SDA Goodness

Ricardo
Ricardo Posts: 10,636
edited February 2008 in Vintage Speakers
It's been a while since I last heard some SDA's. Today I am listening to a pair of CRS +'s that arrived a few days ago.

This is by far the widest soundstage I've heard from any SDA's. I'd venture to say they are the best.

Feeling good.
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited February 2008
    I have found the same thing, sometimes the smaller the better
    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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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited February 2008
    I have heard this ever since I started with Polks. People love the CRS+ and wouldn't trade them for a lot of other SDA models. Let's just say I am exciting to get my new CRS+s in the mail.
    Jake
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2008
    What type of stands and placement? Power?,,,BTW--congrats:)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    I have them in place of the Dynaudios in the 26" stands; not planning to replace them. Will just swap them once in a while. They both have their good side.
    They are far from the back wall, but still have very decent lows.

    I am currently trying a Marsh A200 that found it's way here. Very nice sounding and capable amp. Had plans to put up a second rig with the SDA's, but it sems that won't happen. So the Belles will go back to its duty and the Marsh will be sold.

    Now I think the 7's won't see much use....
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • edwardm10
    edwardm10 Posts: 104
    edited February 2008
    The only other sda's I have had the pleasure of listening to besides my crs+'s are the 1-c's in my home theater rig. The crs+'s are in my 2 channel rig ( listening to them as I type ) and I think I like them better than the 1-c's. The crs+'s don't pack the punch of the 1-c's, but the soundstage is unreal for such a small speaker. They will be with me forever.
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  • edwardm10
    edwardm10 Posts: 104
    edited February 2008
    Forgot to mention that I have the upgraded silk tweets in the crs+'s as well.
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  • dbnh
    dbnh Posts: 194
    edited February 2008
    edwardm10 wrote: »
    The only other sda's I have had the pleasure of listening to besides my crs+'s are the 1-c's in my home theater rig. The crs+'s are in my 2 channel rig ( listening to them as I type ) and I think I like them better than the 1-c's. The crs+'s don't pack the punch of the 1-c's, but the soundstage is unreal for such a small speaker. They will be with me forever.
    Interesting comments about the crs+ speakers; I note I've never heard them, but your report picqued my interest. I have SDA 1Cs and love their soundstage (this has been facilitated with proper placement, the use of Jim Goulding's "diffrationbegone" wool tweeter surrounds, and some room treatment) and "punch"; glad to hear you've found what works well for you.
    My system

    A-Gon Feedback; Head-Fi Feedback; ebay Feedback
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited February 2008
    I'm glad to hear you are getting your SDA on again Ricardo. Fantastic!! My 1C's will not be going anywhere soon and won't be getting replaced by CRS+'s ;). I have no doubt in the capabilities of the CRS + but for my space they wound be less than adequate compared to the 1C's.

    I'd love a pair for my office though.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    I've had several SDA's including the big TL's, and a few other speakers, some of them costing more than I ever thought I'd pay for a pair of boxes with drivers.

    I have been listening to this little SDA's from classical to rock, and I really think I could live with these. Good stuff!!
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited February 2008
    At our recent "Rockford" audio gathering that was the first time in awhile that I listened to conventional speakers (LSi15's) and I really enjoyed them. But, when I got home the subtleties in the the SDA's are what keeps me coming back.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited February 2008
    I ended up with SDA 2B because it's basically a pair of CRS without stands (and a bit more box volume for a bit more bass)
    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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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited February 2008
    The CRS series have the stereo and dimensional drivers further apart like the SRS 2, 2.3, 3.1 and 1.2's giving them a wider soundstage, hence the Compact Reference Speaker. The 2B's and 1C's are much closer together.

    A side note. I own the speakers of the closer together driver variety. I would like to hear a pair of CRS+'s.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • edwardm10
    edwardm10 Posts: 104
    edited February 2008
    Interesting observation regarding the separation between the drivers. As many times as I've had the grilles off of both the crs+'s and 1-c's while listening, i had never noticed that.
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited February 2008
    I have NEVER understood the driver spacing of the 1C, the only model that has all four mid drivers as close as possible.
    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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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited February 2008
    MillerLiteScott wrote: »
    The CRS series have the stereo and dimensional drivers further apart like the SRS 2, 2.3, 3.1 and 1.2's giving them a wider soundstage, hence the Compact Reference Speaker. The 2B's and 1C's are much closer together.

    A side note. I own the speakers of the closer together driver variety. I would like to hear a pair of CRS+'s.

    Scott

    Are you sure about that? The distance between the dimensional drivers and stereo drivers should be pretty consistent as that's a major part of the concept in canceling inneraural crosstalk. The distance needs to be roughly equal to the thickness of a normal human head. It's a mathematical standard in achieving the cancellation. I could see the CRS's sounding different(ie; better perceived soundstage) in the fact that the front baffle is much smaller compared to the big floor standers. The distance between the drivers should be consistent through all the lines probably tweaked a bit from generation I to the last generation.

    Someone chime in if they know for sure differently.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    It is right; 1B's and 1C's have the stereo and dimensional drivers almost touching each other, while the CRS's have at least three inches between them; this makes the speakers also wider.

    Edit: 3 1/2" between drivers, 10 1/4" center to center, 20" wide.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited February 2008
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I could see the CRS's sounding different(ie; better perceived soundstage) in the fact that the front baffle is much smaller compared to the big floor standers.H9

    Bingo

    But what about them 1Cs? Weird
    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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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    I don't have one here to measure, but the SRS and 1.2's have the drivers even further apart, with the tweeters in between them.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited February 2008
    I gotcha. Just pulled the grills on my 1C's. Learn something interesting everyday. I guess I just assumed because of the SDA white paper that all the SDA's had a similar distance between the stereo and dimensional drivers. :)
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited February 2008
    Just looked at the pics in the compendium and this is the first time I've noticed this. This could explain why some hear some really freaky stuff on the SDA models with more separation between the drivers. Like all the discussions we've had about piano music. I really don't have too many "freaky" instances in music unless it's extreme in the actual recording. But I could see how those with the SRS 2's, CRS, SRS, 1.2, 2.3, 3.1 might experience those types of things more often.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2008
    Don't try to convince yourself; you know that you want a pair with wider soundstage ;)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited February 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    I don't have one here to measure, but the SRS and 1.2's have the drivers even further apart, with the tweeters in between them.

    I checked the spacing, I measure about 4" between the drivers (edge to edge) about 10 1/2" center to center spacing. Those tweeters are only about 3" wide.

    I have the CRS, no + , and I really enjoy these little guys.
    Carl

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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited February 2008
    This is also why all the predecessors to the 2B's and 1C's do not have the SRS Signature Reference Speakers (Series) in their nomenclature.

    I forgot to mention this because my battery died in my laptop while I was posting my above comment.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited February 2008
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Don't try to convince yourself; you know that you want a pair with wider soundstage ;)


    LOL-yes, I just checked in on those 2.3's FS in Madison WI. :p
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited February 2008
    I have both 1Cs and CRS+ and once you find the perfect placement in your room, for the CRS+, the 1Cs can't hold a candle to their soundstage. The back mounted PR requires a more tweaked placement, but once it is found, no contest.
    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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  • edwardm10
    edwardm10 Posts: 104
    edited February 2008
    +1 ...
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited February 2008
    Yeah, I know what you mean those 1C's suck ;)
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited February 2008
    I know the distance between the drivers on my SRS II's are quite a ways apart and there are definitely recordings that bring the staging way the hell out to the sides. On some things, it's almost unbearable and sounds like the rear in ceiling speakers are playing on my HT system when they aren't. Plus, it's 2 separate systems in my living room, anyway.
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
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  • dbnh
    dbnh Posts: 194
    edited February 2008
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Yeah, I know what you mean those 1C's suck ;)
    Absolutely horrid / how awful the ICs sound across the entire audio spectrum - completely unmanageable and unlistenable. Also, it's very disappointing regarding their ability to put you in the music seamlessly once they are dialed in and supported by a proper kit. I think I'll have to throw my 1Cs off a bridge and go for a pair of speakers that makes me notice that the music is coming from a pair of speakers in the room. ;););)
    My system

    A-Gon Feedback; Head-Fi Feedback; ebay Feedback
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited February 2008
    Dennis Gardner wrote: »
    I have both 1Cs and CRS+ and once you find the perfect placement in your room, for the CRS+, the 1Cs can't hold a candle to their soundstage. The back mounted PR requires a more tweaked placement, but once it is found, no contest.

    Are you using rd0's or sl2000's in your crs+'s.
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