The Polk Audio SDA2000AE...a concept

steveinaz

I've been thinking alot about a Polk "come back" speaker for those of us who loved the classic Polk's. I was thinking of a single series speaker, 1 model, a tower design called the SDA2000AE for "SDA" (we all know what it means) "2000" (century) "AE" (Audiophile Edition). A "come back" speaker, much like Ford bringing back the classic Mustang.

I know we've beat this to death before, but I think I have an idea that would be extremely marketable, yet not crazy expensive. You have to ask yourself the question why did Polk stop making the SDA? Simple, there are certain audio purist who didn't like SDA technology, they wanted straight stereo with no umbilical cord. Hell, I was in that camp...Audiophiles are a strange breed, they don't like things to be "different."

You know, anyone can find fault, give me solutions...OK.

- Build this Polk SDA2000AE with existing drivers
- None of this "side-firing" woofer crap, ok?
- Make it a tower design very similar to the upper line of SDA's of old
- Make it special; special badging, beautiful finish ala the Lsi's, old Polk logo
- IMPORTANT: Make it configurable to standard stereo or SDA with special strapping on the rear of the speaker; this is your crowd pleaser
- Find the right compromises in materials to make it at or under $1500/pr, you're building in China, don't tell me it can't be done--your competition has proven otherwise
- Please...ditch the Home Theater-dime-a-dozen look, wrong as it may be, looks are everything to audiophiles
- Send a pair to Stereophile, like it or not it moves equipment to be featured

Build it, and they will come....

cfrizz

steveinaz wrote:

You have to ask yourself the question why did Polk stop making the SDA? Simple, there are certain audio purist who didn't like SDA technology, they wanted straight stereo with no umbilical cord. Hell, I was in that camp...Audiophiles are a strange breed, they don't like things to be "different."

Steve, I would say it had little to do with audio purists & more to do with the speakers are just too freakin BIG!!!

I would guess that there are a lot more, regular consumers out there than audio purists & we need speakers that will fit into our small rooms along with the rest of our furniture, and not break the bank at the same time!

Did I love the demo I got at Polk headquarters? HELL YES!!! But I will still never go looking to get pair of them, they are simply too big!

steveinaz

Could you spare an additional 4" width per speaker to your current RTA-8T's? That's what I'm thinking...sure they would need to be narrowed down from the classic design to have more universal appeal, but like anything---even the Mustang---there's a core group that would be interested. The key is appealing to as many as you can in the core, and get a few "on-lookers" to jump in as well. For Polk to make its mark, it's got to depart from the norm; offer something truly unique...classic, that is your niche.

Mazeroth

Hey, if Polk won't do it, you guys could always hire me to build them for you!