Matching center for old Monitor 10s with SL2000 clear tweeters?

[Aural Euphoria]

Wondering what center option would be best to go with some Monitor 10s with the clear tweeter (SL 2000). Looking at CS 20, Csi 30 or 40, or A4.

[ken brydson]

Look for a semi vintage CS350LS of 400. They will match much better than the newer models.

And welcome to CP!!

[StantonZ]

Look for a semi vintage CS350LS of 400. They will match much better than the newer models.
And welcome to CP!!

Good advice: I once paired an old CS2xx with my 10's until I replaced that with a pair of 4's (the latter have peerless tweets).

[Aural Euphoria]

Thanks. And I wish I had, even though I can't seem to find any. I can tell older cones might match better. The rigidity of newer textiles may be a little too good. I'm sure Aramid fibers and Kevlar weaves make for some killer dynamics for effects and techno, but nothing seems to sound like these Monitor 10s. So pleasant on the ear.
Ultimately, I landed on the CS 20. I've yet to install it for more than an hour, but they definitely have some serious dynamic clarity for the price ($160). I bet I end up with Monitor 40s to fill out the 4 surrounds. Wouldn't mind some RTis with the 6 1/2 inch cone and front ports.

[Aural Euphoria]

Gawd I wish I had bought this instead of the CS 20 I got for a center. No way that CS 20 is gonna match timbre.
I cannot believe I am going to miss out on this. </3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-S...item1c30cc70f5.

[cnh]

I suppose you could run ONE of those as a center without the SDA cable, but that would be a "waste". You'd want a pair of these with the SDA cable connecting them and that might make you move the Monitor 10s to the back as surrounds!

If you've never heard the SDA effect, you should consider them!

cnh

[Mystery]

You can use 1 or 2 monitor 4's or one 5 or CS350.
I've tried all of those and all worked great.
Currently I have CS350 with CRS+ or 12's as fronts.

[falconcry72]

I suppose you could run ONE of those as a center without the SDA cable, but that would be a "waste". You'd want a pair of these with the SDA cable connecting them and that might make you move the Monitor 10s to the back as surrounds!

If you've never heard the SDA effect, you should consider them!

cnh

I'd run the CRS's as fronts, and one of the 10's as the center.

[Mystery]

I'd run the CRS's as fronts, and one of the 10's as the center.

10's will work great but they are huge.
I for sure can't put them anywhere as center channel but if you have space, great option.

[Aural Euphoria]

I'd make the space. However, I did not know there was a specific "SDA cable". I am not a huge polk fanboy or anything, I just really dig some of their products. Gonna Google that cable. And I just assumed the SDA series had the same components as the old Monitor series (but with bi-amp capabilty), just a lot more of them

[Aural Euphoria]

Oh my, are they powered? I didn't know that. Maybe I'm wrong I just looked at images.

[Aural Euphoria]

I have posted too hastily. Off to look up more about this SD effect....

[falconcry72]

I have posted too hastily. Off to look up more about this SD effect....

There are volumes upon volumes of threads in this forum about SDA's. Search away!


Basically, in the mid '80's - early 90's, Polk had (3) lines of speakers that all used similar components:

- Monitor (entry level)

- RTA (mid-level)

- SDA (top level)


The SDA's retain all of what you love about the midrange drivers and tweeters in your 10's, but they add a whole lot more.

[Aural Euphoria]

I've been preoccupied with other things so didn't research much, but it appears the SDA alters the signal for the outside cones. In what way I don't know, but I don't think I would like that. I really enjoy unprocessed, unaltered, uncompressed music.

[Mystery]

I've been preoccupied with other things so didn't research much, but it appears the SDA alters the signal for the outside cones. In what way I don't know, but I don't think I would like that. I really enjoy unprocessed, unaltered, uncompressed music.

Don't think. Try and find out.
Stereo sound is already altered/mixed due to crosstalk from L/R channels.
SDA cleans/cancels the crosstalk so un-altered sound goes to your ears.

http://vr3mods.com/uploads/SDA_Handbook_2011_Rev2.pdf

[falconcry72]

...it appears the SDA alters the signal for the outside cones. In what way I don't know, but I don't think I would like that. I really enjoy unprocessed, unaltered, uncompressed music.

I completely understand your skepticism. Having said that, there are MANY vintage Polk connoisseurs on this forum, and those of us who have heard Monitors, RTA's, and SDA's generally prefer the SDA's... and not by a small margin. There are many "purest" members here who have super hi-fi, uncompromising, "pure" 2-channel rigs who use SDA's as the anchor of their systems.

SDA's are magical. Deep, natural bass like you would not believe... plus that wide, velvety, enveloping soundstage that ONLY an SDA can produce.

If you dig vintage Polks, you owe it to yourself to hear what an SDA sounds like.

[Aural Euphoria]

I don't doubt them, I'm just curious about the tech involved. I have seen much positive response to the SDAs. I am just not someone who is in a position, financially, to ever hear them (college student). I was lucky to get the Monitor 10s. Got them for $200 for the pair. One of the best purchases of my life. I do hope to sample the beasts one day. I hope they are not totally extinct by the time I have the money to check them out.

[Aural Euphoria]

The vr3 literature is excellent. Thanks for that as well. I wish there was something like that for the Monitor series.