Custom Built SDA's

Tapper

Hello

I have an interest in building a set of SDA 1C's or 3.1tl's. I've noticed that you can easily find the tweeters, drivers and crossovers on ebay. Does anyone have any internal dimensions or pictures of the insides of these cabinets? You can easily get the outside dimensions, but its anyones guess as to what is on the inside. Thanks. Any infor you might have would be helpful.

Tim

Dennis Gardner

Unless the current dimensions don't fit your needs, why build when the market is filled with factory models? Did you build your own car body when you wanted one since the dealer had the inside parts?

The Polk cabinets on the SDA line have never been a weak point that cried out for improvements. The drivers are the weakest links.

danger boy

Good point Dennis... some people just don't get it.. I don't think i've seen more vintage Polk speakers on ebay and other auction sites ever before.. as there is now.

It's like reinventing the wheel.. why fix what ain't broke?

Tapper

I'm not trying to improve on an already outstanding product. I enjoy woodworking and I like to bring my other interests (music) into my hobby. I thought it would be a fun challenge. Unless you live in the area in which these speakers are being auctioned, you pay a premium in shipping (1000.00+) When its all said and done, I'll have a great set of speakers with custom look and finish to my liking.

This is my first attempt at participating in this forum. I'll have to re-read my original post, I did not realize that it was asking for ridicule.

Dennis Gardner

No ridicule here, I just forgot to post some of these.:D

Welcome to Clubpolk.......we do like to Polk fun here, so keep on your toes.:eek:

Dennis Gardner

There is a good thread on the forum where Trey rebuilt/reinforced his DefTech BP10B towers with nice results.

I've got an idea for you if you like woodworking. We could all use a center channel speaker made using a Model 10 driver compliment to match our SDA mains. This would be a very hot item here on the forum. Maybe the passive radiator could be used on top or bottom of the cabinet.

Just a thought.............

jcaut

I doubt that you'd come out ahead, money-wise, even if you factor in shipping- And certainly not if you factor in your time. But if it's something you like to do anyway, and the parts and tools are available to you, then there's no real reason not to do it.

Though the original cabinets aren't really a weak point, it wouldn't be hard to build a better quality cabinet, IMO. With SDA's, all the dimensions are pretty critical: I wouldn't deviate from them much at all, except maybe to account for different thickness of material or whatever.

Jason

danger boy

Tapper wrote:

I'm not trying to improve on an already outstanding product. I enjoy woodworking and I like to bring my other interests (music) into my hobby. I thought it would be a fun challenge. Unless you live in the area in which these speakers are being auctioned, you pay a premium in shipping (1000.00+) When its all said and done, I'll have a great set of speakers with custom look and finish to my liking.

This is my first attempt at participating in this forum. I'll have to re-read my original post, I did not realize that it was asking for ridicule.

best of luck to you in your building some SDA's. sorry i can't be of any help.

schwarcw

Hi Tapper and welcome to the Forum! You might try Polk Customer Service. Ask for Ken Swauger. You never know they might help you out. Good luck and welcome!:)

I-SIG

If you've got cabinet-building carpentry skills, then by all means, build a set.

I suppose I could measure the outer dimensions of the my 1c Studios and if you assume 3/4" wall thickness, you are off and running.

Wes

Tapper

Thanks for the input. My first pair of Polk's were a set of Monitor 4a's back in the 80's (Still have them and they still sound great). These were the best ones I could afford at the time. I drooled over the SRS series everytime I had the chance. If I'm going to try to emulate any speaker, I figured these are the ones to try. Thanks for the input. I'll definitely look into attempting a center channel as well.

Thanks again.

Tim:

keith allen

That sounds like a fun project Taper!

madmax

Would you be making them out of fine wood, something to die for, or just the average DIY class build?
madmax

Tapper

My goal is to use hardwood such as cherry, maple, or maybe an exotic. From what I have read, hardwoods are not the best choice for speaker cabinets. Thats why most OEMs use MDF with a wood laminent. I plan on using 1/2" MDF with 3/4" hardwood outer shell. This way I get the look of solid hardwood with the acoustic properties of MDF. For the finish, I'm going for a redish color with a high gloss finish, similar to a violin.

Tim

F1nut

3/4" MDF with a veneer skin is a better choice.

There are a couple of very good suggestions right here, http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40243

madmax

F1, if I had your skills I'd have one hell of a set of SDA's.
madmax

F1nut

What ya got in mind Chuck?

ohskigod

sounds like a cool project, keep us posted on it. I'm not the best woodworker in the planet, but F1's suggestion on the mdf and the veneer skin makes alot of sense.

ohskigod

also, external dimensions will help, but will not tell you what kind of bracing there is on the inside. I would imagine that makes a huge difference. I would contact customer service and see if they can help ya. there very helpful

madmax

F1nut wrote:

What ya got in mind Chuck?

I've seen some exotic woods on the internet. Have them sliced into veneer and go to town...

madmax

There is no internal bracing in my 1C's.
madmax

dorokusai

madmax wrote:

F1, if I had your skills I'd have one hell of a set of SDA's.
madmax

Yea, put your order in now....in about 3 years, he'll be done.

madmax

dorokusai wrote:

Yea, put your order in now....in about 3 years, he'll be done.

Maybe but I bet they would be awesome!

A note about solid wood, the only solid pieces I've had were the tops on my SDA-SRS and one of them cracked. I can't see it anyway but that is a good argument for veneer covered MDF.
madmax

dorokusai

They're not solid, they are pieced together.

freak1942

Hallo, I am new here.
Here in Europe, Netherlands, Polk speakers were never imported. So I am thinking to rebuilt a pair. Ebay prices are not the issue, but the INSANE, again INSANE shipping cost of $ 1500. An old thread from 2006 did not come out to a result. Last weeks I realize they are very, to say excellent sounding, however never heard one of the speakers, some say they work better than the Carver C9 hologram, which I have and does a good job.
Speaker units are still available, the crossover schematics of all the series downloaded already, read the Patent papers already. Dimensions and spacing of the spkr centers are known.
What is more important, what is inside the box, I mean, has the "SDA array" a separated cabinet from the "Stereo" array? I think the tweeters must have there own cabinets. How are the bracings and where to add stuffing.
Favorite speaker for me would be the SRS 2,3TL
What do you think, someone did already?

Regards

TNRabbit

Didn't someone here build a custom set of like 7' tall SRS's?

dudeinaroom

It was been, and I think it was Las who refurbished his

JohnLocke88

EDIT: I never read the dates...

halo71

Hell why not build them? How good would a set of SDA's look in real cherry or walnut? If one has the skills I say go for it! I recently started building solid body guitars, sure the time I have involved. I could easily buy a CNC'd body cheaper. But whats the fun in that?


EDIT: Duh......I just noticed the dates on this thread. Sorry....

THEJERMON

i emailed freak1942 telling him he may want to start a new thread instead of tacking on to this 4 year old one.

bsoko2

TNRabbit wrote: »

Didn't someone here build a custom set of like 7' tall SRS's?

Didn't ben62670 do a set?

Bill