SDA-SRS... What is better out there?

RuSsMaN

Lots of choices Chuck, too many to list, and some aren't even that expensive. SDA is hella cool, and they sound good too. I think the biggest 'fault' with the SDA series, is the midwoofer. The tweeter (RDO) is fantastic, and modeled after a highly regarded, and PROVEN design, but the midwoofs are really nothing special.

For the time of production, they were spot on, but technology in driver design has greatly advanced - they just can't keep pace with modern offerings, nor should they be expected to.

A now defunct speaker company, that I really think you would enjoy Chuck is Hales. Try and get your ears on the Concept or Revelation series. I think they went of business, or were bought out, right around 1999. First 'big' pair that pops up local here, I'm buying them.

Big Thiels or Vandys are always a safe bet for a slack jawwed listening experience. Hell, the Gallo Ref 3's at Uncle Charlies sound better than my SRS 2's ever did. My line arrays throw a wider, taller, and deeper soundstage than my SRS 2's ever did - and do it with noticeably more detail throughout the entire range.

To some SDA is the mack, end of story. Sometimes I wish I was (still) in that group. Life was easier, and less expensive.

Bottom line, there is life after SDA - for better or worse, depending on one's personal preferences.

Cheers,
Russ

George Grand

Those Genesis things were a collaboration between Arnie Nudell and I THINK Paul McGowan (the goofy guy eating his glasses in AA). Arnie Nudell was one of the founders of Infinity. The Genesis biggies are in my opinion nothing more than the latest iteration of the big Infinity Reference Standard. The ones that sold for about $80-100k quite awhile back. When the Boston Audio Society reviewed the Carver Amazing Plat. Mk. IV's, they basically said, "Buy the Carvers at $2,500/pair and save yourself about $80k because there's nothing out there that is going to significantly better them, and maybe not better them at all. Not the the big Infinity's, Martin-Logans, Apogees, Wilson, etc." So I bought the Carvers in 1991 and didn't look back. From what I've seen a lot of people on this forum would ultimately agree. BDT got his (after getting an earful here), Max, Bob McG., Lou, Antny, and probably a few others too. YOU'RE WELCOME YOU SLUGS.

THEN, BDT comes over and gets an earful of my other good speakers, the AR-9's, and we get ZERO CREDIT WHATSOEVER for introducing him to AND I QUOTE HIM, "The best speakers that have come into this house yet."


Buy the Carvers or a pair of AR-9's. Two of the best loudspeakers I have ever heard, and my total expenditure on them was about $1,500 for both pair. The Carvers were delivered to my home new from the Carver factory in 1991 for $1,156. The AR-9's I picked up in 2000 from a cantor in Transylvania (oops, PENNsylvania, same ****) for $300. And thats a fact Jack.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

Kevin Hales was about 22 years old when he designed the ones Russ is yagging about. Talent?

RuSsMaN

Imagine that, a young guy who'd yet to loose everything above 12K in his hearing designing speakers. What a hoot. Who was he trying to fool anyway.

Cheers,
Russ

George Grand

I saw right through him. Wonder what that man is doing now? It was at least 10 years ago that he had his own company.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

audiobliss

George Grand wrote:

Kevin Hales was about 22 years old when he designed the ones Russ is yagging about. Talent?

Wow. Sounds like boo-koodles of it.

RuSsMaN

No idea, but his speakers sound fantastic. You won't find a 'cult' mentality behind it, like you do with other manufacturers, but rather a lot of people enjoying good sound.

Hales did change names (ownership) from Hales Audio, to Hales Design Group (mid 90's?). I have no idea when Kevin jumped ship. A lot of Hales speakers from '89 all the way up until '98 incorporated open baffle and sealed box designs.

The last of Transcedance models, 1, 5, 8 and Cinema were made in 2000.

I'm still getting a pair, and will stand fast that they will kick the snot out of any SDA.

Cheers,
Russ

TroyD

MOI? Not give credit where credit is due for being introduced to the AR9?

Oh contraire mon frere....Where else would I have heard them? Hell, were it not for you, I'd probably still be listening to a Denon AVR.

So, George, did you smear the polish on your flight boots at dinner?

BDT

TroyD

I've heard the Apogee's, a friend has a pair of Stages and mini-grands (I think) and they sound good but not better than the Amazings and a lot less bass as well.

Never heard the IRS's, but, then again, have you Sean? Hell, have you ever listened to the Amazings for more than a couple hrs?

BDT

LuSh

It's funny Russ. The person that got me into this hobby was my Uncle. He's always had a high end system. From Mirage M3's to Totem Mani 2's (sounded horrid) to his current Oskar Kithara's.

This past summer he was on the east coast to visit family and he told me about how a buddy out west (Calgary) put together what he says was the best sounding system he's ever heard in a residential home. Alot of the great sound came from the actual room which was L shaped yet very open.

The system was a big pair of Hales Design enclosed speakers. The top of the line K series Ayre pre-amp, a CAL Audio Tube CD player and...........a NAD 2 channel amp. (lmfao). The only reason I laff at the NAD is because who pairs a $10k pre with a $800 amp? At any rate, he said by far the best sounding system he's ever heard. Both my Uncle and the Hales owner are friends of a local who owns Calgary's "Audio Room". It use to drive the Audio Rooms owner crazy that he couldn't match the sound of the Hales/Ayre based system.

I thought it was a funny store...

TroyD

Pretentious? Full of crap?....

Probably that too....

Oh, and the Diva's are not a real full range ribbon either. They use planar mids and bass but that's not inherently less 'hybrid' than the Amazing.

EDIT: I typed planar, knowing they use ribbon mids and bass....my point being that I consider them a hybrid design as opposed to a single, coherent, full range, ribbon. FWIW, the review in TAS concedes that there are many who agree with my assesment.



BDT

George Grand

What's that shtink? Somebody shtep in something?The only hoot I hear, is that you somehow or another think you might be in the same league as that august group, The BAS. You're not sport, and not likely to be in this life. Most of those guys have been listening to world class stuff longer than you been breathing. I think you've confused PLAYING with staffs, and LISTENING to Staffs.

They made me sit next to the kid instead of across from him Troy. My elbow is a little sore.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

audiobliss

*soaks in the bountiful love*

TroyD

Sean,

Whatever. Obviously if it's not esoteric, than it's not you. Me? I'm happy with the gear I got and yup, I'll put it up against your stuff any day. I've heard Apogee, Totem and the like. Good stuff but not inherently better than anything else. IMO. If you think it is, fine, but it's presumptuous of you to scoff at those who don't, especially those who probably have as much experience if not more than you do.

Of course, If I was camped out in my folks basement in my mid 20's, **** I probably would too.

George,

I'm sure the lad got the message 5x5.

BDT

George Grand

Nighty Night.

George Grand

And you got a handful of warm chicken livers in your mommy's basement. Mid 20's? There are **** CLOUDS at BAS headquarters that are older than you.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

TroyD

My idea of a true full range affair is one without a crossover. We can quibble about that if you want but that's MY opinion.

EDIT: I was wrong to start in on Sean. Move on.

BDT

Normanality

Boy did this turn fugly quick :rolleyes:

For me and my little listening area, I am still amazed with the Carver AL III's.
Sure I upgraded the subs a little, but the soundstage, depth and clarity are
better than most anything I've heard lately.

I've been real interested in grabbing a used set of Innersound Eros II's, but
as crystal clear as the sound might be, I'd be giving up the widest soundstage
I've had in 20 years since the old Vandersteens. I still love the robust sound of the SDA's and would still like a pair of 1C's someday, but for now, I'm sold.

TroyD

...good point bear.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

BDT

beardog03

okay , enough ****..

Back to what Madmax was asking...REMEMBER.?

Friggin speakers, man, speakers..!

I want to try some high tone speaks, but have no idea where to even start..
I cruise audiogon all the time, and see the ones that are always for sale...that must mean they blow...I would presume...

TroyD

Big Thiels.

Check 'em out.

BDT

beardog03

any "special" models that might really blow the skirt up..?!!

ohskigod

hoy gavult... play nice kids

were back to the personal preferences thing. I know I like the plats over the SRS2's I heard at Doro's. not by much, but thats my preference none the less. If I liked em better, I would have slipped Doro a check while Noel was thinking about buying them

I would still love to hear the 1.2 tl's though, never had the pleasure.

I liked Doro's Maggies ALOT, but its hard to judge knowing the gear driving it is a notch or so above mine (well maybe 2 notches, but whose counting)

The Carver's aint going anywhere anytime soon, with the new replaced bass drivers, they should last for years.....thank god.

I'll thank george again.......THANKS GEORGE

TroyD

I'd say bigger the better with the Thiels.

I concur with Lou's assesment. I'd add that with the SDA's bigger means a little more bass but that's about it. I certainly can't justify the 1.2's being a grand better than the 2.3's or the SRS2's.

Yup, said it once, were it not for George (and Russ G&A, Mark, F1 and others) I wouldn't know **** from shinola in terms of audio. I still don't really....but at at least they have all tried.

Sorry for the earlier derail, my fault, I should have just ignored it.

BDT

beardog03

BDT...

Man those thiels don`t last long do they..?!!
I`m trying to get a feel for them on the gon, and the seem to move rather fast..!!

Are these more at home with tube power, or SS..?

No biggie bro..
I know what ya mean...those same Characters played, and still play a major role in my obsessive sickness..!!

beardog03

Hey Chuck...
While you sit back and eat your popcorn and watch all of this, what are your thoughts..?!!!

You have some top shelf gear..
What would you do with 5k on a pair of speaks..?

F1nut

This discussion makes me proud to be a member of this forum. You see, there was a discussion on another forum about a certain model of Japanese speakers, which some think they are the best thing ever, while those that know, know they are pure crap. At least this discussion includes speakers that could never be called, "pure crap." Carry on.

beardog03

okay Jesse...
you have 5k..

and don`t say SDA`s..!!

ohskigod

5k, and not SDA or Amazings in my case? I honestly think I would get as much Vandersteen as possible. quatro? (cant get it used, there new I think)
Model 5. I dont know, I thought the model 2 was awesome, so I figure the bigger ones cant be bad.

I'd like to hear the Big IRS's too.

beardog03

the Vandersteen subs look real nice

F1nut

Sorry Robert, but I've yet to hear a speaker that I would prefer over my SDA's. Keep in mind that I haven't heard some of the speakers mentioned here, but I've also heard a good number of high end speakers that haven't been mentioned.

IF I couldn't have the SDA's, the next best thing to my ears would be the Sonus Faber Cremona's.