Setting up SRT's for proper SDA imaging

dpowell
dpowell Posts: 3,068
edited February 2010 in Vintage Speakers
This is a follow-on thread to my other thread questioning current value of the SRT system.

One other question that I have is that I know the SRT's use the SDA technology which means that placement is important for proper imaging. Right now my home theater is very limiting on placement. The room is a 19X18 room and the projection screen and surrounding cabinet take up 12 feet of the wall leaving 24" on each side of the cabinet for the mains. This puts the mains a little more than 12 feet apart. The left main is within 12" of the left wall. The right main is about 3.5 feet from the right wall (there is a door on that side). You can get an idea of the setup by clicking the link in my signature to see some pics.

What I want to know is whether or not I will be able to benefit from upgrading to the SRT's given the placement limitations.

Thanks in advance.
____________________________________________________________

polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
Post edited by dpowell on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,754
    edited February 2010
    That placement is certainly is not ideal.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,464
    edited February 2010
    You will need to do some tweeking to get in right for sure, but I would worry first about getting them home. The room is on the smallish side IMHO for them to perform their best, but if you can move things around a bit, they will still sound better than anything else you could get.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    Are there some here that prefer adding a bigger set of SDA's as mains such as the 1.2TLs or SRS's is a better way to go than the SRT's. Jus wondering sice the SRT's only have one tweeter and replace the bass radiator with active subs. I guess I just need to educate myself some more.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    Sorry about the typos. Out on my blackberry at the moment.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,464
    edited February 2010
    I would say that depends on whether you are doing movies only on this setup or not. If you plan on a combined rig for movies/two channel listening then I would go SRS 1.2TL or 2.3TL. If you are doing 70% or better for movies vs. two channel then I would go SRT.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    I have a dedicated rig for 2-channel currently running SDA 1C studios unmodded so the other system is 100% for home theater. After hearing SDA's, I don't like listening to music on the RT3000's any more.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    You will need to do some tweeking to get in right for sure, but I would worry first about getting them home. The room is on the smallish side IMHO for them to perform their best, but if you can move things around a bit, they will still sound better than anything else you could get.

    I'm torn between the knowledge that I will pay a decent amount of cash for something that I won't get everything out of vs the fact that they come up for sale so rarely in good condition and so close to me.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    Yea, you should pass on something rare because it's not "ideal".
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    Doro,
    Just trying to do due diligence. The sr. people on this forum know a heck of a lot more than I do. The fact that they are rare makes me give pause out of respect for ensuring that I do right by them. Are you saying that when opportunity strikes, grab them even if conditions are not ideal for the simple fact that conditions may change in time and I'll be glad I got them?
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    I have a pair that I bought and I still live in a less than "ideal" enviroment. I also owned my favorite loudspeaker ever, Magnepan 3.5R and they were also in a less than "ideal" enviroment yet easily impressed anyone that ever sat in front of them. I'm pretty sure Brett22 has a set and didn't manufacturer a new home in order to utilize them....and I wonder if Esavinon's room is perfect....hmmmm.

    If you pass on something because of the ridiculous ideal room and setup concern, why bother with anything bigger than a pair of bookshelves? Imagine how dull your audio journey could be then? Good luck.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    ....you mean the 2 or 3 rooms where he has them? :) It seems I offended with the question. I realize that situations aren't always 'ideal'. Certainly I would not pass on something for that reason alone. What I was really looking for was some information from other SRT owners of what to expect from my situation.

    When I asked a similar setup question about my 1C's initial setup a few months back, I immediately got responses about proper placement so I assumed that the SRT's would also have their on unique behavioral qualities that I could only learn from those with experience.

    BTW, Polk CS told the seller that his setup is worth $6,000. Not sure how much he'll be willing to move on price.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,464
    edited February 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    Doro,
    Just trying to do due diligence. The sr. people on this forum know a heck of a lot more than I do. The fact that they are rare makes me give pause out of respect for ensuring that I do right by them. Are you saying that when opportunity strikes, grab them even if conditions are not ideal for the simple fact that conditions may change in time and I'll be glad I got them?


    GRAB THE SPEAKERS ALREADY!!! :D:cool:
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I love the SRT......

    That being said....just because it's a top level model doesn't mean anything but that. It will certainly give you more presence and impact, but unless you have some real room for these to breath, you're wasting time and money....let alone wasting a good speakers' capability. Do you even have the front end or back end to handle a monster like that? That's another factor you need to consider.

    I'll use F1Nut as an example, as he is 110% happy with his rig and he should be because it is kick ****. If he wanted a pair of 1.2TL's....he would own a pair of 1.2TL's. When he finds that super deal, he may move forward, but until then....who cares.

    Same here, sure I'm looking, but it's low on the priority list beings I've experienced in -house SDA previously, utilizing some top notch, "lower line" used models...SDA1C(Favorite)...SDA SRS 2...SDA SRS 2.3TL...SDA CRS(+)...and a couple others. Don't sell the lesser models short as they sometimes SDA better than the big boys...especialy the underrated SDA SRS 2.

    Relax Polkies, audio nirvana is much easier to achieve than you think. Get any SDA, drop some man power on it and shut up and listen.

    Doro,
    Found the above quote here: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33765&highlight=srt

    You state that "(The SRT's) will certainly give you more presence and impact, but unless you have some real room for these to breath, you're wasting time and money....let alone wasting a good speakers' capability."

    That is exactly why I asked the question. Not trying to play gotcha here. Just want to know if I'm wasting my time and money or not.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 887
    edited February 2010
    wow...you don't like music on the RT3000s after hearing SDA...not good news for me. anyway ... grab the SRT and Karma them to Ohio.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    cincycat13 wrote: »
    wow...you don't like music on the RT3000s after hearing SDA...not good news for me. anyway ... grab the SRT and Karma them to Ohio.

    :) I did like music on the RT3000's when compared to previous Polk models I owned (RT2000's, 1000's and 800's) and it's not that they sound 'bad', it's that the SDA's just sound amazing.....and once you've heard them, it's hard to listen to the non-SDA models with the same appreciation. If I pick up the SRT's, they will Karma their way to my house. :D
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    Doro,
    Found the above quote here: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33765&highlight=srt

    You state that "(The SRT's) will certainly give you more presence and impact, but unless you have some real room for these to breath, you're wasting time and money....let alone wasting a good speakers' capability."

    That is exactly why I asked the question. Not trying to play gotcha here. Just want to know if I'm wasting my time and money or not.

    No problem. I'm sure I have contradicted myself on more than one occasion but that comment is also from 2005 dude. My comment was moreso a slam on the need to own the biggest SDA's, like they offer so much more than the smaller models, when you don't have to.
    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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    Looks like the seller and I are very close on agreeing on a price. I'll be going to demo them in the next day or so. He doesn't have any gear so I'll have to take my own. I would greatly appreciate any insight into hooking the system up properly and testing. I know to listen to all the drivers. I can't find the technical specs on the speakers online and need to know if they are 4Ohm or 8Ohms. Any tricks in getting the control center hooked up properly? I'm testing the two sattellites, two subs and the center speaker.

    Probably the easiest option is to transport my Anthem 40wpc tube amp and the b&k pre along with a CDP however, would I have to remove all the tubes before driving a 3 hour round trip with it?

    If that doesn't work, then I'll have to pull the Adcom 7500 out of the Home Theater.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2010
    PM Ed (Esavion) he should be able to help with hook-up, etc. He's the SRT king around these parts.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polkie4life
    polkie4life Posts: 231
    edited February 2010
    When i got mine i was not looking forward to setting them up due to the room. One speaker is on the side that opens to the dining room, the other near a wall.

    I'm over it now, and am really happy with the way they image. I know i am missing a little bit but whats there more than makes up for it.

    p.s It might pay to ask how he had them hooked up, as to what you will need to take. It will remove the hassle of rewiring things if you ask, or that you may need to take 4 channels of amplification.
    In terms of audio, i truly feel sorry for the visually impaired. How can they know what they like if they cant read google?


    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=86838
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited February 2010
    Thanks on both accounts. I've PM'd Ed and am just waiting to hear back.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter