Polk Audio SDA SRS 1.2TL, General Thoughts

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

This is probally the only total width speaker ranging to about 4 feet that is sounds as wide as 60 feet. Really, 60 feet. Varying from recording. Some recordings this speaker is a mimic of the much more expensive Wilson Audio X-1. Then in other cases its the mimic of a high end Sony speaker. It all varries from the recording. It truly fails in modern rock, a better description. Modern music such as (pop, not recorded well enough - rock, not recorded well enough, and the list continues like this.)

The 1.2 really excells with country, jazz, anything instrumental. Like Dream Theater, etc etc.

The highs are smooth and clean (with all active, and same disactive ;))

The bass is outstanding, not subwoofer bass, but pretty good. The mids are articulate and there man. I really like it.

To quote my Dad "The only thing that seperates this and the X-1, is clearness."

In the end, the 1.2 beats it in seperation, wideness, depth, and PERSONALITY.

Awesome speaker. I hope to accomodate a pair of CRS+ before the end of the year.

- Sid

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
... truly fails in modern rock, a better description. Modern music such as (pop, not recorded well enough - rock, not recorded well enough, and the list continues like this.)

The 1.2 really excells with country, jazz, anything instrumental. Like Dream Theater, etc etc.

- Sid Fails at Rock???

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

*modern* rock....

I've never heard it on old rock. I am sure, by the traits of this speaker it would excell greatly.

But like, Nickleback, the soundstage wasn't very wide, it sounded compressed. Other various bands I tried out on it, I just couldnt get into....

Just sounded un-involving...

We threw in some country, instrumental.......

The room became a speaker.....

[Tour2ma]

Width of the SDA soundstage is a simple function of the uniqueness of the L vs. the R channel signals...

I trust you have spun Pink Floyd's DSOTM... yes?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Cant say I have...

My Dad dosnt have a wide collection of CDs outside of *country*....lol

His CD player isnt exactly up to par in full working condition either...some CDs it dosnt sound good, some it dosnt play, some has static in the background, some play perfectly!

I have heard what they can do though on some country cds. When you hear a piano.....coming out of the front door...................

the guitar.......................coming from your backyard................

the drums.......in the bedroom on the other side of the wall......

and the vocals in the center of the room.....

you kinda forget about what it did bad before.......ya know what I mean?

[RuSsMaN]

Sid should be banned from starting a post with anything regarding SDA, for at least 2 or 3 more years. Maybe more.

Bruce, why even question the points? Don't you have some Joe Walsh vinyl to listen to?

"Those who don't know, don't know they don't know"

[izafar]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
"Those who don't know, don't know they don't know"

Thats a killer man!

[jcaut]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN:

"Those who don't know, don't know they don't know"


That's one of the best ones I've seen! And very true, too.

[madmax]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3

But like, Nickleback, the soundstage wasn't very wide, it sounded compressed. Other various bands I tried out on it, I just couldnt get into....


Well,
Maybe the recorded soundstage WASN'T very wide and WAS compressed? In the recording??

This is a "MIXER'S speaker! When a track is mixed down the sound engineer is the one performing. If he sucks then so doesn't the recording. Many newer bands are not following the rules of quality when it comes to selecting their studio and recording engineer. Maybe they are saving a buck but chances are they do not know what makes a good recording and neither does the man at the controls. It is an art and not everyone does it well. On many speakers you cannot tell! You are faulting the 1.2's for this? I know the group of music you are talking about. The performers are idiots and have grown up ignorant to what causes two channel to have quality. For example, the only important aspects to them are bass energy and making enough backround noise to cover their mistakes. They are not making true to life music, they are running through multiple layers of distortion, effects and have a noise level so high that the recording engineer has little to work with even if he does know what he is doing. Listen to some "old" Metalica. It is really interesting on the 1.2's. Amonst all the noise they actually still have some soundstage left! It is the mixer man and the band's wishes, not the speakers. Is ya ignat or what!

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Max,
I am not faulting the 1.2 for this. Just pointing out the obvious, it dosnt sound good with bad recorded stuff. Like everything else dosnt. If you want to find EVERYTHING wrong with a recording, play it through them speakers. Yall find it.
The entire time I mentioned the CD had bad RQ, sorry I wasnt as straight forwards

Max,
READ the *FIRST* post carefully........;)

[tryrrthg]

I believe it's Nickelbacks faces you'll see plastered on a JVC ad in Stereophile (I think, that or Maxim), that should give you some clue on what they're listening on...

[dorokusai]

I wish the ignore feature, kept even the threads from showing up.

[madmax]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Modern music such as (pop, not recorded well enough - rock, not recorded well enough, and the list continues like this.)


- Sid


Unfortunatly I read it again... If pop is not recorded well enough why does the No Doubt: Rock Steady CD sound so good? That is pop isn't it? I have a Jimmy Smith instrumental that sounds crappy (but you say instrumentals sound good). I'm MIXED up...

madmax

[RuSsMaN]

Originally posted by dorokusai
I wish the.....

Me too man, me too.

[Tour2ma]

And here I was think ing you and doro were self-disciplined. :)

Just trying to help a little bro. You know, put him on the path, show him the door... Wait! WTF am I saying???

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Max,
Instrumental ---

On the instrumental side, we tested out Dream Theater, and various country tracks.

Pop, we tested out........... Tatu (didnt serve a long listen because of the music itself), and a couple other bands that dont come to mind.

The main thing I have heard these things on though is country. I havnt thrown every instrumental CD at it, or every pop cd, or every rap, or every modern rock, or every old rock, gosh. Give me a break dude.......stop being so.....so...........technical?

Someone in the least bit suggests these speakers are not all that and a bag of chips, everyone is jumping up and down in turmoil...

BTW -- These impressions were done with 8 active tweeters. Just to clear that up as well.

Troy, Russ, and Mark can just stop posting in my threads. I can't read what they're saying no how.

PS: These speakers, are the best speakers I have heard under 50 grand.............................

They are that good, but just like the Wilson Audio X-1, if you put bad recorded music to it, it sounds bad. Simple....

Hint, I dont own alot of well recorded music.........lol

[hotwheelman]

Guess it's time to get some well recorded then....eh sid? And yes these beasts will show you the way when the mix is not what it should be. Sid, tell your dad to get the c.d.(yello, title is one second)....he'll be glad he did. This c.d. was my first taste of the sda techno.

[RuSsMaN]

Enough with the damn Wilson X1 comments already.

What did you have, 1 45 minute demo 6-8 months ago?

Cheers,
Russ

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Any suggestions to any type of CDs to show off the SDAs will be much appreciated! :D Thanks, anymore....list away! Thanks ahead of time.....

yes the SDA's pick em apart easily

Russ,
Only reallllllllly good speaker I have heard...........and that was one good speaker :D

The 1.2 comes close to it, only speaker it does come close to.....

It totally blew away some B&W, Sonus Fabor, Thiel, smaller Wilsons........

The X-1 is the only speaker I have heard that REALLY can compare with it and beat it........

but it cost.....what? 80 grand more.......haha

BTW - all the blowing away the 1.2 has done, is based on sound memory. Chances are.........you're typical jensen outdoor can blow these away ;).....just for comical amusment for you SDA people :D

Just to clear something up, I like the SDAs. I want a pair now......thats my new purchase after I get a new subwoofer! Can't wait......CRS+ or some SDA 2.....

[madmax]

Nine Inch Nails, Janet Jackson, Jimmy Smith, CSN&Y, Beatles, Roger Waters, Deep Forest, Shaun Mullins, NWA.

There are too many to remember...
madmax

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

;) We didnt listen to any of those ;)

My Dad's room......is about 30-40 foot wide I'd guess, 12 foot ceilings, and the first wall is about 15-16 foot from the speakers, and then it continues on to a complete wall about 8 or so feet back........

In other words, when you throw in a good recording........that entire area......IS the soundstage dude.......I havnt heard anything like it.....

So when i say it sounds compressed, it still sounds huge.........I am saying it sounds compressed compared to other recordings it REALLLLLLLLLLLY excells on.......

Either way you want to turn it........the thing sounds amazing when anything is thrown at it, just somethings are better at it than others.....

But for really badly recorded cds, other speakers are more enjoyable to listen to, if that makes sense.

[F1nut]

Ok, time to join the fray......................

Without a good source you really can't get a handle on what the SDA's are capable of. Even the poorer recordings can sound pretty good when upsampled to 24/192 and with a tube output stage. In short, it's more likely your source is the problem and not the speakers.

[warlocks1]

Sid, I have a nice pair of SDA2b's for you when you are ready!

[RuSsMaN]

2b's aren't big enough to take the abuse Sid will put them through. Keyword was ABUSE in that last sentence. If Sid had his hands on 2b's, I'd give it 1 hour before they are totally ruined.

He'll probably need 2 pair of 1.2's, stacked.

A FORTY foot wide room Sid? Get your tape measure out.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Russ,
I'm serious...

I'm over-exagerating of course, but it is big, kinda hard to explain.......

2b's would work good for me....

[ken brydson]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Russ,
I'm serious...

I'm over-exagerating of course, but it is big, kinda hard



Sid.......trying to explain his manhood again :D

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Dad said, from his porch door to the front door, which is on opposite sides of the room is about 35 feet......

I was pretty close!

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Warlocks,
How far away are you from 28023?

How much would you sell the 2b for?

[PolkWannabie]

and another one down and another one down and another one bites the dust ...

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

haha

I'll make sure I buy more SDA's in the future just to set agains the wall.....

And I'll take all the tweeter out and lay them on the floor....

Then I'll get a HUGE poster board and write on it.....

*NANNA NANNA BOO BOO!*

Then sent it here :p

[disneyjoe7]

LOL.....

Love it:D


Originally posted by RuSsMaN
2b's aren't big enough to take the abuse Sid will put them through. Keyword was ABUSE in that last sentence. If Sid had his hands on 2b's, I'd give it 1 hour before they are totally ruined.

He'll probably need 2 pair of 1.2's, stacked.

A FORTY foot wide room Sid? Get your tape measure out.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Disney and Russ,
Mathew Polk stacked his 1.2TL for a party one time.....

Just to let you know, it is NOT unheard of.......

BTW, Matt told us this at the Polk gathering......

I wish i had 1.2 to stack......

I wonder how you would get it up there? Alot of friends?

[ken brydson]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Disney and Russ,
Mathew Polk stacked his 1.2TL for a party one time.....

Just to let you know, it is NOT unheard of.......

BTW, Matt told us this at the Polk gathering......

I wish i had 1.2 to stack......

I wonder how you would get it up there? Alot of friends?

Yeah but did he angle the top on down with a rolled up towel? I'd say NO :D

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I found a better way than that now...

Take a small piece of towl, fold it over to make 2 layers, take 4 rubber bands, 2 on bottum of towl, 2 on top of towl to keep speaker in place, then 2 rubber bands in the front part of the speakers to keep it leaving from the bottum speaker.......


In doing this, i dont have to tie speakers together or use alot of towls......

I dont think I'd angle the 1.2............................................... ....................................CA-PLUNK!

[disneyjoe7]

Holy Crap,


Love to see all those AMP's he needed for that.


Anyway Party ON sid.



Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Disney and Russ,
Mathew Polk stacked his 1.2TL for a party one time.....

Just to let you know, it is NOT unheard of.......

BTW, Matt told us this at the Polk gathering......

I wish i had 1.2 to stack......

I wonder how you would get it up there? Alot of friends?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Matthew has 10 grand mono blocks dude..........I doubt he has problems in the amp section...............

that reminds me, anyone remember what mono blocks he said he used?

Dont party on me......

Party on the SL3000 tweeter!

Sean said he used..................Threshhold wtf? Sean dosnt pay attention........wth is threshhold?

[dorokusai]

He stacked a single pair for fun at a party, at least get the story correct.

Don't try and use that as support for your theory.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Never trying to support my *theory*

Russ said I should stack 1.2s.......and I just pointed out, Mathew Polk had stacked some, a pair or not.......

Sheez Doro, someone needs a new mattress

I like my stackables!

[racer4551]

***Poor mans sda's****:D ***I LIKE MY STACKABLES****

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I'd like to get another pair of RTi70, another pair of RT5 and wire all of that together ;)

A remade 1.2 without the crossover

[PolkWannabie]

By that time you'll have 14 other speakers you like better.

[racer4551]

I got the 70's for sale!

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

PW,
I was only kidding :rolleyes:

Nothing in my main rig is for sell...

if anything does become for sale it will be the RTi70 though

The RT5 and RT35i are here to stay, without a doubt. I like them little speakers!

RT35i was my first speaker......

RT5 is just awesome.......

[warlocks1]

I bought the SDA2b's for $250.00 with the original box and packing. I just wanted to hear the SDA effect. I liked it, but I don't listen to much 2 channel so I decided to stay with the RTA's. I will sell them for what I paid. They are black and in real good condition. I live in No. VA. maybe we could meet part way if you are interested. Jeff

[disneyjoe7]

Sorry to ask but do you have a pix?

Not too sure what those look like.

If interested can you drive south too the caroline's ? I think it would be half way;)

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Warlocks,
Check your PM please.......

Disney,
I got dibs.......lol

Will you take 200, Dad is willing to give me a early christmas present, and since he has to drive way, he is looking at it as 250 that way.....

[disneyjoe7]

Disney,
I got dibs.......lol


Hey dud, what's this ???????????

Nothing personal but I posted first.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Warlocks,
How far away are you from 28023?

How much would you sell the 2b for?

No No ya didnt...

But I doubt he will take 200...dont worry

plus I pmed him

all yours disney!

[disneyjoe7]

Sid looks like 9:13pm for me 9:14pm from you.

Not that I was like 50/50 on these since I just put out $845.00 for 150's and FXi30's... I would (a) use my wife car (b) cost me ??? in wife repair:eek: But I at lease should have first dibs.

You know 95 is just up the road so too speak.

[warlocks1]

Disney joe, I offered these to Sid on the first page of this thread.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Dude, did you read the thread?

Disney it's all yours!

Warlocks, thanks for the offer though

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Warlocks,
How far away are you from 28023?

How much would you sell the 2b for? Sorry dj... the only reason warlocks even posted was in reply to Sid's inquiry.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Disney,
Just to let you know it is about a 12 hour drive from Flordia.......to North Carolina -- just to give you an idea of distance........

Killer deal though! 250 is a steal.......just wish I had money to spend!

[disneyjoe7]

Ok, Guys like I said was like 50/50 on this. So I wasn't too upset.

Sid LOL your funny and yes have read the post but I forgot this:D


BTW you do feel they are a good deal? Now more like 20/80, 20 for.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Sean is selling his for 350.....

They go for about 300 or so on EBay it seems...

so 250...is a good deal...

[dorokusai]

DisneyJoe - Just buy them, before Mr Happy Pants gets $50 more dollars. Original box, packaging and in real good condition...in doesn't get much better than that hoss.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Superbrain has the money to get them, Superbrain is just saving for other things.......

The only reason I'm even considering them is my Dad said he would give me an early christmas present.......................

When I buy a pair, it will be around christmas. So Mark, please go back in your closet...

Disney, great deal go for it

[disneyjoe7]

Still on the fence.

I like the look of RTA but hear alot about SDA's:confused:

[dorokusai]

I actually changed it to Mr Happy Pants.....closet? Go back to your sticky sock freakshow.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Super Happy Pants....

LoL

Mark,
You're funny as el...

[F1nut]

Oh boy............it's like a hen party in here sometimes.

BTW, it was two pair of SDA's that Matt stacked. Party on!!!

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Could you just imagine it......12 foot of speakers.........16 midbass, 8 tweets, 2 PR.......drrrrrrooooooooooooolllllllllls

[dorokusai]

John, Sean or Chuck will have to chime in on that, but I recall him stating that it was a "pair". It doesn't really matter, its drunk people in action either way.

Super Happy Pants is a good name, no doubt.

[Tour2ma]

Agree, and the name "Super Happy Pants" has that asian feel to it as well... http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/verkleidung/costumed-smiley-067.gif

dj7,
Grab them with Sid's blessing...

Everybody,
It's been a long tie since Sid has blown anything up and it wasn't him at the controls of the 1.2's.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Tour,
THANK YOU!!!!!!

Super Happy Pants is hilarious......

Killer deal on the 2b...

Warlocks, if no one takes them......my offer still stands :D

[F1nut]

Sid,

Cough up the extra $50.00, hell they are a steal at $250.00.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Not quite that simple.......

I am majorly behind when it comes to funds...I have 280 dollars actually, but its all going to the subwoofer fund...

My Dad has *forbid* me to spend 250 on that pair of speakers. Which I and you and everybody knows in the end I will probally have to spend more than that....

You know my Dad jesse...cmon...

If it were up to me, I'd talk Warlocks into the 200 deal, and id slip him 50 as we were leaving..... :p

I know they're a killer deal...which is why I'm dissapointed :(

But most definetely, with my christmas money I will own a pair of SDAs, or something with the SDA technology! I must have a pair! MUAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA great stuff, no doubt

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

For you SDA gurus....

That isnt my Dad's speakers, just a really cool pic!

I have a bigger version too......so if anyone wants the bigger one email me...

vr3mxxtrmespl2k3@hotmail.com

[Tour2ma]

Sweet pic... kinda a 2001 thing going on there.

[disneyjoe7]

Sid & Jeff,

Still on fence, Killer Deal may pay $250 and slip him $20 if I see him:p

But I just not sure lets see 8 Midwoofers / 4 Tweeters to 2 Midwoofers / 1 Tweeter. I did think if I did buy something SDA it was going to be bigger. And I know about my room size I talk about, but I was never known not to do something a little over the top;)

[disneyjoe7]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
For you SDA gurus....

That isnt my Dad's speakers, just a really cool pic!

I have a bigger version too......so if anyone wants the bigger one email me...

vr3mxxtrmespl2k3@hotmail.com


Ok, Sid yours is bigger:(


Update on the SDA's

>>Sid & Jeff,

Still on fence, Killer Deal may pay $250 and slip him $20 if I see him<<

I'm passing on these I wish Jeff best. So anyone else jump on them Great Deal :D

[warlocks1]

I started a 2B sale thread in the For Sale Forum with the order of interested parties. Thanks, Jeff

[hotwheelman]

Sid, madmax is dead on with the music suggestions. Do get deep forest it sounds simply amazing.