Newbie! SDA 1C's!

Chrisssssssss

Hello all,

I have just recently purchased a pair of SDA 1's from a local vintage audio shop after about 20 years of oogling over the SDA series speakers (especially the monolith SRS series) since I was a kid and picked up the infamous brochure that had Matthew Polk standing beside a pair of speakers that were as tall as him. I dreampt about these puppies for years and I finally found a pair of SDA1's for $300 CDN and knew that I had to have them. Sure they aren't the SRS's, but hey...

After taking them home and setting them up, I wanted to know more about them, so this forum came up and here I am. I have read a tonne (<--- CDN spelling) of posts here and it seems that there is a wealth of knowledge to be had here. I am looking forward to "Polking" around in here.

I have been an audiophile for years and have taking a certain liking to "MB Quart" speakers made in Germany, well known for their amazing titanium tweeters. I have several pair of them for both my home and car. I collect this brand of speaker and it has been my personal fav for many years. I highly reccommend listening to a pair if the opportunity arises. I hope that I don't get bashed or flamed for mentioning MB Quart in a Polk forum.

However enough about that...

I got what I thought was an older pair of SDA 1's but upon further inspection they are the 1C's. By reading the posts here, I understand that they are the most desireable. They are in pretty much mint shape, black in colour. I guess this makes them the studio versions. When I get a chance I will post pics. Currently they are hooked up to my SONY GX99ES receiver rated at 120 WRMS at 8ohms and about 235 to 4ohms in stereo mode, which this unit is dedicated to. It is mated to a SONY CDP-X555ES single disc player. Both units have the rosewood side panels and are also minty.

I have a few Questions...

Since I did NOT get a fancy-schmancy blade/pin Polk SDA cable, all I have done is stuffed some wire pin-pin / blade-blade between them. Is this the right way to wire these for SDA? I am planning on getting either the proper cable for them, or making something with the proper ends on it, but for now this is the way I have it. Is this OK? Or am I out of whack on that.

What is the impedance of the 1C's supposed to be? They read 6.4 ohms when I have the wire connecting them. Is this correct?

Speaking of inpedance, I was kinda confused about the drivers that are in these beasts. The two inner woofers on both sides are 6511's with an impedance of 3.8 ohms each that have a specific SDA 1C stamp on them. The two outer woofers on each speaker are 6510's with an impedance of 7.3 ohms each. However these are marked as drivers designed for the SRS2.3, CRS, II, but also have a SRS 2.3 and a SRS 1C stamp on them. I am assuming that they are also used in those other models, just wondering if this was correct.

I have read alot of hub-bub about how the SL2000's are "garbage" and that the new silk dome tweets are the shiznat. I am planning on doing that upgrade, but that is not really a super priority at the moment. What concerns me about these tweets is that it looks as if the glue around the edge of the plastic domes that attaches them to the speaker structure has let go on a couple of them (especially the bottom ones) in places and is only held on sparingly around the perimeter of the plastic dome. Is this an issue? Is the plastic dome the diaphram for the tweet, or just a plastic protective cover? It looks as if the voice coil IS attached to the plastic dome, so I am assuming that these SHOULD be sealed. Any thoughts? Is this common? Can it be repaired? Procedure? Glue type? I will be eventually replacing them with the upgraded tweets, but for now...

Speaking of replacing the tweets, when I do, is this the only thing that needs replacing? I was unclear if the crossovers needed to be modded to allow for this, or if they were a staight bolt on. I am also interested in doing the crossover upgrading, but hey, in due time.

Any an all suggestions, answers, and/or comments are appreciated. Thanks in advance for hearing me out. I am looking forward to cranking these suckers up and engulfing my ears in the sounds of SDA!

Cheers!

danger boy

Chris,

Congrats on scoring your first pair of SDA's. They are a remarkable set of speakers. You do not have to "mod" or upgrade the crossovers if you are wanting to replace the SL2000 tweeters. they are for the most part a drop in replacement tweeter. I plan on doing the same with my SRS's a ways down the road.

do post pics when you get them.. we all enjoy seeing them.

Al

BobMcG

Welcome to the Forums fellow SDA owner.

Chrisssssssss wrote:

Since I did NOT get a fancy-schmancy blade/pin Polk SDA cable, all I have done is stuffed some wire pin-pin / blade-blade between them. Is this the right way to wire these for SDA? I am planning on getting either the proper cable for them, or making something with the proper ends on it, but for now this is the way I have it. Is this OK? Or am I out of whack on that.

Not fancy-schmancy at all, stocks are very opposite but very neccessary. On the pin/blade models only the pin side should have continuity. Do a search. There are numerous posts on building your own cable.

Chrissssssss wrote:

What is the impedance of the 1C's supposed to be? They read 6.4 ohms when I have the wire connecting them. Is this correct?

Correct. Nominal inpedance for 1Cs is 6ohms.

Chrissssssss wrote:

Speaking of inpedance, I was kinda confused about the drivers that are in these beasts. The two inner woofers on both sides are 6511's with an impedance of 3.8 ohms each that have a specific SDA 1C stamp on them. The two outer woofers on each speaker are 6510's with an impedance of 7.3 ohms each. However these are marked as drivers designed for the SRS2.3, CRS, II, but also have a SRS 2.3 and a SRS 1C stamp on them. I am assuming that they are also used in those other models, just wondering if this was correct.

Correct drivers. 2 x MW6511 Mid L.F. (Stereo) and 2 x MW6510 Mid L.F. (Dimensional) drivers.

Chrissssssss wrote:

I have read alot of hub-bub about how the SL2000's are "garbage" and that the new silk dome tweets are the shiznat. I am planning on doing that upgrade, but that is not really a super priority at the moment. What concerns me about these tweets is that it looks as if the glue around the edge of the plastic domes that attaches them to the speaker structure has let go on a couple of them (especially the bottom ones) in places and is only held on sparingly around the perimeter of the plastic dome. Is this an issue? Is the plastic dome the diaphram for the tweet, or just a plastic protective cover? It looks as if the voice coil IS attached to the plastic dome, so I am assuming that these SHOULD be sealed. Any thoughts? Is this common? Can it be repaired? Procedure? Glue type? I will be eventually replacing them with the upgraded tweets, but for now...

Do the upgrade. Forget about the old ones that seem to be falling apart. Tell CS you're a Club member and get the discount.

Chrissssssss wrote:

Speaking of replacing the tweets, when I do, is this the only thing that needs replacing? I was unclear if the crossovers needed to be modded to allow for this, or if they were a staight bolt on. I am also interested in doing the crossover upgrading, but hey, in due time.

No crossover mods needed to replace the tweeters.

Chrissssssss wrote:

I am looking forward to cranking these suckers up and engulfing my ears in the sounds of SDA!

Just be careful how much cranking you do with that recvr.

reeltrouble1

I believe Mr. Bob has thoroughly covered your issues. So just let me say Welcome and congrats on your find, a first class way to break into SDA. The 1C were my first SDA and I still love the sound of them.

RT1

rskarvan

Be very careful when cranking SDA's with a receiver. You can very easily fry the tweeters if you don't have a strong enough power amp.

Larry Chanin

Hi Chrisssssssss,

Welcome to the club. I think you'll be pleased with your SDA-1c's.

But hey, as an audiophile don't you think you should do something about the sibilance in your screen name?

Larry

Chrisssssssss

Hey all,

Thanks for the warm welcomes. I am finally glad to have picked up a pair of Polks. I am planning to upgrade them to the fullest extent of the law, but in due time. Until then, I am going to try to glue the tweets with a small ammount of model type glue unless someone stops me. Since they are plastic, I think that this would be the best solution. I will let you know the results.

Also, one more question I have is what is the reccommended cleaning procedure and products to clean and make the MW drivers shine and have a tacky feel to them again. mine are becoming a bit dull and I wanted to bring them back to a cool looking shine like they were in their youth. Any Suggestions? Windex? Armor All? Spit?

I will do a closer search for the SDA Cable making procedure.

And as for the sibilance in my screen name... I guess I am used to the titanium tweets in my MB Quarts and I think it's getting to my head.

F1nut

Model type glue may melt the polymide, besides if the tweeter has separated at the edge gluing it isn't going to restore the proper sonic characteristics. Buy the new replacements, Club price is only $48.00 each.

Windex, sprayed on a soft cotton cloth, wiped in a circlular motion is best for cleaning the drivers. DO NOT use that effing Armor All crapola.

michael_w

Just a question... where did you manage to scoop 1C's in canada for that price?

Chrisssssssss

Michael,

I don't know where in BC you are located, but I live in Surrey. There is a new vintage audio store located in Delta at the corner of 120th Street and 64th Ave right above the Sundowner Pub. It is called Innovative Audio Video. They Also specialize in custom home installs. The guy that you want to talk to is Gord and if you are interested, then I can get a phone number for you. He is a Vintage audio collector, and knows his stuff. PM me at nichollsc@hotmail.com if you would like to talk further.

BTW, it was his only pair of Polks he had. For that price, I couldn't resist. He Has a nice pair of used Theater Research speakers there though...

michael_w

Thanks for the info. I sent you a PM too.

btw I try to stay away from Theater Research

Larry Chanin

Chrisssssssss wrote:

Hey all,

Thanks for the warm welcomes. I am finally glad to have picked up a pair of Polks. I am planning to upgrade them to the fullest extent of the law, but in due time. Until then, I am going to try to glue the tweets with a small ammount of model type glue unless someone stops me. Since they are plastic, I think that this would be the best solution. I will let you know the results.

Chrisssssssss wrote:

And as for the sibilance in my screen name... I guess I am used to the titanium tweets in my MB Quarts and I think it's getting to my head.

Hi,

Although you seem very intent on attempting this repair, I'd like to second the advice of both Bob and Jesse who are very knowledgeable on the subject. The replacement route, which may be more expensive, is unquestionably the best solution (unless of course you really are used to silibance in your speakers ).

Larry

reeltrouble1

Well, if you just dont want to pop for the replacements, their were some reasonable priced sl2000 tweets in the Flea Market you could pick up for now. Not so sure the glue is the answer.

RT1

Chrisssssssss

Getting the new tweets are going to happen, and I just wanted to try to temporarily "band-aid" them until I was going to order them. I will guess that this will not happen at least until the new year, so I was just wanting to make sure that they will last at least until then.

Who knows... I have a pile of nice MB Quart titanium tweets that need a home and may attempt to stuff them into the polks. Would you guys call that blasphemy and hate me forever (Like that Har Navalta guy!?!?!)...

I will be completely honest here and even though I will end up getting the replacements from polk, I have personally preferred the sound (sharpness, not harshness) of a titanium tweet over a silk dome (smoother) tweet just because. Maybe I will try it and see how it sounds. I also have a pair of Heil Air Motion tweets out of a pair of old ESS Tempest speakers that I would love to test.

I know that the Polk replacements are the reccommended upgrade, but before I do, I may fiddle a bit first. Please don't kill me if I do... I don't want to be beaten with an SDA cable if I do... or worse...

<Ducking and hiding>

Cheers for now

Chris

Larry Chanin

Chrisssssssss wrote:

Getting the new tweets are going to happen, and I just wanted to try to temporarily "band-aid" them until I was going to order them. I will guess that this will not happen at least until the new year, so I was just wanting to make sure that they will last at least until then.

Who knows... I have a pile of nice MB Quart titanium tweets that need a home and may attempt to stuff them into the polks. Would you guys call that blasphemy and hate me forever (Like that Har Navalta guy!?!?!)...

I will be completely honest here and even though I will end up getting the replacements from polk, I have personally preferred the sound (sharpness, not harshness) of a titanium tweet over a silk dome (smoother) tweet just because. Maybe I will try it and see how it sounds. I also have a pair of Heil Air Motion tweets out of a pair of old ESS Tempest speakers that I would love to test.

I know that the Polk replacements are the reccommended upgrade, but before I do, I may fiddle a bit first. Please don't kill me if I do... I don't want to be beaten with an SDA cable if I do... or worse...

<Ducking and hiding>

Cheers for now

Chris

Hi,

It is very unlikely that "stuffing" incompatible tweeters would be a good thing, especially if, as you say, you intend to eventually upgrade to the silk replacements. The chances are that inorder to get your titanium tweeters to fit it would require getting up close and personal with a Dremel tool to carve out the tweeter recess.

It's your speakers and you're entitled to do whatever you wish, including fiddling with a perfectly good speaker. Just remember it was you who asked for advice, and you got the same consistent advice from four people.

Larry

george daniel

+5

F1nut

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Chrisssssssss

Hey all

I know that you have all reccommended the silk tweet upgrade, and I will be doing that when the time and money are avail. Probably after Christmas. I was just looking into a fix for the time being. I was looking into using some of my spare MB Quart Titanium tweets (just for kicks) and to see how they sound. My question here is that I was wondering if the faceplates of the sl2000's separate from the diaphram WITHOUT wrecking the entire tweeter. It looks as if the wires are imbedded into the faceplate by some kind of resin and I don't want to wreck them. I was wondering if anyone has dissassembled one and wouuld like to know the results before I dissect one. Maybe if someone had a dead one that they would like to sacrifice for the cause, I would like to know the outcome. Basically by removing the center torx screws and removing the assembly from the faceplate. Like I said it looks as if the wires are imbedded into a resin, just wanted to confirm.

Thanks for the suggestions, and will be doing that tweet upgrade in the near future, I just like to tinker...

Chris

Loud &amp; Clear

Some people do prefer the SL2000. The ear is a comlex device and irregularities guarantee that an SL2000 to some are preferable. However, I'd recommend telling Chris what it is that YOU'D like him to do, especially if you know how to help him with his tweeter but don't want to.

ND13

Chrisssssssss wrote:

I was looking into using some of my spare MB Quart Titanium tweets (just for kicks) and to see how they sound.
Chris[/QUOTE

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

The SDA gods will strike you down with a vengeance. They don't take too kindly to Frankenpolks.

F1nut

I'll repeat myself, You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Somebody take those SDA's away from him before it's too late!!!

Larry Chanin

Loud & Clear wrote:

Some people do prefer the SL2000. The ear is a comlex device and irregularities guarantee that an SL2000 to some are preferable. However, I'd recommend telling Chris what it is that YOU'D like him to do, especially if you know how to help him with his tweeter but don't want to.

Hi Loud & Clear,

With all due respect, I hear you Loud, but your inference about not wanting to help him is not very Clear. As far as I can tell, the folks here have been very responsive and have made good faith recommendations as to what they'd like Chris to do. They just don't happen to involve attempting to repair a broken tweeter, nor trying to fit incompatible tweeters in the SL2000 recesses.

What's wrong with recommendations to either replace the broken tweeter with a used SL2000 available from the flea market, or upgrading all the tweeters to the Polk Audio silk dome replacement? Do you honestly think they would be doing Chris a favor by encouraging him to, as he said, "stuff" incompatible tweeters in a pair of vintage SDA's? Would recommending doing surgery on the stock tweeters or cutting the cabinet to fit non-stock tweeters, really be the right thing to do just because it might be cheaper in the short term than buying the appropriate tweeters?

Regards,

Larry

Loud &amp; Clear

Understood, Larry, but not all of the advice was so reasonable and kindly. Perhaps you have a member on ignore?

shack

Loud & Clear wrote:

Understood, Larry, but not all of the advice was so reasonable and kindly. Perhaps you have a member on ignore?

I see nothing unkind or unreasonable. If you are referring to F1 His first post read as follows:

F1nut wrote:

Model type glue may melt the polymide, besides if the tweeter has separated at the edge gluing it isn't going to restore the proper sonic characteristics. Buy the new replacements, Club price is only $48.00 each.

Windex, sprayed on a soft cotton cloth, wiped in a circlular motion is best for cleaning the drivers. DO NOT use that effing Armor All crapola.

Seems pretty helpful to me. I think his last two responses are right on. The poster stated....

Any an all suggestions, answers, and/or comments are appreciated.

And then promply stated he was going to "tinker" against the advice of ALL of the respondents. Everyone here has taken the time to give him GOOD advice. He is of course free to do with it what he will...but some folks get frustrated when they take the time to help and it appears to be of no avail.

ND13

shack wrote:

I see nothing unkind or unreasonable. If you are referring to F1 His first post read as follows:


Seems pretty helpful to me. I think his last two responses are right on. The poster stated....


And then promply stated he was going to "tinker" against the advice of ALL of the respondents. Everyone here has taken the time to give him GOOD advice. He is of course free to do with it what he will...but some folks get frustrated when they take the time to help and it appears to be of no avail.

"BINGO!!!!"


Shackdaddy +1

deceiver

F1nut wrote:

I'll repeat myself, You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Somebody take those SDA's away from him before it's too late!!!

Or "You can lead a horse to water but nothing smells worse than a wet horse."

F1nut

deceiver wrote:

Or "You can lead a horse to water but nothing smells worse than a wet horse."

You obviously haven't been around L&C after one of his sensitivity farts.

Loud &amp; Clear

F1, you're such a Polk Audio Club brute. You lay down the LAW, buddy! ;>}

F1nut

I've got.....................................nothing.

reeltrouble1

Oh you have something that I want.......................... and its not a lock of your golden hair.

RT1