SDA SRS sans interconnect, still out of phase?

tie_dyed_oc2pus

2nd owner of SRS 3.1 tl speakers here. Replaced tweets 7-9 years ago. Always thought there was something off with the soundstage and lack of bass but still enjoyed them immensely at ludicrous volumes with added subs. Now, wanting to get more accurate with my listening, I have used an audio set up cd that has designated tracks for testing for phase issues in a system and low and behold whether my SDA interconnect cable is connected or not, I still get sound from the left channel when it is only supposed to to come from the right and vice versa. Can anyone else with these speakers confirm these same phasing issues? I spoke with the Polk "call center" and "Joshua" just kept reinterrating that I would not be getting the Full SDA effect without the interconnect cable connected. I'm assuming, and yes I've heard what that CAN mean, but it seems they would act as a pair of normal stereo speakers without the interconnect cable, am I an A$$??

pitdogg2

Pictures of the binding post cup please.

tie_dyed_oc2pus

So far I CAN say this, listening to the test cd with the SRS system yields sound from both channels with or without the interconnect and from only one channel with my "Normal" 2 channel set up. I agree it's a balance issue and the CD is misleading.

tie_dyed_oc2pus

I need to strip down my connections to their most basic and see if the balance issue still exists, thanks for getting my neurons to fire again!!

tie_dyed_oc2pus

Why are my other posts not showing up? Thanks again DSkip and I posted a pic of my binding posts also!

tie_dyed_oc2pus

Sorry pitdogg2

pitdogg2

I was just thinking binding post nuts had been switched. Its been known to happen.

westmassguy

The 3.1s have a single, outermost dimensional woofer. If only the left channel is receiving signal, the four inner stereo woofers and the tweeter will be producing sound (the dimensional woofer should be producing sound below approximately 150 Hz in unison with the stereo woofers). The right channel's single dimensional woofer will be producing sound up to approximately 2 KHz.
If only the right channel is receiving signal, the opposite is true.

TennMan

Here a few basic tests that I do to my SDAs to ensure they are in phase and the SDA is working. Use a music CD for the tests below - not the audio setup CD.
Test 1) Disconnect all the cables from the speaker. Then momentarily connect a 1.5 volt battery across the + and - terminals of the left speaker observing proper polarity. All the mid-woofers should move outward when the battery is connected. Repeat the test for the right speaker.
Test 2) With the interconnect cable disconnected, play some music at moderate levels. Then turn the balance knob all the way to the left. You should hear music coming from the left speaker and NO sound from the right speaker. Next, turn the balance knob all the way to the right. You should hear music coming from the right speaker and NO sound from the left speaker.
Test 3) With the interconnect cable connected, play some music at moderate levels. Then turn the balance knob all the way to the left. You should hear music coming from the left speaker and you should also hear music coming from only the dimensional speakers of the RIGHT speaker at a lower level. Next, turn the balance knob all the way to the right. You should hear music coming from the right speaker and you should also hear music coming from only the dimensional speakers of the LEFT speaker at a lower level.
If your speakers pass all these tests, check your speaker wire connections at the speakers and the amplifier to make sure the polarity is correct. And as pitdogg2 said, make sure the nuts on the binding terminals haven't been swapped,
You should also remove the tweeters and visually inspect them to make sure they are connected properly to ensure they are in proper phase
"Joshua" just kept reinterrating that I would not be getting the Full SDA effect without the interconnect cable connected. He is correct. Without the cable connected you will only get normal stereo sound which defeats the purpose of owning a pair of SDA speakers.

tie_dyed_oc2pus

All is well in SDA Land!!! Thanks to all. Turns out I am an A$$, but maybe not a total...after ~30 minutes I determined that I had wired one speaker out of phase and reversed left and right on another (system is bi-amped and using single sub via speaker level in/outs with too long speaker wire so yeah, it's a spaghetti incident). But wait, there's more...after correcting my faults the issue was not resolved. Turns out the friggin' Pioneer DVD player (DV-578A) has a virtual surround option that was enabled which was the last hurdle to overcome. Anyways, the Polks have never sounded better, even better than the previous (original) room they were in. I've been thinking it was just poor room acoustics to blame since relocating them but I am happy to say it was ALL operator error. Thanks again to everyone and Happy Holidays!!

pitdogg2

tie_dyed_oc2pus wrote: »

All is well in SDA Land!!! Thanks to all. Turns out I am an A$$, but maybe not a total...after ~30 minutes I determined that I had wired one speaker out of phase and reversed left and right on another (system is bi-amped and using single sub via speaker level in/outs with too long speaker wire so yeah, it's a spaghetti incident). But wait, there's more...after correcting my faults the issue was not resolved. Turns out the friggin' Pioneer DVD player (DV-578A) has a virtual surround option that was enabled which was the last hurdle to overcome. Anyways, the Polks have never sounded better, even better than the previous (original) room they were in. I've been thinking it was just poor room acoustics to blame since relocating them but I am happy to say it was ALL operator error. Thanks again to everyone and Happy Holidays!!

It's always something isn't it LOL Glad to hear back to reality
no sit back and let the sack flap...

VR3

Don't worry, @treitz3 wires his speakers out of phase annually