Should I rebuild SDA-SRS 2's?

[Troy Pauline]

I have an original pair of SDA-SRS 2's that I bought new in 1986. These speakers still look and sound great but have been used extensively over the last 17 years. I'm thinking the sound quality has to have changed over the years and was wondering if I should be thinking about giving them an overhaul. If so where should I start and/or what pitfalls should I watch out for?

Thanks in advance for any informaiton. :)

[VR3]

:: Don't fix what's not broken.::

[dorokusai]

There are some other SDA owners in the forum that will help you Troy. They can provide you with some help in determining a course of action I am sure. F1Nut, Polkatese and Har Navalta are regular contributers on that subject. Just hang tight.

[F1nut]

Troy,

Since you seem to be happy with the sound and appearance, leave them alone unless you want to upgrade the crossover and binding posts. The mid-drivers and PR have rubber surrounds that unless damaged should be just fine. The tweeters either work or not. If you're interested in the above upgrades, I'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

F1

[Troy Pauline]

Although they still sound great they don't seem to quite "disappear" like they used to.

My main concern was that after all these years the sound may have been slowly deteriorating and my ears have just gotten used to it.

F1,

I would be interested in finding out about upgrading the crossover and binding post, and what that would do for sound quality.

Also, I lost the manuals to these many moves ago and maybe I don't have them positioned properly in the room.

I thank everyone for any information they provide me.

Thanks for the responces.

[F1nut]

Troy,

As for position, they should be parallel with the wall, no toe-in. They should be 3 feet from any side wall and between 6 to 8 feet apart. I like my 2.3TL's 5.5 inches from the rear wall, but I believe up to 18 inches is ok. You'll get more bass the closer they are to the wall. Ideally, if you have them 6 feet apart you should sit 6 feet from them, etc. I will post somemore info later, I've got to get right now.

[F1nut]

Troy,

If you upgrade the crossovers and binding posts you gain some detail, a wider/deeper soundstage and the bass should tighten up.

You will need a schematic which you should be able to get from Ken Swauger at KSwauger@polkaudio.com. All the upgrade components you will need are available at www.percyaudio.com or www.soniccraft.com. They both carry Cardas binding posts (the best), get the ones labeled CCGR short and get the Quad-Eutectic solder. Are you any good with a soldering iron?

Another avenue worth pursuing is to upgrade your speaker wire and interconnect cables. I highly recommend MIT cables at www.mitcables.com. The Shotgun series are nice with the SDA's.
What are you using now for power, source(s) and cables?

Jesse

[Zero]

Gentlemen,

Hopefully no one will be bothered by my intrusion here, as I wish to add a little observation I have made in regards to some SDA owners. I tend to notice that those who have had their speakers for many, many, years became rather accustom and even, tired, of the sound. Eventually they began looking for other routes, only to find at the end of the day, they liked their SDA's and found whole new reasons to appreciate them.

The same happened to me on a very low scale in a very quick time-frame. Although I do not imply that the same could be occuring with you Troy, it is a possibility worth noting nonetheless.

[abmarsh]

Troy, I agree with ATCVenom. I recommend you go audition some new speakers. I bet you'll come back with a renewed apprediation for how good your SDAs still sound. It happened to me.

[Troy Pauline]

F1nut,

I currently have a Sony STR555ES driving the speakers. They are conncted with very thick Monster Cable. I don't know the gage as it was purchased the same day I bought the speakers. After 17 years maybe it's the cables that need to be replaced!

As for my prowess with a soldering iorn...I'm ok but no expert.

Everyone else,

I love my SDAs and have no thought of changing them out with another speaker. If so I would have even thought about rebuilding them in the first place. I just want to make sure I'm getting the best possible sound from them.

I'm also glad that I found these forums. It's nice to see others have the same love for the product that I've had over the years.

Thanks again for all the responces.