Which SDA is better?

zplyonz

My SDA 1-c's, with Ben's x-overs and updated tweeters sound wonderful indeed. How might they compare with SRS 2.3tl? I know the SRS is bigger, but has anyone done a comparo?

thsmith

This should be interesting. I have 1Cs and have not heard any of the other SDA's. I might be a subjective opinions. I think the big boys need more room where the 1Cs are fine in a medium size room.

SO to do side by side comparisions it might be tough based upon the room size the comparsions are being made, large room big boys probably win but might not in a smaller room.

BrettT1

The bigger you go the bigger the sound gets all the way around. IMO. Of course, you'll want to look at what amplification you're using.

*As thsmith stated above, the bigger SDAs need more breathing room.

zplyonz

I'm running a McIntosh 2205 with 240 watts via autoformer to all impedences. I think I'm OK on power, though more is usually better...

Marty913

zplyonz wrote: »

My SDA 1-c's, with Ben's x-overs and updated tweeters sound wonderful indeed. How might they compare with SRS 2.3tl? I know the SRS is bigger, but has anyone done a comparo?

I have owned both but not at the same time. I had 2.3tls for 8 years and currently have 1C's and 2's. Obviously I'm working from sonic memory but IMO it was (is) not really close. I love my 1C's but the 2.3tl's with the right amplification are nothing short of amazing. Of course room size has a lot to do with it, as mentioned and my room size is approx. 20 X 17. I will say that if I can't return to the 2.3's for a while, I don't feel "deprived" at all with the 1C's.

heiney9

Apples to apples.....the 2.3TL's. Are they worth a whole lot more if you have to spend a good deal more $$$ on the 2.3 TL's over your modded 1C's??probably not,,,,,YMMV

One area to give consideration is if you have a large to very large listening area and you feel the 1C's are struggling to fill the room; the 2.3's will certainly be better in that respect.

H9

P.s. 2.3TL owners I am strictly commenting from the POV of him having modded 1C's and the extra cost of purchasing 2.3TL's to replace the 1C's. IMO, spending another $400-600; if that's the case isn't worth it over what he already has. Stock 1C's vs stock 2.3TL's....no contest 2.3 all the way even if they cost more to purchase.

Face

The 2.3TL's have better tweeters.

That amp should have no problem driving either one.

heiney9

Face wrote: »

The 2.3TL's have better tweeters.

That amp should have no problem driving either one.

You like the sl3000 over the RD0194-1"s, Mike?

Face

I haven't heard SL3000's, but have heard 198's in a few different speakers and prefer them to the 194.

heiney9

Face wrote: »

The 2.3TL's have better tweeters.

The reason I was asking . The OP has RD0's......just wondering as most feel even the RD0194-1 has better sonic characteristic's than the original sl3000 in the TL's.

H9

thsmith

Face wrote: »

I haven't heard SL3000's, but have heard 198's in a few different speakers and prefer them to the 194.

+1, 198s in my M12s sounded a lot better than the 194s in my 1Cs

heiney9

The OP has said nothing of modding the 2.3TL's...........but if that's the case then yes, the 2.3TL's with 198's and same x-over mods would be the better sonic choice, unless you have a smaller room.

Everyone is saying the 198's are better.............yet the OP never mentioned he was going to mod the 2.3TL's if he replaced his modded 1C's. I don't disagree the 198's are the preferred tweet over the 194's...........but so far no one has gone there, especially the OP.

Note the OP's original statement. Modded 1C's vs. stock 2.3TL's

My SDA 1-c's, with Ben's x-overs and updated tweeters sound wonderful indeed. How might they compare with SRS 2.3tl?

H9

Face

heiney9 wrote: »

The reason I was asking . The OP has RD0's......just wondering as most feel even the RD0194-1 has better sonic characteristic's than the original sl3000 in the TL's.

H9

Gotcha. I just assumed he'd upgrade them since he did his crossovers in his SRS2's...

4406bbl

2.3tl, and yes I have had both in the same room, my 2.3s have rdo98s and no crossover mods.

DarqueKnight

heiney9 wrote: »

The reason I was asking . The OP has RD0's......just wondering as most feel even the RD0194-1 has better sonic characteristic's than the original sl3000 in the TL's.

I wasn't aware that there was some consensus that the RD194 sounded better than the SL3000. Unless they are compared in the same speaker, I would think it would be hard to judge. I have listened to all four tweeters in the same speaker (1989 SDA CRS+) and ranked them as follows:

1. RD0198
2. SL3000
3. RD0194
4. SL2000

With my CRS+'s, I heard a moderate performance improvement when the SL2000's were replaced by the RD0194's. I heard a huge performance improvement when the TL modification was done and the RD0194's were replaced with SL3000's. Based on that, I then replaced the SL3000's with RD0198's. The replacement of the SL3000's with RD0198's provided further improvement in resolution and detail, but those improvements were much smaller relative to the gap between either the RD0194 and the SL3000 or the larger performance gap between the RD0194 and the RD0198.

To my ears, the RD0194 comes closer to the performance of the SL3000, but does not outperform it. The RD0194 is a huge improvement over the SL2000, but the RD0198 is not as huge an improvement over the SL3000. This is expected because the SL3000 was a huge improvement over the SL2000.:)

average_guy

I do not have SDA yet, but I do want to own SDA in some form in the future. I have read posts since before I joined the club with interest about the subject in this thread. If anyone is inclined to give any pointers to a "wannabe" I would be most grateful.

I realize that these answers may be subjective, but whatever anyone thinks I'd be interested.

In regard to room size, what square footage on average would be large enough for the "big boys".

Is it better with standard ceiling height? (7 feet).

Is the maximum spacing provided by the "stock" interconnect cable standard length the optimum spacing for any SDA?

Should I commit to getting a bi-amp setup for any model SDA?

I'm hopeful that in the future I'll have a chance to design a listening room or at least claim a room for that purpose and adapt it. It will be much easier to have as many details worked out in advance. Many of my questions have been answered from observation over time, and thanks to everyone for sharing.

F1nut

My findings with the CRS+ match DK's, therefore I rank the tweeters as he did.

hearingimpared

BrettT1 wrote: »

*As thsmith stated above, the bigger SDAs need more breathing room.

That's not entirely true. Even the big 1.2 TLs can exist is a small room as long as you keep them a minimum of 4' away from each other and keep them 3' from the side walls. The sweet spot then would be 4' from the center spot between the cabinets.


As a matter of fact I believe all the SDAs are recommended to be placed at minimum as above.

BrettT1

hearingimpared wrote: »

That's not entirely true.QUOTE]

Unfortunately, I have very little room in my current house. My 1Cs sound great, but I just think the 1.2TLs are really cramped in here. I only have a 13' long wall and a 50" tv has to fit there, too.

I might figure something else out, as I do have a second living area, or, just do modifications to the big boys until I move in about 3 years.

inspiredsports

F1nut wrote: »

My findings with the CRS+ match DK's, therefore I rank the tweeters as he did.

Ditto. I have heard the same comparisons in SDA-2B's (but skipping the SL3000) and DK and F1 are spot on.