Problem with SDA SRS 2.3

[JCL]

I recently picked up a pair of SDA SRS 2.3’s. It appears that there is a problem with one of the crossovers. I have preformed the following tests based on forum comments in several threads in this forum. I am running the following equipment Sunfire Theater Grand preamp, Carver m200t for the front channel and for the tests below I ran the amp with an older NAD preamp since the Sunfire has no mono or balance control.

Performed the basic SDA set up as outlined in the manual. This showed that there was a problem. The left channel does not produce any sound when the preamp is set to mono and the balance is shifted to the right channel. The left channel does produce sound when the balance is shifted to the Left.

Confirmed that the phase of the amplifier connections to the speakers is OK. Checked numerous times.

Reversed polarity of the left speaker connection. This produced sound from both speakers when the balance was shifted to the left and the right. When listening in stereo the SDA effect seams to be there but when listening to vocals they appear to be unfocused. The soundstage is expanded but does not seam accurate.

Checked the connections on all drivers. All drivers in both speakers are set up correctly.

Anybody got any ideas as to what could be wrong or a possible solution? I believe that there is a problem with the left channel crossover. I have a multi-meter and could check the board if I knew what to look for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[gmorris]

Originally posted by JCL
The left channel does not produce any sound when the preamp is set to mono and the balance is shifted to the right channel. The left channel does produce sound when the balance is shifted to the Left.

I guess I don't understand the problem. You state the left channel does not make sound when the balance is shifted to the right. This should happen.

Maybe you could explain a little more, I'm a bit confused by your first description.

[JCL]

With the SDA SRS speakers there should be a sound produced to produce the SDA effect. This is per the manual and is a test that should be performed. The SDA SRS speakers do not reproduce sound like a normal speaker. They use a seperate set of drivers in each speaker to produce a wider soundstage by using a noise cancelation technique.

[gmorris]

O.k. I got it now. That makes sense.

There are plenty of SDA experts on this forum, sooner or later, someone will jump in here.

Have you tried a call/email to Polk Customer Service? I think I'd start there....

[BlueMDPicker]

Originally posted by JCL
Anybody got any ideas as to what could be wrong or a possible solution? I believe that there is a problem with the left channel crossover. I have a multi-meter and could check the board if I knew what to look for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the forum.

Unless I missed it in your problem report, you make no mention of the interconnect cable. Did you get the SDA interconnect cable with your purchase (the one that goes from speaker to speaker with blade/blade terminations)? If so, have you checked continuity of that cable? It could be a defective SDA IC cable.

If you didn't get the cable, you can make one.

Mike

[JCL]

I have the cable and it is attached to the speakers. If the problem was the cable I would imagine that no sound would be produced from the opposite speaker when the ballance is changed from left to right. I will check both wires of the cable with a multimeter when I get home tonight to make sure that one wire is not bad.

[JCL]

Called customer service and spoke to Ken. He is sending me a comprehensive test procedure to go through tonight. Hopefully this will isolate the problem. Thanks Ken!!

[F1nut]

There is a complete SDA test sheet available from Polk, contact Ken Swauger. I know you that you checked the wiring, but I still think that is the problem.

EDIT: See what happens when you answer the door for the UPS guy before hitting send...lol. Glad to hear you're on the right track.

[JCL]

Ken faxed me the sheet so I will check out everything tonight. Thanks for the help. Hopfully I'll have this fixed tonight.