Picking up a pair of SDA 2's on Wednesday

_mo_

Gotta thank everyone here for the info as I've upgraded my speakers. I stumbled across this posting for a local pair of SDA 2s and had some questions before I pick them up...the whole SDA thing is brand new to me:

https://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/d/pikesville-polk-sda-floor-standing/7410912531.html

1. Seems like a good deal to me, am I right?
2. From what I have read on here these look like SDA 2a's, am I right?
3. interconnect cable? Buy one off eBay or make one? How hard are they to make?
4. I've seen mention of SDA manuals and how tos but most of the links are broken. Any good places to start about room setup etc.?
5. Since the thread about SDA upgrades is broken what are some good links or upgrades for me to look at. Seems like crossovers and tweeters are what most people are swapping out, but I'm not sure exactly where to start.

Thanks!

Gardenstater

I haven't any personal experience with SDA's but I can give you the link to the SDA Handbook Rev. 2, which has a wealth of information:

https://us.v-cdn.net/5021930/uploads/editor/fe/zg3wih4m7prz.pdf

F1nut

1. Possibly
2. SDA 2A
3. You need the SDA interconnect cable to have SDA. Easy enough to make. Even better replace the stock blade/blade socket with 4 pole air tight Neutrik SpeakOn sockets and the matching connector for the cable.
4. 6 to 8 feet apart, 3 feet from the side walls and 5 to 6 inches off the back wall. No toe in.
5. See above post.
6. You can remove the damaged platforms, plug the screw holes and add 2 inch tall spikes.

_mo_

Wow, that handbook is awesome! Thank you!

F1nut, thanks. That all confirms what I've been thinking and reading.


I'll see how bad the platforms are. woodwork is the one area of this project I feel pretty comfortable with.

Navy_Goat

As stated by F1nut above (sort of) the price looks a little strong if the cabinets have damage. I would not be too worried about the bottom pieces as they are not part of the core cabinet, but if any of the damage extends above the bottom "platform" this could be a difficult project. You seem to have a real talent for woodwork so that may be fine, but the price should be adjusted.

2A's have some disadvantages to the next generation 2B's that we can explain IF you want to know before hand. I know sometimes I prefer to just jump in to a project so let us know if you are interested in the pros/cons.

Either way these have the potential to sound quite good with a solid amplifier.

Gardenstater

Beware of the low impedance curve.

_mo_

In general the cabinets look good except for the platforms. Should be pretty easy to clean up. I'm hoping a little cleaning and care and that water stain on top will come off. If not and I have to strip and re-stain them that would be ok. I've always thought the factory stain on most speaker cabinets leaves a lot to be desired. Like I said earlier, that's the part I'm good at, I've stained and refinished a lot of furniture over the years. Looking for a good amp for them will probably be the second thing I do after making sure the cabinets are cleaned up. I've got a pretty good early 90's Pioneer that pushes 150w/channel that I'll use to start while I look for something more powerful. After that, we'll see what kind of condition the components are in. I'll probably want to do the tweeter before the crossover, but that's because upgrading crossovers scares me, I've never done a project like that before. I'm going to take my time with the whole thing though...what I just described will probably be a 2 year project.

As I was researching I read a fair amount about the differences between the lines...that's why I was pretty sure these were the A's before I even made the first post. In general from what I've read I think I'll enjoy the acoustic qualities of the A more than the B, but I understand the updated components are desired by many. Still, I'm always open to others thoughts, the more I know up front the better.

Thanks

Navy_Goat

I am semi local to you and would be willing to help with the crossover mods if you get that far. Upgraded tweeters for this model are not easy to find since Midwest stopped stocking the RD0194.

The pioneer you are planning to start with may really struggle to drive these speakers. As @Gardenstater mentioned above their impedance curve drops below 4ohms at some frequencies.

I look forward to what you can accomplish with the finish as I have a rough set of 2B that could use some TLC. I may follow in your footsteps there.

_mo_

Thanks for the offer. When and if I get that far I'll reach out. I'll post updates here as I go. I've got a few other woodworking projects in the garage waiting for me that I'll have to get to before these...two are speaker projects I'll post here as well. We'll see how it goes.

pitdogg2

.

F1nut

In general the cabinets look good except for the platforms. Should be pretty easy to clean up.

That platform is water damaged, it's not cleaning up.

Should be pretty easy to clean up. I'm hoping a little cleaning and care and that water stain on top will come off.

The only way that water stain will go away is by using oxalic acid.

I think I'll enjoy the acoustic qualities of the A more than the B

Huh? Where did you come up with that notion?

invalid

I ended up painting my 2a's black and I got rid of the bottom pedestal, and replaced it with large spikes.

xschop

invalid wrote: »

I ended up painting my 2a's black and I got rid of the bottom pedestal, and replaced it with large spikes.

They look nice. Did you convert them to 2B crossovers and drivers?

invalid

I did the TL mod on them per westmassguy's thread on the subject.

Navy_Goat

@_mo_ there is a pair of SDA 2B on FB marketplace in Willington DE for 100 bucks. that would be worth the drive!

_mo_

F1nut wrote: »

That platform is water damaged, it's not cleaning up.

Should be pretty easy to clean up. I'm hoping a little cleaning and care and that water stain on top will come off.

The only way that water stain will go away is by using oxalic acid.

I think I'll enjoy the acoustic qualities of the A more than the B

Huh? Where did you come up with that notion?

If the damage to the platforms extends above I'm walking away, but the other pictures he sent me look fine. I'll replace the platforms, that's easy.

You're right about the A's vs. B's , I was getting it mixed up with something else I read...taking in too much information.

_mo_

Navy_Goat wrote: »

@_mo_ there is a pair of SDA 2B on FB marketplace in Willington DE for 100 bucks. that would be worth the drive!

I think they are gone already, but thanks...maybe someone else saw this

BTW: Thanks for the tip on impedance, I'm probably going to either swap out my Parasound that I have driving the mains on my home theater system for now, or just wait while I clean them up and look for a good integrated amp.

boston1450

F1nut wrote: »

1. Possibly
2. SDA 2A
3. You need the SDA interconnect cable to have SDA. Easy enough to make. Even better replace the stock blade/blade socket with 4 pole air tight Neutrik SpeakOn sockets and the matching connector for the cable.
4. 6 to 8 feet apart, 3 feet from the side walls and 5 to 6 inches off the back wall. No toe in.
5. See above post.
6. You can remove the damaged platforms, plug the screw holes and add 2 inch tall spikes.

#6 easy project is what I did to my Monitor 11's with same issue ( thanks for info @F1nut ) with great results. Improved my bass & looked great

Gerres26

Navy_Goat wrote: »

@_mo_ there is a pair of SDA 2B on FB marketplace in Willington DE for 100 bucks. that would be worth the drive!

I think they may be sold, I reached out and got zero response from them.

_mo_

Well, I was honestly thinking there was a good chance I was going to walk away from these, but when I got there I was pleasantly surprised. The bases are obviously beat to hell and need to be replaced. However, they sounded great, and the components are in very good condition. Otherwise the cabinets look much better in person than they did in the pictures. The glass stain that is so obvious in the picture is hardly noticeable in person. There is some chipping along the back bottom and one corner of one of the speakers, it looks like it was moved roughly by a dolly or something with little to no protection. But there were no bulges in the bottom of the cabinet that might have suggested water damage.

When I take off the bases I'll fill in the holes and then possibly try to fill in some of the chipping on the back of that one speaker to protect and seal it a bit better, but honestly that, speaker spikes and some Old English and I might call it a day.

Time to start looking for a new amp

invalid

Those pedestal bases almost always fall apart. The speakers look much better with the large spikes, not to mention they sound better with them also.

Navy_Goat

_mo_ wrote: »

Well, I was honestly thinking there was a good chance I was going to walk away from these, but when I got there I was pleasantly surprised. The bases are obviously beat to hell and need to be replaced. However, they sounded great, and the components are in very good condition. Otherwise the cabinets look much better in person than they did in the pictures. The glass stain that is so obvious in the picture is hardly noticeable in person. There is some chipping along the back bottom and one corner of one of the speakers, it looks like it was moved roughly by a dolly or something with little to no protection. But there were no bulges in the bottom of the cabinet that might have suggested water damage.

When I take off the bases I'll fill in the holes and then possibly try to fill in some of the chipping on the back of that one speaker to protect and seal it a bit better, but honestly that, speaker spikes and some Old English and I might call it a day.

Time to start looking for a new amp

That is great news! Also, since I last posted about replacement tweeter availability (on lack there of) there has been an update on Miswest's website. I posted a link in another thread, but they now show a Feb/Mar restock date. Things may be falling right in to place for you. Congratulations!

_mo_

Question about spikes: These will be going on a hardwood floor. I know they make the discs to go under them, but with kids I'm worried about them getting accidentally moved off the discs and damaging the wood. I know the rubber feet don't look as good, but is there a significant difference between them and spikes in terms of sound?

Clipdat

Third option: Put the kids up for adoption. Problem solved from your end.

Navy_Goat

_mo_ wrote: »

Question about spikes: These will be going on a hardwood floor. I know they make the discs to go under them, but with kids I'm worried about them getting accidentally moved off the discs and damaging the wood. I know the rubber feet don't look as good, but is there a significant difference between them and spikes in terms of sound?

SDAs generally like to be close to the wall, so that should minimize the risk a little, but it sounds like you have a valid concern. maybe pick up a set of each in the same thread pitch. that way you can change them out if need be.

_mo_

Navy_Goat wrote: »

SDAs generally like to be close to the wall, so that should minimize the risk a little, but it sounds like you have a valid concern. maybe pick up a set of each in the same thread pitch. that way you can change them out if need be.

That's a great idea. Thanks.

If I put them up for adoption who will take care of me in my old age

Clipdat

F1nut

and some Old English and I might call it a day.

Old English is white mineral oil (light). You can go to the drug store, buy a bottle of mineral oil, perhaps add a dash of lemon scent and you'd have the same thing.

I'm constantly amazed at what people will put on their furniture/speakers.

_mo_

Seriously, it's crazy. Look at what my wife has on my family room speaker right now! What even is a Christmas Llama?

DaveHo

I'm sure that's just a temporary position, but that's not going to sound good like that!

smglbrth

Keep turning it up loud enough so it constantly falls off, worked for me years ago...