So I finally heard the SDA effect....

[treitz3]

So I finally heard the SDA effect [properly executed] off a pair of 1A's w/ the 2000 tweets at the NC mini-fest. Luxman source, Jolida integrated tube amp, Polk PSW1000 sub and basic to expensive cables and the experience was pretty damn sweet.

Speakers disappeared completely and it was as if the wall was singing to you. Pinpoint imaging of the individual instruments were difficult to place, but behind the singer. The vocals were as if they were singing right in front of you without amplification. This by far has been the best imaging of any Polk speaker I have heard to date.

I don't know whether or not it was attributed to the particular synergy of this rig combined with the not so perfect room acoustics, sheer luck or the speakers themselves but when the sweet spot was located you knew it. The sound came together in a way that was close to Norah singing in the room as you could get for a slap together system.

Of all the rigs I heard this weekend, this one by far caught my attention the most. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you haven't had the experience yet. Strive to hear it, it's nice. Real nice.

[Face]

I also heard the "SDA effect" for the first time recently. I wish I didn't wait so long.

[Lasareath]

I don't know whether or not it was attributed to the particular synergy of this rig combined with the not so perfect room acoustics, sheer luck or the speakers themselves but when the sweet spot was located you knew it. The sound came together in a way that was close to Norah singing in the room as you could get for a slap together system.


Tom, The best demostration of SDA effect that I have heard has been at Joe's (Hearingimpared) house. His room is the perfect size for his 1.2tl's, at times it sounds like people are outside and singing through the windows. It's Amazing!

Sal

[treitz3]

I need to get my arse up there to hear your rig, Joe's rig and Jesse's rig and Mike's rig and....

.....too many rigs, not enough time.....

Sorry you and Joe couldn't make it down this weekend, maybe on the next go-round. ;)

[hearingimpared]

Come on up Tom.

[Sami]

Funny, we had both of the DFW and NC meetings at the same day, and a lot of listening was done with SDA's... :)

1C's with Aragon 2004 amp, Belles preamp, Luxman source and bunch of different IC's and a few power cords as well. We disconnected subwoofer when we hooked up the Belles as the 1C's have plenty of kick for music on their own (although I still like to add the subwoofer in the mix).

[treitz3]

We listened to the rig for a short stint and then I got a wild hair and decided to move some of the furniture around which brought the listening position about 3-4 feet back from where it was prior. THAT's when it all came into play.

Glad to hear you Texas boys had your fun this weekend as well....

[Lasareath]

Come on up Tom.

Just let us know when Joe, All the guys from Long Island want to come as well. I'm always up to hearing your rig.

[madmax]

So I finally heard the SDA effect


Welcome to 1985!!!
madmax

[treitz3]

Haha. I've heard better, I've heard worse. It seems that with every speaker/tweeter there are attributes and deficiencies that come with each. Some aspects you love and wouldn't trade for anything, but with others you have to fold and accept what they have to offer in order to get some or one of the aspects you love and wouldn't trade for anything.

It's like a love/hate gotta have/get rid of relationship. Damnit.

[dorokusai]

Don't let it go to your head.

[F1nut]

Tom, I take it you never made it upstairs at Ted's?

[RuSsMaN]

I don't know whether or not it was attributed to the particular synergy of this rig combined with the not so perfect room acoustics

All of the above, when SDA 'clicks' it really clicks.

[treitz3]

Tom, I take it you never made it upstairs at Ted's?
2nd floor or third floor? I made both, but the sound was nothing like what I heard this time. Nothing at all. I continually search the room for the sweet spot no matter the rig and this time it came into fruition perfectly. Words are hard to describe what I heard and I'm sure you have heard what I heard, but the synergy with this gear or something that I can not put my finger on just made it "click" to precision.

Again, I have heard better aspects of certain things within the imaging, but this was bliss to the mainstream and an eye opener to me. It definitely caught my ear and the potential now has my attention.

[F1nut]

The third floor was one of the better SDA set up's I've heard, kinda like what I have here. Unlike what you described, properly set up the pinpoint imaging of the individual instruments in their proper place on the sound stage is one of the strong suits. I also feel that when the sounds are coming from 20 feet on either side and from all over the room that it's indicative of a poorly set up rig/room. It should be coherent and believeable.

Anyway, I'm glad you liked what you heard this time.

[ShinAce]

We listened to the rig for a short stint and then I got a wild hair and decided to move some of the furniture around which brought the listening position about 3-4 feet back from where it was prior. THAT's when it all came into play.

Glad to hear you Texas boys had your fun this weekend as well....

Call it a birth right(20 Dec 1982, Harris County, Tx{cesarean}), but something about the earth's rotation at that axis makes you bump your feet more, snake skin style.

[reeltrouble1]

SDA was well represented at Polkfest. I believe Monica commented about it, as she had never heard them.

Glad you enjoyed what you heard Tom.

RT1

[candyliquor35m]

So you heard the magic of the sl2000 tweeters ;)

[avguytx]

Just for the record to any that read these posts...there is no such part number as a SL2000WC. Just the one made up. None of us will ever refer to it as that.

[candyliquor35m]

Just for the record to any that read these posts...there is no such part number as a SL2000WC. Just the one made up. None of us will ever refer to it as that.

No comment since this is someone else's thread. If you want to discuss the sl2000wc upgrade, I'll be glad to do so in another thread.

[avguytx]

Upgrade......pfffttt.

[F1nut]

This bears repeating.



Just for the record to any that read these posts...there is no such part number as a SL2000WC. Just the one (candy) made up. None of us will ever refer to it as that.

[candyliquor35m]

Just for the record, I would consider an even trade of one of my sl2000wc's for a ounce of pure gold ;) (krugerrand or gold eagle).

[avguytx]

Just for the record to any that read these posts...there is no such part number as a SL2000WC. Just the one made up. None of us will ever refer to it as that.

You added a cap to a SL2000....that's it. You just don't get it...

[WilliamM2]

Does the WC stand for "wrecked crossover"?

[candyliquor35m]

Just for the record to any that read these posts...there is no such part number as a SL2000WC. Just the one made up. None of us will ever refer to it as that.

You added a cap to a SL2000....that's it. You just don't get it...

Kip,

I know you've made comments before about keeping threads on topic so please discuss this topic in the appropriate thread where it's been explained that this is a tweak that someone else suggested and and I tried it. I've thoroughly tested it in side by side comparisons against the sl2000, rd0194, and sl3000 and the results have been very pleasing to the point that I've been using the sl2000wc upgrade in my sda's since nov 2006.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65435

carl

[avguytx]

It was called out because of it being in your signature in plain sight. Funny...it appears to have been removed.


No...my mistake. It's still there.

The SL2000WC is orgasmic. I wouldn't sell mine for $100 each.

[Joe08867]

CL WTF??????? Leave it in your thread. Get the hell out of every thread with this crap. It is so F-ing annoying already.

SL2000WC. What do you smoke crack? Seriously. I cam in to read how someone finally got a chance to hear the SDA effect and here you are on your soapbox again.

I am done. Now I report.

[candyliquor35m]

Kip,

You have a harder head than me :)

If someone wants to find out more about the sl2000wc, they are smart enough to do a search on it.

[candyliquor35m]

CL WTF??????? Leave it in your thread. Get the hell out of every thread with this crap. It is so F-ing annoying already.

SL2000WC. What do you smoke crack? Seriously. I cam in to read how someone finally got a chance to hear the SDA effect and here you are on your soapbox again.

I am done. Now I report.

Sorry but I said nothing about it: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=824920&postcount=18

but immediately urged kip to discuss it another thread: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=825014&postcount=20

carl

[avguytx]

Kip,

You have a harder head than me :)

If someone wants to find out more about the sl2000wc, they are smart enough to do a search on it.

No, I'm afraid I do not. YOU are the one who came up with YOUR OWN PART NUMBER for something that doesn't even exist.

[Joe08867]

No comment since this is someone else's thread. If you want to discuss the sl2000wc upgrade, I'll be glad to do so in another thread.

You made a joke off the bat which was funny.

Then you immediately start fighting and throw your SL2000WC part number in. It isn't a real number for any part that polk sells or has sold. It is just annoying.

[treitz3]

candyliquor35m, I just don't give a damn what the tweeter is called. I don't even know what tweeter it was, I just know that Russ and Chuck kept referring to it as a tweeter with the #2000 in it somewhere.....so I called it the 2000 tweeter figuring that the Polk Guru's around here would know what I am talking about. Let me know if you are done with your "SL2000WC" crusade so we can carry on the conversation we had going please.

[candyliquor35m]

candyliquor35m, I just don't give a damn what the tweeter is called. I don't even know what tweeter it was, I just know that Russ and Chuck kept referring to it as a tweeter with the #2000 in it somewhere.....so I called it the 2000 tweeter figuring that the Polk Guru's around here would know what I am talking about. Let me know if you are done with your "SL2000WC" crusade so we can carry on the conversation we had going please.

Amen. Notice the first words that came out of my mouth. I was trying to save your thread but others has different plans.

No comment since this is someone else's thread. If you want to discuss the sl2000wc upgrade, I'll be glad to do so in another thread.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=825014&postcount=20

[avguytx]

I'll take the blame for it, Tom. It's just that idiotic signature.

[heiney9]

Christ CL35M, does every thread about SDA's have to be polluted by your SL2000WC brainwashing?

To stay on topic.......SDA's are a wonderful experience. I have been sidelined again, for about 10 days w/a cold and my sinus's are all wacky and I couldn't hear properly and this evening it all came back and I've been listening to my 1C's with a big shit eatin' grin after not being able to listen properly.

EC's- Crossroads Guitar Festival never sounded better!!!

H9

[madmax]

A bird got in my house once and crapped on my tweeters. They sounded awesome after that. You don't see me mucking up everyones threads with the SL-2000 BS's do you... :)

[danger boy]

i think Candy has had to much liquor for 35 yrs LOL HA HA HA!

[hearingimpared]

Reading this thread reminds me of the good ole Polk forum days!!!:D

[candyliquor35m]

i think Candy has had to much liquor for 35 yrs LOL HA HA HA!

I have to admit those first 40 years were alot of fun. I started buying beer with my older brother's birth certificate at a little bar about 4 miles out of town when I was 13.

This is me at 17 the summer before my senior year. Good times for sure.

[TroyD]

Dan Haggerty wannabe.

[avguytx]

What was that show...... Wasn't he doing the bear in the mountains?

[candyliquor35m]

and I felt right at home in 1977 :)

[heiney9]

What was that show...... Wasn't he doing the bear in the mountains?

Grizzly Adams I believe was the name of the show.

[treitz3]

The third floor was one of the better SDA set up's I've heard, kinda like what I have here. Unlike what you described, properly set up the pinpoint imaging of the individual instruments in their proper place on the sound stage is one of the strong suits. I also feel that when the sounds are coming from 20 feet on either side and from all over the room that it's indicative of a poorly set up rig/room. It should be coherent and believable.

Anyway, I'm glad you liked what you heard this time.
Ok, it looks like CL is off SDOOTM on another thread so let's get back to the conversation. I've been thinking about what you've said here in your post Jesse and it leads me to believe that maybe it was the recording or possibly me not recognizing the "proper" SDA sweet spot which is a possibility since my exposure to them has been limited. It could also have been affected by the not so perfect room acoustics as well.

We had many a setup going and by the time we got this particular rig up and going we had just enough time to squeeze in one more album. I "think" it was Norah Jones and one of her albums. Chuck may be able to chime in as to which one it was as I can't remember. When we had this rig setup, I had just rearranged the furniture in the room to get what I thought would be the best acoustical scenario with what we had to work with [lots of furniture and gear in that room] and dialed in the sub.

After all was setup, Chuck took the helm at the sweet spot and I sat off to the side and we just sat there and listened to the entire album. It seemed that every time I looked back at Chuck, he just sat there with a shit-eatin' grin and nodded his head in approval. [The actual setup is described in the PF thread he started in the "Events and Gatherings" area of the forum]

When Chuck decided to have a date with the pillow I took the helm and just hit "play" on the same CD so that I could experience the sweet spot for a while. Turned it up a notch or two and listened away. Like I said before, it was as if she was singing in the room. Not from a right or left speaker, but from a "spot" located in the wall behind the rig. It was as if there were no speakers at all. The instruments were present, but not pinpoint. They were [individual instruments] spread out a little if that makes any sense with depth that wasn't as present as it was there in RT's upstairs rig. Regardless, the sound was warm, pretty damn accurate and definitely enjoyable.

I did not hear sounds coming from 20 feet to the sides with this rig, but I can see how a newbie would find this enjoyable. Earlier on in the day with different setups, there were times when folks in the room.....and not just one or two would whip there head around to see where the sound was coming from but this was not experienced with this particular rig.

SDA was well represented at Polkfest. I believe Monica commented about it, as she had never heard them.

Glad you enjoyed what you heard Tom.

RT1
Hey, hey now, I'm not saying that the Manley rig didn't have it going on. That was my first exposure to SDA's in my life and with 15-20 people in the room coming...going..., it kind of had an effect on the sound. Not to mention where I was sitting was behind a couch with 5 or 6 folks on it and folks sitting and lying down in front of it. I don't recall ever going up there by myself and giving it a whirl in the sweet spot with all that was going on and with so many rigs on at the same time. Hehe, not to mention the time outside sippin' suds and BS'n with Monica, Mark and all of the other Polkies that attended and the fact that I was all over the Plat's / SACD and vinyl rig and of course the rig on the second floor with the speakers I know own, The Tyler's.

The two systems I heard at Russ' [last rig setup] and Ted's [Manley rig] for the most part were setup the same. Tube integrated, sub, SDA's but I heard a different experience at Russ' pad. There are many factors as to why I had two different experiences and some of the things I liked with the Manley rig were not there at Russ' and some of the things I liked with Russ' rig weren't there with the Manley rig. This might also be because I don't recall listening to the same recordings on both rigs and my time was limited at Russ' only enjoying the sweet spot for one album and not experiencing the sweet spot at all at Ted's.

[BIZILL]

i still remember my first time. it was quite orgasmic.;)

been lookin' for a set of 1.2 or 1.2tl's locally ever since. oh, and the fundage with which to purchase them.:rolleyes:

[heiney9]

Tom, the way you describe your recent experience with SDA's is the way they should perform and the SDA portion shuld for the most part be subtle. To me a properly set-up and positioned set of SDA's should have a full stage presence both fore and aft. I find my SDA's sound their absolute best with live recordings.

Recently listening to Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival was completely orgasmic. I find with many conventional speakers having lots of musicians on stage at one time results in a jumbled mess and it's very hard to pick out every instrument and it's place on the stage. With the SDA's I can hear the moracca's, harmonica, bongos, keyboards, drum fills, and each guitarist distinctly with the SDA's. All spread out in front of me. Also another cool thing I notice is if the background singers are behind and to the left that's where you hear them on SDA's.

I also have some studio recordings that give you that wacky experience of hearing things behind you or right next to you. But, that has more to do with the recording process of that particular recording than improperly set-up pair of SDA's. When I want to really "space" out I listen to Yello or Art of Noise or other electronic based music.

To me my SDA's are some of the best all purpose speakers around. They do lots of things well and many things very well. I liked DKG999's Magnepans when I heard them, but they aren't the best all purpose speaker. I have heard a friends DQ-10's again a very nice sounding speaker but not a great all purpose speaker.

Sda's are unique enough that currently there is nothing like them. They perform well beyond their value, and the design and components have held up extremely well. I will probably never get rid of mine. I've had them almost a year and still get the biggest grin when I put on my favorite music.

H9

[Joe08867]

Tom, the way you describe your recent experience with SDA's is the way they should perform and the SDA portion shuld for the most part be subtle. To me a properly set-up and positioned set of SDA's should have a full stage presence both fore and aft. I find my SDA's sound their absolute best with live recordings.

Recently listening to Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival was completely orgasmic. I find with many conventional speakers having lots of musicians on stage at one time results in a jumbled mess and it's very hard to pick out every instrument and it's place on the stage. With the SDA's I can hear the moracca's, harmonica, bongos, keyboards, drum fills, and each guitarist distinctly with the SDA's. All spread out in front of me. Also another cool thing I notice is if the background singers are behind and to the left that's where you hear them on SDA's.

I also have some studio recordings that give you that wacky experience of hearing things behind you or right next to you. But, that has more to do with the recording process of that particular recording than improperly set-up pair of SDA's. When I want to really "space" out I listen to Yello or Art of Noise or other electronic based music.

To me my SDA's are some of the best all purpose speakers around. They do lots of things well and many things very well. I liked DKG999's Magnepans when I heard them, but they aren't the best all purpose speaker. I have heard a friends DQ-10's again a very nice sounding speaker but not a great all purpose speaker.

Sda's are unique enough that currently there is nothing like them. They perform well beyond their value, and the design and components have held up extremely well. I will probably never get rid of mine. I've had them almost a year and still get the biggest grin when I put on my favorite music.

H9

I have to agree with everything you are saying. A better all purpose speaker then most I have heard. I love the fact you can really pick out different instruments in a recording compared to most conventional speakers.

I swapped a pair SDA2's for DQ10's with a friend for a while just to try something different. My friend tried to buy my SDA's he liked them so much. He was so disappointed in his DQ10's when he got them back. He recently found a pair of SDA1's that now fill that space in his living room. Smart Man!;)

[Sami]

I swapped a pair SDA2's for DQ10's with a friend for a while just to try something different. My friend tried to buy my SDA's he liked them so much. He was so disappointed in his DQ10's when he got them back. He recently found a pair of SDA1's that now fill that space in his living room. Smart Man!;)

The same swap for me, although I still have the 10's in my bedroom rig. Both have their strengths but overall the SDA-1C's (in my case) were a much better speaker.

[treitz3]

I'm interested in either creating the SDA effect on my current rig or getting a pair of SDA's.

That's a bold statement coming from me. I liked what I heard. ;)

[treitz3]

Did I just say that? :eek: