SL 2500 versus SL 3000 tweeter

Seanyboy

Any comments on the difference between these two tweeters. I have two RTA 15TL speakers that came with SL 3000's and one has died. I understand from customer service at Polk that the SL 3000 is no longer available.

Is the SL 2500 at least as good ...or better?

Thanks,

Sean

rskarvan

The SL2500 is certainly not as good as the SL3000.

Seanyboy

Care to elaborate?

ND13

It's his opinion. They are both Tri-lams that were used in different series of speaks. The 2500 was used mainly in Monitors and RTA lines and the 3000 was used in the SDA line.

I believe that both were used to replace the SL2000 in their respective speakers.

thehaens@cox.net

If you are in need of a Sl3000 PM me and I can get you in contact w/ a buddy of mine that just replaced all his w/ the Silks in his 1.2TL's

Scott

Seanyboy

Scott,

I cannot PM until I have at least 10 posts ...please email me at gallagherseanp@aol.com

Thanks ...Sean

F1nut

The SL2500 wasn't designed to work with the crossover in your speakers. Why are even asking about it?

rskarvan

The SL2500 has a plastic black dome. The SL3000 has a titanium coated dome. The SL3000 sounds crisper and more clear. Its a better sound. Side-by-side (I have both) there is no comparison.

Seanyboy

To F1nut: you need to talk to Polk customer service for that answer and your comment on piss poor planning. They are the ones who recommended the SL 2500 since the SL 3000 was discontinued. They said nothing re: crossover problems.

F1nut

Ok, what Polk is recommending is the RD0198-1, which is the replacement for both the SL2500 and the SL3000. Although it was designed primarily as the SL3000 replacement, it will work as an replacement for the SL2500.

Edit: If you go with the RD0198-1, you will need to order 2 for matching purposes.

Seanyboy

Gee,

You must know more than the folks at customer service. It was the SL 2500 that I was quoted, not the RD0198-1.

Maybe you should work there. You seem to know more.

F1nut

What can I tell ya. Get the RD0198-1's and be done with it. You can thank me later.

halo

Seanyboy - F1nut is correct. I'm selling a pair of RTA15TL's in the Flea Market: link As you can see I have both the RDO198-1 tweeters and the sl3000's available.

Just in case you were wondering - the silk domes are smoother

honestaquarian

The SL-3000 tweeter had BOTH titanium AND stainless steel vapor deposited onto a polyamide base(hence the TriLaminate term).The SL-2500 did not.It was some kind of Poly,but i cannot remember what.It was a TOTALLY different tweeter than the SL-3000.They both used the same faceplate though.The RD-0198 that replaced them is a silk dome tweeter that uses the same motor(magnet)assembly.Just as the RD-0194 silk dome that replaced the SL-2000 silver coil,polyamide dome tweeter uses the same silver coil motor assembly.The RD series of tweeters are different because Polk's suppliers do not make the original tweeters with the original material any longer.It's great that they happen to be better though(although i can ONLY testify to the superiority of the RD-0194.I have not heard the RD-0198 as yet)

The SL-2500 and SL-3000 tweeters were NEVER meant to be interchangeable,DESPITE the fact that they fit the same cut out.Both tweeters WERE superior to the SL-2000 tweeter though.They just could not be used in it's place.Not just because of crossover issues,but also because their faceplates were physically larger.You also SHOULD NOT use for example an SL-3000 where an SL-2500 was used and vice versa.As they are VERY different tweeters.The simple fact that there is only one tweeter to replace BOTH has more to do with keeping costs and inventory down than anything else.Remember NONE of the speakers that all of the above mentioned tweeters are used in are manufactured any longer.

F1nut

Ummmm...... a few corrections.

The SL3000 used aluminum and stainless steel vapors bonded to the polyamide.

The SL2000 faceplate is the same size as the SL2500/SL3000. An example, Polk offered an upgrade kit for the SDA SRS 1.2 (SL2000) to the newer 1.2TL, which simply involved swapping crossovers and the drop in replacement SL3000's.

I also believe that the new tweeters use different motors as they are completely redesigned units, but I'm not 100% on that one.

Seanyboy

F1nut ....I'm thanking you now. I appreciate you explaining the difference in the tweeters and for the educational info.

honestaquarian

F1nut wrote:

Ummmm...... a few corrections.

The SL3000 used aluminum and stainless steel vapors bonded to the polyamide.

Isn't that what i said above?The difference is i used the term"Vapor Deposited"That was the ONLY way to get two metals onto Polyamide without melting the Polyamide.

The SL2000 faceplate is the same size as the SL2500/SL3000. An example, Polk offered an upgrade kit for the SDA SRS 1.2 (SL2000) to the newer 1.2TL, which simply involved swapping crossovers and the drop in replacement SL3000's.

I was told some time ago by someone at Polk that the faceplates for the SL-3000's were larger r\than the ones for the SL-2000's so it would not work.(along with the Crossover differences)Guess they don't always have the correct info.

I also believe that the new tweeters use different motors as they are completely redesigned units, but I'm not 100% on that one.

This information was given to me by two different people at Polk when i purchased my RD-0194's a few months ago.

It just goes to show,someone is correct and someone is not.Who is only time(and some research) will tell i guess.

F1nut

You're writing responses into my quote, which is very confusing.

Anyway,

Isn't that what i said above?The difference is i used the term"Vapor Deposited"That was the ONLY way to get two metals onto Polyamide without melting the Polyamide.

Please re-read my comment and you'll see that I noted the difference in bold letters. The info concerning the SL3000 materials and design is in a published white paper by Polk Audio.

I was told some time ago by someone at Polk that the faceplates for the SL-3000's were larger r\than the ones for the SL-2000's so it would not work.(along with the Crossover differences)Guess they don't always have the correct info.

Someone told you wrong, they are the same size.

honestaquarian

I have to figure out how that bloody thing works.It IS confusing that way.

heiney9

Seanyboy wrote:

Gee,

You must know more than the folks at customer service. It was the SL 2500 that I was quoted, not the RD0198-1.

Maybe you should work there. You seem to know more.

Believe me Polk CS is 2nd to none, but depending on who you talk to you will get more than one answer. While I think Polk truely feels the sl2500 could replace the sl2000, there are subtle differences that have been noted by many hardcore Polkies. I was was told the same info when I called and I politely told the CS person I was looking for the RDO replacement.

Careful with your tone, there are many members here including F1 who have a lot of experience and know more, through trial and error, than some of the guru's at Polk. Talk to Helen or Ken at Polk CS they are the experts. And if want the RDO replacement be sure to ask for it specifically.

Bottom line is you can use the sl2500 as a replacement (replace all tweeters w/ the same model) it's just that the RDO is a better match as it was choosen to most accurately be the best replacement.

YMMV

H9

Seanyboy

Careful with my tone? How does one know what tone there is in writing?

Try reading all of the posts. I believe I took care of "my tone" ...and had my questions answered before you posted.

thehaens@cox.net

Sean

People sometimes take things differently on the board here, and some tolerate less when they don't have that many posts. Stick around, grow a second layer of skin, and check in from time to time. This is a pretty good community.

Scott

Seanyboy

Scott,

Whether or not I have boocoo posts and write what I write ...isn't for you to judge.

Thanks though, for playing police man. Again, read all of the posts and maybe you wouldn't have had to pull out your badge.

thehaens@cox.net

...........just letting you know to not take anything personally on here. Def. not worth it. But on a side note, it can get pretty entertaining when the flames start....
Scott

F1nut

Sean, H9 and Scott are just offering some friendly advice. Relax, it's all good.

Seanyboy

Jesse, Scott, H9,

Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it all.

Sean

heiney9

No offence intended. I think you can see how things like tone can be misinterpreted. Perhaps I took you the wrong way and it seems you did as well. It's all good, glad you got the info you needed. Stick around this is good place to get your learn on.

H9

honestaquarian

Sean has a good point.It isn't up to anyone to judge his"tone" with the exception of the site administrators.This site was put up for ALL OF US FOR FREE.If someone does not like a particular posting,or someone's"tone" then they have the freedom of choice to simply move on to the next post.You can say (or type)the exact same thing to five different people and get between two and five different interpretations of the meaning.It doesn't mean those interpretations are correct,but tell THAT to the people who are doing the intepreting.It NEVER ceases to amaze me how many people think they know what is going on in the mind of a total stranger.And ya can't tell 'em no different.`Cause the KNOW what they are talking about!!!!

heiney9

honestaquarian wrote:

Sean has a good point.It isn't up to anyone to judge his"tone" with the exception of the site administrators.This site was put up for ALL OF US FOR FREE.If someone does not like a particular posting,or someone's"tone" then they have the freedom of choice to simply move on to the next post.You can say (or type)the exact same thing to five different people and get between two and five different interpretations of the meaning.It doesn't mean those interpretations are correct,but tell THAT to the people who are doing the intepreting.It NEVER ceases to amaze me how many people think they know what is going on in the mind of a total stranger.And ya can't tell 'em no different.`Cause the KNOW what they are talking about!!!!

WTF . Words on the screen can be intepreted in various ways based on how they are choosen and put together. It's up to the reader (myself in this case) and all others who read the post to try and interpret what someone is trying to convey. And yes sometimes things get lost in translation. Don't try to tell me it ceases to amaze you.....etc. All I have to go on are the words printed on the screen. BTW, I can comment on it anyway I feel necessary, as you are free to do so in your post.

You could have followed your advice and read it and moved on, but you chose to comment which is entirely appropriate since this is (as you put it) a free public board.

It never ceases to amaze me how people give out advice, but then fail to take said advice (tounge planted firmly in cheek) .

H9

honestaquarian

heiney9 wrote:

WTF . Words on the screen can be intepreted in various ways based on how they are choosen and put together. It's up to the reader (myself in this case) and all others who read the post to try and interpret what someone is trying to convey. And yes sometimes things get lost in translation. Don't try to tell me it ceases to amaze you.....etc. All I have to go on are the words printed on the screen. BTW, I can comment on it anyway I feel necessary, as you are free to do so in your post.

You could have followed your advice and read it and moved on, but you chose to comment which is entirely appropriate since this is (as you put it) a free public board.

It never ceases to amaze me how people give out advice, but then fail to take said advice (tounge planted firmly in cheek) .

H9

That was not advice.It was a statement of fact.
Here is some advice:
1)Do a spell check before posting.
2)Stop taking all of this stuff so personally.There are FAR and away more important things in the world for you to get upset about.Like the cost of gasoline and the war in Iraq.Which is siphoning funds from more NEEDED things like "No child left behind" for example.

F1nut

honestaquarian wrote:

'Cause the KNOW what they are talking about!!!!

honestaquarian wrote:

1)Do a spell check before posting.

Pot, kettle, black......;)

Moving on...........