SDA noob question

Zamps

I did some searching but couldn't really find an answer. What's the difference between SDA 1, A, B, and C? How can you tell the difference? How easy is it to get an interconnect cable if one is lost? Lastly what's the going rating for a pair?

Thanks for your help.

ben62670

SDA 1,1A are the originals with the side by side dimensional tweeters. The 1B's are 4ohms with the 2 tweeter vertical arrangement with Blade Blade IC's. The 1C's are the most desirable with the vertical tweeters, 6ohms, Pin Blade IC's, simplified crossover, and compatible with more amps. Prices range from $200-$900 from the earliest 1's to the latest 1C's either mint, or modded.
Check out www.PolkSDA.com
Ben

Zamps

Thanks for the info. I was looking at a pair for sale and based on the info you gave me it's narrowed down to 1B or Cs.

ben62670

The B's, and C's are better built for sure. I had some early 2's with the side by side tweeters, and it was too hokey for me.
Take care, and happy hunting.
Ben

inspiredsports

no afilliation:

these might be worth pursuing if you have some electronics skills or can outsource as the crossovers should be rebuilt after 20 years anyway. . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270358546174

Ender

inspiredsports wrote: »

no afilliation:

these might be worth pursuing if you have some electronics skills or can outsource as the crossovers should be rebuilt after 20 years anyway. . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270358546174

I had a conversation with the owner and I looked at his troubleshooting thread... there was no conclusion to his problem that definitively pointed out that the XO was the problem. I would buy this in a jiffy if we could definitively say it was only XO or if he lowered the price by about $100. Lol.

Zamps

Here are the ones I'm looking at:

http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/1080641758.html

The price seems kind of high.

ben62670

That's not high if they are in good condition. If you can pick them up that sweetens the deal. They look like 1C's(studio version). I make better than stock IC cables for them for $45 if they are pin blade 1C's. I would certainly inquire, and do it fast if you are serious about SDA's. Also that is asking price;)
Ben

thsmith

+1, I have the same speakers, paid $400 and had to drive 2200 miles round trip to get them. Thats puts mine way over the price that person is asking.

Pauly

paid 500+ for my old 1C's few years ago as well. Thats a decent price if they are in good condition. Go for it.

Pauly

Marty913

I would agree the $400 - $500 range is the right price although (as with everything) it depends on how badly you want a great set of speakers. Certainly there is little or nothing on store shelves that will compete with the 1C's for $500. If you take the $200 pair and have to do both crossovers you're right there in the range. Still a great deal (or even better) on great speakers.

heiney9

Zamps wrote: »

Here are the ones I'm looking at:

http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/1080641758.html

The price seems kind of high.

They are at the high end but if they are minty and local pick up.....that's worht a little extra. They look like 1C studio's or maybe even 1B's. Certainly among the more desireable SDA 1 model's.

Offer him $400....tell him you've done some reasearch and that's what you think is a fair price. Living in the Midwest like we do these don't come up often as a local sale.

H9

P.s. they didn't sell for anything close to $2500 new, unless he got completely taken to the cleaners.

Pauly

Pretty sure they are 1C Studio's with the SL2000

Zamps

I have never listened to SDA speakers. Is there going to be a big difference in sound by listenting to them w and w/out the ic? I'm just wondering how much different it going to sound if I test them w/o the ic. In a 2-channel setup, listening to a variety of music, how's it going to compare to RT1000is?

ben62670

They sound awesome with good amplification. You can get by making your own cable. They will smoke the RT1000is.
Ben

heiney9

You need a cable for them to be SDA's. It's easy to substitute for the original. But it's a good bargaining chip for you with the seller. Don't buy them if you intend to run them without the cable. You loose close to 1/3 of the output and the magical SDA experience.

zingo

To demo them, just use a piece of wire so something to make the electrical connection. Once you have the speakers, either make your own, or Ben makes one heck of an SDA IC.

Zamps

Thanks for everyone's input!