SDA SRS Tweeters

jfb4548 · September 2005

Has anyone tried switching out 1/2 of the tweeters with the new replacements or would it not be a good ideer? Maybe like every other one or the two center ones or top and bottom? Not really sure how they all work together. Just a crazy ideer, I mean idea. Got to stop watching American Chopper!

SCompRacer · September 2005

Some folks will swap all the tweeters in one speaker so they can compare the difference between the two.

F1nut · September 2005

A couple of months after I replaced the SL3000's with the new RD0198-1's I went back and reinstalled just one SL3000 in each speaker. About 45 seconds into the first song, I shut it down and removed the SL3000's, which I promptly sold.

My advice, replace them all.

HBombToo · September 2005

I have done the same as F1 on the RTA line and felt the same way.

American Chopper is the Bomb and I always look forward to Seniors next rant!

HBomb

jfb4548 · October 2005

Is the replacement I want the RDO-198-1 tweeters for the SDA - SRS? Also who should I talk to at Polk to order um?? This seems to be the next logical step seeing as I can't spent the $ for a tube pre just yet.

BlueMDPicker · October 2005

Call Ken Swauger at Polk Customer Service 800-377-7655. Identify yourself as a ClubPolk member.

ND13 · October 2005

jfb4548 wrote:

Is the replacement I want the RDO-198-1 tweeters for the SDA - SRS? Also who should I talk to at Polk to order um?? This seems to be the next logical step seeing as I can't spent the $ for a tube pre just yet.

I'm almost positive for the price of replacing 8 tweeters, one could get an affordable, entry level tube pre. I'm not saying to NOT replace the tweeters, just that a great sounding, quality tubed pre isn't always gonna cost an arm and a leg to acquire.

madmax · October 2005

Apples and oranges. Heck, for the price of a new preamp you can buy a new snow blower.
madmax

F1nut · October 2005

jfb4548 wrote:

Is the replacement I want the RDO-198-1 tweeters for the SDA - SRS?

No, you want the RD0194-1, all 8 of them.

ND13 · October 2005

edit

jfb4548 · October 2005

madmax wrote:

Apples and oranges. Heck, for the price of a new preamp you can buy a new snow blower.
madmax

It was tough enough picking between tube pre and tweeters, now you add in power tools! How will I ever choose? I know I'll ask my wife which one to get!
Yea that's the ticket cause she's good at telling me what to do :mad: Oh but thanks for all your replys once again!

jfb4548 · October 2005

ND13 wrote:

I'm almost positive for the price of replacing 8 tweeters, one could get an affordable, entry level tube pre. I'm not saying to NOT replace the tweeters, just that a great sounding, quality tubed pre isn't always gonna cost an arm and a leg to acquire.

I though about getting an ELP way before the tweeters, but I have this thing about not wanting stuff I can afford

Now maybe the MLP or even a Blueberry Extreem would make me happy??

ND13 · October 2005

jfb4548 wrote:

I though about getting an ELP way before the tweeters, but I have this thing about not wanting stuff I can afford Now maybe the MLP or even a Blueberry Extreem would make me happy??

Don't underestimate the little ELP. It'll out perform many multi-thousand $$ pres.

jfb4548 · October 2005

ND13 wrote:

Don't underestimate the little ELP. It'll out perform many multi-thousand $$ pres.

Maybe I need to rethink it all. Hell I could sell my Mc stuff and buy a whole workshop full of power tools. :rolleyes: Do you think anyone makes a tube powered tablesaw??

ohskigod · October 2005

1 + for the ELP. I love the little thing. currently running it with EI elites and really diggin the sound. would love to hear how the MLP sounds compared to it, but thats down the road some. upgrades, like my mortgage, is something I will be paying for quite a bt for a looooong time

ohskigod · October 2005

forgot to mention, as much as I love a tube pre, I would do the tweeter upgrade first. thats just my opinion, but I have done both

jfb4548 · October 2005

ohskigod wrote:

forgot to mention, as much as I love a tube pre, I would do the tweeter upgrade first. thats just my opinion, but I have done both

Thanks! Where were you 10 min's ago? Hahaha, I just then ordered the ELP. So I guess tweeters will have to wait till next month or maybe Santa will feel sorry for me and leave um under the tree??

ND13 · October 2005

I have to do the tweeters also. IMO the tube pre mellowed the SL2000s down, quite a bit. I think you'll be most surprised when you get it home. Let it warm up for at least 30 min. Some say longer, some say shorter. I've had no issues with the 30 minute warm up, though. I'm pretty sure that Gary burns them in for a while before shipping, anyone????

I'll be doing the tweeters after the new year, the McAlister tube amp comes first, cause as I said, the tubes mellowed out the 2000s enough that I can live with them for a little longer.

ohskigod · October 2005

when I got my SDA 1B's and was using it on my 2 channel, I ran them with the SL2000's as per Jdhdiggs (James) suggestion, since he knew a tube pre was coming into my system shotly thereafter. the Tube Pre certainly tones down the 13k spike issue of the sl2000's. after a little time, I still upgraded the tweets. still a big improvement in the highs in my eyes. smoother, effortless, like it aint trying so hard.

Noel, swapping those tweets has to be on your short list brotha, trust me

jfb4548 · October 2005

ND13 wrote:

I have to do the tweeters also. IMO the tube pre mellowed the SL2000s down, quite a bit. I think you'll be most surprised when you get it home. Let it warm up for at least 30 min. Some say longer, some say shorter. I've had no issues with the 30 minute warm up, though. I'm pretty sure that Gary burns them in for a while before shipping, anyone????

I'll be doing the tweeters after the new year, the McAlister tube amp comes first, cause as I said, the tubes mellowed out the 2000s enough that I can live with them for a little longer.

I've owned my SDA since new (1989ish?), and I never remember not loving the sound even from my 1st gen. MCD7000. Alot of disks would just take my breath away on many tracks at any volume. Now that the kids are getting more independent and I have time to start listening to it all again, the magic is gone. Ok it's a completly new room with a very differant shape etc. Most of the issue seemed to be the cd player lost it's magic (for lack of better discreption). I guess 10 years of sitting unused was to long? So now that's replaced by the new Jolida things are much better, but still I think the old preamp has something not quite right with it. I can't put my finger on the exact issue, but it's not as 'clean' or detailed as it once was. At low to mid volumes it can be ok but at high levels it jsut gets mushy. I've swithced out the amp with another and the issure is basically the same, so I got to say it's the pre. I tell you there were songs that would make you stop breathing and heart pound that now are all but unlistenable

ND13 · October 2005

They are, trust me. The Amp comes first, though. I'm waiting to hear what SComp thinks of his MLP/McAlister combo after he gets to spend a little more time with it.

Philpfeif · November 2005

After ten years the electolytic capacitors are all probably leakng all over the place. That goes for the amps and the crossovers in the speakers. Rebuilding the crossovers in the speakers is not that expensive and can be done by anybody who knows how to use a soldering iron. The new tweeters are incredible and if you buy all of them at the same time Ken will give you a good discount.

jfb4548 · November 2005

Anyone have a complete parts list for rebuilding the SDA-SRS crossovers? Is this a simple matter of remove one part and replace it with a new one, or is it more involved?

Is the leaking capacitors something that is obvious? If I remove a crossover will I see the gut's running out of them? Or is this more related to the fact they don't hold the electrical current as well as they did?

Philpfeif · November 2005

The values of the capacitors will not be what they were originally, thus **** up the crossover frequencies. There will be no change in the appearance of the capacitors, just a degradation of the sound. Schematics for some of the SDA speakers are floating around in these forums but if you can't find them you can call Ken Swauger at Polk and he will mail you the correct schematic. You will need polypropylene capacitors and 1% resistors. While you have the crossovers out you may as well replace the tweeter protection devices. Polk will send them to you at no charge. Polk is really a tremendous company when it comes to support. You can order all the resistors and capacitors from the parts connexion at this url. Get Solen caps and Mills resistors.
http://www.partsconnexion.com/catalog/resistors.html

djf · November 2005

OK, I'm an old geezer but new on the forum.

I got my set in 86, the original SDS-SRS's Signature series. Now lately I am having problems with the high end going out if I have the volume turned way up. I am bi-amping them w/ a 100WPC Kenwood into the low end and an 80WPC into the high end. I have tried everything, including not bi-amping them, switching the amps, etc. I have heard there is a problem with the tweeters overheating, but I'm not sure.
Ideas? Diagnostics?
Other than that, these are just about the most awesome speakers I've ever heard.
Even with my ancient ears!

danger boy · November 2005

i am having a somewhat similar problem. one of my channels will fade and crackle out.. usually the right channel. I think in my case it's my Kenwood pre amp that's bad.

you may want to check your source or you audio cables.

djf · November 2005

Well, with mine, it's usually both sides.. not at exactly the same time, but within a few seconds of each other. If I turn the volume down a bit, they come back after about 15 seconds.
So since it is both sides, I'm suspecting that the caps are getting old, or the tweeter protection circuitry is shutting them down. I can fix whatever it is, but I need to know what I'm fixing!

danger boy · November 2005

i have the same original SDA SRS's and i'm sure with them now being 20 yrs old.. it's time to update the original crossover parts and in my case the tweeters. I'm just not very handy with that type of stuff.

rskarvan · November 2005

JFB,

I mean no disrespect. But, have you considered getting your hearing checked? A loss of high frequency hearing is normal as we get older. Perhaps the speakers are fine and your ears have changed. Just a thought.

Ron

SCompRacer · November 2005

djf wrote:

Well, with mine, it's usually both sides.. not at exactly the same time, but within a few seconds of each other. If I turn the volume down a bit, they come back after about 15 seconds.

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like the polyswitches for the tweeter protection circuit. Contact Polk customer service and let them know your a member here and they will send you out a pair. I can't recall anyone here being charged for them so it shouldn't cost you anything. If it still occurs after you replace them, then you have other problems. If your interested in rebuilding your crossovers, ask them for a schematic at the same time so you can order the parts needed. Or do a search for SRS Upgrades or SRS Improvements as there are threads documenting that here.

After replacing the polyswitches when I did my crossover rebuild on my SRS 2's, I could still make them trip with one track off the Brother's In Arms CD. It was with a very good amp too, a Rotel RB-1090. Could have been the way it handled that high frequency note. Since I got a tube amp, I can go past 10:30 on the gain knob with Money For Nothing, but not for long cause sustained listening at that level would lead to further hearing loss. I'm still an old rocker after all these years.

EDIT: Link to an SRS crossover rebuild thread.

djf · November 2005

Thanks! Like I said, it sounds internal. I've tried just about every external combination I can think of and it still happens - at high volume. At first, I wasn't sure about setting them up in bi-amp mode, whether I needed to pre-equalize the amp going to the high end. But I have a BSR EQ3000 active equalizer, so I equalized that amp and still got the same results.

I have pulled out one of the tweeters when it was running and they did not in any way feel excessively hot.

I have also pulled out and looked at the crossover (which is bigger thn alot of folks discrete components!) and while it looks a bit complicated, I'm sure if I label everything a rebuild will be no problem.

Imagine my neighbors DON'T want me to fix them... then I'd just crank em up!

SDA SRS Tweeters

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