SDA vs. SRS. What is the difference?

sg7677

Hello all. I currently have three sets of SDA's: the CRS, SDA-2's and a pair of SDA-1C's. I'm in a medium sized apartment and really can't run them full blast, but I never would do that anyway.

Am I really missing something by not having a pair of SDA SRS's? Don't get me wrong; I would love to own a pair of the SRS's - even the smaller ones, if only to try them. But is there really that much of a difference in sound between the SDA series and the SRS's?

I realize that they are both SDA technology. Any thoughts on this?

analog97

My experience is limited to the 1C and the 1.2TL. I feel the 1C is an outstanding speaker and provides a large proportion of the 1.2TL's gift in a smaller room. Room size is very important. My buddy has the 1c's in a smaller room and I have the 1.2TL's in a 26x20 room. That's where the BIG Polks shine, but the sound quality obtained by the 1C's in a smaller room is maybe 90% of what the 1.2TL's provide. I do not believe you are missing much, provided you are feeding the 1C's with good grub.:):)

dorokusai

sg7677 wrote: »

Am I really missing something by not having a pair of SDA SRS's?

Nope.

MillerLiteScott

My observation of the difference between SDA Series and the SRS series is the distance separating the stereo driver from the dimensional driver. In the SDA series the stereo drivers and dimensional drivers of the 2B and 1C are about as close as you can get two drivers side by side with the tweeters above. In the SRS, and CRS series the stereo driver and the dimensional driver are further apart with the tweeters between them, or in the CRS series the tweeter above.

Scott

ben62670

Not a thing in a smaller place. Like stated above you need a pretty big room for the big ones to shine.
Ben

heiney9

Some of the SRS models used the most current (at the time) driver technology. Which eventually trickled down to other models in the line; this was particularly true for later gen SDA's.

An example would be when the 1B transitioned to the 1C the 1C drivers used the same type of edge wound voice coils that the SRS's used at the time.

IMO, the large SRS models are more suited to larger rooms. I feel that putting the "big" boys in a smallish to medium room is actually detrimental and one would be better off with the 1C's or 2B's.

That being said the SRS, especially the later "TL" series were the flagship models and with more drivers, larger cabinets did have a performance edge. I certainly wouldn't retire any non-SRS model I already owned to get an SRS model. If you have the space to set up an almost 6 foot speaker then go for it, if not you're probably only missing out on 10-15% of the total package by having the smaller SDA's.

Also the later the generation the better regardless of the SRS designation or not.

sg7677

Thanks for the opinions!

The models of CRS, SDA2's and SDA1's I have, are all the later versions, with one tweeter each in the CRS's and SDA2's. The SDA1's have the two vertical tweeters. I suppose if I were to have found the larger, or largest, SRS model, I would have to get rid of either the 2's or the 1's, if only for the space requirements and I am reluctant to do that.

I suppose I have three of the best sets of speakers I could own and they sound incredible, even at low volume. The irony is I paid more for the set of CRS's as I bought them new in the late 1980's. The others I spent $300.00 for each pair within the last year.

I'll still keep a lookout for a pair of SRS's but they would absolutely have to be very local.

Getting the larger SDA2's and 1C's up into my second floor apartment was a bit much.

Joe08867

SRS's are definatley more of a big room speaker in my opinion. The wider and deeper the better. I still prefer the SDA's to the SRS's

If you think getting the SDA1's or 2's up a set of stairs is hard you may want to stay away from the SRS's. They are tanks.

1C's are awesome speakers. I have been looking for a pair local on and off for years. I own SDA2's and just love them.