Does Polk SDA SRS 1.2TL Live Up To It's Fame?

megasat16

Guys, I need help. Does an investment of nearly 2K worth on a pair of the 1.2TL in good condition? If I buy it, does it need to be upgraded to the newer tweeters and bass drivers?

Thanks!

Face

After seeing a friend spend $400 on a pair of SRS 2's and seeing a pair of 2.3TL's go for 800 on here, there's no way I'd spend close to $2k on a pair of 1.2TL's.

ben62670

OK you get them for 2k. Now you need 8 tweeters at $48($384) Then the XO is much more complicated. This boost the XO upgrade price up. You end up looking at about 3 times the price of modded SDA1C's or SRS2's. Also take into consideration that large speaker need room to bloom. Too big a speaker in too small a room has less bass than a proper sized speaker. The 1.2's and 2.3's are great if you have the coin, and have the room.
Ben

Pauly

ben62670 wrote: »

OK you get them for 2k. Now you need 8 tweeters at $48($384) Then the XO is much more complicated. This boost the XO upgrade price up. You end up looking at about 3 times the price of modded SDA1C's or SRS2's. Also take into consideration that large speaker need room to bloom. Too big a speaker in too small a room has less bass than a proper sized speaker. The 1.2's and 2.3's are great if you have the coin, and have the room.
Ben

1c's is where its at. You have to remember investing in good gear to push them 1.2's. Tubes sound better on the SDA's that i have owned/listened to IMO.... Start in the middle then work your way up is what i suggest.

Pauly

inspiredsports

I think the ultimate answer to the original question is an absolute yes, The 1.2TL lives up to it's fame (or maybe famous reputation is a better way to put it).

Sure it costs more, but with the proper space, tweaks and equipment, The 1.2TL will ultimately outshine the rest.

Is it suitable for everyone? Of course not.

Pauly

inspiredsports wrote: »

I think the ultimate answer to the original question is an absolute yes, The 1.2TL lives up to it's fame (or maybe famous reputation is a better way to put it).

Sure it costs more, but with the proper space, tweaks and equipment, The 1.2TL will ultimately outshine the rest.

Is it suitable for everyone? Of course not.

You cant afford it if you have to ask is a general rule for me.... Gotta think ahead playing the SDA game.....

Pauly

DarqueKnight

megasat16 wrote: »

Does Polk SDA SRS 1.2TL Live Up To It's Fame?

You are asking about an item that is judged mostly in subjective terms. This is like asking if a $5K bottle of wine will live up to its fame. To me, it won't because I don't drink. For a wine connoisseur, that $5K bottle might be a bargain. The opinions you will get about this speaker will range from trash to treasure. Only you can decide if they are worth their reputation and expense.

megasat16 wrote: »

Does an investment of nearly 2K worth on a pair of the 1.2TL in good condition?

Is an investment of 20K "worth it" for a vintage Corvette in good condition? It is if you are a Corvette enthusiast and you have the disposable cash. I, and others, have paid close to or over 2K for our 1.2TL's. Some would say I was a sucker. I think I got a deal...especially when I go and listen to "conventional" speakers that cost 2X to 4X what I invested.:)

As with anything else, I would pay more for a well cared for near-mint to mint condition item from an original owner than I would for an average condition item that had been passed around the country for two decades. Mine came in near mint condition with original paperwork, purchase receipt and accessories from the sister of the original owner who used them for five years until his untimely death. They sat in storage for another seven years until his sister decided to sell them...to me.

megasat16 wrote: »

If I buy it, does it need to be upgraded to the newer tweeters and bass drivers?

No, they don't "need" to be upgraded any more than a stock, fully functional automobile needs to be upgraded. It depends on what your performance goals are. I have spent almost as much on modifications as I spent on the speakers. For me, it was money well spent...but I'm a fanatic.

There are many posts here that can give you some insight on the performance improvements that modifications bring. It is also a good idea to note what kind of associated gear people are using with their 1.2TL's.

Happy hunting.

nooshinjohn

;)in my humble opinion, If it is your intent to upgrade them, I woulld look for the sra-srs rather than spend 2k on the 1.2lt. there is a nice set of them on a-gon for only a grand. use the extra cash for mods and get proper power to drive them and live happily ever after...:cool:

DarqueKnight

I currently own both the SDA SRS and the SDA SRS 1.2TL. Both are extensively modified and both are very good speakers. The 1.2TL is a class above the SRS with regard to resolution and accuracy.

For further information, refer to posts #1 and #29 of this thread:

Improvements To The SDA SRS

megasat16

Face, Ben, Spasticpitbull, Inspiredsports, DarqueKhight, Nooshinjohn and more!

Thanks for providing very helpful information on this subject. I would like to keep coins in my pocket especially in this kind of economy.

But on the other hands, it's the kind of rare opportunity so I may probably get it and sell some of my gears for it. I'll also have to wait on the improvements Ben suggest till more money frees up in my hands.

But again, I have all the LSi series speakers so I don't know it'll be a Huge upgrade from LSi Series. I would like to know how does it compare to LSi series even if it's a close comparison.

heiney9

megasat16 wrote: »

But again, I have all the LSi series speakers so I don't know it'll be a Huge upgrade from LSi Series. I would like to know how does it compare to LSi series even if it's a close comparison.

Apples and Oranges. I had LSi 9's I now have SDA 1C's. IMO, the 1C's are better, especially for 2-ch use.

The two speaker lines cannot be compared to each other as they both do things completely differently. A properly set-up pair of SDA's are really a treat. That's not taking anything away from the LSi's, they are excellent as well.

However, I wouldn't trade my 1C's for LSi's.

H9

heiney9

Las has great enthusiam but there is such a thing as having too much speaker for a given size room. If you can fit the big bad boys in a large to very large listening room......then go for it.

There are many stories of the SRS and SRS 1.2's being too large for a given listening area and that will detract from the enjoyment. My 1C's are perfect for my room, 1.2's would be overkill and actually sound worse than the 1C's.

Something to keep in mind.

H9

BIZILL

i got mine for $1500 in pristine condition. i would have paid $2000. hope this helps.

PolkWannabie

DarqueKnight wrote: »

Is an investment of 20K "worth it" for a vintage Corvette in good condition? It is if you are a Corvette enthusiast and you have the disposable cash. I, and others, have paid close to or over 2K for our 1.2TL's. Some would say I was a sucker. I think I got a deal...especially when I go and listen to "conventional" speakers that cost 2X to 4X what I invested.:)

You may have left out a zero ...

ben62670

Sorry Sal. You may have the nicest SDA's, but I have the biggest:)

megasat16

Heiney9, Lasareath, BiZill, PolkWannabe and All,

A BIG THANK YOU! As much as I like to own one of the Polk's legendary speaker, placement could be issue for a speaker junkie like me. I can't obviously put it in my HT since it's all stuffed. I can't put in the dedicated 2 ch rig coz I have a pair of Amazing Platinum in there. I can't put in my own bed room coz I have another pair of Platinum. *sigh*

I was thinking to get rid of the LSi25 and RTi12 and put in the HT room at first but after much consideration, I think SPACE and placement could be an issue for 1.2TL. I guess I could always put it in my garage though but they'll be just biting dust most of the time. I will have to come up with some good solutions for the Space requirement before I shell out the dough for 1.2TL.

Please HELP. What you guys think I should get rid off from my system?

megasat16

ben62670 wrote: »

Sorry Sal. You may have the nicest SDA's, but I have the biggest:)

:eek: Ben, you are the man! hehehe.....

I don't know u took the measurements when u met Sal.

Sal, no offense but I am sure Ben's bigger but if we held a 1.2TL beauty contest, I am yours will be the 1st place winner.

nooshinjohn

:)anyone needs to store 1.2tl's is welcome to use my temperature controlled storage facility located in my living room:D

megasat16

nooshinjohn wrote: »

:)anyone needs to store 1.2tl's is welcome to use my temperature controlled storage facility located in my living room:D

Can I use your living room when I want to listen to my 1.2TLs? Oh, I thought you already have a pair, right? Better yet, can I use my ears to listen to your 1.2 when using your living room?

nooshinjohn

megasat16 wrote: »

Can I use your living room when I want to listen to my 1.2TLs? Oh, I thought you already have a pair, right? Better yet, can I use my ears to listen to your 1.2 when using your living room?

you can listen to my....your 1.2s anytime, and I dont have 1.2's/1.2tl's, hence my willingness to store them:D

gdb

Two questions come to mind- Is $2000 a firm price or is there any negotiating room-what is the condition of the 1.2s?? And then again.. do you really need/want/have to have two pairs of the not so small Carver speakers in use at the same time? I only WISH that I had your problems:D As some wise poster once stated "They aren't making any more of these !" If I'm ever in the position to acquire some 2.3s or 1.2s I will not hesitate!! YMMV:)

Face

What size is your room?

megasat16

gdb wrote: »

Two questions come to mind- Is $2000 a firm price or is there any negotiating room-what is the condition of the 1.2s?? And then again.. do you really need/want/have to have two pairs of the not so small Carver speakers in use at the same time? I only WISH that I had your problems:D As some wise poster once stated "They aren't making any more of these !" If I'm ever in the position to acquire some 2.3s or 1.2s I will not hesitate!! YMMV:)

Thanks Gdb! I think the price is firm and not much room to negotiate. The condition is 8/10 agon standard. I am trying hard to decide need/want/have situation here too. I have no NEED but I WANT to own one of these BIG BOY. I keep two pairs of Amazing Plats coz I want to listen to them whenever room I am in and I am keeping one for spare in case of the problem with the ribbon arises in the future. So, my addiction to listen to them may not be disrupted in case the ribbon goes buzzzzzzz.

I am thinking hard like all men do - whether to get the 1.2TL now at not so cheap price of 2K or just wait to see my luck later along the line.

megasat16

Face wrote: »

What size is your room?

Room is about 17' x 19' and more speakers and gears in that room than one can imagine. It's the HT room so more speaker is better.

tojohndillonesq

I just listened to 1.2TLs in a room that was 12' by 16" and I hate to think this, much less write it, but this was... and they are... the best I have ever heard. That includes a $200K system with the new JBL top of the line (watched the Eagles live DVD and wanted to stand up and cheer; just fantastic) and a $150K system with Krell power and the $40K B&W Nautilus speakers. (Sorry... those were just a perfect example of mellow listening; not an ounce of excitement in them.) Plus dozens of other high-end systems.

Many stereo mag reviews talk about it, but I have never before experienced this, and I began to believe it was just talk. I thought it was like the guys who rave about great bottles of wine. Nuts who over-value microscopic differences. (I DO love the $150 Caymus, but for my dime I'll drink a $20 Aussie Shiraz)

I am still in literally in shock... completely rethinking my beliefs about stereo. I did not know this was possible. They were only about seven feet apart (edge to edge), so about 45 degrees from my position. The owner told me they are even better when he places them at that width but farther from the side walls. Better?!!! The staging was at least 90* wide, like sitting up close to the stage. Way beyond clarity and range and detail and etc. This was an emotional musical experience.

Again, the kingdom of stereo is like a rocker looking for fine speakers. When he found some of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought them.

And that is what I am going to do!

inspiredsports

megasat16 wrote: »

Guys, I need help. Does an investment of nearly 2K worth on a pair of the 1.2TL in good condition? If I buy it, does it need to be upgraded to the newer tweeters and bass drivers?

Thanks!

Compared to these, (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130420422741), 2K plus another 2K for new drivers/crossover updates is a screaming bargain!

Polkersince85

tojohndillonesq wrote: »

I
And that is what I am going to do!

This is an old thread but welcome to the forum. If you find some, we will teach you the secret handshake.

megasat16

Wow, this is an old Thread resurfacing.

The sad thing is I could never find a local seller for SDA SRS 1.2TL. But then, I am not sure I want to buy one today.

And don't fall for the secret handshake thing. You don't know if they have washed their hands first or not.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the forum.

megasat16

inspiredsports wrote: »

Compared to these, (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130420422741), 2K plus another 2K for new drivers/crossover updates is a screaming bargain!

Oh NO NO! That Altec is a Bargain if you ask me. Thanks for the link. I thought I would never see one in this condition.

As the saying goes, you can find anything on eBay. Just wait and see.

inspiredsports

megasat16 wrote: »

Oh NO NO! That Altec is a Bargain if you ask me. Thanks for the link. I thought I would never see one in this condition.

As the saying goes, you can find anything on eBay. Just wait and see.

With 3 days left that bargain 21K mark will be history, and most of the bidders seem to be about 2K of shipping away.

maandjojo

Hey mega, welcome. 12x16 with the speakers placed along the 16 ft. wall would be fine but nothing less. Yes they are worth it, big time!

Joe