RTA 12B,C and SDA 2B

rmaiers

I have a set of RTA 12B and 12C speakers that I thoroughly enjoy and was fortunate to pick up a set of nearly perfect Studio Black SDA 2Bs. The SDAs do sound outstanding and I was wondering if any one else out there has experience with these speakers (RTA 12B,C and SDA2B) and what they think the strengths and weakneses are.

engtaz

I have the 12B's and I really like them.

jon s

I have a pair of RTA-12Cs and had a pair of SDA-1Bs. After modding the RTA-12Cs with an all Sonicap/Mills crossover and RDO-194 tweeter overhaul, friends have commented on how the speakers improved with an added air or ambience to the sound.

I did not particularly care for the SDAs. One some music material, primarily those with added audio effects, music tended to take on a reverb effect.

The soundstage of the SDAs were better than the RTA-12Cs but I felt that SDAs did not sound as good as the RTA-12Cs.

Both speakers did not perform well with low bass. Room placement is critical to get the best performance, otherwise a subwoofer is required.

nspindel

If those SDA 2B's are still in stock form, remember that the caps in those things are on the order of 20 years old. The SDA's should have plenty of bass!

I have a pair of black Studio 2B's that I've sold to fellow ClubPolk member and will be delivering to him in a few weeks. I modded the crossovers, and wow what a difference. Have a look at this thread:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62106

artinaz

nspindel, I just read your previous post and loved it. Someday soon, I going to the x-over son my SRS2!

nspindel

It's good fun, and so rewarding. I also highly recommend getting some tubes in the mix as well. As I like to say, the Sonicaps make the SDA's sing. Tubes make them get up and dance

rmaiers

Nice detailed information in your previous post on modding the 2Bs nspindel. Will save for when I have the time and energy to try the mods. Thanks!

nspindel

Great, hoping that thread helps a lot of other people do a similar project. It is so worth it.

philr168

I have had a pair of 12c's that I purchased new in the mid 80's. I just aquired a pair of sda2's. I love them both but the sda's do have a larger soundstage.

Dawgfish

I have a pair of RTA-12Bs and love them. To me they shine playing jazz, classical, accusitcal, and vocal tracks. Voices sound so realistic with these speakers. They don't sound quite as good playing hard rock and metal. There weekness is low bass like the others have mentioned. It gets low, but not as low as my RTi-12s. I also can't drive them as hard for long periods of time like I could my RTi-12s. The RT1-12s could take everything I could give them and not break a sweat, but they do not sound as good for music as the RTA-12Bs. It's a quality vs. quantity thing and quality won out. Eventually when I get a dedicated music preamp, I'm going to move the RTA-12bs, my CDP, turntable, and Marsh amp to that for a dedicated two channel setup, and move the RT1-12s back as my mains for the home theater system.

nspindel

Have you ever listened to SDA's for 2 channel?

Dawgfish

I have and I want a pair! As soon as I find a pair within driving distance of me for a fair price I will pick them up (hopefully).

nspindel

So why buy another pair of RTA's? Keep the RTA's you have in the HT and hold out for SDA's for your 2-channel. Keep looking, you'll find a pair.

Dawgfish

I probably wasn't clear in the previous posts. I already own a set of RTi-12s (predecesors to the current RTi-A9s), and they shine for home theater (better than the RTA-12s for home theater), but I listen to my system 70% music, 30% home theater, so I stuck with the RTA-12Bs as my front mains and actually use the RTi-12s as sorrounds. When I get a dedicated music preamp (or possibly a tube integrated amp), I will move the RTA-12Bs to that (or the SDAs when I get those) to take advantage of the more musical nature of these speakers. In the meantime the home theater will use the RTi-12s for the mains, which excell at home theater, but are not as musical as the RTAs or SDAs. That way I'll be optimizing the speakers to their strengths in each system.

chesneybaker

I owned a pair of RTA 12 B speakers and used them in a 2 channel setup.They are very musical,having a natural sound.Great for just about any type of music.Piano and voices sound very natural.Unfortunately they burned up in an apartment fire.I now use the Polk Monitor 70 speakers for 2 channel stereo teamed with a NAD C325BEE integrated amp and NAD C515BEE CD player.The sound is just INCREDIBLE and there's no need for a subwoofer.The Polk speakers really kick butt!

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk Chesney,

Sorry to hear about the fire. I run M70s in my home theater as well and feel these guys are truly passed over and underrated.

Having said that, I can't wait till I pick up my SDA-2Bs from Russ in June......

cnh