SDA2b's

ThomasD

Ok, so I'm pretty new here to the Polk Forum. Haven't been into 'serious' audio since my teens & early '20's (30+ years ago). Recently decided I needed to start really listening to quality music before my tinnitus gets much worse. Broke out my Cambridge Azure 351 CD player, picked up a Rega Brio amp and a Project Acryl TT. Was convinced that I wanted to go with some Heritage Klipsch Speakers since I've got a great sounding Klipsch RVX surround sound Home Theater set up and a friend that's a local Klipsch dealer. However, I happened to see a pair of Polk Monitor 7's listed on CL and started researching them. Well, needless to say your all aware of what I discovered about the 7's and Polk speakers in general. So, went and looked at them. Along with a mint pair of 7's I discovered a true Polk affectionado (who's also a fellow member here) that had 2 other pairs of 7's multiple 10's, an amazing pair of SDA's (not sure which ones but they had to be nearly 5' tall) and even another pair of LSi9's. The one pair of 7's & Lsi9's were the only ones for sale. After listening to the original, unmolested 7's I was smitten. They came home with me. I wanted the Lsi9's too but didn't think I had the power to run them and I'm really taken with the older, vintage look. After some intensive listening I decided to upgrade the 7's with new RDO198's (I found the highs a bit harsh and fatiguing) and am having the crossovers reworked by DHS speaker service. Though the cabinets are really in pristine shape they will eventually be re-veneered.
Anyway, now I'm on the prowl for more vintage Polk speakers. Found a pair of SDA2's on CL for $380. Think they are SDA2b's. What's a real world price for these and is the interconnect cable necessary?
Thanks

F1nut

For 2B's that's a fair price and the SDA cable is absolutely necessary otherwise they are just another pair of stereo speakers.

What model tweeter did your Monitor 7's come with?

ThomasD

SL1000's were original. And they don't have the interconnect cable. Is it available, or can it be built ?

ThomasD

Correction. One speaker had an SL1000, the other had an SL2000

F1nut

Which model are you talking about?

ThomasD

One of the Monitor 7’s had an SL1000 tweet, the other an SL2000.

F1nut

Interesting. Well, both of those tweeters are bright, so I'm not surprised you didn't like them. David will get you sorted out.

The original SDA 2B pin/blade cable is not available. Search here for SpeakOn for a solution to the missing SDA cable.

Nightfall

That's a reasonable price for the 2B's if they are in real good shape. If they have the interconnect, which is necessary, you could probably get them for $350. If they don't have the interconnect offer $300 - $325.

Check all of the rubber surrounds for any tears or cracks. Take $25 off for every midwoofer with a damaged surround. Take $50 off for every passive radiator with a damaged surround.

ThomasD

David has been very helpful and knowledgeable. The pair of 7’s were of two different manufacture dates, ‘84 &’85 but didn’t realize that both SL1000 & SL2000’s were used. Appreciate the valuation information. Was looking for specs and such on SDA2’s and wondering how my Rega would fare with them.

F1nut

First, you need to know which model they are. The SDA 2 is very different than the SDA 2B.

ThomasD

Ok so just got a text that they are SDA2a’s without the IC cable.

Nightfall

I'd pass and wait for 2B's and listen to the Monitor 7's in the mean time. That's just me though, the 2A's are good speakers but they can't be TL'd and they aren't as good looking as the fabric sided and end capped 2B's.

ThomasD

Oh, I was under the impression that they could be TL'd, what other versions can't be?. I appreciate that information. Quality Vintage Speakers are fairly rare up here in the far North. Not holding my breath on seeing 2b's in the foreseeable future but you never know. Probably will hold off on these if they can't be upgraded enough and why doesn't anybody keep the IC cable? I am looking forward to hearing the difference with the TL upgrades to my 7c's that Dave is doing. Kind of a lot of money spent with new RDO198's and complete crossover redo to upgrade 2/way $125 speakers but I tend to keep stuff forever so it's an investment.

ThomasD

Also, is there any value to listing the SL1000 & SL2000 tweets? I'm not asking for money, just if someone could use them.

txcoastal1

Yes you could start a karma thread in the club house section
Titled example "Karma SL1000 & SL2000 tweets".....you can do 1st come first serve, do it by pick a # between 1-50, drawing to be held next Friday

Those are examples

GlennDog

TD, welcome to CP!
Where is "up here in the far North"

ThomasD

Fairbanks Alaska

F1nut

It would still be worth acquiring the 2A's. Drop the RD0194 tweeters in, do the crossover upgrades and you can buy a blade/blade cable from Polk or make your own using SpeakOn connections, which would be the better choice.

ThomasD

Think so? He say's he's had some SRS 3.1tl's so he seems to know something about Polks. I'll Feel bad if I low ball and insult someone. I do hate to pass up a potentially good deal though. How low should I go $$ ?

txcoastal1

If they are mint, and you have a hard time finding them Most $350
If not you'd have to judge,
Here's an idea, click on sold/expired to show ones

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=sda+2a

Nightfall

Smallies wrote: »

I had some sweet looking 2A's maybe it was real wood veneer? I'd say 2b studios without end caps are much more plentiful. I've had black and um dark crappy coffee table veneer.

It's just personal preference really.

To me these with the Vandersteen look:




Look a lot better than these:

teekay0007

Nightfall wrote: »

...the 2A's are good speakers but they can't be TL'd and they aren't as good looking as the fabric sided and end capped 2B's.

Not true, the SDA-2As can be TL'd. In fact, westmassguy did it (may be the original 2ATLs) and laid it all out in this thread:

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1

Fun fact for ThomasD ( ): David from DHS Speaker Service is our very own westmassguy that is already upgrading your Monitor 7 crossovers!

Talk to him about the +'s and -'s of the 2As vs. other SDA speakers. I've gathered that upgrades/mods for 2A crossovers are more extensive and expensive than for 2Bs, possibly because of two-board crossovers (vs. one board in the 2Bs), higher value caps in the 2As, etc.

ThomasD

teekay0007 wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

...the 2A's are good speakers but they can't be TL'd and they aren't as good looking as the fabric sided and end capped 2B's.

Not true, the SDA-2As can be TL'd. In fact, westmassguy did it (may be the original 2ATLs) and laid it all out in this thread:

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1

Fun fact for ThomasD ( ): David from DHS Speaker Service is our very own westmassguy that is already upgrading your Monitor 7 crossovers!

Talk to him about the +'s and -'s of the 2As vs. other SDA speakers. I've gathered that upgrades/mods for 2A crossovers are more extensive and expensive than for 2Bs, possibly because of two-board crossovers (vs. one board in the 2Bs), higher value caps in the 2As, etc.

That is in fact a very fun fact regarding westmassguy. However, I was aware or his extensive input and expertise in this forum, that is why I decided to contact him regarding the 7's & thanks to your additional info, looks like I'll be contacting David about the SDA2a's. I really do appreciate all the input and experience of everyone on this forum. There are only 3 forums that I frequent, this forum, the Klipsch forum and the NastyZ28 forum. Guess that makes me pretty narrow minded. Thanks again.

teekay0007

ThomasD wrote: »

Think so? He say's he's had some SRS 3.1tl's so he seems to know something about Polks. I'll Feel bad if I low ball and insult someone. I do hate to pass up a potentially good deal though. How low should I go $$ ?

If the seller knows as much as you say he does about Polks, he likely is a member here also and has likely read this thread. Therefore, your offering strategy might be getting exposed.

I don't think SDA-2As are worth $300, let alone $380, especially without the interconnect cable. However, when looking at acquiring a pair, you've got to take into account what condition they are in, how rare the pair(s) that you desire are in your area and how much of a hurry you're in to get ahold of them. Also, I'd suggest a preplanning of updating/modding for future speaker purchases and reason out whether it's really doable at the expenses you will accrue in the process. If not, you might not want to make the leap.

The missing interconnect cable on the 2As wouldn't be much of a big deal if you were going to go ahead and have them upgraded with David anyway. I know - pretty sure anyway - he highly favors the Neutrik interconnect cable upgrade over the original cables/connectors.

ThomasD

Nightfall wrote: »

Smallies wrote: »

I had some sweet looking 2A's maybe it was real wood veneer? I'd say 2b studios without end caps are much more plentiful. I've had black and um dark crappy coffee table veneer.

It's just personal preference really.

To me these with the Vandersteen look:




Look a lot better than these:

And I prefer the 'furniture' look of more wood, less grill. Guess I'm just not a black grill kinda guy. We've also got 4 Italian Greyhounds that are absolutely convinced no speaker with a black grill will go unmolested!!

Nightfall

What, your opinion is different than mine? Now we have to fight I guess.

ThomasD

Nightfall wrote: »

What, your opinion is different than mine? Now we have to fight I guess.

I do like a good fight and on a Sunday no less !!! Seriously though, my tastes have changed over the years. I was of the more grill, less wood look in my younger days. It has a more contemporary/modern look and I do appreciate that. My wife has influenced my tastes lately with her preference towards a more 'mid century' look. Also, think 'black' grills are wearing on me, the older, light colored, tweed look grills should be coming back into vogue. Imo.

ThomasD

Nightfall, by the way I absolutely love your Avatar. A truly classic entertainer that I never get tired of seeing.

ThomasD

Westmassguy has confirmed that his primary speaks are SDA-2A's that he TL'd. Not an inexpensive upgrade and sounds like I'd need a different amp with at least 200 watts of clean power. I do love shopping for new equipment (even when I can't afford it). Guess the speakers are still not out of the question if I can get the seller down to an agreeable $$ figure. But would have to wait a bit for the the upgrades and look into obtaining the IC cable & amp. Then have to try to explain to my wife that another pair of speakers sitting in the garage is vital to national security. Was looking at CL in the Phoenix & Seattle areas and found several SDA's available for anywhere from $200-$750 a pair, some with and w/o IC cables. Shipping up to AK would be out of the question though.

cascius

Yeah, upgrading 2As is quite expensive. I went through the process and I'm happy I did, but from what everybody has been saying, 2Bs are much easier/cheaper to upgrade. Even if you pay $100 more, you might be better off to go the 2Bs route.

ThomasD

cascius wrote: »

Yeah, upgrading 2As is quite expensive. I went through the process and I'm happy I did, but from what everybody has been saying, 2Bs are much easier/cheaper to upgrade. Even if you pay $100 more, you might be better off to go the 2Bs route.

Cascius, is the Carver running the SDA's without any issues? I know that was quite the amp in it's day. Apparently still is for 20+ years old. Did you do your own upgrades & how much (approx.) was it?