Spiked The SDA2Bs - Done Deal

[PreCd]

Porcupined the 2Bs tonight. Hit them with standard spikes that look just like the standard that Meniscus sells. I have had the spikes laying around for about a week and hurricane nuts came in today. So I jumped right on them. The spikes are a little short I think as the speakers are hovering about a half inch above the carpet. I made sure they hit rock bottom by standing on them, jumping up and down.

I sat down to listen a little but need to get up and clean the work area. Just like a car runs better washed and vacuumed the speakers need a clean room to shine.

[F1nut]

As long as they are off the carpet, you're good.

[PreCd]

Thank you sir. You are always good for some peace of mind. They sound great by the way. Really made a difference in the sound stage and the mids are not as muddled. Good mod.

[F1nut]

I'm glad you're enjoying the benefits. BTW, which spikes did you end up with?

[PreCd]

I ended up with spikes just like the Meniscus standard spikes. I got the set for $8 with inserts. I ended up not using those because I had read from yours and others posts that the hurricane nuts were the way to go. So I ordered a handful of those. I can see where they are better however when I went to gently tighten the lock nut they tried to pull up so I went very easy with that nut.

Went I set them upright you could hear them piercing the carpet and padding. It did not take long for them to hit rock bottom.

[PreCd]

I had the chance to do some critical listening last night and all I can say is WOW. The spikes are the coup de gras! Really I should have done this many many days ago. Here are the changes it made:

• Tightened Up The Bass/Mids Quite A Bit
• Improved The Overall Musicality Of The Speakers. Everything was sounds a little blah lately and the SDAs were growing old. This woke them up.
• Adjusted Them So That The Tweeters Are More At Ear Level
• Greater Sound stage. I have really noticed a great improvement in this and was very pleased to have that happen. Very hard to deal with in my listening space and the spikes improved that.

[chandler9a]

Thanks for the write up. I finally got around to installing Larry's rings in my 1C's the other day...Much better sound. I've had the spiks and T-nuts laying around for some while now and just haven't put them in but this has been a great encouragement to do it soon.

Enjoy the sound, Pre.

[nadams]

I don't suppose you took a picture of the bottom of the speakers as spiked, did you? I'm trying to figure out the best way to spike mine.

[PreCd]

I sure didn't but I can explain what i did. The wooden form that the SDAs sit on was gently removed with a angled wood chisel from the back as F1nut suggested in another post. I then measure in 1.5 inches and off each corner and drilled the hole for the hurricane nut. I marked the drill bit with a sharpie to get the proper depth. No need to penetrate the inside of the speaker as the nuts were not longer than the wood on my speakers. Set the hurricane nuts with light taps from a hammer. Screw in the spikes. I leveled mine all the way around.

I don't suppose you took a picture of the bottom of the speakers as spiked, did you? I'm trying to figure out the best way to spike mine.

[F1nut]

I sure didn't but I can explain what i did. The wooden form that the SDAs sit on was gently removed with a angled wood chisel from the back as F1nut suggested in another post. I then measure in 1.5 inches and off each corner and drilled the hole for the hurricane nut. I marked the drill bit with a sharpie to get the proper depth. No need to penetrate the inside of the speaker as the nuts were not longer than the wood on my speakers. Set the hurricane nuts with light taps from a hammer. Screw in the spikes. I leveled mine all the way around.

What a sec.....are we're talking about 2B studios or what? If studios, I don't recall my saying anything about using a chisel. The platform is screwed into the cabinet, 4 screws to be exact. Simply unscrew the platform and make sure to fill the holes as they go all the way thru the cabinet wall.

[PreCd]

This is a case of I assumed there was one version of SDA2B. I do not have the studio version so mine were nailed on with 4 finishing nails and some light glue from the factory.

The chisel was not used as such but more of a gentle pry bar. The curved end of the wood chisel acted as a fulcrum for very light prying all the around the perimeter of the platform. Prying only a small space at a time as you go around. Much like tightening a wheel on a car but in reverse. Just loosen each little side a little at a time.

O and the part I quoted you on was not the wood chisel part but the prying from the backside a little at a time using care.

Lol Jesse. I can see why you were renouncing me!

What a sec.....are we're talking about 2B studios or what? If studios, I don't recall my saying anything about using a chisel. The platform is screwed into the cabinet, 4 screws to be exact. Simply unscrew the platform and make sure to fill the holes as they go all the way thru the cabinet wall.

[F1nut]

Ok, I'm completely confused. I understand now that you have the regular 2B's, but why did you remove the base to install spikes?

[PreCd]

The base is to thin to install any kind of mounting hardware and about 2 inches long. So since I could not install mounting hardware and did not feel like looking for 3 inch spikes I just removed the base. It was very easy, the base was removed all intact, and can be restored to its original position very easy.

If I would have had them on tile or hardwood I could have installed 2.5 inch spikes but my SDA2Bs are on carpet.

Ok, I'm completely confused. I understand now that you have the regular 2B's, but why did you remove the base to install spikes?

[F1nut]

Hmmmmm.....from what you are describing it seems you have 2A cabinets.

[sheathensemble]

Just spiked my SDA 1c's a few days ago. Those wood bases are just not kool, mine pretty much fell apart in my hands when I removed them.

[PreCd]

You know what......this confirms that you know what the hell you are talking about. I bought these speakers in 1987. They are 2As. The sound shop I purchased the speakers from also sold me a Yamaha R-9 to drive them. Well the Polks are its lunch. So I bitched and a few months later they upgraded the cabinet with 2B parts. Drivers. Xovers. Everything...except the base I guess!

The 2As were 2/4 Ohm speakers and the upgrade to the 2B by the shop brought them to 4/6 ohm speakers. It did not help and I have not enjoyed them until that amp died and I bought the Adcom 555.

Hmmmmm.....from what you are describing it seems you have 2A cabinets.

[F1nut]

Just spiked my SDA 1c's a few days ago. Those wood bases are just not kool, mine pretty much fell apart in my hands when I removed them.

Can you please post a picture of yours?

[F1nut]

You know what......this confirms that you know what the hell you are talking about. I bought these speakers in 1987. They are 2As. The sound shop I purchased the speakers from also sold me a Yamaha R-9 to drive them. Well the Polks are its lunch. So I bitched and a few months later they upgraded the cabinet with 2B parts. Drivers. Xovers. Everything...except the base I guess!

The 2As were 2/4 Ohm speakers and the upgrade to the 2B by the shop brought them to 4/6 ohm speakers. It did not help and I have not enjoyed them until that amp died and I bought the Adcom 555.

There we go, that explains it.

[PreCd]

F1:

You missed your calling. Private Investigator.

[PreCd]

I wish I could erase this post as it could lead someone to believe that their 2Bs are like my 2As/2Bs. But then again if one had good sense the 1st thing one will do is remove their PR and view the bottom of the cabinet. That is what I did and processed the rest.

[F1nut]

Funny you should mention that. At one time I was looking at the CIA.

[PreCd]

I came awfully close to being a Tennessee Highway Patrolman. THP.

Funny you should mention that. At one time I was looking at the CIA.

[Toolfan66]

Just spiked my SDA 1c's a few days ago. Those wood bases are just not kool, mine pretty much fell apart in my hands when I removed them.

There is no reason to take off the base to install spikes.

[F1nut]

I came awfully close to being a Tennessee Highway Patrolman. THP.

Cool......any regets? I don't have any.

[WastelandWand'r]

Tool,
They must have been Studio 1C's. The base that is on there should be removed if you want to spike them as they are about as stable as a roll of wet toilet paper.
Nathan

[PreCd]

L to the No. I am glad I passed.

Cool......any regets? I don't have any.

[PreCd]

I guess now I want my thread to contain the message, "Spike Your Freakin Speakers" Yep thats the theme of the thread now.

[Toolfan66]

I guess now I want my thread to contain the message, "Spike Your Freakin Speakers" Yep thats the theme of the thread now.

Yep makes a huge difference!!!

Congrats!!

[Toolfan66]

Tool,
They must have been Studio 1C's. The base that is on there should be removed if you want to spike them as they are about as stable as a roll of wet toilet paper.
Nathan

LOL!! I would like to see pics of what and how you guys did this.

[michael1947]

Hey there guys, I can't visualize the written word. Please post some pictures so we all can keep up and see how to do this. Do we need to spike the SDS-SRS also?