SDA1C vs. SRS2 Smackdown!

verb

Another possible journey -

Plenty of older threads out there on this visited topic, but wanted to get some more recent opinions and perhaps recent evaluations.

My conundrum - I have a chance to snag some minty SDA SRS2's

I currently have 2 pairs of 1C's (I'll never catch up to you @la2vegas !) Karma'd a set of 2B's recently.

My first 1C was an early blade/blade version, which is in the middle of a complete upgrade, thanks to many of you who guided me through this process. Yes I need to get motivated to get these babies completed. This spring for sure. More to come on that.

The other, a minty pin/blade set with the RDO-194 tweeter replacement, and looks to be mortite sealed around the drivers. I haven't yet opened up the hood to see what's inside, but the seller did not admit to any other mods.

My questions to fellow Polkie's out there, how do they compare?

1C's with tweeter upgrade and mortite?
1C's fully modded courtesy of @westmassguy for the XO's

vs. stock SRS2's? pin/blade

If I do get the SRS2's, my plan would be to eventually upgrade those completely as well, but will be yet another thread

For reference: From VR3 Mods sticky thread:


Sorry @Tony M for the fluid-coupled reference!

The bass response and efficiency sticks out the most for me, but please share your thoughts.

Polkies please opine! Thanks in advance!

Conradicles

Both are fantastic speakers. Snag the SRS2 and compare in your room.

Tony M

No problem on the fluid coupling. I saw that Polk used it again for one of their newer subwoofer's statistic. So Polk still uses the term. I didn't know that. I thought it was a one and done sales thing.


Watching the weather forcast tonight, the wind flow direction forcast looked like rivers flowing. It freaked me out that I was looking at wind flow as river flow. I will forever think of air as fluid moisture from now on since that thread.LOL. Seriously.

The SDA1c's sound came from the speakers. My SRS2's sound came from the wall in front and from up high. Also the SRS2's sound came from the sides of the room a lot and sometimes from behind me. SERIOUSLY.

Edgar Winters "Frankenstien" will go through you and behind you listening with the SRS2's.
https://youtu.be/65XSHM3jlAY

The bass sounds RIGHT and TIGHT.

Talk about volume. I think these SRS2's can damage ears if you have the amp behind them, but really, they get plenty loud with a regular amp but I wouldn't play them loud for an extended time with a cheap amp or a Integra M504 or M502. I think my SRS2's put a hurtin on those two amps.

My NAD C370 has been their power source for years now with NO problems yet.

Nightfall

You already karma'd the best speakers of that lot!

verb

Tony M wrote: »

The SDA1c's sound came from the speakers. My SRS2's sound came from the wall in front and from up high. Also the SRS2's sound came from the side of the room and sometimes from behind me. SERIOUSLY.

The bass sounds RIGHT and TIGHT.

Talk about volume. I think these SRS2's can damage ears if you have the amp behind them, but really, they get plenty loud with a regular amp but I wouldn't play them loud for an extended time with a cheap amp or a Integra M504 or M502. I think my SRS2's put a hurtin on those two amps.

My NAD C370 has been their power source for years now with NO problems yet.

I'll be pushing them with my CJ M2300A. Should have plenty of muscle. Getting excited here!

F1nut

Nightfall wrote: »

You already karma'd the best speakers of that lot!

I have to agree.

verb

Nightfall wrote: »

You already karma'd the best speakers of that lot!

Yeah and I just did the tweeter replacement on those. My buddy was truly amazed.

Tony M

I like those AMP reviews I just read!

I own a set of Newform Research R645's and they too are hard to drive. This reviewer below said your amp is powerful enough to drive these with ease. So I think the SRS2's would be about the same challenge. Or as he/she said, NO challenge.


Louis Audio Enthusiast [Dec 28, 2000]
Strength:
Everything.
Weakness:
It could get rather hot. No balanced input.
It is a real steal to have such a great performing amp at this price. If you found an used unit (which is very very rare to come by as most owners keep them), go grab it.

It drives my Newform Research R645 hybrid-ribbin speakers effortless. Demanding passages in many classical music CDs that I played are handled superbly.

Tony M

Nightfall wrote: »

You already karma'd the best speakers of that lot!

I have a pr. of SDA-2 something with 3 mid-woofers and 2 tweeters.

Where do these fall in the SDA-2 camp? Are the 2 mid-woofers and one tweeter a better version?

pitdogg2

Tony M wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

You already karma'd the best speakers of that lot!

I have a pr. of SDA-2 something with 3 mid-woofers.

Where do these fall in the SDA-2 camp? Are the 2 mid-woofers a better version?

At the bottom of the pile.....

Yes the sda2a and sda2b are better speakers.
Imho

Tony M

Are mine the SDA2c's?

verb

I love you guys, but your killin me! Karma is Karma, better to give than receive! Back on point, how do the 1C’s compare to the SRS2’s?

Tony M

Do you want to hear your bass or FEEL your bass? That is the question. 12" compared to a 15".

verb

Tony M wrote: »

Are mine the SDA2c's?

Tony yours are either 1st or 2nd gen SDA2’s. I believe they’re the only ones that have 3 MW’s.

Tony M

Thanks.
They sounded GREAT when I heard them at a friends house before I bought them.

verb

Tony M wrote: »

Do you want to hear your bass or FEEL your bass? That is the question. 12" compared to a 15".

I’m feelin a set of SRS2’s might be coming my way! Thanks Tony!

nooshinjohn

I concur on the SRS as well. The spacing between the mid-bass drivers is different and I think this has much to do with the wider and deeper soundstage. They are also in a better cabinet that reduces unwanted resonance, and the larger passive to boot. The 1c's may be considered the sweet spot of the range, but the SRS2 is a step above.

verb

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I concur on the SRS as well. The spacing between the mid-bass drivers is different and I think this has much to do with the wider and deeper soundstage. They are also in a better cabinet that reduces unwanted resonance, and the larger passive to boot. The 1c's may be considered the sweet spot of the range, but the SRS2 is a step above.

Thanks John. I did read about the larger MW spacing having that effect and also enhancing the SDA effect as well. Leaning closer to the SRS’s!

teekay0007

nooshinjohn wrote: »

The spacing between the mid-bass drivers is different and I think this has much to do with the wider and deeper soundstage.

Has much to do with the wider and deeper soundstage, huh? I was told by someone here, way back, that the SRS2s were designed with the wider space between the mid-bass drivers to give the fat-headed listener the same awesome SDA 3D soundstage as the others in the lineup!



Have at it, verb, sounds like you need another project to keep you busy!

Tony M

Sounds good to me.

SDA's when we're young.
SDA-SRS's when we're older.

Our ears do get bigger with age.

F1nut

I've heard deeper, tighter and puncher bass with a better over all balance from a pair of 2BTL's compared to the 1C's.

Tony M

F1nut wrote: »

I've heard deeper, tighter and puncher bass with a better over all balance from a pair of 2BTL's compared to the 1C's.

That's my take from what I heard between the 1C's and the 2B's I've heard. But, the 1C's were hooked up to a different receiver from the 2B's. So it's not a fair A/B test but I heard what I heard. And I heard the lower model of 2B as I learned tonight.

westmassguy

The crossovers are the same (except for the sub-bass drive inductors), as is the driver compliment.
The Tweeters are above the Woofers on the 1C like the 2A/2B. On the SRS-2 they're between them like the larger SRSs. That has to affect the overall sound.
I've been told the SRS-2's Bass while deeper, is loose or flabby compared to the 1Cs.
The cabinet volume and PR are larger on the SRS compared to the 1C. This may explain the crossover point of the sub-bass drive being much higher on the SRS.

RandyCroissant

Just curious, I noticed a substantial improvement in both quality and quantity of bass when I switched to the Erse super Q sub bass inductors in my 2Bs. Might this same improvement be available to the 1Cs? Or even the SRS 2s?

Thanks to Dave on this recommendation

Tony M

I think whoever said the bass was loose and flabby had an air leak. Mr. Hirsch said it was the BEST BASS he had ever heard or measured from a speaker. He also said you can hear it and FEEL the bass from these designs.

I know this review by julian Hirsch is of the SDA-SRS but I would think the same bass qualities apply to the SRS2's also. I have always loved reading this review in its entirety.
https://polksda.com/srsreview.shtml

westmassguy

RandyCroissant wrote: »

Just curious, I noticed a substantial improvement in both quality and quantity of bass when I switched to the Erse super Q sub bass inductors in my 2Bs. Might this same improvement be available to the 1Cs? Or even the SRS 2s?

Thanks to Dave on this recommendation

Most definitely for either model

RandyCroissant

So far I have not had the pleasure of hearing the SRS line of Polks, can't wait for the opportunity though.

westmassguy

Tony M wrote: »

I think whoever said the bass was loose and flabby had an air leak. Mr. Hirsch said it was the BEST BASS he had ever heard or measured from a speaker. He also said you can hear it and FEEL the bass from these designs.

I know this review by julian Hirsch is of the SDA-SRS but I would think the same bass qualities apply to the SRS2's also. I have always loved reading this review in its entirety.
https://polksda.com/srsreview.shtml

Not doubting that. It's possible the person(s) who commented on the Bass for the SRS2s had air leaks and or poor amplification, or both.

Tony M

RandyCroissant wrote: »

So far I have not had the pleasure of hearing the SRS line of Polks, can't wait for the opportunity though.

You'll be in for a real treat.

I've only heard the SRS2's from the upper SRS line. So I can't comment on how the others sound, only speculate.

Legender

Wow... I'm struggling with the 2Bs being better than the SRS, comments. I have the 2Bs and the 3.1s. Both are stock at the moment, but spend more time with the 3.1s than the 2Bs.
I too find the SRS sound comes from all over the room.
I am working with westmassguy on upgrade options at the moment, though.

audioluvr

I remember when I first auditioned the SDA line back in 87'. What I remember most was how good they all sounded. The bigger the speakers the boomier the bass. My two favorites were the 2B's and the 1C's. The bass just seemed almost overpowering in the SRS line.

To each his own but I prefer the balance that the 1C 's produce (mine are updated with the super Q inductors). I did buy the 2B's though and enjoyed them for over 20 years.