rebuild of sda srs blade/blade

sbb2112

I've started an overhaul of the srs's and I think they'll sound great when all done. I installed the 194 tweeters and made new gaskets from armacell. The seal seems good and the tweeters look good with the lip around the perimeter covering the routed opening. I talked to the folks at blackhole and unless I buy a 10 pack, they weren't interested. I ordered a couple sheets of sonic barrier and some dynamat extreme and am going to work on getting that put in. I also ordered some Belden 5T00UP Speaker Cable from blue jeans cable and am going to replace the Belden #14 cable I have now (40 ft. run). Hoping the #10 will help out some. I spoke with the folks at McIntosh and have some things to think about with that. The amp I have is the largest size at 300wpc (they make a newer model but still same rating) that is still a common ground build (mc300, newer is a mc302). Anything larger than that is a quad balanced design and not friendly to the srs's. My Marantz (AV8802A) processor is able to run in a bi-amp configuration on the front mains but will not run that way with the dolby atmos setup I have it set up to use now. I don't run the ceiling mounted bose when playing music so not really a big thing. I have considered getting a Y cable and trimming the second bi-amp (around 150wpc for tweeters) to match but not sure on that helping or how it will sound. I have been looking at active crossovers but not sure on that also.

F1nut

You can buy a single sheet of Blackhole 5 from Sonic Craft.

the tweeters look good with the lip around the perimeter covering the routed opening.

If the tweeter bezel is sitting proud, something is wrong.

CH46E

I also have the blade blade. Was just looking at all the same things you mentioned with the black hole and dynomat. I was happy with the oem tweeters until 2 days ago I noticed one is no longer working .

Polk said replacements are $60 each. They did not say which model it was. I assume it's for 194s.

I'll be following you progress and wish you luck!

[Deleted User]

The 194s are a huge improvement.

pitdogg2

Yes it would be the 194 tweeter, but tell them you belong to club Polk for a small discount.

sbb2112

I will agree there is something wrong with the fit of the 194's in my cabinets. They look good though with the rim on top of the faceplate of the cabinet. I have to take them out to glue the insides of the cabinets and the driver magnets and will measure the size of the old sl2000's and the new to see what the difference is. Got in the new cable, sonic barrier and dynamat. I guess I should have asked here about the BH5 before I ordered the sonic barrier, oh well, I will try it out and report back. BTW, the 194's were $48 with the club polk discount. I will take a pic of the tweeters before I take them out.

CH46E

Any updates here?

leftwinger57

If you live in Central Jersey this guy has being trying to sell this lot literally for years. I got mine from him when I was doing my 2Bs and got a good deal when I saw what I needed wasn't full sheets. He also is trying to unload some self made speakers for the same time.


http://cnj.craigslist.org/ele/5774658796.html

sbb2112

I've got all the materials setting here to do the cabinets, powergrab, sonic barrier, dynamat and have ran the blue jeans cable under the floor. Just need to make some time to get it all finished. Bunch of weddings this month so not sure on my progress in the next couple weeks. Maybe I can get David to start on my xovers in the meantime.

sbb2112

Small bit of progress. Hooked up the #10 cables and for the moment, straightened out the blades on the I/C cable. They seem to fit tighter than before and noticed the plastic nuts on the jumper cables weren't tight. Not loose completely but almost a quarter turn to tight. I think the nuts are not doing their job anymore and they are on the list to redo. I did look at the tweeter fitment again as F1 seems to be up on things here, and being a machinist, measured the pockets where the tweeters fit. The tweeters do sit up on the face board and measure just enough smaller to push in but only to the depth of the lip on the tweeter face (see picture). The pockets are .015-020" deeper than the tweeters which is why they don't go all the way down. The armacell that I put in seems to be squeezed down pretty firm to take up the gap. I thought the speakers sounded to produce a little more sound and whether the larger cable or the one side being a little loose or the I/C cable fit, decided to recheck the calibration with the mic. Every other speaker was +/- 1dB except the SDA's. They were +3 dB from before with the test tone.

sbb2112

Work on the rebuild continuing on. Removed the entire contents of the left speaker, sealed all the seams on the interior of the cabinet. They sure weren't very good at aiming the glue gun at the factory. Glue everywhere. Dynamatted the drivers and the PR. Put in the sonic barrier. Used up one sheet 18" X 24" X 1 1/4" in two 4" X 24" strips on the back wall, two 3" on either side of the center divider behind the tweeters, and 2" X 6" pieces on the sides of the cavities beside each driver. Got some spikes for the bottoms http://www.oregondv.com/15spike.htm here. nice and adjustable too. Got to get the same done to the other cabinet next. I'll take some pics when I take apart again to put in the wiring and crossovers. Everything looked to be in pretty good shape other than the wires for the tweeters were pretty green and the connections to the terminal plate were half broken off at the board. They look awful small for the size wires they had on them. That was probably on me taking apart. I did notice the PR has a pretty good ring to the frame prior to dynamatting the supports and back plate. Still had a tinny sound to it after but at a lower freq. Thought maybe even a second coat. Not really sure how much the matting will improve things but it can't hurt. Forgot how heavy these are when standing up or laying down.

sbb2112

Well not such good luck on the RH. The PR had 4 threaded inserts pulled out and once I did get it removed, saw the cone was separated from the spider. Lots of info here and got some styrofoam glue and fixed it right up. Thought it a good idea to take the LH PR back out and look at it. Sure enough, pushed on the back and it came loose. I guess 30 years was enough. Both better now.

sbb2112

getting a little bit anxious. Gonna be sweet! They already sound better with the other mods I've done.

sbb2112

Update to the story... I installed the new crossovers from Trey and there was a noticeable difference in the sound. I liken it to wearing earplugs and then removing them. I was pretty sure my hearing was not the issue. My wife isn't much into my hobby but she even said she noticed a difference. Clarity was better, detail and depth were also. The attack was much sharper and depending on the recording, background noise. The background noise was there on a few older recordings and just plain blackness on better ones. I'm sure they will improve as everything gets broken in.

sbb2112

It is decided... I think I'll keep 'em. A couple days of listening and I am really gonna like these again. Especially after they get settled in. I was thinking there was something in the water, is something wrong with the amp, is there something wrong with the SDA's, are there cable issues, is something I am missing, but most of the issues have mostly went by the wayside with the new crossovers and the 194's. I am thinking the cables will be something that needs some more attention next. Most here say they do matter. On the flip side, I know the original crossovers will just sit in the attic and while they surely need a rework, might be useful to someone for a core. I made a dummy face plate for each and so they are self contained. Blade/Blade SDA-SRS with all the harnesses and back cups if anybody wants them and pays the ride, they are free. Also, have the I/C cable.

michaeljhsda2

Amazing what upgrades can do. Nice offer on the xovers!

VR3

I was wondering if you were on the forum!

Always exciting to hear thoughts on the mods! Look forward to your thoughts after about 250 hours or so!

muncybob

That's impressive looking for sure!

crashb4

sbb2112 wrote: »

I am thinking the cables will be something that needs some more attention next. Most here say they do matter.

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/175683/damn-it-cables-matter/p1

Those crossovers look fantastic. Still need to do mine. I'm a DIY kinda guy. I will contact Trey when it's time and get some advice.