SDA-1 vs 3.1TL
Received my SDA-1's today and I'm still scratching my head on this one. The SDA-1's destroy my 3.1's in the lower freq's. Same equipment, cables, placement. What gives? I've checked my 3.1's and the drivers are all functioning normal. I actually like the SDA-1's better, although it seems the 3.1's have a slightly "wider" soundstage. Has anyone else been able to compare these 2 speakers side by side?
SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900
Post edited by kelley on
Comments
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Hey Kelly,
I don't know which version of the SDA1's you have.... but, I do have the 3.1TL's and have compared them critically side-by-side to both the 2.3TL's and the 1.2TL's. Back in 1991, Polk did a good job spreading these three big-bad-SDA's out. The 1.2TL sounded fabulous. The 2.3TL sounded very close to the 1.2TL but, not quite as "big" sounding. The 3.1TL was very close to the sound of the 2.3TL but not quite as deep in the bass.
All three of these TL series speakers had nearly identical sonic timbre. They all had the magic of the Polk sound.
It was only after very careful "value analysis" did I choose the 3.1TL new. In the end, I concluded that unless I had a very huge living room, the difference sonically between the 3.1TL and its bigger brothers simply didn't make the extra coinage well spent.
I purchased the 3.1TL's new for just shy of $2K. I think at that time, the 1.2TL's were around $3400 and the 2.3TL's cost right at $2700 new.
But, yes, the 3.1TL's don't quite have the bass extension of their bigger brothers. The single tri-lam tweeter in the 3.1TL holds its own quite nicely though in this speaker.
My 2 cents.
- Ron -
Ron, I agree with you about the 2.3 and 1.2. These are the older SDA-1's though, 1 passive, 4 mids, and 2 tweeters. I've spent some more time this afternoon listening and they are much more pronounced in the lows. Very warm sounding. Time to shut everything down and get back to watching football.
MitchSDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900 -
The SDA SRS "TL" series speakers have less cabinet resonace and bass distortion. This translates into cleaner, flatter bass response. The SDA1 will sound like it is producing more bass than the 3.1TL, but you are actually hearing more bass emphasis due to the higher cabinet resonance and bass distortion from the SDA1.Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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That would explain things.SDS-400, SDA-1B, SVS 20-39pc+, B&K Ref 50, Denon 2900