Opinions on SRS 1.2

puunda

Hi all,

Long time Polk owner - however have never been able to afford anything decent (even in Polk's range). Have had RTA, RT, RTi, and LS series. The LS series were the best, however I was never THAT impressed by them. I ended up selling them all. A pair of SDA SRS 1.2's have come up for sale. I've checked the polk sda site, and it seems that the ebay auctions for these seem to be $1000USD +.

I don't like multiple drivers cause if the speaker's not been looked after, it's expensive to repair. But assuming all the drivers are good. Are these the holy grail of Polk Speakers? My problem with the Polk's I've had in the past is that they could never go loud enough for me. Once I put any volume into them, the sound is horrible. I assume the SRS 1.2's having so many drivers would cope a lot better.

I know asking this on a Polk forum would be biased, but can owners or people who have heard them please give me their opinions on them.

Thanks in advanced.

Puunda

Dennis Gardner

1.2s are a Northern Hemisphere model and would sound terrible placed upside down.

Nice that you should ask though.

F1nut

Once I put any volume into them, the sound is horrible.

That probably has more to do with the associated gear you used than the speakers.

To some the Holy Grail of Polk SDA speakers are the SDA SRS 1.2TL's. The 1.2's were the previous model and would be a steal at $1000.00. However, I think you are confusing the SDA SRS and the SDA SRS 1.2 as the 1.2 usually goes in the $1800.00 to $2000.00 range.

ND13

What kind of music are you blasting and, as F1nut suggests, what are you driving them with???

puunda

F1nut wrote:

That probably has more to do with the associated gear you used than the speakers.

To some the Holy Grail of Polk SDA speakers are the SDA SRS 1.2TL's. The 1.2's were the previous model and would be a steal at $1000.00. However, I think you are confusing the SDA SRS and the SDA SRS 1.2 as the 1.2 usually goes in the $1800.00 to $2000.00 range.

The speakers I'm looking at buying is indeed the SDA SRS 1.2's (Not the TL). From what I can make out though the only difference is the tweeter and the XO.

I've been using a McIntosh MC2500 500W amp to drive my speakers. They all of course have a limit. But I find the more expensive the speaker, the louder it will go before sounding horrible. I suspect it's the room doing it as well. I've never driven any speaker beyond 50W on the Mc amp.

If a working pair of SDA SRS 1.2's go for $1800-2000USD, then I may go for this pair.

Thanks for the advice.

PS. What's the difference between the SDA SRS and the SDA SRS 1.2's? I've checked the website and they look very similar.

ND13

Doesn't sound like an amp issue then

Emlyn

puunda wrote:

PS. What's the difference between the SDA SRS and the SDA SRS 1.2's? I've checked the website and they look very similar.

For the 1.2's: Different cabinet structures, veneer over MDF instead of solid wood for the tops, four of the mid-woofers changed to MW6511 drivers, different crossover configuration, upgraded to pin/blade SDA cable. They look similar externally though.

puunda

Bidding has finished and I got them! Paid MUCH MORE than what I thought I was going to get them for, but compared to you guys, not a bad price. Ended up being about $1150 USD. I'll have to drive 600km and back to pick them up though. That'll happen tomorrow. My only fear with multiple driver speakers like this is if one of the drivers have had it, it's going to be expensive to repair.

I hope they're as good as everyone says they are. It'll be interesting to try this SDA thing with the cable that connects between them. I'm reading the manual for the SDA 1C, 2B, and CRS at the moment. I imagine the principal of operation if ths same.

Wish me luck!

F1nut

When I said, associated gear, I meant all the associated gear, not just the amp. In fact, your pre amp and source are more likely to affect the quality of sound than the amp.

Good Luck picking them up and take a friend, they are heavy.

McLoki

You will love them. You can replace individual drivers if they are bad for around $50 or so USD. (shipping from the US to you may double the cost though) One thing that may be worth considering, when you get money you don't know what else to do with, is upgrade the tweeters.

They will cost you about $400 to upgrade (hey, you have 8 of them to replace) but from what I understand, it is well worth it. (I have the SDA 1b's and I have not upgraded the tweeters in them yet - with the upgraded tweeters, it is supposed to be a good match for the LSiC center channel for a killer HT rig.

With that amp you will be pretty happy with the volume they will achieve. Some other differences between the SRS and 1.2's - the SRS is harder to drive and a little more efficient (as I remember anyway).

You will like them though. Report back when you get them in.

puunda

F1nut wrote:

When I said, associated gear, I meant all the associated gear, not just the amp. In fact, your pre amp and source are more likely to affect the quality of sound than the amp.

Good Luck picking them up and take a friend, they are heavy.

everything from the preamp back is not impressive. Currently I'm using a Sony ES series AV reciever as a preamp and DAC. The source is a Sony 200 disc CD changer.
I'm of the opinion that the speaker and room makes the most difference to the sound. Most of my equipment remains the same, but the speakers change all the time. Each pair of speaker sounds different, and I rate how good they are by how loud they can go before sounding bad. (bad thing for me is that my room is not the best - that will be fixed ... one day).
I find that the Polk's I've had in the past (LS7, RTA11TL, RTA8TL, RT10) won't go as loud as more expensive speakers. Namely the B&W Nautilus 802's. They will play extremely loud (using the same equipment, in the same room), much louder than any of the Polks. This is why I think there's more to gain in upgrading speakers and treating the room than upgrading pre/source, since I know the current pre/source is capable of good sound. I've sold my B&W Nautilus speakers cause I got offered such a good price for them, now I'm regreating it. Hopefully these Polks can fill the void.

Yes I will take someone with me, not just to carry the speaker, but to drive back. It's going to be about 8 hours there and 8 hours back, depending on traffic.

polksda

Well if loud is what you want, buy some Klipsch.

While the ES Receiver will make an OK preamp (I'm doing the same with a Denon receiver), that Sony CD player is going to be a weak link.

F1nut

Currently I'm using a Sony ES series AV reciever as a preamp and DAC. The source is a Sony 200 disc CD changer.

And there in lies the problem. While I had owned many ES products (no longer) over the years I can say with authority that your receiver (pre amp) is a limiting factor, but no where near as much as your source. IMO, it all starts there....garbage in, garbage out. As for speakers, yes they all have a different sound, but judging how good they are by how loud they go isn't the best way. A good speaker will do soft to loud and everything in between well, but only if the source is able to supply them quality sound in the first place

Without checking on the efficiency rating of the B&W's it is logical that they have a higher rating than the Polk's (usually around 90dB) and therefore will play louder on the same associated gear. Again, that is not what makes a speaker good or great.

As Polksda stated, if you want sheer volume, try some K-horns, rated somewhere between 102dB to 107dB. A 5wpc flea amp will drive them to insane volume levels. Whether it sounds good or not is a personal matter.

Tour2ma

puunda wrote:

I've been using a McIntosh MC2500 500W amp to drive my speakers. They all of course have a limit.

Is the 2500 common ground? I know not all Mac's are. I think the 2500 can either be common ground stereo or dual mono...

puunda

I picked them up last night and got back home at 4am. Plugged them in and played them 'quietly'. They sounded good, but hard to tell though at that volume.

Took out one of the tweeters and found that it was an SL3000. Which made me think it was actually the TL version. Just in case the tweeter had been replaced, I took out another one, and same thing. What confused me though was that altough both were SL3000 tweeters, they were both dated 89. Which from what I could make out on the www.polksda.com website the TL weren't made till the 90's. So I took out the XO, and sure enough, it was the XO for the TL. So I got myself a 1.2TL!!! I couldn't be happier.

For a 16 yo pair of speakers, they are in great condition. All the drivers inc the PR is mint. I did notice that when I was listening to them that the top and bottom tweeter was NOT playing the same music as the 2 middle tweeters - this happened on both speakers. Is this normal? There was some paint of the grill, and side of 1 of the speakers, but otherwise very very good condition.

This morning I cranked them up (not with my McIntosh) and it sounded great. No imaging though. But I've not positioned them properly, they're so big and heavy! So at the moment, I'm not experiencing the magical SDA imaging, but the sound is exceptional none of the less. I will move my current speakers, and move these into position tonight to see.

First impressions of the sound, a bit more boomy than other speakers I've listened to, and a lot more forgiving than other speakers I've tried. Not sure if this is a good thing or not, but on other speakers (B&W Nautilus, Chario Consteallation Ursa Major) a lot of recordings sounded very bad indeed, they sounded much better on these.
Volume can go very loud, extremely happy with that. Have noticed many sounds I've not noticed before!

Thses are actually some of the cheapers I've used in recent times (a little over $1100 USD), but is right up there competing with speakers 10 - 15 times the price. I could simply not do any better with the money.
There are a keeper. Let's hope the wife dosen't notice them!!!!

polksda

Do you have the interconnect cable? If not, don't even attempt to judge the sound quality. Without the cable SDAs are just another speaker...

Boomy? Something's wrong.

puunda

polksda wrote:

Do you have the interconnect cable? If not, don't even attempt to judge the sound quality. Without the cable SDAs are just another speaker...

Boomy? Something's wrong.

Yes I do have the interconnecting cable. Currently running off the Sony ES AV reciever. At the moment they're about 3 ft from the back wall, but only about 1 ft from one of the side walls. I can't move them closer to the back wall until I move my old speakers. But being so far from the wall, I expect there to be less bass, not boomy. As far as the side wall, I know you're meant to keep it 3 - 4 ft away from the side wall, not sure if I can do that simply due to the size of the room.

Will see how it goes tonight when I have someone round here to help me lug these speakers around

okiepolkie

I believe the output level of the tweeters will be different from top to bottom. Check out the www.polksda.com and read this specific article: http://www.polksda.com/srsreview.shtml

I know this review is for the previous versions, but it should give you a little more understanding of SDA concepts. You might also check the SDA white paper: http://www.polkaudio.com/partners/papers.php?id=8

Congratulations on your find and welcome to the forum.

Zach

danger boy

puunda wrote:

For a 16 yo pair of speakers, they are in great condition. All the drivers inc the PR is mint. I did notice that when I was listening to them that the top and bottom tweeter was NOT playing the same music as the 2 middle tweeters - this happened on both speakers. Is this normal? There was some paint of the grill, and side of 1 of the speakers, but otherwise very very good condition.

check out this thread

Congrats on your new to you SDA's. Good cable, wires and placement all make a difference it the sound quality of the SDA's. When i first got mine home and set up.. i wasn't real pleased with the mid's. they seemed to be to much mids and not enough bass for my tastes. After many months of swapping out interconnects and different pre amps, and amps.. i've fallen in love with them again. The mids now sound just right to me.
A good source (cd player) is crucial.

F1nut

a bit more boomy than other speakers I've listened to

And the following is the reason why.......

Currently running off the Sony ES AV reciever

Reagan

The 1.2TL's went for somewhere around $3500 when they were new. I paid $2500 for a pair earlier this year. You've done very well for yourself. BTW, my 1.2TL's can be described with many different adjectives. But I would not and could not use the word "boomy" (unless I am spinning the 1812 overture).

puunda

I've moved them into place (although they're only 2 ft from the left wall, but that's the limits of my room). The 'boomyness' is still there. But I'm thinking that could be cause I'm used to listening to the B&W Nautilus which had very lean bass. I believe you do get used to the sound you listen to. Having said that, I'm quickly getting used to these!

I was listening to The Eagles Hell Freezes Over album. What I've never realised on countless systems is that throughout the live songs the crowd is whistling, shouting and clapping all through the song. I've never ever noticed this! On the Desperado track there is a 'humming' noise like a ground loop which is on the recording. It's only audbile at loud volumes - again I've never heard this! The volumes on these DO go as loud as I want. This is only after a few day, I'm sure I'll discover more things which have always been there which I've never heard.

The other thing is I find these a very forgiving speaker. Other speakers I've had plays many recordings horribly. These seem to do an amazing job with everything. I can't be happier.

There is some paint splatter on the grill and side of one speaker. I've found a thread which tells me how to remove it. Anyone have any idea who the paint can be removed without damaging the grill cloth?

Now that I've got speakers I'm happy with (finally), I can start working on my room.

Thanks guys. These are definitely keepers!

ND13

Another SDA junkie is born!!!! :cool:

F1nut

Are you still running them off the receiver?

There is a product called Goof Off and another called OOPS that will safely remove latex paint. If it's oil based paint you might try some lacquer thinner, but test a spot first as I'm not sure if it will affect the color.

puunda

F1nut wrote:

Are you still running them off the receiver?

Yes I am. My McIntosh is still in the shop with no sign of returning anytime soon

I must admit, as good as the sound is, I've not experienced this magical imagin the SDA book promised me. Was I just expecting too much?

F1nut wrote:

There is a product called Goof Off and another called OOPS that will safely remove latex paint. If it's oil based paint you might try some lacquer thinner, but test a spot first as I'm not sure if it will affect the color.

Thanks, they may not be available over here, but I'll try to find them. I'm not sure if it's oil or latex paint.

BTW. Does anyone have a soft copy of the manual for the SDA 1.2TL? Or know where I can download it from? I found the manual fo rthe 1C, 2B and CRS+, but nothing on the 1.2TL's.

Thanks again guys.

F1nut

Ok, you will notice a marked improvement in all areas, including the SDA magic once you feed them better power.

I didn't think you'd have those same products, but I'm sure there must be one like them at your local hardware store.

The owners manual is available from Polk. Send Ken Swauger an email at KSwauger@polkaudio.com and he'll mail one to you.

Reagan

In order to check for the Stereo Dimensional Array "magic", I suggest using one of the Polk recommended recordings as a "Reference" source. If you play Bob James' "Rain" and do not experience the magic, then I would check your hook-ups or placement. Although most SDA speakers are marked on the back with either "Right Channel" or "Left Channel", some are not. My 1.2TL's are not identified with the channel. In order to check the right channel versus left channel, pull the interconnect. Only the outside drivers should be operating with the interconnect removed. (Do I have it backwards?) Polkies?

jfb4548

puunda wrote:

Yes I am. My McIntosh is still in the shop with no sign of returning anytime soon

I must admit, as good as the sound is, I've not experienced this magical imagin the SDA book promised me. Was I just expecting too much?

Thanks again guys.

I have the older SDA-SRS and a bunch less power from my MC7270. I have to say as wonderful as the amp may be it can't make up for what comes before it. A good preamp and a good source is going to change the whole sound in a big way! My first cd player was a MCD7000. After hearing that it was impossiable to even listen to any of the low and mid level players I tried. I have since upgraded to a Jolida and the same is true all over again. So what I'm trying to say is the better everything is before the amp the better the Polks will sound. Lets not forget that not all recordings will have the 'magic' sound either. Also the extreem volume may make the soundstage seem less magical. I find that low to mid voulmes, no more then 30WPC on my power meters, seems to be the best in my room. Your results may vary but If you want loud I can make you a great deal on a nice pair of Altec A7's

Peace

thehaens@cox.net

Reagan wrote:

Only the outside drivers should be operating with the interconnect removed. (Do I have it backwards?) Polkies?

The outside drivers are the dimensional drivers, thus if you have the IC disconnected they will not work. Stereo Inside, Dim. Outside. Therefore you need to ensure you have the L/R speakers properly placed...

scott

puunda

jfb4548 wrote:

I have the older SDA-SRS and a bunch less power from my MC7270. I have to say as wonderful as the amp may be it can't make up for what comes before it. A good preamp and a good source is going to change the whole sound in a big way! My first cd player was a MCD7000. After hearing that it was impossiable to even listen to any of the low and mid level players I tried. I have since upgraded to a Jolida and the same is true all over again. So what I'm trying to say is the better everything is before the amp the better the Polks will sound. Lets not forget that not all recordings will have the 'magic' sound either. Also the extreem volume may make the soundstage seem less magical. I find that low to mid voulmes, no more then 30WPC on my power meters, seems to be the best in my room. Your results may vary but If you want loud I can make you a great deal on a nice pair of Altec A7's

Peace

I'm actually using a Sony AV Reciever at the moment. My Mc is in the shop with no signs of returning anytime soon. When I had the Mc's though, I could never get it past 5W or so before it was 'too loud' to listen to comfortably. Most of the time it was less than 1W. I suspect these speakers will use even less power because they seem a lot more effiecient.

I'm always believed that the speakers and how they interacted with the room is by far the most important part of the system. I have different source/pre/power/cables, and I simply can not hear a difference. I've been crucified because of this, but if I can't hear it, I can't hear it. I must admit though these weren't very scientific test. But point is I have tried many cd players, many amps, a couple of pre amps, and have noticed no difference. The speakers however is like night and day to me. So why do I have a 500W McIntosh amp if the all sound the same? Because it's a 500W McIntosh!

Having said that, something's only true until it's proven wrong. Now that I am (reasonably) happy with my speakers. I will no doubt upgrade my other gear. If any of it makes it sound better, I will keep them.

BobMcG

Congrates on the SDAs.

Boomy sound?

What are the dimensions of your listening room and what is the wall construction like? IE: wood stick, brick, solid, hollow, strong, weak etc.
This will make a big difference in the sound especially with speakers this size. Don't laugh, they could be too big and overwhelming for the room size and construction.

I have a room in my house that hates my SDAs (boomy) and another that works wonderfully with them.