POLK Audio SDA-2A Thoughts

[Axcel]

hi need advice i have a chancee to get a real nice pair of polk sda2a but missing the stereo cross over cable. deal breaker? some have chimed in you don’t need it

 

[F1nut]

An aftermarket blade/blade SDA interconnect cable is available here, https://www.midwestspeakerrepair.co...s/polk-audio-1/polk-audio-interconnect-cable/

The speakers will play without the cable, but and that's a huge BUT, you will not hear what makes SDA speakers special. Therefore, not using the cable diminishes the overall performance.

FYI, you cannot use non-common ground amps with that speaker.

 

[kevintomb]

IME SDA's sound mediocre at best without the connecting cable.

That is a unusual comment.
So you are saying they are mediocre at best speakers, and only the SDA effect makes them worthwhile?

 

[Dswankey]

IME SDA's sound mediocre at best without the connecting cable.

So you are saying they are mediocre at best speakers, and only the SDA effect makes them worthwhile?

My interpretation is that he said they "sound" mediocre at best not that "they are" mediocre at best speakers

 

[kevintomb]

http://www.hifi-classic.net/review/polk-audio-sda-2a-181.html

 

[kevintomb]

My interpretation is that he said they "sound" mediocre at best not that "they are" mediocre at best speakers

Honestly I think pretty much all of the Polks of that era, sound a good bit more than mediocre though. SDA or not, the basic sound quality is quite decent on all of the vintage polks.

 

[Dswankey]

^ I hear you man, big fan of vintage Polk Audio Monitors

 

[Lavane]

Until recently Polk was never on my radar. It had to the looks of the vinyl veneer and the way the grill covers the whole front of the cabinet. They probably reminded me of those cheap furniture store rack systems back then.
Now having a couple pairs I wish I had looked closer.

 

[Axcel]

An aftermarket blade/blade SDA interconnect cable is available here, https://www.midwestspeakerrepair.co...s/polk-audio-1/polk-audio-interconnect-cable/

The speakers will play without the cable, but and that's a huge BUT, you will not hear what makes SDA speakers special. Therefore, not using the cable diminishes the overall performance.

FYI, you cannot use non-common ground amps with that speaker.
what exactly is a non common ground

 

[Axcel]

what is a non common amp never heard of that term

 

[A/D/Slover]

Polks were on my radar....got plenty for a rainy day or 2....never did sort out my 2bs......

 

[F1nut]

what is a non common amp never heard of that term

Any amp that does not share a common ground between the negative outputs. True dual mono and mono block amps will never share the ground. There are also many standard amps that are not common ground. If in doubt measure the outputs.