Polk surround bar- SDA ??? WTF??

TroyD

Here I was a few moments ago (ok, an hour or so) sitting on the crapper, got Big Head Todd and the Monsters playing through the SDA's, got the new Stereophile.....ready to do some bidness.

So, I'm flipping through and I find a full page add for the Polk Surround Bars with SDA technology. So, I'm looking at the ad. I'm looking at this speaker. I'm listening to my speakers (which I can't see but can visualize), I look back at the ad, rub my eyes, refocus........good 45 second pause......FFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKK (Russ can relate to this when he opened an integrated amp).......man, my day has been RUINED. So, I terminate my visit to the throne....hit the computer and log on to the home audio section (I can't remember the last time I visited anything but the forum on the Polk site...which as a side note, would it kill somebody from Polk to at least MENTION new products on the forum? Possibly start a thread on them???? I mean, HELLO?)....and it gets no better.

SDA? Surround Bar????

I feel used. I feel DIRTY. While I've always thought that SDA COULD be the ultimate HT speaker, just having two speakers....this is NOT what I had in mind. This thing SCREAMS chintzy. Cheap HTiB.

I mean, I know we gotta grow with the times. Market things that sell...yada yada yada...but is nothing sacred?

Now, I'll reserve final judgement until I hear this thing...but, man, I'm SOOOO disappointed right now.

BD(epressed)T

**EDIT**

See my post on page three if you wish, but you can ignore this post all together. The surround bar is nifty cool. Get one...or two.

Hi-Fi for the common man, as I and many of us know it, is still dead. However, Polk IS, insidiously, trying to infect the unsuspecting with the disease in new and delightfully deviant ways.

wingnut4772

I saw that too and I have to admit my first instinct was ' Hey...wait a minute. Aren't those SDA things those huge a*! speakers I see on EBAY all the time that you guys drool over?- so what's this little stick thing?' I gotta tell you though.....I want one for the bedroom

TroyD

Hifi for the common man is now officially DEAD.

Surround sound (which in and of itself isn't a bad thing) has officially ruined it for the rest of us.

BDT

polkatese

Troy,
My reaction was almost the same as yours, albeit I never heard SDA in action, but to read it on Stereophile and don't know its existence until last night, is a bit dissapointing. It looks like the Yamaha YSP1 (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/YSP1/) (it was on sale awhile ago at GG).

Mike682

The main/common HT speaker market seems to be changing to these types of speakers..

TheReaper

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31277&highlight=sda+speaker
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31645&highlight=SDA+SurroundBar

TroyD

Eh, missed both threads.

I dunno, it's not that I'm AGAINST Polk making money or selling what they want, in fact, quite the opposite. I hope that they sell a few million of them.

What I mourn is the fact that HT has killed hifi for the common man (actually, it happened awhile ago) but this just sorta brings it home, if that makes any sense.


BDT

danger boy

well i doubt a surround SDA bar can replace a 5.1, 6.1 or more set up. one speaker can not do the same. placement in one location , can not imitate 6 speakers. plus i can't imagine it would have much of a bass response.
Maybe at Polkfest we can demo it????????

Larry Chanin

Hi,

Yes, Matt Polk has started advertising this new SDA technology in the current issue of Home Theater magazine.

The SurroundBar contains 7 drivers, 3 tweeters and inputs for all 5 channels. Multiple drive units and a patented combination of signal processing and acoustical geometry serve to produce the vivid three dimensional surround field that exists on the original recording. What you hear is essentially the same as if there actually were sounds coming form all around and behind you.

I also see that the website has been updated with this information.

When listening to a special binarual recording on my old SDA-1Cs I was able to hear sounds coming from the front and sides. However, I've never been able to duplicate this with any other standard recording.

I'm extremely curious as to how Polk claims to achieve the effect described by Matt. Surely he's not saying that interaural crosstalk cancellation (the so-called SDA effect) is solely responsible for this claimed surround performance?

Are there any Polk representatives following this thread who are prepared to respond to this question? Does the effect also rely on reflections off of the walls? If so, the owner's manual should be updated to add this information, since the addition of wall hangings or acoustic treatments would likely compromise the performance.

Thanks.

Larry

Dennis Gardner

What's cheap about $1k?????????????? Other than the look.

Now you know how the hardcore '63-'74 GTO fans feel about Pontiacs new GTO offering.

VR3

Man... I was WONDERING where everyone was that like ya know... agreed with me. When I posted the thread it seemed like everyone was fairly happy??

I heard about the Surround Bar about 1 month or so before they started releasing info and when I heard about it... man I was just in awe, I didnt know what to think but all I could think was... "I KNEW IT!" I'm sorry, but this is why I don't own any Polks, if I ever will - it will be vintage Polks.

What a sad way to bring back SDA technology.

faster100

Did ya really think in this day and age of micro mini systems, speakers and subs that polk would make 185lb sda's again? those days are gone, sad as you may feel about it. I know i wouldn't pay a grand for one speaker either.. you wanted 'SDA" polk made a speaker and named it SDA.. everyone says AH polk should market and sell what makes them money and follow the market.. well that's what they are doing, what every mass market maker does.. It's no longer the company of the past, I love polk, all my speakers have been and are polk for what? 4+ years now.. customer service great, product/price great!! But they aren't in business for us unfortunatly.. and every model they introduce is getting more and more smaller, sleeker, modern'er... Polk may not be going of the way we started to love them for, sad but true

danger boy

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

Man... I was WONDERING where everyone was that like ya know... agreed with me. When I posted the thread it seemed like everyone was fairly happy??

I heard about the Surround Bar about 1 month or so before they started releasing info and when I heard about it... man I was just in awe, I didnt know what to think but all I could think was... "I KNEW IT!" I'm sorry, but this is why I don't own any Polks, if I ever will - it will be vintage Polks.

What a sad way to bring back SDA technology.

Well, the times have changed since the SDA's where introduced. People are demanding smaller speakers.. those of us in here may not be opposed to having 5, 6, 7, 8 or more speakers for our home theaters.. but lots and lots of people do.

Those days of large heavy speakers are for the most part are gone. I don't know any speaker maker that is currently making and selling large speakers the size of the SDA's, whereby it's their bread and butter line.

Remember WAF? How many wives will allow their husbands to fill a room with big heavy speakers? I'd bet you very few women would be that understanding.

So Polk must have found a nitch where the Soundbar fits. Is it a replacement for the legendary SDA's? I doubt it will ever live up to that, those are big shoes to fill. just my .01

VR3

I dont CARE about the Surround Bar. I think its a smart move. But why did they have to use SDA technology? What a way to drag a great piece of technology through the mud.

faster100

agreed, danger boy finished his post before me.. but i just wrote basically the same thing, either get used to it or move on. its the new way i gaurantee it IMO

half of polks customer base doesn't even know what "SDA" is i'll bet that's why,

VR3

I did get over it... a year or so ago - I sold them... I sold them all.

Polk probally just ruined their opprotunity to ever release the SDA into a higher end line - I mean just imagine audiophiles looking at speakers... then finding out a freakin 5.1 in 1 uses the same exact technology. Yeah, you know they would be sour faced.

EDIT: Forgot to add smiley.

MacLeod

I have no problem with these as long as Polk dosent chince on the quality of their higher end speakers which they show no sign of doing.

I see nothing wrong with Polk coming out with a speaker for somebody that doesnt necessarily care for running wires all around their house and would just like good sound and a simple setup. From what I can tell these are well built and should sound very good. They also make more money for Polk which is good for all of us cause thatll give them more money for R&D which usually means better products in the future.

So long as Polk continues to make excellent quality speakers I have no problem with them coming out with entry level gear like this.

ledhed

Ok guys remember, this is a business. Denon has done similar things-They have a HTiB but that doesn't mean they lower the quailty of their Players. Polk wants more money, so what? We still have the LSIs, in fact, with more revenue, Polk may bring some new higher end speakers out

VR3

See...

You folks are missing everyones point that is against it...

It is NOT the fact that Polk released a 5.1 in 1 speaker. Its the fact they used SDA!! in a 5.1 in 1 speaker. What is so hard to understand about this. Its not the speaker, its the fact they used a technology that pretty much made what you see today in some ways...

brettw22

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

I dont CARE about the Surround Bar. I think its a smart move. But why did they have to use SDA technology? What a way to drag a great piece of technology through the mud.

I don't get this hatred before you've even seen/heard these things.

SDA is a technology. It can be applied to whatever they want to apply it to. If they made an SDA sized speaker the size of the RTi10's, so what.....it's still SDA. The fact they've put it in a single speaker like the Soundbar doesn't in any way diminish the impact and effect that SDA accomplishes. By the way, how could you possibly expect a single speaker like this to sound decent if it DIDN'T have something like SDA technology.

For those that have been flying the "Return our SDA speakers" flag, you should look at this as a VERY good thing, because it at least gets the stuff you like from Polk of the past running with more up to date materials/technology and could ultimately (upon it's success) prod Polk to release SDA's in a larger (but still current sized tower) speakers......

Plus, one last thing..........do you REALLY think that Polk would take what put them on the map out on the market in some half-assed way that would sound like shite and effectively drive customers AWAY? Give them some credit people, for they're in the business of actually making speakers, whereas many of us just **** about what companies actually do.

VR3

TroyD wrote:

Hifi for the common man is now officially DEAD.

Surround sound (which in and of itself isn't a bad thing) has officially ruined it for the rest of us.

BDT

This sums up my feelings in a big bag. Then just add Troy's first post in there as the second part of it...

I need to move to Japan where Hi-Fidelity still lives.

Dennis Gardner

"SDA" was used because "Acoustic Wave" was busy at the time.

dorokusai

It's funny to hear comments about something one has never heard, yet it sucks eh? What did you "Bring Back the SDA" folks think? Polk would cater a speaker just for you? It looks like you hardcore SDA folks should get a life and move on. I mean that in the most sensitive tone for you easily agitated types.

You probably already own a pair of SDA's, so who cares? Please feel free to correct me, but I see them for sale, ALL THE TIME. When it comes to Polk, I agree, vintage Polk rules, as in SDA.

Polk has an obligation to survive as a company and reach the largest market possible....it's business, not an expensive handjob type company.

How about you toilet judges wait until you can hear the SB at the Polk HQ tour? I bet it won't recreate a movie theatre but I also bet it sounds damn good.

shack

Whatever keeps Polk going as a viable business producing quality product is fine by me. I didn't hear all the folks with classic Monitor speakers screaming when the latest Monitor series came out. If the new Suround Bar with SDA uses Matt's proprietary technology to produce the desired results...THATS GREAT. I hope they sell millions of them. That means they will have the ablilty (capital, market share, economy of scale) to produce "high end" speakers with marginal profit margins if they choose to do so. Honda sells lots of Civics and Accords...and that allows them to make an sell an NSX for those that want it.

If it's good, I might even buy one for the TV in the living room which is simply a 27 in. Philips and a Panny DVD. The Surround Bar and a small sub might be just the ticket.

MacLeod

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

This sums up my feelings in a big bag. Then just add Troy's first post in there as the second part of it...

I need to move to Japan where Hi-Fidelity still lives.

I just dont understand how you could think this! My Gawd man, with all the ultra high quality gear that is available now you mean to tell me you cant get good sound? You couldnt take a set of Focal and Adcom's finest and get unbelievable sound? I know Im new to home audio but I have a hard time believing that all the super sweet equipment Ive been listening to at Tweeter (which I know isnt the highest end) is crap and you have to go to Japan to get the "good stuff."

I dont get it.

Shack +1

ND13

I have yet to hear a single Polk speaker, and no I haven't heard all of them, that I would/could label as " it sux". I can't say that for any other brand that Polk is direct competition with.

Hell, I can't wait to hear the damn thing. It hope it sounds amazing.

VR3

There isnt any real reason to argue this.

Anyone saying I am saying it is going to sound bad is way off. Anyone saying I hate the product is way off. I'm not judging the product. I DO NOT LIKE THE FACT THEY UTILIZED SDA IN THIS SPEAKER TYPE. That is just MY opinion - I think it was a waste of technology - Yamaha didnt need SDA to pull it off. Mirage didnt. Any other brand out there wont either.

People buying this speaker are not looking for amazing sound. People buying this are looking to get rid of 5 speakers around the room.

95% of Americans have no appreciation for sound. Just go take a listen to some mainstream recordings... (most)

shack

TroyD wrote:

Hifi for the common man is now officially DEAD.

Troy, you are right. But that's ok. The common man doesn't WANT Hifi. The common man wants, MP3, Wifi, Bluetooth, IPod, etc...and yes surround sound. The common man wants all these things...he just doesn't want Hifi (as you and I know it). It's still there...It's still available. Troy...you don't need proof...you know it. Just look around at all the TTs, new vinyl pressings, high end speakers, tweeks, cables, TUBES, etc...all for the Hifi crowd. It isn't necessarily cheap...but it is high quality, HIGH FIDELITY and there is probably a greater selection than at any time since the development of the transistor and solid state circuitry. The common man wants common stuff...and that is no longer hifi (except for that rare common man with hifi tastes - like myself ).

dorokusai

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

There isnt any real reason to argue this.

Anyone saying I am saying it is going to sound bad is way off. Anyone saying I hate the product is way off. I'm not judging the product. I DO NOT LIKE THE FACT THEY UTILIZED SDA IN THIS SPEAKER TYPE. That is just MY opinion - I think it was a waste of technology - Yamaha didnt need SDA to pull it off. Mirage didnt. Any other brand out there wont either.

People buying this speaker are not looking for amazing sound. People buying this are looking to get rid of 5 speakers around the room.

95% of Americans have no appreciation for sound. Just go take a listen to some mainstream recordings... (most)

Oh, I get it, SDA technology is just for 2CH not everyone else. SDA is an EFFECT, thus applicable to anything and everything that actually works. You need to remember, future kick **** adult, that SDA was introduced before HT cemented it's place in the marketplace. Don't hate the manufacturer, hate the people. The MARKET is what dictates product, alway has and always will.

Please feel free to justify why Polk shouldn't or isn't able to utilize the SDA idea in new applications? You know as well as I that it creates a larger soundstage, and brings listening to a new level....what's the problem?

I lost interest in SDA when everyone and their relative started to wake up and want to own them. It was great for me as it led me into things that sound just as good if not better. SDA's are great, you should always own a pair, but they don't define the industry.

TroyD

OK, my original post was tongue in cheek, you know, a little humor? Jeeze, lighten up a little.

As I said, and I've said a million times, whatever it takes for Polk to keep selling speakers, so be it.

I don't even really have an issue with them calling it SDA. It's Polk's technology, therefore use it as you wish...it may even spark a new interest in SDA (you know, if they can do this with ONE speaker...what could they do with two?). SDA as many of us know it and appreciate it is gone. It's not a marketable product as we would like it. (That's actually not COMPLETELY true but that's a whole other can of worms).

My issue with the surround bar, just looking at it, is build quality. It looks cheap. It may not be, but it looks cheap (but then again, it fits with the look of the TV's it's supposed to work with).

As far as my comments about hifi being dead for the common man, you are right, it has been for awhile. In fact, the common man has never cared for hifi. The common man is only, and has ever only been interested in, audio as a means to an end. For a while the hifi nut and the common man's 'means' coincided a little more closely. Mark my words, the day is coming that the cd will go the way of the LP. In ten years, the vast majority of music purchases will be in download format.

Oh, and Sid? SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE.


BDT

faster100

back peddle back peddle

common man? so if you don't spend thousands on a system your common, what defines a common man? cheap, broke, unknowing to hifi audio? who cares if its dead to mass market companies.. any of us know where to buy good stuff, hifi stuff... I don't care if joe smoe doesn't like hifi or doesnt have a system as long as i can still hunt down and buy gear.. and we don't buy jvc and polk current production for our hifi systems.. i just don't understand the problem