Sean please don't hate me..my SDA's [Archive]

gshisme

03-11-2004, 01:52 AM

I now have in house my first pair of SDA2's. I have just finished listening to the most incredible sounding two channel music to date. These are the first speakers that actually sound as good at low volume as they do high volume. No need any longer to have the plaster cracking to enjoy a listening experience. I'm sorry but I really am at a loss as to what adjectives to use to describe what I just experienced. One thing is for sure, the SDA's will bring out the worst in a bad mix and the best in a good mix! Which leads me to this opinion. My LARGE round media is actually sounding better than than the little ones. Chicago's "beginnings" absolutely came to life..what a sound stage! Not to mention Pink Floyd's "Echoes" title. Anyway...

To explain my subject title. I committed myself on more than one occasion to purchase Sean's SDA's only to back out for one reason or the other. Actually, had the circumstances been perfect I would have made the trek down to Sean's to make the purchase but I used every little excuse not too because of the driving distance. And to make matters worse I go and purchase a pair of SDA's from a non member after committing myself to Sean. Damn without Sean and the other members on this forum I would still be listening to my K-mart $400 special. I just want to apologize to Sean and all members for making a committment I knew in the back of my head I would not be able to keep. The kicker...Sean was absolutely a gentleman throughout the whole ordeal. Hope I don't get kicked in the ass too much! My head might hurt. Well I'm in the soup pretty good right now but had to get this off my chest...for what it's worth.

Greg

Tour2ma

03-11-2004, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by gshisme
I now have in house my first pair of SDA2's. Someone has seen, er, I mean, heard the light...

Pics... we demand pics as restitution for your transgressions against brother Sean...

Congrats on your acquisition, Greg.

Aside to other SDA owners:
You know, sometimes I get the feeling those that have never heard 'em think we're making this shit up.

F1nut

03-11-2004, 04:45 AM

Tour, I think you're right.

amulford

03-11-2004, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Aside to other SDA owners:
You know, sometimes I get the feeling those that have never heard 'em think we're making this shit up.

I did. Now I BELEIVE!!!

madmax

03-11-2004, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Someone has seen, er, I mean, heard the light...

Aside to other SDA owners:
You know, sometimes I get the feeling those that have never heard 'em think we're making this shit up.

I agree. I also think those who have not heard them think we are talking about some second rate artificial effect rather than a truely georgous sound stage. Too bad for them!

madmax

gshisme

03-11-2004, 09:57 AM

The beginning of a long relationship. For now a 75W H/K is doing the work. Lot's of unfinished business to do yet but I think I have a great foundation with the SDA's.

gshisme

03-11-2004, 10:02 AM

here's another.

gshisme

03-11-2004, 10:08 AM

just one more. haven't figured out how to download multiple pics in one reply yet. If you haven't listened to these things yet and are in the area, please feel free to stop by and put on a listen.

Zero

03-11-2004, 12:43 PM

Greg,

I have your number and address.. It would be a shame if something were to happen to those speakers of yours......

As stated many times before, the SDA's are simply one of a kind. There is no substitute for what they bring to the table. Appears as if you got that "SDA grin" as well. Congrats on the purchase, they look to be in fine shape. Take care of them and enjoy. :)

The journey is just beginning for ya, now its off to find new sources, amps , pre amps, the whole sha-bang.

Sean

edit: Bring your SDA's foward an inch.

Tour2ma

03-11-2004, 02:41 PM

Greg,
OK, I believe you are paid up now.

Keep an eye on that right speaker. It just may be close enough to the TV to take a chunk out of the pic tube, i.e., gauss it.

Other than that enjoy...

ken brydson

03-11-2004, 02:49 PM

I have never even SEEN SDA's much less heard them. Probably a good thing though because I would have to have a pair. Maybe some day.
Congrats Greg!

RuSsMaN

03-11-2004, 02:50 PM

God I love the 2b's. If Sean was in my backyard, I'd have his already.

Is there a room they *don't* look sexy in?

Cheers,
Russ

gshisme

03-11-2004, 03:23 PM

Sean, make it past this guy and they are yours.:D

Zero

03-11-2004, 03:41 PM

Good lookin dog. I've never met one big dog that hasnt liked me. Hell, even the damned K-9 unit's love me..

Now, if you had a pack of little toy poodles - thats a challenge. Those small freaking rats never give up - they dont know the meaning of the word. They are like Pirhanas (ie - Maurice's fish with legs). And when they jump, they always go for the goods. Smart little bastages.

Enjoy the SDA's. And did you move them up?

gshisme

03-11-2004, 04:12 PM

They are in great shape. The tweeters were replaced about nine years ago by Hart electronics in Binghamton, N.Y. The seller also claims to be the original owner of these things. Perhaps their sound isn't for everyone but I know I won't be stopping by every Hi-Fi retailer any more to audition this or that speaker. If a smile is a good gauging factor, the SDA's have booted the LSi's off my wish list. Not to mention a slew of other manufactures.

Thanks for the kind words guys and especially Sean's. The SDA's will sound just a little bit better next time I fire 'em up.

I'm wondering if the H\K and SDA together isn't a diamond in the rough? I still can't believe the sound...alright..I shut up now.

Jeez one of the members on this forum had some nice looking Carver stuff and I passed it up for Rotel which I passed up for adcom which I passed up for NAD which I........................and the search continues.

By the way, yup...gotta move the TV. I didn't even think about that in my excitement of hooking up the SDA's. Is there anything I can put between the two?

And Ken put a listen on these things if you can..pronto.

edit: Sean I'm gonna play with placement a little bit right now..Thanks for the tip.

Jstas

03-11-2004, 04:15 PM

If you can find a metal shop nearby, they might have some sheet steel that is scrap and that they can't use. They will often let it go for cheap. If you can find a piece of sheet steel big enough, you might be able to drill a few hols for screws, paint it black and screw it to the side of the entertainment center. That will cut down the gaussing effect a good deal. Otherwise, just move the speaker an extra 6-10 inches away and that may be enough.

gshisme

03-11-2004, 04:22 PM

Jstas, thanks.

Sean, IF ya get past the big guy..here's the next in line. She is a fierce little bugger.

Jstas

03-11-2004, 04:26 PM

Another idea is to get some sheet steel from Home Depot for air ducts or something. Then line the INSIDE of the box that the TV is in in the entertainment center. It will be harder to see and will basically sheild the whole TV rather than just one side.

gshisme

03-11-2004, 04:33 PM

Jstas, how about some aluminum?

Jstas

03-11-2004, 04:39 PM

I don't think aluminum will work well at sheilding. It's usually steel, lead or zinc.

dorokusai

03-11-2004, 05:19 PM

Aluminum is used in cable shielding, specifically CAT-5...whether it would work for this exact issue, I am unsure. It isn't expensive and is easily formed so, who cares, try it out.

*EDIT* Aluminum does not block magnetic fields. Sorry for the possible misleading information.

dorokusai

03-11-2004, 05:22 PM

SDA's keep tearing up the competition, what a joy to read. :D

Jstas

03-11-2004, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by dorokusai
Aluminum is used in cable shielding, specifically CAT-5...whether it would work for this exact issue, I am unsure. It isn't expensive and is easily formed so, who cares, try it out.

Yeah but that is to block RF interference, isn't it? He has an issue with magnetism of the speakers damaging the screen of his TV. I don't know if aluminum will stop that though.

dorokusai

03-11-2004, 05:54 PM

Yes, naturally....that's why I said I wasn't sure.

I just dug up an aluminum sign from my spider hole, and tested the idea out. Nope, it doesn't work....drop aluminum from the list of possible materials :)

Tour2ma

03-11-2004, 05:57 PM

Aluminum no bueno... no magneto.

Perforated steel plate looks good and works well.

Whatever you use needs to be grounded to be effective.

gshisme

03-11-2004, 05:59 PM

Well all I did was move the speaker about 2" further away. It is now about 7 " away fron the TV. Problem solved.

Well no work tomorrow so I am off to get shite-faced and put one hell of a listen on tonight.

One problem with the SDA's however, not one damn thing is gonna get done around here for a while.

polkatese

03-11-2004, 07:03 PM

Congrats, Greg! One of these days, hopefully I can hear what the fuss about...;)

Jstas

03-11-2004, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by gshisme
Well all I did was move the speaker about 2" further away. It is now about 7 " away fron the TV. Problem solved.

Well no work tomorrow so I am off to get shite-faced and put one hell of a listen on tonight.

One problem with the SDA's however, not one damn thing is gonna get done around here for a while.

Be warned that as you increase the volume of the speakers and power going through them, the EM field can be temporarily increased while playing and your new found safety zone may prove inadequate.

Tour2ma

03-11-2004, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by Jstas
Be warned that as you increase the volume of the speakers and power going through them, the EM field can be temporarily increased while playing and your new found safety zone may prove inadequate. I thought it is the permanent magnet that is the threat to CRT's...

madmax

03-11-2004, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Aluminum no bueno... no magneto.

Perforated steel plate looks good and works well.

Whatever you use needs to be grounded to be effective.

Grounding helps RF. Magnetics??? I'm not sure how it is spelled but you would need meu metal. sp.
madmax

Jstas

03-11-2004, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by Tour2ma
I thought it is the permanent magnet that is the threat to CRT's...

It is because that permanent magnet's EM field is what stays the same all the time. It won't dip below that point. That constant bombardment of EM radiation at the TV is what causes the permanent damage. That field can be increased just like the way you can turn up the juice on an electro-magnet. The effect is temporary but it can increase the power of the EM field around the speaker which could cause what one thought was a good enough distance from the picture tube to prove to be inadequate. It isn't a very large increase like the difference between a flashlight and a car headlight but it is large enough that it could cause problems. Most of the time it isn't but given the fact that gshisme's TV is so close to his right speaker, he may experience it. Just trying to look out for him and help him out.

madmax

03-11-2004, 11:56 PM

He could always buy magnets and glue them on the back of the existing ones in the opposite polarity. I think polk sells them for just that purpose. I'm pretty sure www.partsexpress sells kits for that as well. That is how they shield speakers made to sit next to the tv.
madmax

gshisme

03-12-2004, 01:11 AM

Had a buddy of mine over tonight who plays in a band to put a listen on the SDA's. He was unimpressed. Guess his Realistics sound better....Jeez

My SDA's feel so unappreciated right now.

Polketese, for the SACD and DVD-A format, man do I miss the LSi's. But for two channel, the SDA's have it all over the LS's. Two entirely different listening experiences are the LS's and SDA's. The LSi's absolutely beg to be turned up to strut their stuff...The SDA's are real cool and kind of obnoxious knowing they sound great at any volume. Do yourself a favor and check em out should the opportunity arise.

Damn these forums need a spell checker!

gshisme

03-12-2004, 01:25 AM

Originally posted by madmax
He could always buy magnets and glue them on the back of the existing ones in the opposite polarity.

madmax and Jstas, interesting argument going on here. Me being the dumb-ass that I am will just sit this one out and wait for the results. madmax, are you sure about the reverse polarity thing?

Tour2ma

03-12-2004, 01:37 AM

Absolutely... they're called bucking magnets...

From the Polk parts lists
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/service/parts/partslist.php3?item=misc

Shielding magnet (tw) ea RD0260-2 $6.00 $4.80
Shielding magnet (dr) ea RD0108-1 $7.00 $5.60

Jstas

03-12-2004, 02:56 AM

Who's arguing? I'm not arguing! Just tryin' to help! I thought madmax had a good idea! I wish I had thought of it! ;)

Tour2ma

03-12-2004, 03:18 AM

Ditto...

Greg,

Just allerting you to a potential issue and you're trying to stir up trouble... :D

Seriously, just trading thoughts on the nature of the issue.

And the impact on your CRT, whatever the cause, is two-fold: acute and chronic. The slight move you made got you out of the field for acute impact, but in time that lower right corner may still turn blue-ish. Modern TV's do a modest degaussing at power up. May be enough to hold the problem at bay.

BTW, bucking magnets reduce speaker sensitivity by about 0.5 dB.

max,
Old old Stereo Review discussed making magnetic shields and grounding was integral to the design.

F1nut

03-12-2004, 03:20 AM

I'm adding my .02, I agree with Madmax and Tour. Forget steel plates and all that crap, get the bucking magnets for the mids and the tweeters. You want to install them in reverse polarity and use 5 minute epoxy for glue. All problems solved.

madmax

03-12-2004, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by Tour2ma

max,
Old old Stereo Review discussed making magnetic shields and grounding was integral to the design.

I don't know why but I just like arguing with you Tour. I'm sure the grounding is just to drain the RF to ground. It will make no difference how much of the perm mag magnetic field will flow through the metal.

madmax

madmax

03-12-2004, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by gshisme
Had a buddy of mine over tonight who plays in a band to put a listen on the SDA's. He was unimpressed. Guess his Realistics sound better....Jeez

My SDA's feel so unappreciated right now.

It takes real work to know how to listen and what to listen for. Although most "band" people like the SDA's because of their "real" sound it is understandable why your friend may not care for them. Many musicians have a problem with listening because they are listening for their particular instrument. If he is a guitar player he is listening mainly to the guitar and the rest of the sound is being ignored. Have you ever noticed how you can listen to a song for years and all of a sudden you hear something new? It is because for whatever reason you started paying attention to it. Musicians are far worse than you. I would go so far as to say that some musicians subconciously consider all the other sounds a simple backdrop and unimportant and therefore ignore most of the sound. (They have to be that way to play their unique lines in the middle of all the other commotion going on in the song).
madmax

gshisme

03-12-2004, 11:56 AM

Woops, my way with words eluded me last night after 8 too many. Damn there seems to be a remedy for just about anything audio\video related on this forum. Super!

Jstas

03-12-2004, 12:46 PM

You have to ground the sheilding plates because, if you don't, over time, the sheilding plates themselves can become magnetized. Grounding the sheild plates prevents that because it has a place for any electrical charge that is built up due to magnetization to dissapate or at least balance out. I forgot to mention the grounding. The sheilding would still work ungrounded but it will work much better when grounded.

The bucking magnets is a much better idea both functionally and asthetically.

Tour2ma

03-12-2004, 06:17 PM

Ed Zachery, J...

And max, that was an interesting observation on musicians and their listening patterns... Of course it was dead wrong.. :D

madmax

03-12-2004, 10:32 PM

gshisme

03-12-2004, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Ed Zachery, J...

And max, that was an interesting observation on musicians and their listening patterns... Of course it was dead wrong.. :D

I think we have an argument here

Zero

03-12-2004, 10:44 PM

I've put my SDA's inches away from my HIGHLY sensitive Samsung hdtv, with no issues. The only "gauss" affects occur when the SDA is being moved and the backside of the speaker is facing the television. It only took one time, afterwards, I found new methods of moving those giants around.

madmax

03-12-2004, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by gshisme
I think we have an argument here

I would never argue over an opinion. (unless it was Tours opinion).

I'm still considering an argument over the magnetism draining to ground though. Is the magnetism with respect to ground? If it is then it could be debated that you could drain it off as said but if it is not, it could not be. I'm still thinking there may be a different reasoning behind the ground.
madmax

gshisme

03-12-2004, 11:04 PM

I failed to mention..after Sean's recommendation of moving the speakers forward a little, I did just that in addition to moving them sideways away from the TV. No more "gaussing". Wondering which had more impact. Right now don't really care to move em around any more to find out. Those suckas are heavy. One other thing bothering me. For crossover maint. Polk recommends shipping the SDA2's to their facility while other SDA's can be replaced in house. ??? Questions..man I got a million of em.

Jstas

03-12-2004, 11:39 PM

Fine, don't believe me. It's physics. The shield gains an electrical charge when it is magnetized. The ground dissapates that electrical charge. It doesn't allow a charge to build up so the shield never gets magnetized and therefore always works as a shield.

LVB

03-14-2004, 08:25 PM

Hi, I have been lurking for a while here but I can't any more. I have a pair of sda 2's that I just love. I got these in Nov. 2003 and I can not seem to listen to any other speakers for more than an 30 min. Its been a long time since I have been so happy with a speaker, and I can't stop the SDA grin.

Zero

03-14-2004, 08:33 PM

LVB,

Welcome to the boards - good to see you enjoy the fine speakers. :)

madmax

03-14-2004, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by Jstas
Fine, don't believe me. It's physics. The shield gains an electrical charge when it is magnetized. The ground dissapates that electrical charge. It doesn't allow a charge to build up so the shield never gets magnetized and therefore always works as a shield.

Don't get excited. I am just saying I don't understand it. That is why I said I was "CONSIDERING" and argument. If I took all the BS I read on forums as truth without question I would probably be busy Armour-All'ing my drivers right now :D

madmax