Is this a decent deal?

Ender
Ender Posts: 603
edited March 2009 in Vintage Speakers
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ele/1055637034.html

No pics and I haven't seen it myself (also don't have access to email at work), but seems like it's probably classic SDA1, not B or C (I guess that leaves A?).

I think I want to try to haggle him down to $250, but is $300 reasonable for classica SDA1 as well?
SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited March 2009
    Ender wrote: »
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ele/1055637034.html No pics and I haven't seen it myself (also don't have access to email at work), but seems like it's probably classic SDA1, not B or C (I guess that leaves A?). I think I want to try to haggle him down to $250, but is $300 reasonable for classica SDA1 as well?

    My guess is SDA1 with the SL1000 tweeters (2 horizontal). Pictures are what I think they are. Could be wrong and there are a few "hybrid" configuration so I'll let the forum experts speak to that.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    Go to PolkSDA.com for pics and other information
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    Marty913 wrote: »
    My guess is SDA1 with the SL1000 tweeters (2 horizontal). Pictures are what I think they are. Could be wrong and there are a few "hybrid" configuration so I'll let the forum experts speak to that.

    You got it. Those are pretty neat because of the single stereo driver, single dimensional driver, and dual bass drivers. The dimensional tweeter, and the mediocre cabinet construction are the disadvantages.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Ender
    Ender Posts: 603
    edited March 2009
    So... it's a decent deal? Lol.
    SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

    Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

    GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited March 2009
    Ender wrote: »
    So... it's a decent deal? Lol.

    Be patient IMO they are not worth the price. Keep your eye out for a pair like these.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79099

    Jim
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    Ender wrote: »
    So... it's a decent deal? Lol.

    For $250 and local in good(read solid) shape with no problems they are a good deal. You may want to perform a few simple mods to improve imaging. My first SDA were the SDA2's with the 3 mids, and the dimensional tweeters. I disconnected the dimensional tweeter, and reduced the input resistor on the stereo tweeter. This simple mod help them a lot. Some may think it's not such a good deal, but you see people paying more for RTA's, and even Monitors.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2009
    Marty913 wrote: »
    My guess is SDA1 with the SL1000 tweeters (2 horizontal). Pictures are what I think they are. Could be wrong and there are a few "hybrid" configuration so I'll let the forum experts speak to that.

    So are these pics of the SDA-1 that this post is asking about or not? And if they are why aren't they worth the price? I'm just curious. Is it because it's an early design, inferior tweeters or what?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited March 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    So are these pics of the SDA-1 that this post is asking about or not? And if they are why aren't they worth the price? I'm just curious. Is it because it's an early design, inferior tweeters or what?

    cnh

    Yes, Yes and Yes.

    the dimensional tweeter is not very desireable. Similar to the CRS and CRS+, the plus (later design) has only one tweeter.. and it's not dimensional.

    not worth the price/ $300 to much IMHO. My friend got a pair for $40, what does that tell you?

    there are so many of them out there.. that I could never see myself paying more than say $150 tops. Yes everyone here will disagree with me on that price.. but it's not one of the better SDA's out there. Patience and keep looking.. a better pair is out there for you. ;)

    I'm more than anything just trying to keep you from overpaying.. if you really want them. go get them... they are not horrible sounding speakers by any means.. and that's not my point in saying I'd never overpay for them.. my point is.. i like a good bargain, and at $300 or even $250 to me that's not a good deal.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Ender
    Ender Posts: 603
    edited March 2009
    Bleh. I got all excited at the thought of having my first SDA pair. Lol. Ok, thanks for all your inputs. I will keep my eyes open for better deals or for the price to drop on these.
    SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

    Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

    GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    Yes, Yes and Yes.

    the dimensional tweeter is not very desireable. Similar to the CRS and CRS+, the plus (later design) has only one tweeter.. and it's not dimensional.

    not worth the price/ $300 to much IMHO. My friend got a pair for $40, what does that tell you?

    there are so many of them out there.. that I could never see myself paying more than say $150 tops. Yes everyone here will disagree with me on that price.. but it's not one of the better SDA's out there. Patience and keep looking.. a better pair is out there for you. ;)

    Thanks,

    I kind of guessed that was the case. But good to know. I don't have much experience with early Polk gear. All I remember are the ubiquitous bookshelves in Sam Goody Record Stores in NYC in the 80s with the trilaminate tweeters?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited March 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    Thanks,

    I kind of guessed that was the case. But good to know. I don't have much experience with early Polk gear. All I remember are the ubiquitous bookshelves in Sam Goody Record Stores in NYC in the 80s with the trilaminate tweeters?

    cnh

    yes... now you're on the right track ;) the latter SDA's came with tri lam tweeters.. and are still some of the most desirable SDA's out there... that doesn't mean that other none tri lam SDA"s are good too though.

    For the smaller SDA's.. these seem to be pretty popular.
    SDA CRS +
    SDA 2B
    SDA 1C
    SDA SRS 2
    I would even put the SDA 2A in that list too.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2009
    Ender wrote: »
    So... it's a decent deal? Lol.

    Not really. The dimensional tweeter isn't a big problem and if you disliked it, just disconnect it.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • woodsman10b
    woodsman10b Posts: 408
    edited March 2009
    Ender wrote: »
    Bleh. I got all excited at the thought of having my first SDA pair. Lol. Ok, thanks for all your inputs. I will keep my eyes open for better deals or for the price to drop on these.
    Hey Ender, if you live in the LA area you can always find this stuff cheap. Watch ebay, cuz most sellers of the big vintage polks wont offer shipping, so with that said you can find low bidding for them from that area. Watch all the areas near you on craiglist too, if you have to drive 100mi or more for a nice pair its worth it. You live in the meca for cheap vintage polk products! I envy that:D. tom
    Most of them only hear how loud it sounds, and the rest of us hear everything else - :rolleyes:
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  • Ender
    Ender Posts: 603
    edited March 2009
    woodsman10b wrote: »
    Hey Ender, if you live in the LA area you can always find this stuff cheap. Watch ebay, cuz most sellers of the big vintage polks wont offer shipping, so with that said you can find low bidding for them from that area. Watch all the areas near you on craiglist too, if you have to drive 100mi or more for a nice pair its worth it. You live in the meca for cheap vintage polk products! I envy that:D. tom

    Lol. If you say so. I been searching for the past week or two and nothing big has shown up, much.
    SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

    Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

    GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited March 2009
    Ender wrote: »
    Lol. If you say so. I been searching for the past week or two and nothing big has shown up, much.


    patience my friend...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    Ender wrote: »
    Lol. If you say so. I been searching for the past week or two and nothing big has shown up, much.

    You are in a pretty good area to find SDA's looking for a few weeks is nothing. Have patience my friend. It can take months or more to find what you are looking for, and you may have to travel. Spend some time reading now figuring out what you want before diving into some SDA's. Some of the best SDA's are the 1C's, and the SRS2's. These only have 2 tweeters each, and the XO upgrades/tweeter upgrades will not break the bank. If you have plenty of room and the coin you may want to get into the 2.3TL's, or the 1.2TL's. These require more coin to upgrade, and really benefit from some real beefy amps. These things need to be taken into consideration too. Again have patience. If you don't snag the 1's for now t get a feel for SDA's and take your time to find what you are really looking for;)
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited March 2009
    Take a road trip and get some superior speakers !!;)

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/1053905474.html
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    gdb wrote: »
    Take a road trip and get some superior speakers !!;)

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ele/1053905474.html

    That's a good deal, but do keep in mind those are 3.1TL's and not SDA-SRS's.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited March 2009
    looks to be a good deal to me too and a great price.

    I think the 3.1's are SRS models too.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited March 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    looks to be a good deal to me too and a great price.

    I think the 3.1's are SRS models too.

    Al, they are.



    Jim
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    danger boy wrote: »
    looks to be a good deal to me too and a great price.

    I think the 3.1's are SRS models too.

    They are SRS models, but the title is kinda misleading just saying SDA-SRS and posting a pic of the big boys with the grills off.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited March 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    They are SRS models, but the title is kinda misleading just saying SDA-SRS and posting a pic of the big boys with the grills off.

    HA BEN! there you go... they are to SRS's ;):p

    the seller posted the wrong picture.. stock Polk picture..
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    HA AL!
    Just kidding:)
    I know you knew I just wanted to clarify things a little that may be confusing;):p:p:D

    SDA-SRS Have 8 woofers, 4 tweeters, B/B IC, and 4ohms nominal.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/recent/srs/

    These are SDA, and SRS, but are called SRS3.1TL's
    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/recent/srs31tl/

    I doubt the seller was trying to sell them as SDA-SRS's by his discription, but it would be easy to be confused by his ad.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited March 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I doubt the seller was trying to sell them as SDA-SRS's by his discription, but it would be easy to be confused by his ad.

    Yes, the stock brochure that came out in 1990 (shown) has the 3 SDA_SRS TL models on the cover. The 3.1TL picture on the brochure looks slightly larger than it seems in person (optical delusion, I suppose). I doubt he was trying to mislead people, just too lazy to take real pictures. Still, $500 is a really good price for them.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • Cardinals-1
    Cardinals-1 Posts: 80
    edited March 2009
    jtgranby wrote: »
    Be patient IMO they are not worth the price. Keep your eye out for a pair like these.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79099

    Jim

    I would argue that point. I had a pair of 2B's and found with only 2 mid range drivers they were just too bright without a sub. I would bet the 1's with 4 mid ranges would give you better mid to low mid's
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  • jtgranby
    jtgranby Posts: 887
    edited March 2009
    Cardinals-1 wrote: »
    I would argue that point. I had a pair of 2B's and found with only 2 mid range drivers they were just too bright without a sub. I would bet the 1's with 4 mid ranges would give you better mid to low mid's

    Thats why they make all kinds of speakers. Placement is a huge issue and use of a high current amp. You can argue all you want but the 2b's are much better than SDA 1 with SL1000 tweeters. If you are talking about SDA 1c,that is a different animal and price would be greater.

    Jim

    Ps It still is not a good deal pertaining to his original question.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    The original 1's only used two 6.5's for mids. The lower 2 6.5's were used as sub drivers.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Ender
    Ender Posts: 603
    edited March 2009
    How does this one look? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120384355001
    SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

    Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

    GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited March 2009
    The stands would be a detriment, but easily removed.. Tried to make them like Monitors. Why I don't know.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • jimreeves
    jimreeves Posts: 57
    edited March 2009
    How about these? SDA2's in original boxes with interconnect...
    http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-PAIR-POLK-AUDIO-SDA-2-STEREO-TOWER-SPEAKERS-NR_W0QQitemZ350173680274QQihZ022QQcategoryZ3276QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
    Infinity QLS1, Polk SDA-1A, OLAdvent Econowave, Yamaha RXV-1300, CDC-685, P2200, AB International 9220A, Rane ME15B, Cambridge Audio 640P, Grant Fidelity B-283, Luxman PD277-AT7V, Pioneer PL707-Denon DL-207, DL-160....And projects on the bench!
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