Could use some advice...

trans_am_462

I recently picked up a pair of what I believe to be original SDA 1 speakers from a local goodwill store for an unbelievable price of $10 a piece. I expected them to be blown, but took them home to find that they were working flawlessly.

I am also an industrial design student looking at building a unique set of speakers for a senior project.

Now my problem is that I am debating taking the SDA's apart and using the speakers in redesigned cabinets. I know it seems like a sin to take apart perfectly good speakers, but financially it seems to make the most sense.

What advice would any of you Polk experts have for me?

ben62670

2 tweeters, 4 mids, and one woofer(passive radiator) in each speaker? No mater what you stole those! I would do some other mods first before you did new cabs if they are in decent shape. Push in on the woofer, and hold it in. Did the mids slowly return to their normal resting position, or return very quickly?
BTW welcome to Club Polk.
Ben

JohnLocke88

Hate to say it, but if you think they're worth more dead than alive (may be true), go for it. You won't be making any friends here though by killing a perfectly good pair of SDAs.

trans_am_462

Yes they are are set up with the two tweeters over the four mids. I couldn't believe it when I saw them sitting there. I went to pick it up and run to the cashier with it and quickly discovered their 80 lb. weight. As far as the cabinets themselves... there aren't any cracks or gaps, but the finish is pretty rough. There are quite a few scratches and rough areas, and some of the corners are a little mashed up. When I push on the woofer the mids react immediately and slowly return. However I think the rubber surrounds feel thinner than they should be. None of them are torn or cracked but they feel thinner than I would think they'd be. What kind of modifications could be made to make them better?

Thanks I really appreciate any advice you can give me.

trans_am_462

John Locke

I do feel bad about the idea of "killing them" but do you think that if I do it right there is a chance for improving their current sound?

JohnLocke88

trans_am_462 wrote: »

John Locke

I do feel bad about the idea of "killing them" but do you think that if I do it right there is a chance for improving their current sound?

Well, many of the original Polk parts (SL1000 tweeters, MW6501 midwoofers, and PW12(?) passive radiator) won't really fit in well with new designs. Most newer designs out there feature ported enclosures, narrower cabinets, etc. There are some here on the forums that don't 'like' the side by side tweeters, but there are mods for that that involve simply removing one of the tweeters.

I'm guessing because of their price and the nature of good will, that they did not come with the SDA cable. Most would agree on the forums that the true power of the SDAs lie in the use of the actual "Dimensional Array," which becomes active only when the SDA cable is used.

That said, the MWs and the Tweeters I'm sure will work in a modern design, as some here have used similar parts on "SDA center" projects.

But, the choice is yours. I think you have an incredible set of speakers for $20.

Just curious, where in the country are you located?

And, can you post any pictures? I'm guessing you have the silver tweeter (faceplates) that are side by side (NOT over and under)?

trans_am_462

They are the side by side tweeters. Unfortunately they didn't come with the SDA cable. I wish I had one. I live in Wisconsin. I'm really torn on what to do here. I'll have to give it some serious thought...

ben62670

The first generation cabinets were inferior. Making new cabinets that are well braced out of 3/4 MDF is much better than stock if you are good with wood. You will need a circle jig for sure to get it right, and a 1/2" rabbit bit for the router makes for a very clean flush mount. Listen to them as they are for a little while, and if you are serious about going forth with custom cabinets give me a shout.
Have fun
Ben

kcoc321

Good pickup.....
Just a thought about the Interconnect cable, most of the 2nd hand stores seperate the wires from alot of things and just lump them altogether in a "wiring" area. You might go back and check the section with all the wires, cords ect...
I have bought a couple of things at Goodwill or sim shops and have found the matching power cord in the wiring section.

Regarding the "death' of the speakers, you could always re-veneer the original speakers( OR rebuild them as Ben said while I was writing) and re-install the components, once you have done you design work cabinet' for your school project.

AS far as making new cabinets that sound better, bear in mind that Polk had spent hundreds of hours R&Ding these speakers. So you may be looking at a steep learning curve to come up with something that preforms better...But you never know, you might stumble on something...

Besides, the intent of the "school project" is the experience of R&Ding something, designing it ant them implementing your ideas.
Once the class is done you are not 'stuck' with keeping the components in the "test" cabs....

Are you going to be updating/ modifing the crossovers?
I would recommend keeping the stock ones and finding or making a seperate x-over for the "school cabs". That way you could just put in updated caps and resistors, matching the Polk specs, IF you intend reinstalling the pieces back in the Polk Cabs.

Have fun and update us with some pics of your progress.

trans_am_462

Thanks a lot guys! I'm really glad I joined the club. I really appreciate the feedback. I am not to worried about the woodworking aspect of this project, but the technical aspects of the components is what has me a little concerned. If I weren't to disassemble the SDA's do any of you have any recommendations on where the best place to go to buy speakers etc. from?

JohnLocke88

www.parts-express.com

I have not dealt with the personally, but many here consider them the "go-to" for DIY audio

comfortablycurt

www.madisound.com

That's another great site for speaker building. They've got a bit wider selection than Parts Express does.



As far as tearing down the SDA's, I wouldn't. I'd just leave them as is, and consider doing some crossover upgrades, mortite, dynamat etc.

trans_am_462

Ok thanks. I've heard good things about madisound. I'll have to check out parts express too. I'm really pumped about this project, but I really need to figure out what kind of size parameters I'll have before I get too far into it.

gdb

Welcome. Just bear in mind several very important things, until you've gotten an IC cable in place, and positioned them properly, and connected them to a good source with clean power......You Are NOT Capable of Judging Their Sound !!Without meeting these rquirements you haven't yet heard SDA!!:eek:

JohnLocke88

trans_am_462 wrote: »

Ok thanks. I've heard good things about madisound. I'll have to check out parts express too. I'm really pumped about this project, but I really need to figure out what kind of size parameters I'll have before I get too far into it.

Did you think of using the SDA-1s as a kind of 'template.' Build another pair with modifications you feel may be 'better' and then comparing them against the originals in an A/B. Would be cool from a testing / hypothesis proving stand point.

comfortablycurt

gdb wrote: »

Welcome. Just bear in mind several very important things, until you've gotten an IC cable in place, and positioned them properly, and connected them to a good source with clean power......You Are NOT Capable of Judging Their Sound !!Without meeting these rquirements you haven't yet heard SDA!!:eek:

+1000


Until you've heard the SDA's with the IC in place, you haven't heard the SDA's. Used SDA IC's are easy to find, and easy to make if you feel like going that route.

ben62670

First generation cabs were basically particle board. I had the original 2's. Same type of "wood" as the 1's. MDF is far superior to particle board. There are 2 original 1's. The 1, and the 1a. To upgrade to the 1a from the 1 involved removing the horizontal baffle from the inside. If you start from scratch you make a standard well braced MDF speaker box. Take a peek at the upgrade.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55888
If it is indeed the 1a that you have it would be nearly identical to what you are contemplating building. It's not rocket science. You are still using the same box volume, and dimensions. That is the most important thing. All the later versions were single chamber cabinets. Why do you think they did that? Because it is better. If you feel confident with your wood working skills go for it. It's not like you have to destroy the original cabinet to swap the drivers :rolleyes: If you don't like it go back to the original cabinet. Nothing will get hurt, and MDF is cheap. You can make some real nice cabs with MDF and real wood veneer.

trans_am_462

Thanks everyone for all the insights. After thinking about it, you guys are right these are way too nice to take apart and risk making worse. I may do some upgrading to there existing set up, but I won't part them out.

Long live the SDA and thanks for all the help!

BrettT1

If the interconnect socket is the blade/blade variety, you might be able to pick that cable up directly from Polk. Mention you're a club member for a discount.

Nice find and good luck.

ben62670

Also if it is Blade blade you can make one that is much better than stock. The connectors are still available for about $20 shipped. LMK if you need them.
Ben

THEJERMON

Yep, I'd sure like to see a pic of them. WOW, what a nice find for $20. That's a bargain.