Replacement for SL2000

WilliamM2

I have a set of SDA1C's that I purchased new in 1989. One of the tweeters has developed a scratching sound with certain frequencies.

I have read that there is a different tweeter used as a replacement now, so I know I will have to replace one tweeter in each speaker to have them sound the same. Would this be OK, or should I replace all four?

And if I decide to drop $200 on these 16 year old speakers, how reliable are the rest of the drivers? Are they known to die from old age as well?

F1nut

Get 4 new ones, you can thank me later. The other drivers are good to go for many more years.

WilliamM2

One other question. If the problem was in the crossover, or polyswitch, would the scratching appear in both tweeters? It's definetly only in one, as I disconnected it, and it went away.

I just want to make sure it IS the tweeter before replacing.

F1nut

If it was the polyswitch/crossover, the problem would be in both tweeters. If you want, put the "bad" tweeter in the other speaker to see if the problem follows as I'm sure it will.

The new tweeters are so much better you'll kick yourself for not getting them sooner.

ohskigod

I'll second Jesse on this. get the 4 silk dome replacements (call polk audio to order, tell them you are a member of club polk)

swapped out the sl2000's with the replacements in my SDA-1B's and i'll never look back. replacing all 4 will be a little steep, 48.00 bucks each, but it will be well worth it.

WilliamM2

Thanks for the advice. I assume these are a direct drop in for the SL2000?

I guess it's not too steep considering what I originally paid for them, and the years of enjoyment I have got out of them.

From 1979 or so, I bought new speakers at least once a year, until I got the SDA1C's. Never have heard anything (under $2000 anyway) to make me want an upgrade.

Are these things still worth anything? Just curiousity, they are not for sale. They will be in mint condition after I glue one of the cloth side panels back on, had to do the other speaker about three years ago.

ohskigod

My 1B's were about 400.00 which i considerred a great price. 500.00 would be conservative, i've seen them for over 600 on ebay at times.

F1nut

Originally posted by WilliamM2
I assume these are a direct drop in for the SL2000?

Yes and what Lou said.

WilliamM2

Ordered them this morning, but I was told the part number was BD0194-1. I thought the number was supposed to be RD0194-1.

Is this the same thing?I hope it is the right tweeters...

BobMcG

Yup, the correct number is RD0194-1.

ohskigod

dont worry, you got the right one. my shipping invoice had the BD as well.

WilliamM2

Well, I was told that the part I will be recieving is BD0194-1, I even had her double check, and she said that was the new SL2000.

I did a search here for BD0194-1, and got 0 results. I sure hope they are the right tweeters, the same ones everyone is raving about here.

Looks like I will have 3 SL2000's for sale if anyone needs them.

WilliamM2

Thanks ohskigod, I will rest easier now.

madmax

If you should happen to get the wrong ones it will be obvious. The spade connectors will not fit on the wiring tabs. Don't worry, they know what you are talking about.
madmax

Oh yea, you will wonder how the original tweeters sounded so bad without being noticed. These are great speakers and should last another 10-15 years with no problem.

BobMcG

Seems a bit strange...... but I'm sure it will work out.

I installed my six new tweets when, a month ago or so. I ordered from Ken and the only number that came up in the conversation was the RD and that's what my invoice said....... maybe the stock number has changed???

Polk65

From what I recollect, BD/RD refers to the source where the driver was manufactured. BD is a previous prefix and RD is the current.

xx0194-1 is for the sl2000 and sl1000.
xx0198-1 is for the sl3000 and sl2500.

Loud & Clear

Originally posted by Polk65
xx0194-1 is for the sl2000 and sl1000.

The SL1000 isn't drop in replaced by the RD0194-1. I think that's important to note for people out there, like myself, who can be fooled by CS or posters who suggest similarly.

Polk65

Excellent point. I was thinking of sonic replacements and trying to help with the BD/RD prefix confusion.

The sl1000 and Peerless tweeters are smaller and will require some creative means to mount their replacements flush with the face of the cabinet.

WilliamM2

Well I should have gotten them today, but FedEx just called, the package has the wrong first name on it, and the wrong address, so it was sent back to the station. They don't know if they will make it today now. I'm wondering how the charge was even approved, since nothing matches my billing address.

Odd, because I was told they were coming UPS 2 day air. Not real impressed with customer service so far.

ohskigod

wierd. if it has the wrong name and address, how did they know to call you?

might have just been a typo, call CS back and see if they can help if you dont get these things by tomorrow. polk CS has been nothing but great for me.

WilliamM2

My phone number was on the shipping label.

I've already called Polk and had the info corrected, and FedEx has the correct info now as well, so I'm sure I will get them tommorrow. Maybe even later today, they didn't know.

F1nut

Relax, typo's happen. Polk CS is second to none!!!

WilliamM2

I'm relaxed, I called FedEx because they didn't make it back today, and they will hold it at FedEx for me to pickup tommorrow. I work two blocks away.

And I'm sure Polk's CS is usually good, and they were willing to take care of it when I called, but I had already done that, and just wanted their info corrected in case of any warranty issues or returns.

I was just anxious to hear the improvement after reading about them here.

Polk65

William, sorry to hear you're having troubles.

Here's a Polk CS story that pretty much sums up what length they will go to make our problems go away.

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23236

PolkFreak

I think it is harder to say RDO194-1 ect.... You can just ask for the new and improved silk SL2000 tweeter. Or just the silk SL2000 tweeter. There is really no need to say the RDO194-1 model number. I don't think they would send anything other than the silk SL2000 after saying that is what you want. Mine came to me fast enough to put a smile on my face:D

madmax

Let us know how excited you are after hearing them for the first time. We never get tired of that.
madmax

PolkFreak

The new silk SL2000 tweeters were as smooth as milk chocolate M&M's and the sound melted in my ears and not in my hands.;)

WilliamM2

I installed them two weeks ago, they are a little smoother, I'm very happy with them. I need to do some more listening, as I was waiting until I had let them run in a bit before really evaluating them. They have about 70 hours on them now.

But it's funny how one thing leads to another. For about ten years I used to spend all my cash on audio, until I finished my current system 15 years ago. I was so pleased with it that the upgrades stopped (finally!).

But I seem to have the bug again. This started out with just replacing the tweeters, and replacing a noisy volume control on my pre-amp.

Then I decided to replace the rear surrounds with a set of R15's, decided to get a new CD changer, purchased a Panamax line conditioner, bought all new interconnects (RS fusions), purchased a new universal remote, and at this very minute I am in the middle of changing the SDA cable with twelve guage wire, and the rca connectors from the old RS gold series cables for pins. All this in just two weeks, on a hobby I thought I was done blowing money on.

And I am also looking for a new surround proccessor and center channel. Though I really don't watch many movies, so I'm in no rush here, usually only 2 channel listening. The wife thinks I've lost it, but she is cool with it, she knows I will either spend it on that, or motorcycles.

I now have the following:

Denon POA 2400 - front amp, 200watts @ 8ohms, 750 @ 2ohms
Parasound HCA-500 - rear amp 50watts
Yamaha AVC-70 - Pre-amp
Onkyo Integra T-4500 - tuner
Yamaha CDC-685 - cd player
Panamax 5100
Polk Audio SDA-1C - front
Polk Audio R15 - rear
Samsung remote
JVC 36" flat screen, don't remember model.


Probably more than you needed to know.

Polk65

Originally posted by WilliamM2

The wife thinks I've lost it, but she is cool with it, she knows I will either spend it on that, or motorcycles.

Upgrade your audio equipment as you like but keep that wife.

Larry Chanin

Originally posted by WilliamM2
I installed them two weeks ago, they are a little smoother, I'm very happy with them.

Hi William,

Glad to hear that you found your drivers and that they sound good. I understand that the replacement is a simple "drop in" procedure. Was the process straight-forward and simple for you with no complications?

The reason I'm asking is that I've got a pair of SDA-1C's and a pair of SDA-CRS+'s and I'm seriously considering doing the replacement. Ideally I'd like to try to do the replacement without moving them from their locations behind a false wall in my home theater. The 1C's are up on 15" stands, and one of the CRS+'s is mounted 9 feet up in the air. If possible I'll like to try to replace the tweeters while on a ladder rather than moving the speakers.

Do you or others who have done this replacement think this is feasible, or do you recommend that I go to the effort of hauling the speakers out of their permanent mounting positions? Here's a drawing of their positions:


Thanks.

Larry

WilliamM2

I never had to move my SDA-1C's, they drop right in from the front. Very simple.

Aren't those speakers a little high for a seated listening position? Just curious.