New owner of SDA-2 speakers. Are they right for a bar? Amp advice

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chriono
chriono Posts: 7
in Vintage Speakers
Hi guys!

I just bought 2 mint condition (at least it appears so) SDA-2 speakers. The 6-drive edition.

I am opening a traditional greek bar/kafeneio in the island of Ikaria and I want to use these speakers to play quality music, mainly Jazz and Reggae.

I would like to ask you some questions?

1) Do you think these speakers are the right choice for a place like that?
2) Can they play in low volumes outside?
3) Can I use them without the interconnect cable? (It wasn't included).
4) What amp under 500$ would you suggest?
5) Was this a dumb impulse buy?

Thanks a lot guys!
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,702
    edited November 2020
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    Most members' listening rooms are basically bars.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,186
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    Shaken, not stirred!
    George / NJ

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  • chriono
    chriono Posts: 7
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    I can't stop looking at these things, they're awesome. I bought them for 200€, Ι hope it's not too much. I'm waiting on cables from a friend to test them on a small receiver, as we are in lockdown here in Athens :) Can't wait!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,802
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    SDA speakers are meant to be used in a home 2 channel music system with the SDA cable connected. The SDA technology would be wasted in a bar/restaurant setting. Take them home and buy some pro audio type speakers for your business.
    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

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  • chriono
    chriono Posts: 7
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    Hi F1!

    I see your point, although I think they may do good for the use I'm intending them for.

    I am attaching some pictures of the place as I bought it, so you can get an idea. It's not the bar I think you have in mind.

    fr3yjdczj1wi.jpg
    83yav2jp2pai.jpg
    2t0pjton6bln.jpg
    rsphfsikf83u.jpg
    q5eyu9p4vu85.jpg

    I found information on the interconnect cable, although I don't know how to search for the connector I need to build it in greek.

    Also,, I found that many members use carver and adcom amps to power them. Do I need preamps with those? I think I would prefer a strong 70s receiver though.

    Thanks a lot for your answers!
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,278
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    Nice view. You should get a parasound amp if you are set on using those speakers.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 9,460
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    Man, what a cool place, and nice view.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • gyosa
    gyosa Posts: 699
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    I need to go to Greece again ......
    Ikaria island looks nice .....

    😊😊

    Bk
    Dayens Ampino , Yamaha wxc-50 , Polk SDA 1c’s ( my first love .. ) , Kimber Kable 4TC, Sony 42” - BEDROOM

    B&K EX-442 ( it will go in my casket when I die ... ) , PS Audio 4.6 preamp ( old school , but it still jams on ... ) , Eversolo DMP-A6 , Boston Acoustic voyager 7’s - POOL

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    PS Audio S300 - sitting in the closet for now …

    Onkyo TX-nr609 , Polk atrium 7 , Boston acoustic sound ware (4) , Boston acoustic sub , B&W center , Sharp 65” TV - PATIO
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,437
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    chriono wrote: »
    Hi F1!
    It's not the bar I think you have in mind.

    Pretty darn close though probably not with a cat...
    I think the SDA's were designed for the discriminating audiophile in a quiet environment driven by quality equipment for lifelike music reproduction. Yes they will work OK in your bar but you'd be better off with Polk Monitor 7's or 10's. Others that would work are Klipsch, JBL etc.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
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    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,802
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    Chirono,

    Very nice place and exactly what I thought it would be. I still say they are not the right speakers for your business.

    Can you post a picture of one speaker's front without the grill on and a close up of the binding post plate? That way we can tell you exactly what model you have and provide information about the SDA cable.

    The earlier SDA speakers are 4 ohm nominal with lower dips and most vintage receivers will not be able to drive them properly.
    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

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  • chriono
    chriono Posts: 7
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    Thanks a lot guys! Glad you like the place. If you find yourself in ikaria you 'll find me in Armenistis!

    I am attaching the pictures F1. I think this is the first edition, with the blades IC.

    I tested the speakers on a yamaha 70w AVR and they sound muffled. I will be testing them with a proamp because It may be the receivers fault.

    51uymmcf1iym.jpg

    vjdjo5l6yvmr.jpg


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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 4,702
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    Customers will appreciate those classics over the mass-produced husk out there these days.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 2,079
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    What a great thread!

    It's amazing how laid back the Polk Forum is, and the adventures that appear.
    "Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"


    Harry / Marietta GA
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  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,264
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    It's always best to use the right tool for the job.

    For what you are wanting to do I would suggest some bigass Cerwin-Vega speakers with 15" bass drivers. Power them with 2 Adcom 555s mono blocked. Even the people walking way down on the beach could enjoy them.

    Take the Polks home and set them up properly in your house. That's what they were made for.
    • SDA 2BTL · Sonicaps · Mills resistors · RDO-198s · New gaskets · H-nuts · Erse inductors · BH5 · Dynamat
    • Crossover upgrades by westmassguy
    • Marantz 1504 AVR (front speaker pre-outs to Adcom 555)
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  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,479
    edited November 2020
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    Chriono, very nice bar and location. In 1986, I spent 2 weeks backpacking the Greek islands. Didn't make it to Ikaria but was close. Started in Athens, ferry to Crete, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Patmos and then back to Athens. We carried tents, slept on the beaches and I spent many hours in bars just like yours. Had a really bad night on Crete drinking local Ouzo and Rakı!! The people and food were amazing! Don't be surprised if I show up next year!!

    I remember the restrictions on electronics. Very heavily taxed and forbidden to bring into the country because of the black market. We had some electronic devices and many people offered to buy them from us. Your Polk's, if you found them in Greece, are from the early/mid 80's and would be rare because of the restrictions...and may have started with a US military person that was stationed there.

    As other's have typed above, they are best in a home environment, but I think they would be a cool addition to your bar. Not for blasting, rather, for background music and an easy going Greek vibe. A place I'd like to hang out.

    Yasou (Εις υγείαν) and I hope to see you in your bar someday!

    John

    Edit to add....they really aren't outdoor speakers. The cabinet is made from particle/pressed board and the humidity/salt air from being near the water might cause problems. Definitely, not a speaker to leave outdoors. You'd want to bring them in each night.
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  • VSAT88
    VSAT88 Posts: 1,227
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    Those are nice speakers !...for home use :)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,802
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    chriono wrote: »
    Thanks a lot guys! Glad you like the place. If you find yourself in ikaria you 'll find me in Armenistis!

    I am attaching the pictures F1. I think this is the first edition, with the blades IC.

    I tested the speakers on a yamaha 70w AVR and they sound muffled. I will be testing them with a proamp because It may be the receivers fault.

    51uymmcf1iym.jpg

    vjdjo5l6yvmr.jpg


    Ok, those are the second generation SDA 2 made from 1982 to 1985. They are 4 ohm nominal.

    This is the cable you need, https://www.midwestspeakerrepair.com/shop/home-audio/woofers/polk-audio-1/polk-audio-interconnect-cable/
    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

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  • chriono
    chriono Posts: 7
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    Hi Tennman!

    Actually, before I got.these I went to listen to some CV AT-100 that where for sale for 350€, but I found the sound really flat and uninterested. They were underpowered by a Hi fi receiver though, could it be that? Do you think they are worth the price?

    Thanks!
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  • chriono
    chriono Posts: 7
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    Yasou Jaysee!

    I would be really glad to see you at the place and the wine is on me!

    Thank you so much for the info! That's what I am going for with these, background music at low volumes. I will have pro audio for party nights. It's an experiment that might fail but at least I got these awesome.speakers.

    Cheers!

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  • chriono
    chriono Posts: 7
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    Hi F1!

    Thank you!

    Do you know what I should search for to make this on my own? Its kind of expensive and It will take a long time to get here..

    Also, what cables would you suggest I connect these speakers to the power amp with?

    Update: I think the speakers have some burnt out tweeters, hence the muffled sound.

    Would you suggest I get the S2000s or their update? Do you know a cheaper source than ebay?

    Thanks a lot guys!
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,578
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    On those SDA one tweeter and one driver will not play without the interconnect cable in use. Most also disable the SDA tweeter because it can play distracting sounds with the interconnect connected.
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  • TennMan
    TennMan Posts: 1,264
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    chriono wrote: »
    Hi Tennman!

    Actually, before I got.these I went to listen to some CV AT-100 that where for sale for 350€, but I found the sound really flat and uninterested. They were underpowered by a Hi fi receiver though, could it be that? Do you think they are worth the price?

    Thanks!

    I think of Cerwin-Vega as good party speakers and I thought they might be good for what you want to do. That is the reason I mentioned them. Some like them, some don't. If they didn't sound good to you, you should pass on them and find something else.
    • SDA 2BTL · Sonicaps · Mills resistors · RDO-198s · New gaskets · H-nuts · Erse inductors · BH5 · Dynamat
    • Crossover upgrades by westmassguy
    • Marantz 1504 AVR (front speaker pre-outs to Adcom 555)
    • Adcom GFA-555 amp · Upgrades & speaker protection added by OldmanSRS
    • Pioneer DV-610AV DVD/CD player
    • SDA CRS+ · Hidden away in the closet
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    Hey @chriono! Super cool place, I definitely will stop by if I ever get to travel for work again!

    I have not personally experienced SDAs, but they're a lot of folks here who can who can explain to you the unique approach they take to stereophonic reproduction. IN short, almost any other stereo speakers would work fine in your setting, but I think these will sound pretty strange in most places in the room. Hopefully others will explain why...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
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