**** -- why didn't you tell me...???

Early B.
Early B. Posts: 7,900
edited September 2006 in Speakers
For the past few weeks, I've been searching for a pair of bookshelf speakers to use as HT fronts. I never considered trying a pair of vintage Polks. Then the other day I stumbled upon a set of SDA CRS's on ebay and didn't even realize Polk made SDA bookshelf speakers, so that shows just how little I knew (or cared to know) about vintage Polks. I never had any interest in them whatsoever. Then Hoosier was kind enough to sell me his pair today (great guy, BTW).

So my question is -- why didn't you **** storm my house, slap me in the freakin' face, and force me to listen to these vintage Polks?

I met Hoosier halfway between my house and his, we talked for a while, then I came home, hooked the speakers up, and immediately noticed a HUGE soundstage. The CRS's are wonderful for HT. They sound better than any other pair of fronts I've used. I'll be holding onto these babies for a while. Now I gotta get an amp to power them. Damn. Does it ever end?


Oh, I almost forgot to mention -- while I was playing my demo DVD, the receiver cut off. I think it went into protection mode for the first time. It probably didn't appreciate the three 6 ohm speakers that are now hooked up to it. So I took out the manual and switched the receiver to 6 ohm mode. I hope that does the trick. My receiver is well ventillated on the sides, but not on top. I may have to make some placement changes later on if it continues. (I'm assuming I have a common ground receiver, correct?)

Oh, one more thing -- I haven't tried them yet on my 2-channel system, but when I do, I'll post the results.
HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

"God grooves with tubes."
Post edited by Early B. on
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Comments

  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited September 2006
    Early B. wrote:

    Oh, one more thing -- I haven't tried them yet on my 2-channel system, but when I do, I'll post the results.

    I predict a flat hat mess..................they will be really nice on that Jolida.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2006
    Early, i'd be glad to slap you in the face.. just come here, and i'll do it free of charge.

    congrats on your CRS's. they are a fave of a lot of people in here. Anyone who has never heard a pair of vintage Polks.. seek some out.. even if just to listen to em. Worth an afternoon of it.. coupled with a few cold brewskis and you're set. :)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    OK, I just tried the CRS+'s on my 2-channel system, and they quickly returned to HT duty. Of course, my room has a lot ot do with it, but they sounded bright and muddy at the same time. The music, in general, was on the bright side for my tastes, and the bass caused lots of muddiness. With these big suckers, I have no other options for placement. The Polks also appeared to overemphasize some elements of the music.

    Bottom line -- my room (12' x 17') is really too small for them, IMO. Nevertheless, they're defintely not candidates for dethroning the Taylos.

    Maybe someday I'll upgrade the SL2000 tweeters.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,753
    edited September 2006
    Do you have the proper stands? Placement from the rear wall makes a huge difference with them as the PR is in the back and the silk domes make a world of difference.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    F1nut wrote:
    Do you have the proper stands?

    I have the original stands, but right now I'm using the infamous PE stands which look much nicer and are very sturdy.

    A little mud is forgiveable in HT. Hell, I'm happy to have some bass in my fronts again. Nevertheless, I have more placement options for HT. I'll eventually experiment with placement, but right now I'm just gonna enjoy them where they are.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited September 2006
    what happened to the Buggtussels :confused:
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2006
    consider replacing the SL2000's tweeters. you'll love them even more.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    george daniel wrote:
    what happened to the Buggtussels :confused:

    Hey, man, they were just visiting. Great speakers, though.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    danger boy wrote:
    consider replacing the SL2000's tweeters. you'll love them even more.

    Will do. Is there any soldering involved?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,753
    edited September 2006
    Nope.

    Try mass loading the Polk stands with lead shot, does wonders for them.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2006
    It's a very underrated speaker, but always sell nicely. Have fun.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited September 2006
    Congrats on the CRS+'s! They are a cool speaker. Like the other guys have said, placement is key and the SL2000's are a little harsh. Consider the silk replacements. Enjoy!
    Carl

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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited September 2006
    you know, SDA awakenings just never get old :D now I really miss my 1B's
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    Couldn't wait. Just ordered the replacement tweets.

    Now I'm ready to upgrade the pin/blade SDA cable. I'm thinking of using a 15' subwoofer cable. Any other ideas?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    Here's a pic...
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited September 2006
    Looks great, Early! how do they blend in with the center speaker?
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited September 2006
    If they came from Abernathy, they probably already have the silkies.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    RuSsMaN wrote:
    If they came from Abernathy, they probably already have the silkies.

    Before I ordered them, I popped one of them out and it had SL2000T stamped on the back of it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    polkatese wrote:
    Looks great, Early! how do they blend in with the center speaker?

    Blends well, IMO, once ya put a meter on it. For HT the CRS's aren't "bright," but an improved tweeter should make them sound even better.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited September 2006
    That's some serious woodwork in that room. Beautiful!!!
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2006
    It takes a lot of experimentation to get them at their peak. Don't be afraid to move them around. A 3" difference in placement in a room your size (almost the same as mine) makes a huge difference. My guess is they should be further apart. Forget that equalateral triange BS in a room that size.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited September 2006
    It was nice meeting another Polk forum crazy.

    Thanks Brad

    Russ
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited September 2006
    Replacement tweeters and making sure that your seal is tight go a LONG way towards making those sound nice in a two-channel.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited September 2006
    ND13 wrote:
    That's some serious woodwork in that room. Beautiful!!!

    No ****! Nice...

    Those CRS's look good. I like those stands, too. I'll have to check those out.
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  • seo
    seo Posts: 305
    edited September 2006
    I miss my old CRS....

    Sweet stands!
    Signature goes here
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited September 2006
    Very nice. Congrats
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,753
    edited September 2006
    Yeah, nice room. If at all possible, get them away from the windows. I think the PR's would be happier.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    Just purchased a Parasound HCA-1000A to drive the CRS's. I wanted to get something inexpensive with decent sound and build quality to take some of the load off my receiver. The Parasound should be enough power for my needs.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Lsi9
    Lsi9 Posts: 616
    edited September 2006
    Nice speaks Early, kind of reminds of the classic Bose 901

    Audio Physic Scorpio II
    Pathos Logos
    MIT Shotgun S3
    Bada HD-22 CDP
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