Let's answer Matt's question on SDA

[RuSsMaN]

Lets go boys, honest answers.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I'd buy at any reasonable cost...

I've never even heaqrd these and I would buy without even thinking twice based solely on what I've heard about the older models.

[phoneisbusy]

You, F1Nut, and others have rave, waxed poetic about the SDAs and that means alot coming from people with a lot more audio experience then myself. Still it'd be nice to hear them for oneself as everyone's audio tastes are different. The most magical set of speakers I've heard was a friends maggies with a sunfire sub. He had it set up and equalized for his room's sweet spot. It'd be nice to compare that experience to the SDA's.

Maybe Polk should do a magical SDA tour?

Anyways' I'd vote reasonable price even if I had to save for them. Although listening to them might encourage me to save harder and do without some less essential items like soap...

regards

Dave

[pixiedave]

Theres to much pro sda propoganda on this site.
Russ in old threads was a hard core skeptic, now he wont shut up about the dam things. ill save up maybe even unheard

[F1nut]

I can't vote in this poll. Under $500.00??? No effn way!!!

What is a reasonable cost, under 5k? Yes, I'd buy them. I mean has anyone looked at the price of high end speakers? They cost a lot of money and 5k is just scratching the surface.

[hotwheelman]

I'm just tickled that matt is hearing us, and to know the possibility of sda's being revived again could be on the horizon. Damn I've got w**d just thinking about it.:D

[Airplay355]

im polked out....got other big things to spend cash on....like college lol if i had the cash id definitely buy them though

[fireshoes]

Price them at whatever, as long as I can use my employee discount. ;)

[dcarlson]

I they were available in Canada and under $2500CDN I'd definitely want a listen.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I think a pair of CRS would be under 500 Jesse...

(I hope)

[PolkWannabie]

You forgot the choice of ... Yes, I'd buy them and I could give a ratts pubes what they cost ...

[PolkWannabie]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
I think a pair of CRS would be under 500 Jesse...

(I hope) Really ? The originals were 11-1200 ... you think the last decade plus has been a deflationary period ?

[F1nut]

Originally posted by PolkWannabie
You forgot the choice of ... Yes, I'd buy them and I could give a ratts pubes what they cost ...

Ed Zachary!!!

[RuSsMaN]

By reasonable I was inferring 'as long as they dont cost as much as a new Toyota'.

Of course esoteric speakers can demand esoteric prices, but I'm going along the lines of something the 'common man' could afford, or at least put on a card and pay it off in a years time.

I think $500 reference is a good price point to determine if the R / RTi crowd would be interested. That's pretty much the median price for speakers in those lines.

Cheers,
Russ

[Shizelbs]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Of course esoteric speakers can demand esoteric prices, but I'm going along the lines of something the 'common man' could afford, or at least put on a card and pay it off in a years time.


Thats more or less what I was thinking too when I voted.

[I-SIG]

Personally, I think something under $3k, possibly under $2500, may well be doable if LSi15's can be had for $1600 or less if you look around.

There's no freakin' way a CRS model could be done for less than the price of a pair of LSi9's.

Wes

[RuSsMaN]

Maybe it would / could be done for less, especially if it didn't use the LSi drivers.

The basic Peerless soft dome had a retail mark (as of earlier this year) of $26. The Vifa Ring radiator cost twice as much (and doesn't sound any better imo).

Lots to think about, and no right answer obviously - just typing outloud here.

Cheers,
Russ

[Zero]

One of the beauty of the legendary vintage line is the value it brings to the table in todays market. A huge, well built speaker that has a unique "live" sound that very few at any price, can match. You can often find SDA's starting off at $250 a pair, on up to about 2 grand (for the big daddies).

Lets assume the cost of an entry level SDA (1 tweet , 2 mid bass, 1 passive) is around $1600/pair. Tell me, are you willing to pay that much more for a product you havent heard? What if there was no return policy?

Sean

[wallstreet]

These speaks sound great, but with the invesment I've got in on the home theater speakers, buying new fronts is bottom on my list of upgrades.

[pjdami]

I'd probably have to save up and buy at a reasonable cost.

Lets assume the cost of an entry level SDA (1 tweet , 2 mid bass, 1 passive) is around $1600/pair. Tell me, are you willing to pay that much more for a product you havent heard? What if there was no return policy?

Sean, that is exactly what I did with the LSi 15s. Didn't get a chance to listen to them. Just ordered them and picked them up. Drove nearly 200 miles roundtrip one evening to get them and come back too.

I still think Polk could pull this off as some kind of "anniversary" special editions just for the fans out there. I'm really itching to hear some SDA. Is 2005 the 20 year anniversary or something? I'm not too familiar with the history of the first SDAs.

[Early B.]

This poll is not very useful. It should contain price ranges: $1,000 - $1,500; $1,500 - $2,000; $2,000 - $2,500; $2,500 - $3,500 and $3,500 plus.

A poll should include stuff like color options, maximum size, and bundling options (e.g., with an amp, upgraded cables, etc.)

Polk may also be interested in knowing our on-line buying behavior for audio equipment, which forums we frequent, and what entices us to buy speakers on-line that we've never demoed.

Since the BIG MAN has asked us, let's respond appropriately by loading Polk up with lots of useful information. Then, in all fairness, Polk would be obligated to give us a definitive response on whether the SDA's are feasible right now. Of course, we're a biased bunch, but I'm sure our opinions will continue to be appreciated.

[Jstas]

Hey, I already bought a set and I scrimped and saved and sacrificed about 2 months worth of lunches just to get them! Don't think I wouldn't do the same for a brand new set of SDA's either! Part of the fun of audio is the anticipation of having the available funds saved up to get that "dream system"!

[dorokusai]

SDA them, and they will come.

[RuSsMaN]

Originally posted by Early B.
This poll is not very useful. It should contain price ranges: $1,000 - $1,500; $1,500 - $2,000; $2,000 - $2,500; $2,500 - $3,500 and $3,500 plus.

A poll should include stuff like color options, maximum size, and bundling options (e.g., with an amp, upgraded cables, etc.)


I disagree. If you had $1500 to buy speakers, and the ones you wanted were $2000, you wouldn't scrape up the difference? So where would you vote?

How about we narrow it down to $50 increments, and get REAL good information.

The $500 point is about the limit for the 'budget buyer'. Most of the rest of the gang here would probably be 'ok' up to 2 - 2.5K tops.

I doubt many SDA'ers give a rats-ass about color, and finish. SDA is about SOUND, the rest is just icing on an already delicious cake.

Polk doesn't make cables or amps (obviously), and they cannot 'bundle' anything together, or endorse a specific brand of amp or cable, due to their agreements with their distributors (who are trying to sell the amps and cables they stock).

Cheers,
Russ

[dcarlson]

I agree, if a speaker landed $500 above my price range and I really wanted them, I'd find a way.

[ninerbj]

Food for thought.
I purchased a LSiC and a SVS sub without hearing or seeing. It was marketing by word of mouth and marketing by the companies themselves that drove my decision.
I am 42 years old and never in a million years did I ever think I would purchase something unseen! But times have changed...these forums and the likes of Audioreview ect have launched little company's with HUGE profits!

Throw a new pair of SDA's at someone like Wes Phillips and his other cronies...top that with members of this forum spreading the good news on Audioreview, and smile all the way to the bank.

SDA's made PolkAudio who they (were?) It was the mass market approach while dropping the "high end SD's" that gave Polk that dreaded audiophile snob comment of "mass marketing" *shiver*
Now don't get me wrong, I don't feel that way...but I have read it enough to know it's been said enough to sway many buyers in another direction.

Design them as you see fit. Price them as you see fit. If it's anywhere as good as the old SD's, let your plant manager know the production line is about to become overwhelmed with orders!

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN

Of course esoteric speakers can demand esoteric prices, but I'm going along the lines of something the 'common man' could afford, or at least put on a card and pay it off in a years time.



you are the auditor for me :D

Polk should invest in reviving ideas that have been depreciated:p

Twin

[danger boy]

Like Brettw22 said in the other post. money reigns.... so for me to even seriously consider buying a pair of SDA's ... they would have to be reasonable. maybe not as low as Russ said.. $500. but it would have to be maybe like $2000 for a pair.

I think that's a good challenge for Polk to consider. YOu can do alot with a price tag of $2000 per pair of speakers.

Then more people could afford to buy them. That would have to be my limit in terms of how much I am able/willing to spend on a pair of (new) SDA's.

[Early B.]

Hey Polk -- see how this works? The buzz is already being created for a new speaker line that doesn't even exist yet. People are willing to buy it right now.

So when will design and production begin?

[trubluluc]

Polk represents atainable audio perfection for the common man.
They don't cost $15,000. a pair, and don't have to.

There is a niche:

A high quality speaker that many people could afford, even if they have to save a little while, that impresses higher end audiophiles with it's performance, and yet keeps over all value as a cornerstone.
It was Polks basic philosophy at the start and is still viable.
Now, with the internet and direct sales posibilities, it's completely do-able.
As in SVS.
If you build it people will listen, and if you built it well, people will buy it.

-Luc

[wallstreet]

Does anyone really know the financials of SVS or HSU? The % of folks that frequent audio boards is miniscule to the entire population of folks that actually buy audio equipment. I really think it would be a money losing venture. That's not to say Polk shouldn't do it. Look at car Dodge putting out Viper's. I think Polk essentially did the same thing with their SRT setup.

[jrausch]

Start them out as Limited edition Lsi flagships fronts. This way you can integrate them with the rest of the Lsi series without creating a new one. Russ this price range would be more realistic. I have no problem with this price. :)

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Originally posted by jrausch
Start them out as Limited edition Lsi flagships fronts. This way you can integrate them with the rest of the Lsi series without creating a new one. Russ this price range would be more realistic. I have no problem with this price. :)
That is the coolest thing I've ever seen!!

[RuSsMaN]

A little top-heavy, ya think?

[I-SIG]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
A little top-heavy, ya think?

So is Dolly Parton but she doesn't fall over!!! :D

Wes

[danger boy]

ummmm why so tall? is the current trend in towers these days to reach the highest possible level? why not 7.5' towers? :(

[RuSsMaN]

It's an abomination Al, nothing else.

4 drivers, 1 tweet, and a woof or pr would be nice. From what I know about building arrays, you really dont want the tweeters 'spread' out like they are in the picture. In all reality if the speaker above was ever made, it would more than likely sound horrible.

Cheers,
Russ

[madmax]

Originally posted by pjdami
I still think Polk could pull this off as some kind of "anniversary" special editions just for the fans out there. I'm really itching to hear some SDA. Is 2005 the 20 year anniversary or something? I'm not too familiar with the history of the first SDAs.


Great idea! Put them on all the marketing literature but state they are only for a limited number of SDA fans. Nothing makes you want something more than the possibility of a company not wanting to sell them to you.

madmax

[RuSsMaN]

Looking at the poll, they've sold, what 40 some odd pair already, and the question was asked less than 24hrs ago?

I like the 'anniversary' idea a LOT.

Cheers,
Russ

[wallstreet]

Of course each one should be numbered and signed by "the man" himself. :cool:

[Emlyn]

This would be my design wish list if there was only to be one SDA speaker introduced. I would recommend the current LSi style and materials as a starting point...

Ebony or Cherry full length side panels.
Piano black top and front.
Redesigned grille materials.

Four 6.5 inch mid-woofers.
Two ring radiator tweeters (or one if would work just as well).
One 12 inch passive radiator.

18-20 inches wide, 12-14 inches deep, 42-50 inches tall.

LSi binding posts with biamp capability.
Outrigger-type spiked feet.

Price: $2500/pair.
Available: Fourth quarter 2005 (?)

[pjdami]

Emyln,

That's exactly what I had in mind. Four midbass drivers on each side with two tweets and a passive / active woofer that can dig down to a "real-world" 30 hz minimum.

It isn't unusual for companies to make "limited - edition" gear. Look at Musical Fidelity with their Tri-Vista dual mono amps. One review I read says they only made 500 of them.

Gramophone Quote:

TRI-VISTA DUAL MONO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

“this is truly a world-class amplifier, able to take on all-comers and keep on impressing…something of a bargain.”

“By any standards this is a remarkable amplifier, and I have nothing but envy for the 500 lucky souls who end up with one in their system.”

I would think that Polk would have to manufacture at least 1,000 new SDAs to see what the interest would be out there. The $10,000 question though is it economical / profitable for all of the engineering / testing / product development that would be involved or is the technology already there and the speaker would just need to be assembled and tweaked a little. Would it then capture the "magic" that all of the SDA owners love?

Yeah, 20th Anniversary Limited Edition SDAs would be the talk of the audio community. "Lucky-soul" owners indeed.

[dcarlson]

The marketing value of a limited edition (A la Trivista) in itself would be worth a killing, no?

[RuSsMaN]

Agreed PJ on the engineering side.

However, if they just used the 'old' technology, and even, say, the new monitor series drivers and 'threw it together' - they'd still sell like hotcakes.

Cheers,
Russ

[pjdami]

However, if they just used the 'old' technology, and even, say, the new monitor series drivers and 'threw it together' - they'd still sell like hotcakes.

Exactly. Retro is actually "in" right now and "groovy".

Look at what Ford is doing to the 2005 Mustang and Pontiac bringing back the GTO.

Although I haven't had the honor the meet Matt in person like some of you fine gentlemen, I realize that he has a brilliant mind for designing speakers. If anyone could bring back the SDA in a nostalgic form he could definitely do it.

Wow, I haven't seen this much excitement around here in a while.

[jmasterj]

I'm loving this,

It seems simple to me. They already did the R & D back when they made the first ones. He already has updated drivers, they know what the cabinets need, They know how to make the crossovers. I believe the engineering staff could design something on paper that would sound good right off the line. Maybe need a tweak hear, adjustment there and SDA revisited.

I think It's the criticism from the audio world thats the biggest stumbling block to overcome. They tried to lable the speakers as a gimmick back then, and it took a long time before Matt changed that reputation. I think that's why Matt moved away from the SDA's. It may have an impact on sales. I think it comes down to how strong a position He feels Polk has in the market.

Is he bold enough to do it again is the real question? If Matt has the balls, Hell Yea I'll buy a pair ! I love them...:)

[jrausch]

My really bad Photoshop job was never to scale or an accurate representation of speaker location. I just think a more modern approach to a new design is needed so the SDA's next generation does not get X'd because they were in big chunky boxes. Yes, below 6 feet would be fine.

If you saw a pair of speaker's like this in a shop wouldn't the first question be "what is the purpose of the satellite's hanging off the sides"? Then the salesman would do his demo and it would be all over at that point. People want cool looks and are willing to pay extra for it. Take Definitive mythos speakers as a point. People love them so much that def tech is back ordered and they just announced they are raising the price of them because of it. Personally I'm not blown away by their sound, but people care more for the aesthetics. If Polk could address both issues, sales would fall into place because there is nothing else like it on the market.

I don't think the SDA card has been fully played out and I'm sure Matt has a few more tricks left in his bag.

[jmasterj]

Hey Just Thought of this:

Start a small speaker company call it SDA. Only have 3 models. Don't manufactor a lot. Just fill this little nitch. Doesn't have to be associated with the Polk Audio speaker line. Matt could be an consultant. Sale them on line factory direct. If you want to use this idea just give me a pair of the good ones we'll call it even...

[I-SIG]

Originally posted by jmasterj
Hey Just Thought of this:

Start a small speaker company call it SDA. Only have 3 models. Don't manufactor a lot. Just fill this little nitch. Doesn't have to be associated with the Polk Audio speaker line. Matt could be an consultant. Sale them on line factory direct. If you want to use this idea just give me a pair of the good ones we'll call it even...

If anything like this ever happens, I suspect it would be a spin-off from Polk rather than some individual as I doubt someone random would be allowed access to all the technical data needed to make the SDA's work properly.

Wes

[Early B.]

If Matt has the balls, Hell Yea I'll buy a pair ! I love them...

WHOA!!!
Do they have tweeters in them?

[brettw22]

Originally posted by jmasterj
If Matt has the balls, Hell Yea I'll buy a pair ! I love them...:) I agree Early.....I dont' think that the purpose of this thread was to pimp out our King.......:p :p

[gatemplin]

What about an DIY SDA kit, kind of like what Adire Audio does with their kits. The each kit comes with say 4 drivers, 2 tweets, crossover, interconnect, passive radiator etc. and optional plans for a bookshelf designs or different towers. This would keep costs down...or Maybe this DIYer is just dreaming.

[brettw22]

Originally posted by gatemplin
What about an DIY SDA kit, kind of like what Adire Audio does with their kits. The each kit comes with say 4 drivers, 2 tweets, crossover, interconnect, passive radiator etc. and optional plans for a bookshelf designs or different towers. This would keep costs down...or Maybe this DIYer is just dreaming. Too much room for error on a product that's as significantly a part of this manufacturers heritage IMO. I wouldn't want to put one of my masterpieces in someone's hands that has the potential to muck it all up when the whole purpose of the re-introduction would be to wow and amaze the market.......(not to doubt your capabilities)

[I-SIG]

As far as DIY is concerned I suspect there at least as many people with two left thumbs as there are with two left feet.

Wes

[xsmi]

Hi Guys,

I missed it. When did Polk say they thinking of bringing th SDA line back?

[xsmi]

Cool.
I have heard enough SDA to know that when I audition loud speakers today, I am looking for that feeling of contentment I felt when I first heard the 1.2tl. I have never owned a pair because I went into the wrong profession for expensive toys (teaching). If Polk ever released a new SDA I do want it to be as large and grandiose as the original. And have the sound to match.

[amulford]

I currently have a pair of 2B's. I love them. But I would like a little more. It's worth the price for the performance, but isn't that the beauty of Polks?;)

[warviper]

The only question is can Polk compete with it self. I would not pay over 2k because you can purchase a nice SDA now for about that much. The sound needs to be better than the original for me to justify buying the new.

[xsmi]

When I listened to SRT while great for HT I did not like them for music. The great bottom end presence for explosions turned into tubby the tuba on music. The salesman tried dialing the subs down which helped but they just couldn't get out of the way of themselves. So, if they are re released although all the mony is in HT please make a speaker for audio first.

[F1nut]

Xsmi,

Well said and I couldn't agree more. It is, after all, about the music!

F1

[PolkWannabie]

Originally posted by xsmi
The great bottom end presence for explosions turned into tubby the tuba on music. In the case of the SRT's this is more a function of the amp and how one choses to set the controls than the drivers. When properly calibrated they sound fine. When driven by an external amp they sound even better.

[F1nut]

Even the SRT's set up at Polk HQ had too much bass and they were set up to play music, hence my comment.

[xsmi]

PW,

You own a set so you have had the opportunity to tweak them to your taste. I drove as far as 107 miles on several occasions trying get excited by these speakers (different stores/setups) because it sickened me that Polk made a speaker that sounded so bad.

[F1nut]

Hmmmmmm......a little too much bass, but I couldn't say they sounded bad.....far from it.

[xsmi]

Well when you drive almost 2 hrs to listen, too much bass starts to sound bad. And when you compare to eveness and nuetrality of the 1.2tl (all on memory and yes we do remember things better than the reality). These speakers were a let down for me that's all. I can see in my words I am being too harsh on them. Sorry guys.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

The SRT in the Polk HQ was heavily UNDER** Powered...

The bass was outstanding though...

[Emlyn]

.

[PolkWannabie]

Originally posted by xsmi
These speakers were a let down for me that's all. To each his own ... All I can tell you is it takes awhile to get the subs set up properly. Beyond that assuming that the phase and other basics have been properly established, there are different user level settings for movies and music which are then infinitely adjustable from the listening area.

[F1nut]

Emlym,

Yeah, something like that.......a real god damn hifi speaker like other real god damn hifi speaker companies make!!!

F1

[Emlyn]

My first choice...didn't like the base plate chopped from the LSi15 in the previous one.

[organ]

I'm with Derick on this one. $2500CDN or lower and I'll buy them without even listening first.

Maurice

[brettw22]

Originally posted by organ
I'm with Derick on this one. $2500CDN or lower and I'll buy them without even listening first. HEY.......you Canadians can't come in here quoting all these figures in funny money.......USD is the parameter here :D :D :D

[organ]

LOL:D. Alright, how about $1800USD? That's using the current exchange rate of about 1.37.

Maurice

[brettw22]

Ah....an added bonus.....the exchange rates.....

Don't be tryin to get us Americans having to think too much about foreigners......sheesh....:p

[organ]

Chill out eh:D. We're closer to you than you think. We're like the HF binding post and you're the LF in a bi-wire/bi-amp speaker LOL:D. The jumpers are the paths we take to ship out Bryston, Anthem, Paradigm, PSB, etc to you and in exchage you guys ship us Polk, Klipsch, Carver, etc.

Maurice

[pjdami]

I don't have photoshop but I would try it if I did. What about staggering the midbass drivers two rows of two but at an angle of like 30 degrees from the vertical and then place the two tweets in the gaps. This should narrow the speaker down to the width of the passive radiator but make it slightly taller. I'm thinking smaller footprint is always better here.

My oh my aren't we really dreaming here? I'm wondering if it is the REM portion of the sleep here...you know the vivid ones.

Cool thread nonetheless. 1985 was twenty years ago. Time is flying for sure. 20th anniversary limited edition signature series Polks. At one time we all believed in Santa Claus too but Santa still lives in all of our hearts.

[madmax]

Great job on the 1C version emilyn! I would buy it. I wasn't sure about the 1.2 version though. I think the woofers may be too far away from each other but then I'm not sure of their placement parameters. I want a 1C version like that!!

madmax

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

That 1C looks like a friggin Alien...

The blue woofs...and that old lookin PR -- looks like something from when mars attack! LOL!

[RuSsMaN]

Looks like they've sold 60+ pair now, just on the forum in a few days...

[Emlyn]

The future Matt Polk LSi-SDA Anniversary Portrait Edition!?!

[rskarvan]

Ya know.... it wouldn't break my heart if Polk were to replace the Passive Radiator with a bass-driver and make the next generation SDA a 3-way speaker made (mostly) from LSi components. I hope Polk doesn't port the speaker though. I've never liked ported speaker designs all that much.

3-way is cool.
Passive Radiator is alright.
Ported is a last resort sort of thing.

- Ron

[organ]

LMFAO:D:D:D

I love that pic. Polk is awesome and everything but what are you going to tell your friends and family when they ask about the pic of Matt on the PR?LOL

They already think we're freaks for enjoying audio this much, imagine what they'll think when you first reveal the speakers to them without grilles.

Maurice

[I-SIG]

Hey, Emlyn, you need to rotate the drivers 90 degrees and put the flat sides of the basket next to each other and them narrow the whole cabinet accordingly. That's how we'll see an SDA come in damn close to 12" wide.

Wes

[I-SIG]

bump! :D :D :D

Wes

[F1nut]

This little blip from TAS reflects my thoughts about the LSi 15/25's and why I won't own them and why I don't want LSi/SDA's.

..."the LSi 15's strengths are it's smooth and detailed treble, which never irritates even at loud listening levels, thanks to the exceptional Vifa XT254 ring-radiator tweeter, and equally smooth and open midrange. Where the speaker falls short is in the bass, which has a lot of energy but not quite the tightness and control that would raise this otherwise excellent effort up a notch."

Fix the boomy bass problem and we might be talking.

[Emlyn]

I agree that Polk should try to go back to a passive radiator design for bass. Porting subwoofer drivers doesn't seem to be one of Polk's strengths in terms of creating a musical speaker. To me, the SDA 2B, SDA 1C, and SDA 2.3TL all produce significantly more musical bass output (tight, not bloated) than the LSi15s. Of the current Polks, I think the RTi12 produces the cleanest bass output seemingly because of the newly designed power port. Unfortunately, I can't listen to the RTi12s for music because the tweeters on the RTi12s are great for home theater to my ears, but really awful for music.

[RuSsMaN]

*bump*

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

I think we've had a lot of great discussion here and in the thread that Paul started...

I'd like to see what Polk thinks about some of what has been said already...

[I-SIG]

Yeah, Polkasaurus Rex only gave us a little tidbit in the other thread. :cool:

Wes