Craigslist SDA-1A deal or nodeal?

hagmanm2

What do you guys think for 300 dollars? Should I be concerned about scamming? What should I check to authenticate speakers? What should I ask?? I'm excited but completely ignorant to these vintage SDAs.

http://charleston.craigslist.org/ele/1609715108.html

emailed him for more info (if they're even still available).

comfortablycurt

$300?

Pass, IMO.

hagmanm2

Even if they were in good condition?
What if I talked him down to 250 or 200?

didn't realize there was a thread dedicated to this. I just came upon it:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29951&highlight=bose&page=29

comfortablycurt

1A's have dimensional tweeters, which most aren't too fond of. I've never heard any SDA's with Dimensional tweets, so I can't comment on those aspects personally.

That said, I've seen 1A's sell for less than $200 on several occasions. For not much more than $300(closer to $400-450), you could find a decent pair of 1C's, which would sound much better.

For $200, the 1A's might be worth it, but I'd be inclined to hold out for a model without dimensional tweets.

lightman1

I have a set of 1A's and Curt is right about the price. See if he'll take $200-225.
And about the dual dimensionals, it is a different soundstage i.e. HUGE! I personally like the way mine sound YMMV. But it can be tamed down some with X-over modification. They are a great sounding speaker (to me), so if you feel comfortable(curt):D get 'em and take 'em out for a spin.
Keep us posted if you need some more help.
Russ

lightman1

...and I live near Charlotte NC...just up the road.:cool:

hagmanm2

Thanks for the input guys! Even if I decide not to get them, I think I'd like to make the trip (from Columbia SC) to check them out. Hear what I can hear, ya know?

How would, in your opinions, my pair of TSI500's stack up to it (just out of curiosity)?

lightman1

I've only heard the TSi500's a couple of times. They are a great sounding speaker no doubt. But comparing them with the 1A's is kinda like comparing red apples to green apples. Both are great tasting but taste different. Hope that analogy helps. Both are unique in their own way.
The Tsi's have a nice precision placement of music with some nice detail. The SDA's let the sound stage expand in front of and around you for more life like experience. Again it's a sujective opinion.
Russ

hagmanm2

Makes perfect sense. And thank you for yours. If the guy still has them I'll go give em a listen.

lightman1

:cool:Groovy, man....just grooooovy.....

comfortablycurt

I've never heard the 1A's or the TSi500's, but like Russ said, that's an apples to oranges comparison. SDA's and the TSi series are entirely different speakers...and only your ears will tell which you prefer.

As mentioned, offer $200-225.


A few things to check...

Gently move the mid-woofers in and out with your ear next to them...listen for scratchy/scrapy sounding noises. If you hear anything like that, the MW may be shot.

The SDA's, due to their passive radiator design, need to be airtight. Here's how to check for that...

Press in and hold the passive radiator. The mid-woofers should move out all the way, and slowly move back over 4-7 seconds or so. If they move back in real quickly, the cabinets not air tight. This could be due to a bad gasket, but would most likely be due to a loose screw(or multiple loose screws). Check the screws for tightness, then do the passive radiator press test again.

You should always listen to them before buying them. Pay particular attention to how the tweeters sound...make sure there's no static/distortion, and make sure there's sound from all the drivers.

Also, you should bring a recording that you're familiar with, so you'll know what to listen for.




Like I said, I've never heard any SDA's with dimensional tweets, but I'd love to pick a pair up someday. It's always nice to get some firsthand experience. Many people will say that the dimensional tweets are terrible, but many others love them too.

Fongolio

Good suggestions Curt. Even if you don't like the tweets though, they can be modded to not work dimensionally. And, if the cabinets aren't totally airtight they can be made to be. I'd check them out and offer $200.00 and go a little higher if you really want them. I don't know if I could ever go to a non SDA again. Perhaps with some Carver Sonic Holography. I always liked the effect of SH but the SDA effect is more natural sounding to me now. I still get startled now and then thinking something or someone is right beside me while listening to the 1C's. Very cool.

cnh

One of our members who has SDAs with dimensional tweeters just disabled the SDA effect tweeter and ran the other one by itself...claims that solves the problem if you don't like the SDA tweeter effect....you still get the general effect from the mids.

cnh

TNTsTunes

I have some hearing damage at high frequences in my left ear. Too much rifle shooting...

I have found I like having a dimensional tweeter.

I'm going to mod the crossover so the dimensional midbass produces bass in phase with the other midbass drivers like Polk did on later models. It acts like a passive radatior on low bass passes right now which will provide more distortion free bass which will be nice.

If they are real nice I would pay $250.00 for them.

They should have oak veneer cabinets instead of the fake wood sticker wrap job most later ones have.

hagmanm2

Thanks for the input guys. And thanks Curt, your info is very useful not just for these speakers but for used speaker buying in general (which is the realm in which I must stay). Unfortunately it turns out they're sold and he just didn't take the listing down. As Vonnegut would say, 'so it goes.' I'll save up the knowledge for the next set I'm come across.

PonMan

I saw those last night. They looked pretty nice. I don't think they are a
scam because back in the late 80's and 90's there were 3 stores in Charleston, SC that sold Polk Audio. Four if you count Circuit City. So there were plenty of their products floating around. I wouldn't want to ship them that's for sure. They're a great price indeed. I'm 2 hours away and I thought of going to get them but I'm happy with my simple 2B's with the crossover upgrade.

Hamatym

I had a set of mint 1A's and could only resell them for $250, so I lost money but it was a good learning tool as I went up the latter. I thought they sounded good, but I have since listened to many other SDA'a and know that you should stay away from the dimensional Tweeter if you can. $200 is a deal if you can get it with an IC cable and in good condition...just my 2 cents!