SDA and Monitor Series subwoofers

TAB
TAB Posts: 41
edited October 2004 in Vintage Speakers
Hi! I am new to Club Polk and I'm sure enjoying learning more about Polk Audio speakers. I have had a pair of Monitor 5B's and a pair of Monitor 10B's for years and have recently purchased a pair of SDA 2's and a pair of SDA 1's. My question concerns a sales brochure I have from the mid-80's. In the specs for the SDA and Monitor Series, it says that each speaker has one (8", 10", 12", or 15" depending on speaker) "planer fluid-coupled subwoofer" (see attachment for example). Is this correct? If so, what is a "planer fluid-coupled subwoofer"? I thought all these speakers had passive radiators. Thanks for your help!
[HOME THEATRE]
35" SonyTrinitron
Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
Sony CDP-302 (CD)
Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
POLK SDA SRS (Front)
POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
POLK CS-245 (Center)
[2 CH]
Carver C-5 (Preamp)
Carver M-400t (Amp)
Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
POLK SDA 1B
Post edited by TAB on

Comments

  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited October 2004
    Yes, the "fluid-coupled subwoofer" is a passive radiator. They can use the term "fluid-coupled" because technically air is a fluid. Therefore the woofer is "coupled" with the mid-bass units via the fluid air.

    Welcome to the forum! You should be greeted warmly by the SDA afficianados pretty directly :-)
    Ludicrous gibs!
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited October 2004
    Nice response nadams!
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited October 2004
    See? You guys _have_ taught me something :)
    Ludicrous gibs!
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Originally posted by nadams
    ... technically air is a fluid. Therefore the woofer is "coupled" with the mid-bass units via the fluid air.
    Beautiful, nadams... Brings tears to this old ChemE's eyes...

    TAB (as in Hunter?),
    Welcome to the Club... always room for another SDA bro...

    Please post some pics of your Polk family, if you have the means...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • TAB
    TAB Posts: 41
    edited October 2004
    Thank you for your kind welcome. I do have a question, but I don't want to start a new thread if the question has been answered somewhere else. I have 5 pairs of Polk speakers, but I don't know the exact models on some of them. I have two pairs of Monitor 5's, a pair of Monitor 10's, a pair of SDA 2's and a pair of SDA 1's. My question: How do I determine the ABC's, so to speak. I do know that the very first pair I bought are Monitor 5B's..................the rest I don't know. Can anyone help? Thanks!
    [HOME THEATRE]
    35" SonyTrinitron
    Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
    Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
    Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
    Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
    Sony CDP-302 (CD)
    Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
    Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
    Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
    Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
    Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
    POLK SDA SRS (Front)
    POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
    POLK CS-245 (Center)
    [2 CH]
    Carver C-5 (Preamp)
    Carver M-400t (Amp)
    Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
    Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
    POLK SDA 1B
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,573
    edited October 2004
    The ABC's? The dates of when they were manufactured?
    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.
  • TAB
    TAB Posts: 41
    edited October 2004
    Actually, I am wanting to know how to figure out if I have SDA 2A's or B's or C's..........SDA 1A's or B's or C's..........etc. Sorry.......I wasn't very clear.
    [HOME THEATRE]
    35" SonyTrinitron
    Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
    Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
    Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
    Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
    Sony CDP-302 (CD)
    Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
    Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
    Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
    Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
    Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
    POLK SDA SRS (Front)
    POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
    POLK CS-245 (Center)
    [2 CH]
    Carver C-5 (Preamp)
    Carver M-400t (Amp)
    Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
    Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
    POLK SDA 1B
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    1st look at the label on back (not trying to be a smart-**** here)... Many Mon's do include a letter after the numeral.... sometimes even the A's (although how they knew they were A's at the time, I have no idea). Planned obsolescence, I guess...

    Next option is the tweeters, as these are the easiest external tell. The oldest Mon's have the Black dome tweeter made by Peerless.. they do not say Polk on them...

    Polk's SL 1000 tweeter is also an easy tell. Only Polk tweet with a silver mounting plate. These do say Polk...

    If it comes down to it, refer to the parts list in the library (here) and pull your tweeters...

    OR

    Post pics of your Collection and we'll ID them... We'd rather you do this, actually... :D
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • TAB
    TAB Posts: 41
    edited October 2004
    So far I have determined I have two pairs of Monitor 5B's and one pair of Monitor 10B's. The 10's do not have the "B" on the back of them, but I looked up the original ticket and it said they are B's. I still have yet to determine the "ABC's" of the SDA 1's and SDA 2's. Maybe I can get some pics posted sometime. Thanks for your help!
    [HOME THEATRE]
    35" SonyTrinitron
    Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
    Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
    Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
    Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
    Sony CDP-302 (CD)
    Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
    Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
    Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
    Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
    Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
    POLK SDA SRS (Front)
    POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
    POLK CS-245 (Center)
    [2 CH]
    Carver C-5 (Preamp)
    Carver M-400t (Amp)
    Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
    Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
    POLK SDA 1B
  • TAB
    TAB Posts: 41
    edited October 2004
    OK, here is a pic of the SDA 2's. Can anyone determine the "ABC's" of the pair? Thanks!
    [HOME THEATRE]
    35" SonyTrinitron
    Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
    Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
    Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
    Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
    Sony CDP-302 (CD)
    Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
    Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
    Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
    Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
    Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
    POLK SDA SRS (Front)
    POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
    POLK CS-245 (Center)
    [2 CH]
    Carver C-5 (Preamp)
    Carver M-400t (Amp)
    Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
    Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
    POLK SDA 1B
  • TAB
    TAB Posts: 41
    edited October 2004
    Here is the SDA 1. Can anyone determine the "ABC's" of the pair? Thanks!
    [HOME THEATRE]
    35" SonyTrinitron
    Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
    Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
    Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
    Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
    Sony CDP-302 (CD)
    Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
    Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
    Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
    Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
    Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
    POLK SDA SRS (Front)
    POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
    POLK CS-245 (Center)
    [2 CH]
    Carver C-5 (Preamp)
    Carver M-400t (Amp)
    Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
    Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
    POLK SDA 1B
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Bit different in the determining the SDA line "editions".

    You have the SDA 1B and the SDA 2A...

    There were "no letter" SDA 1's and 2's...
    The 1's had 4 MW's and 2 tweets just as yours do, but the tweets were side-by-side.
    The 2's had 3 MW's and 2 side-by-side tweets.

    The 1C's and 2B's had the same driver layout as yours, but the cabinet moved from your "monitor-like" styling to the end cap styling of the SRS line.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,573
    edited October 2004
    Yea, what he said.
    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.
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Yeah, what doro said...
    plus...

    Your SDA 1B's are the studio model...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • TAB
    TAB Posts: 41
    edited October 2004
    Thanks so much for the information. What, btw, are studio models?
    [HOME THEATRE]
    35" SonyTrinitron
    Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
    Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
    Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
    Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
    Sony CDP-302 (CD)
    Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
    Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
    Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
    Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
    Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
    POLK SDA SRS (Front)
    POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
    POLK CS-245 (Center)
    [2 CH]
    Carver C-5 (Preamp)
    Carver M-400t (Amp)
    Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
    Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
    POLK SDA 1B
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Black cabinets instead of wood finish...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,707
    edited October 2004
    Just for reference, this is a shot of the SDA 2B's with the end cap styling. The grilles are removable but the side panels are covered in matching grille cloth. The driver compliment is the same as the SDA 2A shown in TAB's post.

    sda32.jpg

    Oh and those two are mine!
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Jstas,
    Is that tube integrated a HK or other?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • TAB
    TAB Posts: 41
    edited October 2004
    Ok, I have another ignorant question (it's not hard for me to play dumb): Why are the studio models black? Is there any other difference in these models besides the color?



    Jstas,

    I just bought a pair of SDA 2B's off ebay for a friend at work. They arrived yesterday. They are a beautiful pair of speakers IMO. Thanks for posting the pic!
    [HOME THEATRE]
    35" SonyTrinitron
    Sony STR-DA90ESG (AVR)
    Carver TFM-55X (Amp for drivers)
    Carver TFM-55 (Amp for tweeters)
    Sony DVP-S530D (DVD)
    Sony CDP-302 (CD)
    Sony SLV-595HF (VHS 1)
    Sony SLV-678HF (VHS 2)
    Pioneer PL-L800 (Turntable)
    Sony TC-WR701ES (Twin Cass. Deck)
    Technics SH-8066 (EQ)
    POLK SDA SRS (Front)
    POLK Monitor 5B (Surr.)
    POLK CS-245 (Center)
    [2 CH]
    Carver C-5 (Preamp)
    Carver M-400t (Amp)
    Sony CDP-C85ES (CD)
    Technics SH-8055 (EQ)
    POLK SDA 1B
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,707
    edited October 2004
    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    Jstas,
    Is that tube integrated a HK or other?

    That's a Heathkit integrated tube amp kit that my dad built when he was like 18 or 19 years old. He's in his 50's now. I was just using it because when they came back from Sean's house with me, I was freaked out on over the size and questioned as to why I needed something so large. So I hooked it up and showed the doubters what SDA was all about. When I get it to my apartment, I have an Adcom GFA-535 MK II that I got off of Russ to power them. I'll take some pictures of the final rig eventually. Still dealing with moving into a new apartment.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Ahhh... the "other" HK.

    Old Heathkits are highly valued in a certain crazy circle as well... Unbuilt, NOS kits command big bucks to friggin' major league cash, depending on the item...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,707
    edited October 2004
    Yeah, I've seen them go for some serious change on eBay and audiogon. Especially if they have nice tubes like Mullards in them. That one there is priceless though 'cause that's my dad's amp that he built. Eventually, I'm going to clean it up and replace some of the pots that are wearing out. IOt still works though and it plays strong for an amp pushing only 10-20 watts per channel.It will handle 16, 8 and 4 ohm loads too.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Going sentimental on us, eh? ;)

    As it's a hand-me-down, it would definitely be a keeper in my book as well... Hell, even w/o the h-m-d factor, it's a keeper...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    Originally posted by TAB
    Ok, I have another ignorant question (it's not hard for me to play dumb): Why are the studio models black? Is there any other difference in these models besides the color?
    No absolute reason I can think of... Most studio mon's I've seen over the decades, have been flat black though... maybe it's semi-traditional....

    No, no other differences, excepting maybe original MSRP...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD