SDA SRS vs SDA SRS 2.3tl vs SDA 1B

[Gregory Bambo]

I have the opportunity to buy one or the other of these models and was wondering if anyone can offer an opinion on their relative performance. What I have read indicates the SDA SRS are the better speaker, but by what margin over the other two? Details appreciated.

[george daniel]

if you have the space and gear,,,2.3 tl's,,,BTW,, "buckle up"--have fun:)

[Lasareath]

Welcome to the Forum Gregory.

I would choose in the following order:

SDA SRS

SRS 2.3TL

SDA 1B

IMHO the 1B's should not even be considered, they are not in SRS line.

[Gregory Bambo]

I am surprised that you recommend the 2.3tl over the orig SRS. I assume the explanation is the improved 3rd generation tweeter then, over the orig tweeter in the first SRS? This is more beneficial than the extra drivers in the larger SRS? How great is the difference? Thanks

[Ricardo]

I would vote for the 2.3 TL also. newer generation SDA with pin/blade plus the TL tweeters. You don't need the extra size.

[Lasareath]

Yea, I might have to change my mind. The 2.3TL's are the latest generation. I guess for me would be the cost and what kind of shape they are in.

What are the asking prices ?

[Gregory Bambo]

That is odd. 3-0 in favor of the 2.3tls. Two and a half years ago on this forum people seemed to favor the SRS orig 4-0. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24694

Exactly how great is the difference though?

Pricing is 1400 for the 2.3tl and 1500 for the SRS. Identical condition - excellent.

[Gregory Bambo]

And if the 2.3tl are better, it begs the question whether the orig SRS with upgrades to the latest tweeters would be pref. I think I heard that costs $200?

[danger boy]

if you upgrade the original SRS"s with the RD0 replacement tweeter it will run ya $400 to do all 8 of them. well worth it IMHO.

[Gregory Bambo]

Also, I have heard that later Polk discovered that the SDA effect had a wider sweet spot and enhanced imaging if only applied to the midrange and not the tweeters. But I am vague whether the 2.3tl incorporated that improvement. Does anyone know?

[Lasareath]

And the crossovers another $400.

nik is selling his 2.3tl's for $1000 I think. I may be wrong on the name. Maybe you should check where he lives.

[danger boy]

if possible go listen to the SRS's and the 2.3TL's, and decide after that.. if that's not possible. i think really it would be a toss up between the two . the original SRS"s once upgraded with the RD0 tweeters are no slouch in their own right.

[Gregory Bambo]

Would the 2.3tl's benefit from upgraded crossover or are do they already have the new crossover?

Upgrading is not the most attractive option at $800! Are new crossovers required on the orig SRS to support upgraded tweeters or can I just upgrade the tweeters?

Even the 2.3tl does not have the newest tweeter, correct?

Thanks for all the input guys!

[F1nut]

Make that 4-0. The 2.3TL is the better speaker. It is has a more refined sound, due in part to the crossover design, better tweeters and better cabinet construction.

I also prefer the sound of the RD0198-1, SL3000 replacement over the RD0194-1, SL2000 replacement.

[george daniel]

You don't HAVE to upgrade the crossover,,but if you have them for any length of time,hang around here,and ever hear a pair with upgraded x-overs and rdo replacements,you might find yourself calling Jeff @ Sonicraft.. Either way,, get a set and enjoy :)

[Emlyn]

To me, the original SDA-SRS offers a little more of everything than the 2.3TL, except the 2.3TL's tighter and more controlled bass and midrange. I decided that I wouldn't bother with picking between the two and keep both in rotation every few months. The 2.3TL's seem to be the more accurate, but the SDA-SRS more "pleasant" to listen to for me. The SDA-SRS do better in a larger room. Regardless of the speaker, upgrading the tweeters to the replacement silk domes is a necessity to get the best out of them.

[Gregory Bambo]

Thank you for the details, they really help, lots of info!

[Neskahi]

Regarding the cabinet construction of the SDA SRS, is there a known way
of improving them? Thanks.

[Gregory Bambo]

Well, I appreciate all the feedback. As it is, a more decisive second buyer made the decision for me and I will be taking the SRS's. Though, I have no doubt I am going to be thrilled with the upgrade. I am stepping up from RT2000i's, which reputation holds are not even a dim shadow of SRS's. My first soujorn into audiophile territory.

So next question is how many watts rms do I need to drive these. I rarely play the music louder than moderate levels and have only a modestly sized room, so I am asking about the lower boundary of optimal. Is there any particular make whose characteristic sound marries particularly well with this speaker or is that just an idiosyncratic personal choice?

[Gregory Bambo]

As for the question about improving the SRS cabinet, I saw mention in an old auction once of a "bass brace." Any info on what that was/did? Does the shortfall in the cabinet manifest other than when driven hard?

I think I saw reference to a book call the SDA Compendium or something like that. Leads on obtaining it? Does it have info specific to upgrading the SRS?

[ka7niq]

Well, I appreciate all the feedback. As it is, a more decisive second buyer made the decision for me and I will be taking the SRS's. Though, I have no doubt I am going to be thrilled with the upgrade. I am stepping up from RT2000i's, which reputation holds are not even a dim shadow of SRS's. My first soujorn into audiophile territory.

So next question is how many watts rms do I need to drive these. I rarely play the music louder than moderate levels and have only a modestly sized room, so I am asking about the lower boundary of optimal. Is there any particular make whose characteristic sound marries particularly well with this speaker or is that just an idiosyncratic personal choice?
I tried my SRS 2's with a 50wpc Parasound amp.
Drove em nicely, and sounded good, but not like the big amp.
These LIKE power, with LOTS of current, IME.

However, I am new to them, and do not have the years of experience with these many here do.

[danger boy]

the SDA's are all pretty efficient.. can be power with as little as 50watts. but of course more is always better.. high current watts of 150 to 300 is a good place to be for the SRS's. make sure your amp is compatible with the SRS's. it must be of common ground type. and able to handle 4ohm loads.

I highly doubt you'l be disappointed with the SRS's. play with them for a while.. before deciding to try things like upgrading the cabinet structure... I don't know of anyone who has done this. it's really not necessary.

[ka7niq]

Regarding the cabinet construction of the SDA SRS, is there a known way
of improving them? Thanks.
My SRS 2's seem to be built pretty good.
I guess you could take roofing felt, and staple it inside the cabinet walls ?
This may effect the tuning of the cabinet if you use thick enough felt to do any real good.

My damping pads fell out of their holes, probably from moving the speakers ?
It SOUNDED like they had bad cabinet resonances.

However, when I simply put the damping pads back into place, the resonances disappeared.

I think you may want to think about crossover parts upgrades first, and new tweeters.

Check and clean internal connections, etc, etc.

Be sure your damping pads haven't slid down like mine did.

[ka7niq]

I removed all my SRS 2 bass/midrange drivers, cleaned the connections, and installed them "upside down".

That is, with the voice coil terminals pointing UP instead of down.

This is an old trick I learned on the JBL forum.

On some vintage speaker drivers, over time gravity can pull the voice coil down.

Soultion ?

Simply invert the driver.

[Gregory Bambo]

This raises a point of confusion for me. Everything I read and hear suggest that the power one feeds a speaker is not merely related to volume. Is that correct? That at a given volume level a more powerful amp is feeding more W's and producing cleaner output from the speakers? How can that be? Or is it a matter of the amp working more efficiently when it is rated with lots of reserve power? Is the amp working more efficiently most of the time and that why it sounds better or is it that the amp is handling the occassional transient high SPL more competently and thus sounds better? I really don't understand this part of the audio equation.

[F1nut]

Everything I read and hear suggest that the power one feeds a speaker is not merely related to volume. Is that correct?

Yes


That at a given volume level a more powerful amp is feeding more W's and producing cleaner output from the speakers?

No


...is it that the amp is handling the occassional transient high SPL more competently and thus sounds better?

Yes




The bass brace came with the TL series and is externally mounted from the speaker to the wall. The result is similiar to using spikes, however it's not recommended to use the bass brace and spikes together. The major difference in cabinet construction between the SRS and TL series is internal bracing.

[Lasareath]

I have two of these amps, Both are run in stereo. They are very good amps and have a lot of power reserve.

Start with one and then upgrade later on with another one ;)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-TFM-35-2ch-power-amp-Great-shape-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ200154497441QQihZ010QQcategoryZ39 783QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[SDA SRS 1.2]

The bass brace came with the TL series and is externally mounted from the speaker to the wall. The result is similiar to using spikes, however it's not recommended to use the bass brace and spikes together. The major difference in cabinet construction between the SRS and TL series is internal bracing.

And just to also add that the bass braces came with the 1.2's (non TL's) as well. I well remember negogiating with my spouse for permission to connect the braces to the living room walls. :)

Robbie

[ka7niq]

And just to also add that the bass braces came with the 1.2's (non TL's) as well. I well remember negogiating with my spouse for permission to connect the braces to the living room walls. :)

Robbie
Hey,. I have "Kabuki" speakers too!
Some Sansui SP 5500's, loud and proud, LOL
They have their "moments", and can actually sound pretty "interesting" with tubes.

[Joe08867]

Hey,. I have "Kabuki" speakers too!
Some Sansui SP 5500's, loud and proud, LOL
They have their "moments", and can actually sound pretty "interesting" with tubes.

Yeah it is amazing how bad a nice tube amp can sound!!:D Just kidding.

[Gregory Bambo]

Appreciate the ebay link in support of the recommended amp. And the clarification about amp reserve power clears up a lot for me. I guess statements about how many W's one is driving one's speakers with are misleading then, since the speakers are rarely receiving anywhere near the power suggested by powerful amps rating. But now I understand the point of the "overstated" power.