Thoughts on SDA-1C's?

[HTguru1982]

I'm looking to buy my first pair of SDAs. I found a mint set of SDA1C's local. What is your guys opinion of them? And what's usually considered a good price for them?

Thanks!

[gdb]

They seem to be the most common model that's universally admired in the SDA line-up. Never heard a set myself but, I'd say you could choose a lot worse model for breaking yer c#erry on !! Mods and upgrades seem to be almost MANDATORY for those, and others. If I had some present themselves close by, I'd have no problem paying $450-$550 in good condition. My valuations always seem to go to the higher side of what the diehard collectors on here are willing to pay.

[Toolfan66]

I have a fully hot rodded (modded) set that I love!! as a matter of fact I should pull them back out and feed them some juice!!

[Oldfatdogs]

I just bought a set a couple months ago I love the sound.
I wanted to get to know that sound before upgrades.So I will enjoy them for a while stock.
If there a good price snag them,you will be in sda heaven.Dan

[tschopp]

I just bought some last week. Paid $450. Not sure if it was a good deal, but I got them instead of someone else on ebay. Big upgrade over the 10B I had since the late 80s.

[chandler9a]

I paid under $700 for mine in mint (and I mean in there original boxes with original receipt) condition. They had RDO's and upgraded xovers, as well as some other goodies, and they were local. I believe I got a fair deal but its all up to the buyer and how much you want to spend.

Its just a great speaker, no matter what size room you have.

Good luck!

[headrott]

The 3.1TL's are better (IMO) and close to the same size speaker and can be used in a similar sized room, but the 3.1TL's are much harder to find. If you can get a good deal on them(the 1C's), go for it. There are better SDA's however.

[falconcry72]

The 1C's are great. I have a pair, and I prefer them to my 2B's. They are a great bang-for-your-buck SDA.

Price depends on condition, upgrades, boxes, etc.

Mint, stock, no boxes... I think 400-500 is good. Boxes could add another 50-100 or more depending on the collector.


I paid 300 for mine, with RD0's, but I got lucky.

[Mike Reeter]

I gave $425. for a decent pair with the original cartons a few years back. The 1C's, like most of the SDA line are a good value for the money.

[Mr. Bubbles]

I had a pair and compared to other SDA's (even smaller ones) I did not like them. There are definitely better SDA's out there. However, even though I compared them to other SDA's for my decision to sell them, they still are better than many other brands/ models simply due to them having the dimensional effect. If you have never had SDA's buy what you can when you can, it's as simple as that. You can always change later if something different becomes available in your area. I sold mine for $500. Good luck and enjoy, but beware, SDA's can be very addictive.

[falconcry72]

...There are definitely better SDA's out there....

I agree, but you gotta take size into consideration.

I just made a list of every SDA out there and determined, subjectively, of course, which ones are "better" or "worse" than the 1C's. The 1C's landed about in the middle...however, every model that I listed as "better" is much larger than the 1C's, with the single exception being the SDA SRS-3.1TLs, which, as noted above, are more rare, generally more expensive, and still slightly larger.

The 1C's and 2B's are a sweet spot in the SDA lineup, for sure.

[Mr. Bubbles]

Don't get me wrong the 1 C's are nice speakers, but to my ears they are the least likeable SDAs i have heard. I would still buy another set if the price was right though. They just wouldn't get much play time. My favorites overall are my 1.2TL's with a second to my SRS's but part of that is simply the male ego I believe, because considering only sound, my favorites would be the 2A's/B's. There are many that I have not heard so that order could change in the future. In fact I would love to hear a pair of SRS 2's but they seem to be pretty rare and don't show up much at all. However the 1C being the same basic speaker as the 2nd generation SRS2's could be converted if one could build the proper cabinets and find the proper passives. They may very well be an option I would consider if i located another pair. Though i have never heard any of these, i would guess that either the 2's, 2.3's, or 3.1's would be best for my ears due to cabinet volumes vs passive surface area along with having much fewer components keeping the sound origin much more distinct vs the larger units. I hope to one day find out.

[onebadchad]

My thought is I want some, lol.. the 2b's are just not cutting it

[falconcry72]

...to my ears they are the least likeable SDAs i have heard.

So, let's be clear on what it is you've heard; if you've mainly heard the likes of the 1.2TL's and 2.3TL's, then of course the 1C's would be the worst! A specific list will help the OP.

I take it you haven't heard the original SDA-1's, 1A's, 1B's, 2's, or CRS's? The 1C's are easily superior to those models.

[Mr. Bubbles]

So, let's be clear on what it is you've heard; if you've mainly heard the likes of the 1.2TL's and 2.3TL's, then of course the 1C's would be the worst! A specific list will help the OP.

I take it you haven't heard the original SDA-1's, 1A's, 1B's, 2's, or CRS's? The 1C's are easily superior to those models.

I have only heard the 2A's, 2B's, 1C's, SRS's, 1.2's, and 1.2TL's and have been able to A/B the 2A's, 2B's, SRS's, 1.2TL's, and the 1C's. For purely sound (including dimensional effect and over all balanced tonality) I prefer the 2A's and 2B's (they both sounded similar to me, with only slight differences). My overall favorite would be the 1.2TL's when considering visual and sonic impact (I find the tonal balance to be somewhat lacking on these as compared to the 2A's and B's but with a larger presence (not just visually, but sonically as well)). Admittedly i appear to be one of the few that find the 1C's to be lacking as compared to others, but my ears also generally prefer simplicity. I currently still own the 2A's, SRS's and 1.2TL's. I also would add that I own the RTA12B's as well and to me they also sounded better than the 1C's in an A/B comparison (though they do lack the staging dimension of the SDA's, they still offer a great sound-stage compared to most other speakers.

All ears are different; soundfreak recently acquired a set of 2B's and failed to find them as pleasing as his 12B's from what I understand.

Either way i would not miss out on any SDA just because they weren't the model I thought I would prefer. get and enjoy them trade up or across later if desired.

[HTguru1982]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to try to snag these. Gotta do something very special for the gf, though.

[F1nut]

My thought is I want some, lol.. the 2b's are just not cutting it

If you haven't done the TL upgrade and most of the normal tweaks, you seriously haven't heard what they are capable of. Of course, your source and power choices will make a difference as well.

[falconcry72]

I have only heard the 2A's, 2B's, 1C's, SRS's, 1.2's, and 1.2TL's

Out of the ones you've heard, I can definitely see why you'd rank the 1C's low.

I own the RTA12B's as well and to me they also sounded better than the 1C's in an A/B comparison (though they do lack the staging dimension of the SDA's, they still offer a great sound-stage compared to most other speakers.

I have a pair of RTA-12C's, and I think they're excellent, too. They are the perfect vintage Polk for someone who doesn't like the SDA effect for whatever reason. I put a fairly generous toe-in on them, and they get a locked-on center image that SDA's can't touch... but all things considered, I still prefer SDA's.

[drumminman]

If you haven't done the TL upgrade and most of the normal tweaks, you seriously haven't heard what they are capable of. Of course, your source and power choices will make a difference as well.

Really, spend some coin and time and you'll be rewarded. And so many of the upgrades detailed here on CP are well tested.

It's not like you're taking a big chance. I've modded two different vintage Polks, one SDA and one non SDA, and the results were very satisfying.

[HTguru1982]

2 emails and the seller hasn't answered. Safe to assume they've been sold. :(

[brgman]

Keep looking.They pop up.
Or maybe you'll even find some 3.1tl's.
I think i need to start modding the cabs on my new ones this weekend.Did a set before.Night and day.
Removes that "curtain" in front of them.

[PolkieMan]

On Facebook, Polk Audio SDA, I put every vintage Polk that I can find on Ebay and Craig's List, I will try to help you.
I have a pair of Sda 1C that I got Dec 2011.
I love them, paid $250 and then I had to replace a MW6510 and upgraded the original tweeters with 194's so now I have $500 in them.
They are just the right size for a 10 x 20 room IMHO. I also have 2.3tls bought in 1989 upgraded with 198's they are better
of course but not that much. I got the new Sda crossover boards for both so that will be next.

[dpowell]

Modded 1C's are a fantastic speaker and great for mid-sized rooms.

[wayne3burk]

I had a pair of SDA-1C (studios) that I replaced with a pair of Monitor 10s (peerless tweets). It was cheaper than modding the SDAs :)- .

I have to say that selling point for polks originally for me was the SDA effect. Back in the day i was a big fan of the Carver C-1 Sonic Holography pre-amp, so when I had a chance to buy a dealer demo pair of SDA-1Cs for 800 (almost new), I did like Vlad and jumped in it.

Fat forward 20 yrs and i found a vintage pair of Monitor 10s at goodwill for $30 and I fell in love with the smoothness, and fatigueless listening pleasure of them, and the 1Cs were on the auction block (sold here on club polk).

But if you have the money to upgrade your 1Cs or if you can find a decent pair at a decent price, and you pine for that SDA effect, then they are highly recommended.

I replaced my monitor 10s (which I sold here on club polk) with a pair of Wharfedale 70Cs, which in turn got replaced by a pair of Magnaplaner MG-Is. Maybe eventually I'll come around full circle and buy a pair of modded SDA speakers -- who knows.

-- wayne --

[HTguru1982]

I appreciate it. I'm in the St Louis area. I type Polk in the search bar every day lol. If you see something I missed, please let me know. Thanks!

On Facebook, Polk Audio SDA, I put every vintage Polk that I can find on Ebay and Craig's List, I will try to help you.
I have a pair of Sda 1C that I got Dec 2011.
I love them, paid $250 and then I had to replace a MW6510 and upgraded the original tweeters with 194's so now I have $500 in them.
They are just the right size for a 10 x 20 room IMHO. I also have 2.3tls bought in 1989 upgraded with 198's they are better
of course but not that much. I got the new Sda crossover boards for both so that will be next.