Polk SDA-2B or 1C, which is better?

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited May 2025
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,752
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    I did one of two srs 2 and 1c 198 conversions and every owner said they were to bright so I stopped offering it
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    I wonder if I can modify the monitor 12s into SDAs?
    Forget you ever had that idea.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,759
    edited May 2025
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    boston1450 wrote: »
    When David did my crossovers I stayed with the RD 0194 tweeters. IIRC if you can also do the upgrade where you can use the RD 0198 tweeters. Please chime in if I'm wrong here... I used the RD 0198's on my RTA15tl & they sound incredible over the sl2000 & better then the RD 0194's imo
    There was no Polk sanctioned TL mod for the SDA1c, there was for the CRS+/SDA2b. I believe @nspindel tried out somewhat of a TL mod on some SDA1c. I do not remember if it came to a complete fruition.

    Thanks. I meant to put 2b in that post start. I kept them 0194 tweeters because I already installed them. I also at that time & had a pair of 1c's I upgraded the tweeters as well & never did any more to them. I remember that thread back then as it had my curiosity
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,759
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    VR3 wrote: »
    I did one of two srs 2 and 1c 198 conversions and every owner said they were to bright so I stopped offering it
    VR3 wrote: »
    I did one of two srs 2 and 1c 198 conversions and every owner said they were to bright so I stopped offering it

    What was the conversion ? Not just the tweeter upgrade I take it
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
    MIT BJC Cs1000p Polk Rotation
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,759
    edited May 2025
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    My bad. I see you did the 198 conversion to the srs 2 & 1c speakers. Got ya.. I've seen some of your work posted & it is amazing
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
    MIT BJC Cs1000p Polk Rotation
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    I used the RD 0198's on my RTA15tl & they sound incredible over the sl2000

    The RTA15TL would have had the SL3000 tweeter.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,759
    edited May 2025
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    Yes. I gifted them to Sea here
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
    MIT BJC Cs1000p Polk Rotation
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,759
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    The 2b had sl2000 & I purchased 2 rd0194 from Polk & later had David do crossovers. I just chose not to switch to 198's. Sorry long day
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
    MIT BJC Cs1000p Polk Rotation
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  • 5280Dude
    5280Dude Posts: 16
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    F1nut wrote: »
    I wonder if I can modify the monitor 12s into SDAs?
    Forget you ever had that idea.

    I will erase it from my mind.

    I see you a lot on the forum; what is your favorite cabinet? What is your favorite mod?

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,406
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    5280Dude wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    I wonder if I can modify the monitor 12s into SDAs?
    Forget you ever had that idea.

    I will erase it from my mind.

    I see you a lot on the forum; what is your favorite cabinet? What is your favorite mod?

    2.3TL

    For the speakers? Crossover upgrade.
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  • 5280Dude
    5280Dude Posts: 16
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    F1nut wrote: »
    5280Dude wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    I wonder if I can modify the monitor 12s into SDAs?
    Forget you ever had that idea.

    I will erase it from my mind.

    I see you a lot on the forum; what is your favorite cabinet? What is your favorite mod?

    2.3TL

    For the speakers? Crossover upgrade.

    I grew up with my neighbor having the 2.3TL and he still has them. These are why I started down the rabbit hole.

    I passed on 2.3 with "donuts" a few weeks ago, dude wasn't budging off $700.

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,752
    edited May 2025
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    Once fully modified I've yet to hear a pair I didn't enjoy. (all sdas)

    The 1c has crazy distraction properties with the tweeters on that wide baffle all by themselves but once treated sound absolutely phenomenal
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • 5280Dude
    5280Dude Posts: 16
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    VR3 wrote: »
    Once fully modified I've yet to hear a pair I didn't enjoy. (all sdas)

    The 1c has crazy distraction properties with the tweeters on that wide baffle all by themselves but once treated sound absolutely phenomenal

    I wonder why Polk would release speakers that had issues? Is it impossible to create the perfect speaker cabinet?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,752
    edited May 2025
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    Polk has actually always done pretty well for diffraction but the sda series is pretty rough, especially when you factor in the grills

    The 1c had a crazy phasy issue that kind of threw off the sound but with diffraction control it sounded immensely better. I ended up going from a 30 minute planned test session to 3 to 4 hour jam session ahha

    I also had one with the model with the sda tweeter and he was blown away what the pads did to the top end

    To change perspective, some of the worst offenders of diffraction is Wilson audio. They don't even care to design the baffle, they just default to felt... Even worse some of their early builds were foam that turns to dust after ten years
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 6,079
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    5280Dude wrote: »
    I see you a lot on the forum; what is your favorite cabinet?

    The liquor cabinet.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre Upgraded with Mundorf Supremes
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    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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  • 5280Dude
    5280Dude Posts: 16
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    I just missed a pair of 1Cs for $250 over the weekend. The guy buys storage units and sells off the goods, so who knows what condition these were, especially without being able to test them.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,759
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    I bought my 1c from a storage unit in Boothbay Harbor, Maine (30 miles away) in the original coffins wrap in plastic with the original liners for 400.00 about 10 years ago. Don't hesitate to ask questions & hear that they have no clue of condition & be ready to run out the door. It's a gamble
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
    MIT BJC Cs1000p Polk Rotation
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,759
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    When I said it's a gamble it's because in my area SDA's don't pop up that often
    Randy-Maine
    2ch-RTA15tl crossover upgrade
    by David WMG
    Yamaha cr1000 cr2040
    HT-Yamaha Parasound Acurus
    MIT BJC Cs1000p Polk Rotation
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    VR3 wrote: »
    The 1c has crazy distraction properties with the tweeters on that wide baffle all by themselves but once treated sound absolutely phenomenal

    I'll throw a [thumbs up] for his diffraction pads. They make my 1C better- and my 5B.

    I still dream about re-doing the cabs to try and fix those issues. There are a lot of things that *could* be done to address those diffraction/phase/cabinet issues, but it's waaaaaaay more cost effective to put the speakers in a plain olde box =\

    When I win the lottery, new cabs for me and VR3 felt pads for all my friends!

    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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