with these speakers cannot wait to hear them.... Glad there are men as such who like these speakers... Cause I'll own them for many years to come...thanks again for all the avenues for me to get the right results....

thegreek74

One more kinda crazy thought, the previous owner had clawed cats who totally lit into the sides and also the removables. How do I re fabric them? Also how do you gracefully remove the side panels?

MrBuhl

^^ LOL "gracefully" - this I have not done on mine yet, (I need to) but they can be done - I would just do a search for threads here on SDA side panels ^^ recovering once they are off them is pretty simple and can be done with acoustic fabric and spray adhesive from many places.

Before you make your SDA cable, I'd reach out to Dave at DHS, you may eventually decide you want a dreadnaught and he can assist in making sure you're wiring for the future!

MrBuhl

http://vr3mods.com/LCSDAUpgrade.php

Tons of great info on upgrades and ideas on this page - "all the upgrades in one place"

thegreek74

You guys are awesome, now to do some serious upgrades and rework these guys... Cannot wait to hear them well into the future....

pitdogg2

thegreek74 wrote: »

Right on, I guess use the SpeakOn 2 pole version for the speaker connections and another 2 pole for the interconnect with 12 gauge wire and 20ft?

they also make a 90 degree for the cable itself that way it doesn't stick out so far from the back. make sure the speakons you get have a gasket and are air-tight from what I hear some are not. The length of the cable depends on your situation, mine is only 10'. Depending on what you used for speaker cable itself I'd make out of the same stuff as your speaker wire

FYI I just used Binding post I will use Speakon's on my next set.

BlueBirdMusic

When a new SDA owner arrives, it is "Ground Hog Day" again.

It seems more new owners are arriving lately.

Enjoy your speakers thegreek74!

thegreek74

thegreek74

They need a little TLC, but I'll throw them some love...

txcoastal1

Those actually look in pretty good shape
Congrats and have fun with them...all effort will be rewarded

lightman1

I have a set as well. One of my favorites. Sounds great in their stock form and sound magnificent with a little hot rodding. These cats around here are extremely knowledgeable and are glad to help. Welcome to the bottom of your wallet!

thegreek74

Real cool, going to tear down, clean and repair the wood the cloth on the grills and side panels...get the upgraded crossovers.... Going all in on new drivers and tweeters... Discovered the previous owner had user error with them. The 6.5's when you gently touch them there is a kinda scratching sound... To me I believe they were over driven.... Little time and effort and again thank you all for the sound advice and the avenues to the right people.... I'll be a happy Polk owner soon...

F1nut

You have to apply even pressure when pushing the mid-drivers in otherwise they will scrape. If you do end up replacing the drivers, you will have to cut a little notch in the rubber around the screw holes. Just look at the original drivers to see what I'm talking about. The new ones do not come with the notch.

leftwinger57

Listen to thees dudes. It took me a while and came around w/ my '87 SDA 2Bs and have done all the mods w/ the exception of totally new harnesses and the coil inductors. All the minor mechanical mods you can do yourself and it's both fun, and therapeutic at the same time. The RDO-194s compared to the SL-2000s well, there is none. If not electronically sound about doing that work then send out x-overs to Dave and at the same time let him do new ( or reworked your) terminal cups, binders and the Neutrik/Speak-On locking connectors. I used the same cable as my speaker wire 12 gu. BJC Belden and the sound is insanely better. The pulling away of the fabric of the side panels is not unfixable.Either as the peeps said re glue the things or some guys really handy wood working types actually veneered them. Best of luck for another set coming back to life...

thegreek74

Awesome, looks like DHS speaker service and I are going to meet... Also the wood and fabric should be easy... Cannot wait to play "Space oddity" through them ...... Let them sing...... Question, anyone ever sodder the wires to the + and - terminals on the drivers?