Polk SDA-2b vs Polk RT3000p vs Mission 753

[kchilaka]

Folks,
I have an opportunity to buy two pairs of speakers locally.
1. A pair of Mission 753 Floorstanding speakers for about $300 for the pair. I did try to read about them as much as I can and it looks like they might have a nice refined B&W like sound (after the tweeter mesh mod).
2. A Pair of Polk RT3000p floorstanders for about $600. One of the subs has gone out on these but I am hoping it is a simple repair.

These will primarily be used for Music with some HT watching thrown in. I already do have a subwoofer (which I will sell if I get the RT3000p) so effectively making the cost about $400 for them. I am primarily interested in an even tonal balance without harsh treble. Looking for accurate and tight bass at moderate volumes.. I rarely play music at very high SPLs.

I will be upgrading from a pair of Polk SDA-2b speakers.. I was hoping to get some opinions if either of these speakers will be an upgrade from the Polk SDA-2B speakers..
Any previous owners around here for these models who might want to comment on these choices?

How do the prices sound for the Polk RT3000p and Mission 753 (Rosewood)

[Joe08867]

If you are looking to avoid harshness than I would go with the Rt3000p's.

I think the Missions are nice speakers but the RT's are really nice. IMHO

You shouldn't need a sub with the RT's either.

[leroyjr1]

For music keep the 2b's

[dcoil]

For music keep the 2b's

I agree with Leroyjr1. Are you using the crossover cable with the 2b's? If you're looking for improved sound, you could always do some of the mods as suggested on the forum. I'd suggest you start with a XO'r mod - I think it's the biggest bang for the buck.

[kchilaka]

I agree with Leroyjr1. Are you using the crossover cable with the 2b's? If you're looking for improved sound, you could always do some of the mods as suggested on the forum. I'd suggest you start with a XO'r mod - I think it's the biggest bang for the buck.

Yup. I have the cable. Hmm. Any comments on the pricing ?

[Joe08867]

I didn't see you had 2b's already, Keep the 2b's for music. Forget everything else I said.

I would mod them and be done with it. SDA 2b's are very nice speakers. I should know I have a pair.

[newrival]

Until Dan took my 2b's off my hands, I had both the 2b's and the RT3000p's. And if you get the RT's you aren't upgrading at all. Just taking a huge horizontal leap. In my opinion, they aren't really comparable. The 2b's are crazy musical, and if you're used to the 2b's, prepare to have your soundstage crammed into a sardine can. The RT3000p's are fantastic speakers. Tight impactful bass they have; airy, delicate, and clear they aren't. They kill for HT. Super dynamic. But if I didn't have my SRS's for my 2ch to listen to my music and had go through my HT systemI wouldn't be thrilled. They'd be ok, I would just feel like I'm at a club instead of in the front row

Keep your 2b's! do the upgrade!

What are you running yor 2b's on currently? what sub are you running? If you can't extract the desired bass from the 2b's, I had good luck with a stereo pair of NHT 10" front firing servos. But that was mostly for HT until I upgraded to Velodyne 15's. Then the Titanics... man, you don't realize how sick you are until you see the words in front of you...

[inspiredsports]

For 2-channel, in my humble opinion, neither of the 2 speakers you mention would be as you say, "upgrading". TL, install some nice binding posts, consider a custom SDA interconnect cable, add TFLF's Rings and some Dynamat Extreme and you are pretty much set.

[heiney9]

2B's no contest unless you are only for HT duty, then the RT3000p

H9

[kchilaka]

2B's no contest unless you are only for HT duty, then the RT3000p

H9

Well. I guess I should keep the sda2b. Perhaps I can get the rt3000p, fix the sub and sell for a profit. Not sure wether it's worth my time. Don't think I can
Make too much from fixing up the RT3000p

[heiney9]

Check to makse sure parts are available before trying to buy-repair-flip. Some of the older series like that have limited parts availability.

H9

[kchilaka]

I do think the bass of the SDA2bs can be improved. I did actually have a 15in Dayton titanic. It was far too much sub for my room and I sold it for $250(kicking myself now). The main reason I sold it was it was a great HT sub but the driver seemed too heavy for good music. I was hoping the RT3000p would give me the best of both worlds. Solid low-end with the resolution of the SDA2b. I guess no one has even bothered to comment on the missions.

Until Dan took my 2b's off my hands, I had both the 2b's and the RT3000p's. And if you get the RT's you aren't upgrading at all. Just taking a huge horizontal leap. In my opinion, they aren't really comparable. The 2b's are crazy musical, and if you're used to the 2b's, prepare to have your soundstage crammed into a sardine can. The RT3000p's are fantastic speakers. Tight impactful bass they have; airy, delicate, and clear they aren't. They kill for HT. Super dynamic. But if I didn't have my SRS's for my 2ch to listen to my music and had go through my HT systemI wouldn't be thrilled. They'd be ok, I would just feel like I'm at a club instead of in the front row

Keep your 2b's! do the upgrade!

What are you running yor 2b's on currently? what sub are you running? If you can't extract the desired bass from the 2b's, I had good luck with a stereo pair of NHT 10" front firing servos. But that was mostly for HT until I upgraded to Velodyne 15's. Then the Titanics... man, you don't realize how sick you are until you see the words in front of you...

[F1nut]

Do the TL mod to your 2B's and see if you can get a set of Larry's rings. You can thank us later.

[leroyjr1]

I do think the bass of the SDA2bs can be improved. I did actually have a 15in Dayton titanic. It was far too much sub for my room and I sold it for $250(kicking myself now). The main reason I sold it was it was a great HT sub but the driver seemed too heavy for good music. I was hoping the RT3000p would give me the best of both worlds. Solid low-end with the resolution of the SDA2b. I guess no one has even bothered to comment on the missions.

If you're not happy with your 2b's it might be time to try other brands or model sda's. The bigger sda's will give you better low end, no sub will be needed. In my room I liked the SRS2's the best. It gave me great filling bass with a very wide sound stage and was smooth up top with the RDO tweeters.

[newrival]

Check to makse sure parts are available before trying to buy-repair-flip. Some of the older series like that have limited parts availability.

H9

I can attest to the scarcity of parts for these subs. I lucked out with buying a new amp and new driver from CP members. I have a feeling you'll have a very hard time tracking the parts you'll need. And until you know what it takes to fix it, you won't know if you can flip it for a profit. Good luck, though!

[newrival]

I do think the bass of the SDA2bs can be improved. I did actually have a 15in Dayton titanic. It was far too much sub for my room and I sold it for $250(kicking myself now). The main reason I sold it was it was a great HT sub but the driver seemed too heavy for good music. I was hoping the RT3000p would give me the best of both worlds. Solid low-end with the resolution of the SDA2b. I guess no one has even bothered to comment on the missions.

Yeah that Dayton is a lot of sub. And a bigger room may suit it better. Anyways, I only use subs for HT. I suspect you would do the same if you could get the Polks digging a litle deeper. The RT3000p's do have good bass. It is very controlled and pretty clear. But it needs a good LFE sub with it too to really dig out those explosions that crush your chest. I mean, if you like that sort of thing

[Stew]

I do think the bass of the SDA2bs can be improved.

You'll be amazed at the bass the 2B's can produce with the crossover mods and a high current amp. One other mod you might consider is replacing the SDA inductors (Big coils mounted behind the crossover boards). Do a search for Erse Super Q inductors. Also, try playing with the spacing from the back wall. 5 or 6" generally sounds good but as little as 2 or 3 inches works in some rooms. When you get it right, you'll forget all about a sub for music.

[kchilaka]

Check to makse sure parts are available before trying to buy-repair-flip. Some of the older series like that have limited parts availability.

H9

Well, the amp is what is out.. I mean, shouldnt any electronics repair shop be able to fix an amp ? Probably a cap is blown.. Or do electronics shops nowadays only replace whole boards and not fix by soldering new parts?

[F1nut]

More than caps in those amps. If it is something like an obsolete output device, you'll be SOL.

[comfortablycurt]

2B's no contest unless you are only for HT duty, then the RT3000p

H9

+1

It's hard to beat the SDA's for musicality.

The RT3000P's could have a bit of an edge for HT though. The built in subs would be beneficial for LFE tracks, and the slightly brighter, more forward sounding tweeter would likely help to provide a more realistic theater experience.

If you need a speaker to pull both music and HT duty, I'd take the 2B's without question.

[bluecomet]

If you are hungry for bass, I would move up to SRS 3.1tl's. They have a surprisingly big bass sound for a medium size speaker. If you want bad ass bass then I would find a set of SRS 2's or the original SRS speakers. You will also gain a much wider soundstage. I agree with everyone else, keep your SDA 2B's and upgrade them. If you have your heart set on a HT main speaker with a powered bass, I would get a Lsi 25. I love my Lsi HT setup. The powered bass plus the awesome tweet in the Lsi series can be stunning.

[amulford]

I have both of them, too. And what everyone is saying is right. The 2b's are much more musical, while the 3000p's are killer for HT.

Just my humble opinion...

[PolkMaster1]

Do the TL mod to your 2B's and see if you can get a set of Larry's rings. You can thank us later.

I wish I could get Larrys rings and tweeter brackets...

[kchilaka]

I have both of them, too. And what everyone is saying is right. The 2b's are much more musical, while the 3000p's are killer for HT.

Just my humble opinion...

I let the RT3000p go. I guess it was too much work driving 60 miles and then trying to fix a vintage amp. The seller was letting them go for $150. They are sold now. Hopefully a polkie bought them and fixed them up.

On the other hand I did buy the Mission 753 Speakers. The seller sold me his entire 5.1 setup for a good price. Two 753 floorstanders, two 751 bookshelfs, an exquisite looking KEF q10c center channel and a Rabos enabled Infinity alpha 1200s 12pm sub. I am going to keep the SDA2bs for two channel stuff.
Btw the build quality on the missions is outstanding. The tiny floorstanders weigh a ton(55lbs) and have very nice veneer. In fact build quality is best i have owned. They sound nice too(so far). An even smooth sound. Lowend is nothing like the SDA2bs and the imaging can't compare but the tone and timbre feels high end. Very happy so far butthese are initial impressions. Will update after I have had a few days to play with them.

[newrival]

man, I wish you had said you were getting them for that cheap! you could've easily doubled your money parting them out.

Anyways, Im glad to hear about your new HT setup! It sounds very promising, hope you enjoy it. Also glad to hear you kept the 2b's for the dedicated 2ch. A wise move.

I look forward to your update after some quality time with the new setup. Congrats!

[leroyjr1]

I let the RT3000p go. I guess it was too much work driving 60 miles and then trying to fix a vintage amp. The seller was letting them go for $150. They are sold now. Hopefully a polkie bought them and fixed them up.

On the other hand I did buy the Mission 753 Speakers. The seller sold me his entire 5.1 setup for a good price. Two 753 floorstanders, two 751 bookshelfs, an exquisite looking KEF q10c center channel and a Rabos enabled Infinity alpha 1200s 12pm sub. I am going to keep the SDA2bs for two channel stuff.
Btw the build quality on the missions is outstanding. The tiny floorstanders weigh a ton(55lbs) and have very nice veneer. In fact build quality is best i have owned. They sound nice too(so far). An even smooth sound. Lowend is nothing like the SDA2bs and the imaging can't compare but the tone and timbre feels high end. Very happy so far butthese are initial impressions. Will update after I have had a few days to play with them.

$150 was a steal. Should've bought them.

[dorokusai]

I really like Mission loudspeakers, very nice 2ch loudspeaker with a better midrange and high end than the stock SDA. That setup, aside from the Infinity subwoofer, sounds fantastic. I would have jumped on that as well, good work.

Avoid any vintage Polk powered loudspeakers like the RT3000p, for example, if you want any Polk Audio support. The amplifiers are unsupported, parts are almost non-existent, beyond caps and stuff guys....and they're simply a scary investment from my perspective.

[kchilaka]

$150 was a steal. Should've bought them.

Yeah. It was tough to leave them. It was actually a full 5 channel setup with the rt3000p as the fronts.. I sure could have made a couple of hundred parting them out .But the distance, the snow, and the fact that I was purely bying them to repair-flip. Just thought it was someones opportunity, not mine.

[kchilaka]

I really like Mission loudspeakers, very nice 2ch loudspeaker with a better midrange and high end than the stock SDA. That setup, aside from the Infinity subwoofer, sounds fantastic. I would have jumped on that as well, good work.

Avoid any vintage Polk powered loudspeakers like the RT3000p, for example, if you want any Polk Audio support. The amplifiers are unsupported, parts are almost non-existent, beyond caps and stuff guys....and they're simply a scary investment from my perspective.

The infinity sub is definitely not audiophile quality.But it does have the RABOS equilization capability which does put it on a step above the average budget sub. That and it has a bigger amp (500w rms) than my titanic.. Not pushed it that much yet but it sounds sorta ok..

[newrival]

Yeah. It was tough to leave them. It was actually a full 5 channel setup with the rt3000p as the fronts.. I sure could have made a couple of hundred parting them out .But the distance, the snow, and the fact that I was purely bying them to repair-flip. Just thought it was someones opportunity, not mine.

Are you saying that the whole RT5000p 5ch system (of which the RT3000p were the fronts) was going for $150

Oh man. The center channel alone sells for over $600.

But I understand you passing it up. Sounds like you got a good deal on the missions. I've never heard them before, but I've heard good things. Are those the dipole towers?