Opinions Please

[abmarsh]

Here are the three speaker options I'm considering.

1. Purchase a PSW-650 to mate with my SDA-2As. Cost around $550.

2. Purchase LSi9s and PSW-650. Sell the SDAs. Cost around $1500.

3. Purchase LSi15s. Sell the SDAs. Cost around $1500.

Some of the decision will be driven by my auditioning the LSi speaker line this weekend. I'm just putting out feelers.

I don't guess I'll go wrong with any of these options.

[Steve@3dai]

I can't see any problem with any of those choices. Although I am a little biased towards the 9s ;)

[gidrah]

4. None of the above. Keep the SDAs and buy a different sub.

[abmarsh]

I'd consider that, too. My heart isn't set on the PSW-650.

[phuz]

Looks like you are more interested in 2ch audio than home theater? If that is the case, I say go with option 3 - and someday down the road consider a sub for home theater if you feel that you really need it.

[organ]

The LSi will be different than your SDA. Make sure you really like the LSi before considering selling your SDA. ATCVenom here prefers the SDA over the LSi.

Maurice

[Zero]

Organ,

I cannot say that is entirely true. Much of my comparisons with both speakers are flawed in their own rights.

Personally, I feel the SDA creates a much wider sound-stage. Music, such as old rock, sounds much more realistic and natural with the SDA's. In many respects, I have yet to find a speaker capable of producing that same feeling of "being there".

Yet, there are many things the SDA series falls short of that the LSi shines in. The Lsi is a very refined, hyper accurate sounding speaker. Its sound-stage, once broken in and positioned properly - is quite astounding.

To put it as best as possible, one speakers weakness is the others strength.

Abmarsh,

I am not entirely positive what suggestions to give to you. Is there something about the SDA sound you do not enjoy? Does the LSi sound give you something more?

You also have to take into consideration the cables you are using, the source, the amps driving everything, etc etc...

If possible, I would simply attempt to hold on to the SDA. I had to ditch my 2000's and miss the hell out of their sound. The SDA's are so unique Im afraid the same may happen to you.

You know what your ears enjoy best - and its best to get out there and see what ya like before you take that final plunge. If money is a big concern - just wait it out a little while so you do not have to settle.

Good luck.

Sean

[abmarsh]

I'm going down to Richmond this weekend to check out the LSi line. Phuz is right, I'm much more of a music listener than home theater, although I like a movie to sound good, too.

I guess I have to admit that I've gotten a little dissatisfied with the sound of my SDAs. I bought them new in 87. Maybe it's just that I've had them a long time and I'm wondering what else is out there.

What I'm looking to do is build a good home theater system a step at a time. I recently picked up a Yamaha RX-V2300 receiver, so I've got a power source that'll handle most anything adequately. I could either keep the SDAs as the mains and build from there or start fresh. Keeping the SDAs and picking up a subwoofer to start is the most attractive financial option, but I want to make sure I'm going to be satisfied for a long time.

Like I said, I'll be doing some listening this weekend. I haven't heard any of the LSi lineup yet - there's a chance I won't like them, but I doubt that.

There was recently a thread in one of the forums regarding upper midrange harshness in the SDA-2s, which I have to agree with. Do you SDA afficianados feel like other SDA models have this same harshness? If not, I may look at picking up a good used set of 1Cs or the big boys.

[phuz]

abmarsh, glad to hear that you are going to give them a listen! I don't think you will be disappointed. I am young, and never got into the SDAs much because I preferred the LSi line right off. ATC is right, they are different and each has it's own pos. and neg. aspects.

Remember they do take some time to 'break in,' and don't be affriad to crank it!

Let us know what you decide.

[Zero]

Be very afraid to crank it!!!!!!!!! lol

[RuSsMaN]

No, be very afraid to ABUSE them, by clipping your amp. ;)

The toss-ups, imo between the LSi and the SDA line are this (nutshelled of course). SDA, un-real soundstage, stereo image, and warmth. Lsi, incredibly flat, accurate, and detailed.

BUT, having said that, they are not light-years apart, the differences, imo, are subtle, but noticeable. I think in the years to come, the LSi line might actually develop the following SDA has, and that says a lot. We will see how the next few years go, and what changes are made in the line.

Cheers,
Rooster

[Zen Dragon]

You know, I would so like to see the LSi line become a classic. To date the 3000.00 dollar SDA1 is the only speaker that ever "floored" me on a demo with it's soundstage and imaging.
Of course I was a youngster then and couldn't afford it.
I am waiting for my recently purchased LSi9's to arrive and we shall see. I've never heard a pair. Maybe at this point in my life I had the cash to buy a classic first hand. (fingers crossed)
Admarsh, what cha gonna do wit dos SDA's if ya upgrade to LSi's

[abmarsh]

Don't know yet. It depends on whether, or not, I decide that I just have to have a set of LSis. I guess I'd probably sell them. I've kept them in great shape despite being in the Navy and moving a dozen times. I still have the original boxes, packing, and manuals.

[abmarsh]

Well, I went listening to speakers today. I listened to the LSi-15 and LSi-7. I listened to the 15 by themselves and coupled with a PSW-450. I only listened to the 7s paired with the subwoofer.

They sound really good, but not really "better" than my SDAs. I think I'll hang on to the SDAs for a while longer, but will look into getting a subwoofer.

I may also look for a good, used set of SDA-1Cs or SRSs.

Thanks for the input/opinions.

[mfalesch]

Hey abmarsh......

I started the thread about the SDA-2 midrange harshness the other week.

EQ'ing helps a lot and I, too, am now considering adding a subwoofer and keeping the SDA-2's.

I'll be interested to hear which sub you go with.......keep us posted.

Dumb question for anyone: on the Polk site they only show a couple of Polk subs as "compatible" with the SDA-2's. What are the determining factors on sub compatibility with SDA-2's? I didn't think the imaging/interconnect cable made a difference due to omnidirectionality of low freq's - or am I missing something very basic and fundamental here?

Any reason a M&K or Velo - or other sub wouldn't be compatible with SDA-2's??

[F1nut]

abmarsh,

I own the 2B's and 2.3TL's. To my ears I found the 2B's on the harsh side, but only with certain recordings. I found by upgrading the interconnects and speaker cable to MIT's upper-mid level stuff that it helped alot. The highs became a little smoother and the bass became more pronounced. Now, the 2.3TL's are never harsh and there is plenty of bass. I love them and have found no need for a sub. I think the biggest difference is the SL2000 tweeter in the 2B's and the SL3000's (3) in the 2.3TL's. The SL2000 has a peak at 13,000 kHz where as the SL3000 has a flat response, it's smooth. If you're looking to upgrade, I recommend going to the TL series.

F1nut

[abmarsh]

I've placed an Hsu VTF-2 subwoofer on order. It should be here Tuesday. I'll post my opinions after living with it a while.

Are the TLs the only SDAs that use the SL3000 tweeters? When did Polk start using it?

When I bought my SDAs, the store had a set of the previous year's SDA-1As sitting next to them. I really considered them, but they were the walnut cabinet (I preferred the oak) and the reviews I had read stated that the 2As and 1Bs SDA crossover had been improved.

[F1nut]

Yes, only the TL series which started in 1989. I should also mention that they have improved crossovers too.