Pin Blade Interconnect vs Subwoofer Cable?

[Blinddog]

Yeah, I know, just what Club Polk needed, another interconnect thread but seriously, I have a question. If the pin is the only connection carrying a signal on the pin/blade interconnect, then why not just use a sub-woofer cable to connect the speakers?

Are there are any connection compatibility issues? It looks like a standard RCA type plug should do the trick, is this the case? Am I the only one stupid enough to even think of this when I could just as well make an interconnect based on the DIY posts that other members were nice enough to post complete with pictures and instruction that even I may be able to comprehend?

I picked up my SDA 1C's about six months ago and it's about time to create a symbiotic relationship between the two of them. The fact is that I was hoping to pick something up cheap on ebay but I have not seen any cables at a price that I was willing to pay so any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

[thsmith]

I bought RCA solder connectors and used a 12gauge wire and made mine as recommended here. You could use a sub cable just break off the outer ring of tabs to insert deeper in the hole.

[zingo]

I don't see why it wouldn't work except that there might not be enough length to the pin with the ring in place. I have just used a length of wire in the past, so any single, electrical connection would be fine.

[Ricardo]

Six months with the 1C's and you still have not heard them the way they should be heard? Just use any wire and connect those pins!!!!

[Blinddog]

Six months with the 1C's and you still have not heard them the way they should be heard? Just use any wire and connect those pins!!!!

Yeah, (head bowed in shame), until you and zingo mentioned that I could just us a F$%@ING wire as an interconnect I had never even thought of that! I think I'll call in sick for the afternoon, go home and connect some heavy gauge wire between the speakers, and throw on some Dire Straits and Temple of the Dog.

And thanks to thsmith about cutting off the sleeve around the pin. I was thinking that might be the case and it's nice to hear my thoughts confirmed.

Thanks to all for the info.

[thsmith]

If you have not already checked there are some lost cost tweaks you can do that pay off big time. Mortite for sealing the speakers amoung others. I found one of my PR spiders had come loose from the styrofoam but some styrofoam glue fixed that.

They are great speakers, enjoy !

Welcome to Club Polk

[ben62670]

An RCA cacble is usually 22-24ga. Not near what you need for an IC. The Stock Polk IC cable is 18ga IIRC. Use he RCA ends. Breack the flutes off and solder some 14-16 ga wire in place.
Ben

[Blinddog]

So I went home last night, broke the ring off a 25' sub woofer cable, and hooked it up as the interconnect between the 1C's. BTW the fit was absolutely fine in my opinion once the collar was removed. The length of the pin seemed satisfactory and the pins fit snug, but not too tight. (Yes Virginia, size does matter.) At first, when listening to selected tracks off Fleetwood Mac - Rumours the sound didn't seem all that different. Upon grill removal and a detailed scientific auditory examination, (by placing my right ear 1/4 of an inch away from each driver), I discovered that the drivers from the opposite channel were working, but were definitely quite a bit softer than the drivers running directly from the amp.

At this point since I've read that the SDA effect can vary greatly depending on the recording I replaced the grills and settled in for an evening of listening. After a couple of hours listening to everything from George Thorogood to Frankie Goes To Hollywood, (yes FGTH, there is actually some good production on some of those tracks), to Pink Floyd, to Temple of the Dog, I began to realize that the speakers were sounding pretty damn good, and significantly better than before. This made me a very happy boy, (hubba hubba hubba hubba. Yeah, I listened to some Beat Farmers too).

I still have a couple of questions and thanks to ben2670, one more project. First off, per ben62670, I think you're right about the wire. Although I have not chewed the ends off the cable yet to inspect them I cannot imagine that it is much more than 22-24ga as you mention. I may pick up some heavier 14-16ga wire this weekend as you suggested, solder on some new RCA jacks and give that a try. In the mean time could the difference in the volume between the drivers per above be a result of the cheap ass low grade wire in the sub cable, or is the volume difference normal in the SDA's?

One more thing, (if anyone is actually still reading), the sound seemed to get better and better the longer I listened and no, there was no alcohol consumed during any portion of the evening or during my detailed scientific auditory examination. Since the drivers that run off the interconnect have not been used in YEARS could it be that the drivers needed a slight "burn in" period to get back into the swing of things (ie new rdo's) after being on hiatus for so long? Or could this just be the SDA variation between different tracks, a bit of wishful thinking, and my overactive imagination?

Thanks again to all for the read and the advice. I look forward to hearing any additional suggestions from those of you that know a whole lot more than myself, (which is pretty much most, if not all of you).

[thsmith]

Can't explain your points above except maybe it took some time for you to hear the difference. I too initially used a sub cable until I made my own which was an improvement. Another thing is to check the side wall distance and make sure they are equal and each side should be somewhere near 3 feet with about 6 feet between speakers.

If I got that wrong some one please correct me.

[F1nut]

The SDA drivers produce sound at a lower level by design. Even with the cable disconnected the SDA drivers still function below 100Hz, so they have been working the entire time.

Set up for SDA's is unlike most speakers. Do you have the owners manual?

[NJPOLKER]

Welcome to Club Polk
Speaker placement is critical and there had been alot written on the subject.
Try a forum search and do some reading. The search function is awesome and I wonder why people don't use it more.

[ben62670]

It should be mentioned that SDA's do not get toed in at all. Al;so they are usually best from 3-9"s from the wall behind them.
Enjoy
Ben

[Blinddog]

Thanks for the quick responses and yep, I use and highly recommend the search feature. I didn't really have a question about speaker placement so much as the difference in the driver volumes within the same speaker cabinet ie the the drivers from the interconnect vs the drivers directly from the amp.

I do have both speakers about six inches from the rear wall, with one four feet from a side wall, and the other, due to size constraints, only about 6-8 inches from a side wall, and about 10' apart. Due to a TV and a doorway between the speakers this is the best that I can currently do without a serious remodel.

Thanks again for all the advice, especially ben about the toe in, (I forgot about that one), and F1 about the 100mhz thing, (never heard of that one), and I'll update the post once I try out the heavier gauge interconnect.

[thsmith]

Blinddog, here is a link for the manual just in case.

http://polksda.com/pdfs/SDA1C.pdf