My new SDA-1C - The Black Beauty

124

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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    Same with my SDA's but I've got studio models. Imo still aesthetically pleasing to look at (with grills off of course) but think I'll leave the upgrading for my tweeters+ x overs. Conradicles, think im going to need you to keep me posted on your x over upgrades, talking to dracos he gave me real good ideas on what to do but was just wondering what your plans were and would like to hear the end result!
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited July 2009
    I'm probably the wrong guy to ask about crossover's, I have never did that mod.
    Tons of good info in this forum to learn from.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2009
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    Same with my SDA's but I've got studio models. Imo still aesthetically pleasing to look at (with grills off of course) but think I'll leave the upgrading for my tweeters+ x overs. Conradicles, think im going to need you to keep me posted on your x over upgrades, talking to dracos he gave me real good ideas on what to do but was just wondering what your plans were and would like to hear the end result!

    sonicap and mills always worked pretty good for me,, good luck.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • IrishNiner
    IrishNiner Posts: 116
    edited July 2009
    Classy! Really love that all black stealth look. Congrats!
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited July 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Fantastic as I knew they would. Finally got them hooked up and the sound is different than the 2B's, but give me a few days with them and I'll be able to explain it better.

    Well...after many calibrations and adjustments to my H/T system with the 1C's, I realized yesterday that these SDA-1C's are just too much for MY small living room. The SDA-2B's are back in the H/T and they sound perfect!
    Now the 1C's are in the Man Cave where they can have room to perform their best.:cool:

    Side Note:
    One of the tweaks I performed (either Mortite or foam on the speaker baskets) made the bass response off the charts! Not boomy bass as I have heard most of my life, but super clean low hard hitting fast bass. Very sweet.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,794
    edited July 2009
    heheehee......told ya so......
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited July 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Well...after many calibrations and adjustments to my H/T system with the 1C's, I realized yesterday that these SDA-1C's are just too much for MY small living room. The SDA-2B's are back in the H/T and they sound perfect!
    Now the 1C's are in the Man Cave where they can have room to perform their best.:cool:

    Side Note:
    One of the tweaks I performed (either Mortite or foam on the speaker baskets) made the bass response off the charts! Not boomy bass as I have heard most of my life, but super clean low hard hitting fast bass. Very sweet.



    What size is yourl living room?
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited July 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Well...after many calibrations and adjustments to my H/T system with the 1C's, I realized yesterday that these SDA-1C's are just too much for MY small living room. The SDA-2B's are back in the H/T and they sound perfect!
    Now the 1C's are in the Man Cave where they can have room to perform their best.:cool:

    Side Note:
    One of the tweaks I performed (either Mortite or foam on the speaker baskets) made the bass response off the charts! Not boomy bass as I have heard most of my life, but super clean low hard hitting fast bass. Very sweet.

    Check that, I'll go for the quicker/budget friendly tweaks before redoing the x-overs and tweeters. Got my eye on other things but I'll definitely dig into my SDA's and work on them over the weekend, have to build a radiator cover in the meantime so off to lowes!
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited July 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    What size is your living room?

    Around 18" x 13' I think, and the Man Cave around 23' x 24'.

    It was almost like the 1C's overpowered my H/T rig. Probably due to my small center channel speaker (CS300).

    All I know is they sound perfect in the 2-channel rig.:D
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited July 2009
    The 1C's I recently purchased from Geoff in Seattle blend very well with my CSi40 center. And for the two channel purists....I have them on a switch to go from HT to 2 channel. Beautiful looking speakers you have Conradicles.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited July 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    the sound is different than the 2B's

    Finally, I figured out what was lacking from these speakers. One of the stereo drivers (MW6511 that is a newer Polk replacement driver from around 2003) was wired wrong and out of phase!:eek::eek::eek:

    I searched the forum and found a post where Ken from Polk customer service said on the new replacements (they are a little different from the original drivers) the "larger" is (-) and the "smaller" terminal is (+).

    Should have caught this when I was working on them in the beginning, but I assumed they were wired correctly since somebody even took the time to terminate the wires with crimps.

    Now I understand why the bass was lacking.

    IMHO everybody who owns these older Polks should take a little time and pull all drivers, make sure they are the proper drivers and wired correctly. Plus while in the cabinet, the polyfill can be adjusted (it tends to slide down) and the crossovers tightened up. Plus, when the drivers are out you can check them for voice coil rub.
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  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    edited July 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    …when the drivers are out you can check them for voice coil rub.

    What is "voice coil rub" and how do I check for it?

    Jim
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2009
    voice coil rub is a debilitating disease that strikes without warning,,the unsuspecting midrange drivers are suspect to this crippiling disease ,,,,,:)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited July 2009
    jimbo1421 wrote: »
    What is "voice coil rub" and how do I check for it?

    Jim

    Basically, it is a blown driver but not completely "frozen" like a lot of older Polk drivers are known for.
    Sometimes you will not even know the driver is blown until you turn the music up pretty loud, then will can hear a popping noise coming from that driver.

    You can gently press on the driver and hear a faint "scraping noise" is one way to check. Hope that makes sense and others may chime in with a better description.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,337
    edited July 2009
    [QUOTE=
    Side Note:
    One of the tweaks I performed (either Mortite or foam on the speaker baskets) made the bass response off the charts! Not boomy bass as I have heard most of my life, but super clean low hard hitting fast bass. Very sweet.[/QUOTE]


    Just wait till you spike them... You will be blown away.
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited July 2009
    Cool! Coming soon...
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  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    edited July 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Basically, it is a blown driver but not completely "frozen" like a lot of older Polk drivers are known for.
    Sometimes you will not even know the driver is blown until you turn the music up pretty loud, then will can hear a popping noise coming from that driver.

    You can gently press on the driver and hear a faint "scraping noise" is one way to check. Hope that makes sense and others may chime in with a better description.

    Thanks, I will add this to my testing procedures.

    Jim
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited September 2009
    Thanks to vmaxer for the spikes he sent me for free. They will do until I upgrade to some better ones.

    Removed the polyswitches on the 1C's yesterday, and could not believe the improvement in the high end. This is a free tweak and a "must do". Trust me.

    Next step capacitors and resistors.:)
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,220
    edited September 2009
    Lookin' REAL good man! Happy listening.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited September 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Thanks to vmaxer for the spikes he sent me for free. They will do until I upgrade to some better ones.

    Removed the polyswitches on the 1C's yesterday, and could not believe the improvement in the high end. This is a free tweak and a "must do". Trust me.

    Next step capacitors and resistors.:)

    You are welcome!!

    These are the same as I am using on my 1.2 tl's, will different spikes make a difference in the sound?? I'm not sure I undersatnd, but want to learn.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited September 2009
    vmaxer wrote: »
    will different spikes make a difference in the sound??

    Doubt it would in a modest rig like like mine, but I would upgrade just for the cool brass factor.:cool:
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  • Paden501
    Paden501 Posts: 286
    edited September 2009
    Hey those speakers look incredible. I'm usually not a big fan of piano black tops, but on those SDA's it looks amazing!

    Congrats on the big project.
    ~Matt
    My System

    Front L/R: Definitive BP10Bs
    Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As
    Preamp: B&K Reference 20
    CD: Jolida JD100a
    L/R Amp: Carver TFM-24
    Turntable: Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
    TV: Sony 52" XBR9
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2009
    They look fantastic!
    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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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited September 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    and now the finished product...

    Very Nice looking speakers-Congrats!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited October 2009
    Upgraded the crossovers "on the cheap" with Dayton 5% caps. I know Sonicaps would have been better and seem to be the much more popular choice...but I did both speakers for the whopping grand total = $46.06:) I'm el cheapo like that.

    The resistors from Dayton were not to my liking and I did not use them...so I will get some Mundorf or Mills in the near future. Think I will also replace the inductors as well as that is a very inexpensive tweak too.

    Putting them into the cabinets now for some burn-in time and will report later next week on my opinion of these caps.

    Thanks to all you folks who answered a few questions I had by way of PM and older posts.
    Peace.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited November 2009
    After many hours of listening, I really like these SDA's.
    Upgrading the caps improved these area's to me:
    - separation of instruments
    - details in the mid's

    When I pull the crossovers back out soon to upgrade the resistors, I will also remove the 2 Dayton caps for the highs and replace with a better grade just to hear the difference. If they sound this nice with cheap Daytons, I think I am in for a real treat with something a little better. Peace.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited January 2010
    Conradicles wrote: »
    When I pull the crossovers back out soon to upgrade the resistors

    Done. Mills 12 watt resistors in and warming up now. Also took the advice of F1nut and others and put a 0.5 ohm resistor in the polyswitch spot.
    Picture of the work:
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,220
    edited January 2010
    Don't you love it when a plan comes together? :D
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited January 2010
    No kidding. I got a lot of time and work in these 1C's but the effort is quite rewarding.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,220
    edited January 2010
    Enjoy.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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