Polk Sda vs Magnepan

dagame27

Hey guys I was curious as to a comparison between these two kinds of speakers. The only kind of music I don't listen to is country. Thanks guys

Chris

hoosier21

one sounds good, one sounds great

Zen Dragon

2 fairly different types of speakers. Mags are pretty hungry for power and tempermental for set-up. More so that SDA's on both points.
When correctly powerred and set-up the mags probably get the nod in sound. It as always relates to listener prefernce as well.

SCompRacer

IMO it comes down to a personal preference. Best thing is to listen to properly set up rigs with these speakers and find what you like the best. I started with SDA's and moved into ribbons. Electrostats could be next.

dorokusai

They both sound like shite.

trubluluc

The sda's will hit harder and have more profound bass.
The mag's high end is extremely clean, and open.

-Luc

capecodder

I have a set of Mag 1.5QRs that I bought at an estate sale for a GREAT price over a year ago. Was running them with a top-of-line NAD 225wpc amp and very quality vintage Sony pre (also from same estate sale). Also run with an HSU sub with the low pass filter turned on (no deep bass to Mags). I was very happy (or so I thought) with the sound.

Fast forward last August where I stumbled on set of Polk CRS+ sda's at another yard sale and grabbed them with no prior knowledge because they were so cheap ($30). Took them home and they surpassed the Mags in every manner I could throw at them.:eek: I immediately upgraded the tweeters as well after discovering this site. Now I'm a happy Polk SDA listener.:) I have never heard any of the other models in the SDA line although I would assume they all sound superb.

Needless to say my wife was thrilled to remove the big panel Maggies and replace with the Polks. Also could place the Polks in a much more user/sound friendly manner given my room geometry.

Moral of story is simply that I was trully blown away by the Polks and was thrilled to find such a amazing sound and presence in a speaker of their size. However, I am now wondering whether the Maggies are or were ever actually in full perfect "working condition". I had noticed some sounds that "didn't sound quite right" on occassion when I was cranking the Mags. From what I have researched (not all that much) the Maggies should not have been that easily surpassed by the Polks, particularly in the mid to high end arena where the Maggies should really shine. Apparently the quasi-ribbon tweeters can de-grade and do need attention from time to time. Its a moot point to me really since I have no intention, nor would my wife ever let me, put the Mags back in the living room.

Soo.. I may never know if the Mags could/should be repaired since I don't want to spend money on speakers that have no home. I still don't know what to do with them so they sit idle at present. I am also reluctant to sell them for what they may be worth if they do have a problem (they still sound damn good). If any maggie-philes come out vacationing on Cape Cod I will hook the mags up and let a more knowledgeable set of ears tell me if they are fine or not.;)

madmax

Although I see the beauty in the maggies, I still prefer the SDA's.
madmax

Zen Dragon

Capecodder:
Although I think the large floor standing SDA's appeal to the "guy" in us for their aesthetics, I have always heard great things about the CRS+ speakers.
At that price you stole some wonderful Polk speakers. Enjoy.

76911

I've had a set of SDA-CRS speakers since '86 and still love them...but they don't compare to the stage presence of my 1.2TLs. Fortunately I perfect listening rooms for both.

schwarcw

I have a pair of SDA-CRS's amd SRS-2.3's. The 2.3 hits harder, has a larger soundstage and more. That being said the CRS's amaze me with the sound for the size!! There can produce a pounding bass thump and some smooth highs. The only thing I need to do is get some time to replace those four SL2000's so my ears can stop bleeding when I play Brothers in Arms:eek:

BSUfbfan

schwarcw wrote:

The only thing I need to do is get some time to replace those four SL2000's so my ears can stop bleeding when I play Brothers in Arms:eek:

LOL !!

Dire Straits plays through my system more than anything else, and the RDO replacement tweeters definitely make Brothers In Arms an enjoyable experience.

jdhdiggs

madmax wrote:

Although I see the beauty in the maggies, I still prefer the SDA's.
madmax

And I reverse that statement. Try both, pick one. You won't lose much, if any, $$$ in the used market.

disneyjoe7

dorokusai wrote:

They both sound like shite.

I don't believe that from you.

lites

I loved my MGIIa's, but lost my listening space. I'll deliver to buyer this Sunday. For my new small space, LSi-9's or SDA's??

dagame27

thanks for the thoughts guys. I ended up buying Noel's SDA 2A's (or shortly will!) I figure these will make a nice upgrade over my RTI 70's. Magnepan may fit my budget and my room size one day, for now its SDA for me. Who knows maybe I will be hooked and looking for 1.2's one day!

SCompRacer

dagame27 wrote:

I ended up buying Noel's SDA 2A's (or shortly will!)

Those were the 2A's I started out with. I replaced them with a pair of SDA SRS 2's, then moved on to ribbon speakers. Good for you!

dkg999

dagame - and the journey begins

dagame27

yea I know, my friends are already making fun of me for buying new speakers. It's not bad though. I basically traded my rti70's and my csi40 for an Adcom 555 II and Polk SDA 2A's plus $100. Thats what none of them get is that if you buy the right gear, depreciation is not a factor. I'm sure if I get the bug for new speaks down the road, there won't be much difficulty in turning around the SDA's.

ND13

Chris,
I'll be getting with ya soon to let ya know if I can come to Chitown this weekend or not.

Loud & Clear

I think you're going to really enjoy the change there. Going from RTi70's to SDA 2's is a massive upgrade in terms of presence, soundstage. Deep, fast bass and dynamics. Should be awesome.

dagame27

I wasn't aware that the bass would improve being one of the smaller SDA's. I'm anxious as hell! Time to break out my Brothers in Arms SACD. You can't beat "Money for Nothing" as a demo song.