Fast track to SDAs

Ron Temple

I've been around here going on 5 years and I've noticed a trend. Those that have joined in the last couple that stick seem to be grabbing on to some SDA deals after going through an upgrade or two. I'm not complaining, hell I did the same thing, it just seems to be happening at a more accelerated pace. I'm not seeing as many LSi threads as we used to. Interesting phenomena. I can see folks joining up in a year and getting indoctrinated into old Polks immediately...because why bother with the new stuff :eek::D

Conradicles

Ron, for me all I can say is that Vintage Polks are all about the value. If I had lots of money, I would not even own Polk Audio speakers.

lightman1

Conradicles wrote: »

Ron, for me all I can say is that Vintage Polks are all about the value. If I had lots of money, I would not even own Polk Audio speakers.

HERETIC!!!!!When I come and get MY speakers, I'm confiscating all of yours as well!
NO POLKS FOR YOU!!!!!

nooshinjohn

Conradicles wrote: »

Ron, for me all I can say is that Vintage Polks are all about the value. If I had lots of money, I would not even own Polk Audio speakers.

BLASPHEMY! for that you get to hang out with Slow...:p

Ron Temple

Conradicles wrote: »

Ron, for me all I can say is that Vintage Polks are all about the value. If I had lots of money, I would not even own Polk Audio speakers.

Well said, value is an extremely strong reason to go with older Polks. Then again, what have you heard south of $6K that you'd want more than a set of SDAs .

george daniel

Good point sir,, the newer folks do seem to be moving into SDA's faster than ever,,it seems of late that there have been an abundance of SDA's on Craigslist,,especially in the southeast,,and for pretty decent prices.I guess us babyboomers are getting too old to keep/move these things,,LOL.:)

Toolfan66

Conradicles wrote: »

Ron, for me all I can say is that Vintage Polks are all about the value. If I had lots of money, I would not even own Polk Audio speakers.

WHY????

If I had lots of money I would own something else But I would still own my polks. With all the work some of us put into them you become close to them Kinda like when you build up a car, it's hard to let go of.

raidersrule76

So you are saying that we shouldn't get to enjoy the vintage as well as the new stuff, I personally own a full set of Lsi's as well as a newly purchased set of 2.3 tl's (thanks Rob) so I guess im ahead of the curve. I also have owned a full set of the Rti's and I have not been around here for all that long.

Best regards
mark

Conradicles

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

Kinda like when you build up a car, it's hard to let go of.

True, but you eventually sell that car. (wish I would have kept my 1978 mint condition Datsun 280Z though...);)

Toolfan66

Conradicles wrote: »

True, but you eventually sell that car. (wish I would have kept my 1978 mint condition Datsun 280Z though...);)

I wish I could have kept my 70 Monte Carlo, Blood sweat and tears in that build.

Conradicles

All that being said, I love my SDA's and think it is cool to share that passion with other folks here in this Club. SDA's RULE!!!

Retro152

Conradicles wrote: »

All that being said, I love my SDA's and think it is cool to share that passion with other folks here in this Club. SDA's RULE!!!

Hell Yeah! you go Contradictle's! j/k:D




Pat.

Ron Temple

raidersrule76 wrote: »

So you are saying that we shouldn't get to enjoy the vintage as well as the new stuff, I personally own a full set of Lsi's as well as a newly purchased set of 2.3 tl's (thanks Rob) so I guess im ahead of the curve. I also have owned a full set of the Rti's and I have not been around here for all that long.

Best regards
mark

Not at all...I'm just noticing a trend. When I got mine, I was auditioning all kinds of speakers from $500 a pair to $4K. trubluluc offered a pair of 1Cs in my area and one listen stopped my search. Now, members seem to be going through an accelerated process after reading posts here and elsewhere about vintage Polks. It ain't bad, but it's just happening.

McLoki

As more and more people upgrade the crossovers in their LSi's - you will see more people flock that way.

Most of the vintage SDA threads have upgraded tweeters and crossovers. When put on a level playing field - the LSi's are (in my opinion) different, but just as good in most areas, excelling in some and falling behind in others.

Overall - I think modded LSi's come out on top for true sound quality. SDA's definately hold the edge for soundstage width (almost to the point of being a novelty that can wear off over time).

While marketed completely opposite of this - I think modded LSi's would make an awesome 2 channel setup and SDA's would just domintate in a home theater setting.....

I have to factor WAF into the mix and while I do own both SDA's and LSi's - the LSi's are what are allowed in the living room for a combination of home theater and 2 channel.

Michael

thsmith

Ron Temple wrote: »

Not at all...I'm just noticing a trend. When I got mine, I was auditioning all kinds of speakers from $500 a pair to $4K. trubluluc offered a pair of 1Cs in my area and one listen stopped my search. Now, members seem to be going through an accelerated process after reading posts here and elsewhere about vintage Polks. It ain't bad, but it's just happening.

Ron, I am one of those that moved up the SDA chain quickly, in part because of you and what others here have written over the years. It has been nice to get to place where I am happy with my system, of course there will always be things I want to upgrade or add but finding a place of peace has been nice.

Many thanks to you and others for the inspiration !

leroyjr1

I think it's time Polk introduced some new LSI series speakers. There current line has been out for a long time. I know their in the works but many like myself are flocking to different brands.

Retro152

McLoki wrote: »

As more and more people upgrade the crossovers in their LSi's - you will see more people flock that way.

Most of the vintage SDA threads have upgraded tweeters and crossovers. When put on a level playing field - the LSi's are (in my opinion) different, but just as good in most areas, excelling in some and falling behind in others.

Overall - I think modded LSi's come out on top for true sound quality. SDA's definately hold the edge for soundstage width (almost to the point of being a novelty that can wear off over time).

While marketed completely opposite of this - I think modded LSi's would make an awesome 2 channel setup and SDA's would just domintate in a home theater setting.....

I have to factor WAF into the mix and while I do own both SDA's and LSi's - the LSi's are what are allowed in the living room for a combination of home theater and 2 channel.

Michael

Michael, nice write up. Never owned the Lsi or SDA Polk line, but have always been intrigued. See your "modded" everywhere but your mains, is that in the works? Just curious. Dont want to Thread jack here at all, just enjoyed your comparison.:D




Pat.

McLoki

Retro152 wrote: »

Michael, nice write up. Never owned the Lsi or SDA Polk line, but have always been intrigued. See your "modded" everywhere but your mains, is that in the works? Just curious. Dont want to Thread jack here at all, just enjoyed your comparison.:D




Pat.

absolutely - they will be modded soon and are really showing themselves as a weak link in the chain right now.

They are being modded last due to budget reasons and since they are my main speakers - there are a number of options how to do it. I think I have finally made my decision as to what changes to make - and am just wating on the budget to materialize now (must be at the same time as a sale at SoniCraft)....

Michael

Retro152

McLoki wrote: »

absolutely - they will be modded soon and are really showing themselves as a weak link in the chain right now.

They are being modded last due to budget reasons and since they are my main speakers - there are a number of options how to do it. I think I have finally made my decision and it is just wating on the budget to materialize now....

Michael

Nice! Hopeful you will post a review when their done. Looking forward to hearing your impressions. Thanks for the info.:)


Pat.

bsoko2

I got into the SDA's after reading some of Ben's posts. I was looking for speakers that would give me that big theater sound like we used to her as kids going to the Saturday matinees (audio was really crummy but to a 9 year old, it was heaven). I get that sound now with my setup and am looking forward to doing some crossover upgrades.

Bill

Face

Modded LSi's have better resolution, modded SDA's have a better soundstage, pick your poison.

Conradicles

McLoki wrote: »

While marketed completely opposite of this - I think modded LSi's would make an awesome 2 channel setup and SDA's would just dominate in a home theater setting.....

Great post. I agree.:cool:

Fongolio

I'm a recent SDA convert as well. I bought my first Polk's a few years ago and then later joined the forum. The were a surround setup consisting of RTi70's up front R20's for surround duty and a CSi40 center. These sweet speakers for an amazing price at a pawn shop opened my eyes to great sound for a great price. Then I got a smoking deal on a set of new RTiA7's which sounded really nice until I bought a two channel amp and then they just sounded fantastic. I had experienced Carver's sonic holography and read in the forums that it is a similar effect to the SDA effect. I was very happy with my A7's up front and 70's in the rear but was very curious about SDA's. A reocurring theme was that 1C's were very popular and with a few mods sounded fantastic. The best part was they were going for half the price of a set of A7's or A9's and way cheaper than LSi's. However, living in Western Canada they were very rarely for sale anywhere near me.

Then Geoff in Seattle had a pair for sale in February. Except I'd been out of work for a couple months and couldn't afford them. Totally modified too. Then he dropped the price and I had to find a way to buy them. I started selling old gear I had accumulated and raised the cash but the next obstacle was the border. My bad boy past prevents me from crossing in the US without a permit which I don't have yet. Geoff was kind enough to bring them across for me and I paid his fuel and duty. I've had them a week and a half now and must say they have totally lived up to their reputation. Similar effect to the the Carver sonic holography but a little more subtle and natural sounding. I love those speakers and Geoff's mod's make them sing. I'm still experimenting with placement and just today tried a different pre-amp which made them sound even better.

So for me it's been several years from first owning Polk's, joining the forum and first hearing about SDA's to owning some but I totally get what all the fuss is about. Great sounding vintage speakers at a fraction of the price for equivalant sound new. To anyone recently joining and doing this process quickly I think it's great. I still have yet to hear a pair of LSi's though and would love to just to hear their sound.

concealer404

McLoki wrote: »

While marketed completely opposite of this - I think modded LSi's would make an awesome 2 channel setup and SDA's would just domintate in a home theater setting.....

This.

Nik and i spent quite some time this past weekend listening to his SDAs. I was highly impressed with them for music.

Then we watched "Watchmen." With "just" a 2-channel setup.

I was completely and utterly floored. I want a set for dedicated HT purposes, but for now, i'll continue trying to find all RTA8/11/15TLs for my setup.

maandjojo

Well I did the opposite. My very first entry into high end speakers were the sda 1Bs' and I just fell in love immediately. That was back in 1976 or so. When surround came out I used Polk center and surrounds, I've forgotten what model but they were there best at that time. Two years ago I auditioned the Lsi 25s' and purchased the whole nine yards. They are great speakers. I sold my other setup and that was that. Well not really, I began to miss my sdas' and started to read this fool forum. Well the Lsis' are gone, I've got the srs 2s' with the crs' for center and surrounds. Coming this Sunday I will be taking a roadtrip with my son to Ohio to pick up a pair of 2.3 tls'.
In a way I didn't do too bad. For the price of the Lsis', which was steep I now have a pair of srs2s', 2 pair of crs' and a pair of 2.3tls' which gives me two full set ups. the 2.3 tls will be my 2 channel setup, I am going to through in the spare crs for the center for concert dvd listening.
Its not just the newbies, it is also the oldie but goodies.

Joe

heiney9

McLoki wrote: »

As more and more people upgrade the crossovers in their LSi's - you will see more people flock that way.

Most of the vintage SDA threads have upgraded tweeters and crossovers. When put on a level playing field - the LSi's are (in my opinion) different, but just as good in most areas, excelling in some and falling behind in others.

Overall - I think modded LSi's come out on top for true sound quality. SDA's definately hold the edge for soundstage width (almost to the point of being a novelty that can wear off over time).

While marketed completely opposite of this - I think modded LSi's would make an awesome 2 channel setup and SDA's would just domintate in a home theater setting.....

I have to factor WAF into the mix and while I do own both SDA's and LSi's - the LSi's are what are allowed in the living room for a combination of home theater and 2 channel.

Michael

Michael have to disagree a wee bit on the highlighted areas. Properly set-up and using true higher end gear makes the SDA's shine and they have never been a "novelty" to me. I've had my ears on quite a few different kinds of speakers lately and while they all have some strenghts and weakness vs. SDA's the one thing about SDA's (IMO) is they are probably one of the best "all around" performers I have heard. Meaning they do just about every kind of music well enough to be a very versatile speaker.

I've heard Maggies, ESL's, LSi's, Revel, Vintage Polk, RTi's, etc, etc. And while some of these speakers are excellent in certain areas they falter in others. The SDA's, while not reaching some of the excellence in area's where the others above do, they are an excellent trade-off and excell in area's the others falter in and tend to be much more balanced overall.

The other thing that amazes me about SDA's is there seems to be no limit upon improvement with better gear. Keep adding better and better gear and the SDA's just keep getting that much better. Unfortunately that can't be said of many other speakers at this level, many stop improving after so many upgrades of gear.

Anyways that's my .02c; we've talked about this face to face before and I totally get and respect where you're coming from. And yes, a modded LSi is a completely different (outstanding) speaker. In the end, all said and done I still would choose my SDA 1C's for my listening habits, etc, but the choice wouldn't be an easy one. I love the Maggies and the Revel's I've heard and modded LSi's would be right there as well.

H9

McLoki

heiney9 wrote: »

Michael have to disagree a wee bit on the highlighted areas.

--SNIP--

In the end, all said and done I still would choose my SDA 1C's for my listening habits, etc, but the choice wouldn't be an easy one. I love the Maggies and the Revel's I've heard and modded LSi's would be right there as well.

H9

The novelty comment was reffering to (to my ears mind you) some recordings seem made for SDA's and with others, the effect just seems to make the sound playing seem artificial. (I am sure we have all read about or experienced the 20' wide piano)

Keep in mind most of my listening to SDA's has been to an unmodified set of SDA 1B's. (I have heard SRS, 1.2, 3.1 and modified 1c's but my 1b's were purchased new and have not been modded so that is where most of my experice comes from)

I have directly compared my 1b's to my unmodded LSi's and the LSi's destroyed them. (in no small part due to the SL2000 in my 1b's) I was also present at the bloomington polkfest (where you got your 1c's I believe) and compared your modded 1c's to the stock LSi15's. In that test, the 1c's were the clear winner, but that was with modded crossovers and replacement tweeters.

As far as what comes out on top sound wise - Once I get my 15's modded and broken in a little - I will have to bring them to a RAS meet and we can do a direct comparison (although I know it will change neither of our minds... )

Please don't take my home theater comment as a slight to the SDA's - I listen to about 90% home theater and the benefits of the SDA's just shine for home theater applications. With the SRS as front speakers, both the front row and people on a riser in the second row would not be off axis at all and the increased soundstage would do nothing but good things adding dimention to most movie soundtracks.

Michael

madmax

Why would anyone want LSi's when they could have SDA's? SDA's are hot if you have great equipment to drive them. Well, I guess size is an issue for some. And, if they are in a bad room or not set up right they aren't very good. Oh, and they do need at least the replacement tweeters.
madmax

thuffman03

Conradicles wrote: »

Ron, for me all I can say is that Vintage Polks are all about the value. If I had lots of money, I would not even own Polk Audio speakers.

I don't own a set of Polks. Though if I did they would be a pair of SDS SRS's.

cnh

It's a bit infectious, you get on this site and you hear all the veterans talking about SDAs and the SDA effect....so you start wondering what is that effect....and you read the White Paper...and then you start to think OK...I think I know what this is..BUT WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE. Then a pair at a ridiculous price shows up and you say...well for a 2, 3 or 4 hundred...why not give these a try.

You were thinking about upgrading your 2 channel in any case...and the vintage value is hard to argue with...plus you've got all the other guys nipping at your heels if you don't make your move because someone else will snap those up. And so, all of a sudden, you've got a pair of SDAs in your house and you're back on the site for HELP. Positioning, RDOs, crossovers, etc. And before you know it...you're 'polked'.

cnh

Ron Temple

McLoki wrote: »

Please don't take my home theater comment as a slight to the SDA's - I listen to about 90% home theater and the benefits of the SDA's just shine for home theater applications. With the SRS as front speakers, both the front row and people on a riser in the second row would not be off axis at all and the increased soundstage would do nothing but good things adding dimention to most movie soundtracks.

Michael

As with some other commentors, having SDAs in an HT application is pretty stunning. As much as I love them for music, the expression on visitors faces when studio fanfares hit the screen in my room is priceless. It's just a family room environment, but the weight and power coupled with the dynamics of some of these soundtracks seems perfect for SDAs. The width and depth of soundstage just sucks you in. Music is for personal enjoyment, but movies are for everyone in the house...and we watch lots of movies .