My SDA-1a's don't sound quite right

[jimreeves]

I picked up a nice pair of SDA-1a's a few months ago thanks to CL, and thanks also to several Polkies here managed to get them working again. When I got them I found the following shortcomings:
Previous owner hacked the crossover wiring apart for bi-amping:eek:
" " couldn't remember how they went back together
" " replaced 5 MW6501 drivers with cheapo RatShacks:eek:
" " said RatShacks had rotted foams
" " tweeters had been replaced with Peerless 8ohm-ers
wired in parallel (is that good or bad? Not sure)
I've since replaced the missing 6501's with good used 6501's thanks to that auction site, rewired them to the XO's thanks to DarqueKnight's sticky info and found a IC cable from Audiogon. Playing thru Yamaha Pre-outs into my Yamaha M-45 amp (10 watts per class A, 170 watts per class B amp).
So here's what's up now. They sound fine but I'm not noticing the type of soundstage I've heard described here. They have plenty O' bass, nice forward mids and seem a little weak on top.
Since all drivers are working now should I be suspecting that a recap will solve most this or is there more to it?
I've never heard of a Peerless upgrade for the SDA-1a's, is this normal?

I'll add some pics at home later, thanks.
Jim

[treitz3]

Hello Jim. Is the interconnect cable hooked up?

[jimreeves]

Hello Jim. Is the interconnect cable hooked up?

Yup, actually I haven't tried them without it as yet.

[ben62670]

Oh boy. Where are you?
First off you need to disconnect the outer tweeter. If the tweeters are wired parallel then they are presenting a 4 ohm load to a crossover that is designed for 8 ohms.

[jimreeves]

Oh boy. Where are you?
First off you need to disconnect the outer tweeter. If the tweeters are wired parallel then they are presenting a 4 ohm load to a crossover that is designed for 8 ohms.

I'm right here in beautiful downtown New Port Richey, Florida!
Good to know about the tweets, I recall reading to disconnect the outside tweeter but never heard if the stock tweeters (SL-1000?) were 4 or 8 ohm. I'm sure these particular A1's are reading around 4 ohms at the terminals, but the XO's are far more complex than any I've fooled with in the past. Never would have figured they were designed for 8.

[ben62670]

New Port Richey is very nice. I have friends and family in the Tampa area.
OK the SDA1a's are very complicated, are 4 ohms overall, and the tweeters are 8 ohms nominal. Have you seen the wiring here?
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55888

[jimreeves]

Yes, I followed DarqueKnight's schematic for SDA-1A except for the tweeters as I was unsure if the Peerless drivers would change this in some way.

[ben62670]

There is a difference. I have to get back to work, but if you look at some of the monitor crossovers you should see the difference. The best thing to do would be to get the RDO194 replacements.

[jimreeves]

It's occurred to me that I may have the ground (white) wires mixed up amongst the drivers to some degree. I'm sure I have the stereo + (black) and dimensional + (blue) wires sorted correctly. Is it probable a mixup such as this would cause phasing issues? I'll check this next while I'm fiddling with the tweeters.

Also noticed that these Peerless tweets are not marked + or - at the terminals, anybody know off hand which is which?

[jimreeves]

There is a difference. I have to get back to work, but if you look at some of the monitor crossovers you should see the difference. The best thing to do would be to get the RDO194 replacements.
I've gotta tell you I'm quite pleased with the quality of these Peerless drivers, not the least bit harsh sounding as I've read that the SL-1000's & 2000's are. My only complaint so far is that they don't have the output to compare to the bass as wired up now.