People Who Love Big SDA's Upgrade To What?

DarqueKnight

I am curious about what people who owned and loved big SDA's (original SRS, 2.3's/2.3TL's and 1.2's/1,2TL's), upgraded to and why.

Of course, orginal SRS owners who upgraded to the 2.3, 2.3TL, 1.2 or 1.2TL, as well as 2.3/2.3TL owners who upgraded to the 1.2/1.2TL are not considered.

TroyD

Good question......

I wouldn't say that I neccessarily 'upgraded' as opposed to went in a different direction. Certainly, I don't think that there was anything 'wrong' or 'lacking' with the SDA's.

However, I chose to go the planar/stat route. With the quads, specifically, there is a midrange coherence and transparency and openess (sp) that you just can't get from a cabinet speaker....at least not that I've heard. I'm willing to sacrifice the bass and the soundstage width for that.

BDT

BlueMDPicker

I switched to hybrid ESL's (Innersound Isis) looking for a more open, transparent sound. Mine have the internal Xover removed and use an active, external Xover and bi-amped config.

They have a narrow sweet spot, as did the SDA SRS, and can present a 180+ degree soundstage with well recorded media. I'm happy with the results.

DarqueKnight

TroyD wrote: »

I wouldn't say that I neccessarily 'upgraded' as opposed to went in a different direction. Certainly, I don't think that there was anything 'wrong' or 'lacking' with the SDA's.

That's the thing I keep running into...tradeoffs.

When I upgraded amps, cables, and source components, I didn't have to give up anything, I just got more of what I already liked plus some additional benefits. I had to pay more, but not exorbitantly more.

With speakers, when I find one I like, there always seems to be a penalty (sound stage size, bass, cost, etc.) attached that I am not willing to pay.

ESavinon

I upgraded to the Carver Amazings MK4 then to the Polk SRT.

There are other brands that I've tried thruout the years, but I found that I can't live without the SDA effect.
The SRT are the best SDA series speakers made period.

DarqueKnight

BlueMDPicker wrote: »

I They have a narrow sweet spot, as did the SDA SRS, and can present a 180+ degree soundstage with well recorded media. I'm happy with the results.

I looked up the Isis. You didn't find that you gave up a lot in the bass area or do you use a sub?

BlueMDPicker

DarqueKnight wrote: »

I looked up the Isis. You didn't find that you gave up a lot in the bass area or do you use a sub?

I have not used a sub in this rig to date. And, I haven't felt like I lost much in the way of listenable bass. Granted, the SDA's moved a tremendously greater volume of air and created a palpable LF presence. But, the ESL hybrid's transmission line enclosures seem to render bass frequencies exceptionally well with good "punch".

My perceptions may have everything to do with the rather unique configuration I'm employing: a Carver Research Lightstar Reference (1200W into 2 ohms) drives the ES panels--which can dip to .5 ohms--while a Carver A-500X handles the 8" transmission line woofers (400W into 4 ohms) which go to 34Hz. Again, my particular Isis pair have the internal Xover and "bass level" circuitry removed and replaced by a Marchand active that was built to specs supplied by Roger Sanders, the designer.

Bubinga99

Just wondering, what are you angling for with the "and loved" part of the question? Just the added difficulty in parting with them?

SCompRacer

BlueMDPicker wrote: »

....the ESL hybrid's transmission line enclosures seem to render bass frequencies exceptionally well with good "punch".

I agree Mike. There is also the Eros with the larger ES panels and 10" woofers that go down to 24Hz. Roger also offers the Sanders Model 10 and 11 ESL hybrids now. They are like the Eros/Isis design but are now modular in construction. His new bass modules use woofers that have greater excursion and power handling than the ones in the Eros. They will play deep bass louder and with more authority than the previous Eros models. However, the Eros/Isis woofers have better transient response and do a better job of integrating with the ES panel in the midrange.

DarqueKnight

Bubinga99 wrote: »

Just wondering, what are you angling for with the "and loved" part of the question? Just the added difficulty in parting with them?

Good question. It is very easy to find former big SDA owners who got rid of them for a variety of reasons such as:

1. Didn't like the overall or some aspect of the sound.
2. Wanted smaller speakers.
3. Wife wanted smaller (or no) speakers.
4. Moving to smaller living space.
5. Wanted to try something different.
6. Getting out of audio.
7. Needed to sell for financial reasons.

The "and loved" part of the question refers to big SDA owners who were very satisfied with their SDA's, but yet wanted an overall significant step up in performance.

I don't expect that any big SDA owner, myself included, would have difficult parting with them if they found a speaker that provided more overall listening pleasure AND was within their budget.:)

shack

DarqueKnight wrote:

I don't expect that any big SDA owner, myself included, would have difficult parting with them if they found a speaker that provided more overall listening pleasure AND was within their budget.:)

Ah...there's the rub...

I have heard some fairly knowledgable "audiophiles" say that the B&W 800D is the best speaker they have ever listened to...bar none. Of course that comes at a price...$24,000 to be precise. Others say the 802D is nearly as good for $10,000 less. Maybe...maybe not.

John Atkinson once said the best speaker in the world (at least that he had heard) was the Focal Grande Utopia EMs...for a mere $180,000 for the pair.

Improvement without compromise is available...but at a price.

leroyjr1

shack wrote: »

Ah...there's the rub...

I have heard some fairly knowledgable "audiophiles" say that the B&W 800D is the best speaker they have ever listened to...bar none. Of course that comes at a price...$24,000 to be precise. Others say the 802D is nearly as good for $10,000 less. Maybe...maybe not.

John Atkinson once said the best speaker in the world (at least that he had heard) was the Focal Grande Utopia EMs...for a mere $180,000 for the pair.

Improvement without compromise is available...but at a price.

And 275 pounds each.:eek:

cnh

I'll take the Focals over B&W any day of any week...and add, I've now heard a number of B&Ws and I have yet to be 'wowed'!

No problem though, as I can't afford either and could never find that kind of money to spend on speakers--and remain 'alive'?

cnh

geoff727

Upgraded to Magnepan's (which are in a gradual upgrade themselves) with a stereo pair of Rythmik Audio subwoofers.

Sold off all my Polk SDA's (2.3tl, -1C, -2B) and Monitor's (10B, 5B) last year, but have since bought some other vintage Monitor's and RTA's, as I think they're quite musical when upgraded properly. And, I truly enjoy working on them.

I have heard many of the speakers listed above, some on several occasions (B&W 800 diamond series, Focal Grande Utopia EM, Roger Sanders' ESLs). All are utterly wonderful, I think. My all-time favorite is the Marten Coltrane Supreme.