RTA-11t vs SDA 2B

Timmer66
Timmer66 Posts: 4
edited November 2008 in Vintage Speakers
Hi, I am considering buying one of these sets of speakers, and I don't know which way to go. I have owned a pair of RTA-8's and liked them very much, but I have have never heard a pair of SDA's outside the showroom. I have also owned Monitor 5's, 5 Jr+, and 10B, so I am familiar with and very much a fan of Polks.

Finally the price is about the same on them, the SDA's being a bit less.

What's your thoughts?
Thanks!
Post edited by Timmer66 on
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Comments

  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited November 2008
    SDA technology is something that you should definitely check out at least once in your life. As the SDA line goes, the 2B's are compact but still have enough to give you the full on SDA treatment.

    What amplification do you have to power them with? The SDA's love current.
    It's also easier to use an amp that is of common ground design with the SDA's.

    Do the 2B's come with the interconnect cable?
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • Timmer66
    Timmer66 Posts: 4
    edited November 2008
    I'm using a Sony ES receiver - I don't remember the model - rated at 110w/ch. The interconnect cable is included.

    My objective is to set up a good system for listening to vinyl in my rec room downstairs.
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited November 2008
    You'd probably get better results powering the 2B's with seperates rather then a receiver, but it won't be entirely hateful, either. I've powered mine with a 251 wpc Carver, a 120 wpc Rotel, and an 85 wpc Harman Kardon receiver. They sounded the best with the Rotel, but really didn't sound that bad being driven by the HK AVR.

    The Sony should be common ground, too.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited November 2008
    Go for the 2Bs. The 11Ts use one of the drivers and the same tweeter, so timbre wise they are similar. I think the RTAs will have the punchier bass, but IMO the SDA soundstage trumps it.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited November 2008
    Timmer, Welcome to the forum!!
    No doubt about it, go with the 2b's and thanks us later when you tell us how much you love them.
    Drew
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  • Timmer66
    Timmer66 Posts: 4
    edited November 2008
    I just realized they are 2A's not 2B's. How does that effect the equation? Still the way to go?
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited November 2008
    I would go for the 2a's or B's without hesitation. Just wondering, what is the selling cost? Where are you located?
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited November 2008
    I currently own both. I definitely would recommend the 2B's over the RTA 11T's.
    I love my 2B's, and they are the right size for my room. I would consider the 11T an excellent speaker also but it does not have the SDA that most of us like. Go for the SDA 2A. I do not think you will be dissapointed.

    Scott
    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 November 2008
    +1 on the SDA's. I had 11's for close to 20 years and I love my 1C's. The 11's are a excellent speaker as well, but a well set-up pair of SDA's is the ticket!!!

    SDA's are unique and they have such tactile, organic sounding bass. Some of the most accurate still authoritative bass I've heard.

    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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  • Timmer66
    Timmer66 Posts: 4
    edited November 2008
    Thanks for all the input - I guess I need to make a decision soon! Each pair is being offered for around $300, with room for negotiation. Maybe I will have to get both, and put the 11's upstairs with my Def Tech BP-8B's.

    In response to NJPolker - I'm in Polson, MT. My second pair of Polks (the RTA-8's) required a 5-hour drive one-way to purchase them - well worth it. I may be doing the same this weekend for my first SDA's!
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