Polk SDA 2B Studio - good speakers?

[Sandman175]

Thanks TForan. I already like the SDAs - even with my underpowered receiver & less than ideal placement & before the positive comments - enough that I wouldn't sell or trade them. As of now, my plan is to find some smaller, more efficient speakers to pair with the sx-780 in my bedroom, & to get a better suited amp/receiver to pair with the SDAs in my living room. Like most, I don't have an unlimited budget. I'm looking for good gear at good prices so it might take awhile before I get the right match for the SDAs, but that's okay; I enjoy the process almost as much as I enjoy listening to the final product. Thanks for the input; it kind of reinforces my plans.

 

[Baker_86]

Rex81, thanks again. I have read about several of your points, especially that the really low THD ratings are much less significant than what we might expect, given the most important fact that we can't hear the difference. We didn't get into slew rates and some of the other measurements that can affect performance & the vague concept of musicality, but all of your points are valid & I may eventually become convinced. But for now, I'll stick to vintage, assuming that I can find & buy what I want. Regarding the "fit" of the SDAs, I know my space is less than ideal & I do want a more powerful amp/receiver but I really like the speakers even now. I expect to have a better place to set them up within the next couple years & to have a more powerful amp/receiver to get the best out of them. In the meantime, I'll probably continue to scout for vintage bargains & likely keep the sx-780 for my bedroom setup with different (bargain) speakers. Hopefully, I'll get at least the Sansui g8000 & possibly even the g9000, g22000, or the ultimate g33000 to eventually pair with the SDAs. Regardless, I first realized almost 40 years ago - when I couldn't afford true hi-fi but enjoyed listening to the systems of others who could - that there is no perfect system, or even perfect component. Good? - yes, Great? -yes, almost perfect for an application? - certainly. But tastes change, needs change, approaches change, and I expect to enjoy the process of finding, buying, putting together, tweaking, and enjoying different setups, hopefully for the rest of my life. Thanks again.

I started out with a sx780 which I consider one of the best all around pioneers ever made. My friend introduced my to his g8000 and g801 and I got mad jealous. Do your research before you buy. Many say the 8000 and 801 are the best sounding out of the sansui g's. And on that note do your research on the issues with the 8000s and up. Most have channel issues and I believe it's the pre amp switch on the left side that gets real dirty and needs cleaning. I just had mine done 2 months after I got mine in January. Two weeks after purchase it went out but I got mine at a good price (650). Recapped and serviced look to spend around 1000. I'm running klipsch kg 5.5s and epi m180s on mine. Im sure the polks sound good but you'll prpbably end up with something in the klipsch heritage line or choruses or jbl 43xx once you hear them on a sansui g, but i have never heard the polks on a sansui so idk. I had some kg 4.5s mixed with the epis and they were perfect I wish I hadn't have upgraded so to speak (kg 5.5 has way more bass than 4.5) and as my friend says "youll end up with tubes before it's over" good luck in your search for a big "g"

 

[Sandman175]

I started out with a sx780 which I consider one of the best all around pioneers ever made. My friend introduced my to his g8000 and g801 and I got mad jealous. Do your research before you buy. Many say the 8000 and 801 are the best sounding out of the sansui g's. And on that note do your research on the issues with the 8000s and up. Most have channel issues and I believe it's the pre amp switch on the left side that gets real dirty and needs cleaning. I just had mine done 2 months after I got mine in January. Two weeks after purchase it went out but I got mine at a good price (650). Recapped and serviced look to spend around 1000. I'm running klipsch kg 5.5s and epi m180s on mine. Im sure the polks sound good but you'll prpbably end up with something in the klipsch heritage line or choruses or jbl 43xx once you hear them on a sansui g, but i have never heard the polks on a sansui so idk. I had some kg 4.5s mixed with the epis and they were perfect I wish I hadn't have upgraded so to speak (kg 5.5 has way more bass than 4.5) and as my friend says "youll end up with tubes before it's over" good luck in your search for a big "g"

Thanks for the input. I have my eyes on an 8000g but finances are a little tight right now & it may get away from me. I've done a lot of research on the SDAs - be prepared to enter a world that has tons of interesting, confusing, conflicting, misleading, and occasionally spot on information if you ever research them - and i've become convinced that they are special, reinforced by my own enjoyment with the sx-780 driving them. VI'll definitely want to try them with whatever larger amp/receiver that I get. Thanks for the heads up regarding potential issues with the big Sansuis. When researching them, I hadn't really noticed any particular issues. When I first saw & read about them it was kind of love at first sight. When that happens, it's like the great line that Paul Simon wrote in The Boxer; "Still, a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest"! I'll read up on potential issues, but pretty sure nothing will keep me from buying one eventually, lol!

 

[Baker_86]

Also check out this issue too I'm having another issue with my Sanusi g

Look up in your search box Sanusi g8000 lost channel I've posted on the page


And no problem I don't want to scare you away from a g8000 but I want you to be informed about them because it is a larger purchase. And they do sound freaking awesome.

 

[Baker_86]

Also search on AK "g8000 volume" read on these threads and see how many have the same problems but by my understanding once it's fixed right there's no more issues

 

[Sandman175]

Also search on AK "g8000 volume" read on these threads and see how many have the same problems but by my understanding once it's fixed right there's no more issues

Baker, thank you for the input. I'm really enjoying this site. The genuine goodwill (almost) everyone expresses, whether giving a heads up about potential problems, or just sharing experience, is pretty cool. Or, as my old boss & friend used to say, " groovy!". I refer back to my previous post & admit that it would take a lot to scare me away from the big g series sansuis, I'm pretty smitten, lol! But I'll check out the threads to try and prepare for what might (inevitably) be ahead. Thanks!

 

[70'sMusic]

Hi Everyone,

Hmmm, glad to find this thread. I just purchased a mint Pioneer SX-1250 to drive my SDA 2s. Plenty of power, but what kind of problems does this speaker cause to my vintage receiver?

 

[Nemo bit]

Clean power. Old school works fine. Idle along with headroom and all will be fine.
Sda2bs good stuff Maynard. I offered 20 bucks for a set that were posted on our local offer up site as best offer. I didn't have a clue
What they were far to new but interesting
Non the less. The guy took my offer. It turns out his mother had bought them new and recently told her son she wanted them gone. I had indeed done a bit of research prior to handing my $20 bill to him I knew all about the interconnect cable and had checked the auction site and sure they could be had. We had transferred from his car to mine and I turned to leave and I hear Oh I almost forgot and handed.me the cable. That was was my first taste of "vintage" polks I have a set of monitor 10s 2nd series that carry on that signature sound. I will keep both sets as long as I am upright. I have other speakers that are held in the same regard as the polks also good performers. Which is the best.. all of them would be the truth. Enjoy!

 

[Nemo bit]

None nothing and not an issue. The sx1250
Is a good candidate. I have run mine with every thing I have at some point and 99% is early 60s to mid early 70s. If some one says they will.. run from them. As long as any amp is negative ground it ok by Polk handbook and I wonder if some follow the same guideline as I have read threads devoted to getting around that same thing. I can say there are some true "Experts" here that will mention when something isn't right..

 

[Rex81]

Hi Everyone,

Hmmm, glad to find this thread. I just purchased a mint Pioneer SX-1250 to drive my SDA 2s. Plenty of power, but what kind of problems does this speaker cause to my vintage receiver?

There are mixed feelings about this. I've never owned an SX-1250, so I don't have personal experience with it. I know it's considered to be a very nice, beefy receiver, but in general, most SDA owners will tell you to skip receivers when powering SDAs, especially the ones rated at 4 ohms, like your SDA 2. Even "monster" receivers like yours can't deliver the clean current that a lot of smaller, dedicated, and/or more modern amps can. But again, the SX-1250 is no slouch, so it's probably fine. But I've run LOTS of amps on LOTS of different SDA models, and no vintage solid state receiver could compare to my two favorites: 1962 Fisher 800b tube receiver running 16 watts per channel, and a $200 60 wpc class D amp. Because SDAs are so efficient, you don't need a lot of watts to run them, but you do need stable current. Tube amps and class D tend to have the big vintage receivers beat in this area.

If your SX-1250 is in good mechanical shape, you should be fine. But keep your eye out for different options in the future. You may be surprised at how differently the SDAs perform.

 

[JosephH]

Keep in mind that almost all of these better quality, beautiful receivers can be operated as a preamp and used with a dedicated 2 channel amps. I am currently running my Pioneer SX-3800 with a Hafler DH220 amp. Adding the amp made an AMAZING difference, yet allows me to use and enjoy the floroscan hybrid Pioneer for phono and tuner use. The best of both world.

 

[7whales7]

With SDA's use a common ground amp, stay away from Carver amps.....some are not common ground. Most amps on the market are common ground. You need not only Power but also current to make them shine. I use a Kenwood Basic M2A with a set of SDA 1 C's, it works good. Nice sounding speakers, tons of upgrades, you can also check out the Polk forums. Polk still sells what parts they have in stock also. Better amp you'll be happy. Enjoy

 

[7whales7]

None nothing and not an issue. The sx1250
Is a good candidate. I have run mine with every thing I have at some point and 99% is early 60s to mid early 70s. If some one says they will.. run from them. As long as any amp is negative ground it ok by Polk handbook and I wonder if some follow the same guideline as I have read threads devoted to getting around that same thing. I can say there are some true "Experts" here that will mention when something isn't right..

Very expensive to "get around" the use of a common ground amp. They call it Dreadnught upgrade I believe. Just get the right amp....easier. Been down this road before. The other problem is the big SDA's can run down to 2 ohm loads at times.....that can be tuff on the Pioneer for extended listening.

 

[7whales7]

Very expensive to "get around" the use of a common ground amp. They call it Dreadnught upgrade I believe. Just get the right amp....easier. Been down this road before. The other problem is the big SDA's can run down to 2 ohm loads at times.....that can be tuff on the Pioneer for extended listening.

Dreadnught may get rid of the interconnect cable....I can't remember....it it been awhile. They are not that complicated, 90%of the amps out there will work, keep them out of the corners, if you can get them off the wall a foot or so the better, don't toe them in at you, point them straight, they disperse their sound stage, If can get 4 feet or more between them....if possible....if less don't worry.

 

[7whales7]

With SDA's use a common ground amp, stay away from Carver amps.....some are not common ground. Most amps on the market are common ground. You need not only Power but also current to make them shine. I use a Kenwood Basic M2A with a set of SDA 1 C's, it works good. Nice sounding speakers, tons of upgrades, you can also check out the Polk forums. Polk still sells what parts they have in stock also. Better amp you'll be happy. Enjoy

 

[7whales7]

Polk manual maybe to blurry

 

[HectorRomero]

For the record, there is no SDA 2C. 2B was the last version. The 2B Studio is the same as the 2B, but instead of walnut caps on the top and bottom and cloth sides, it's just a wood grain vinyl. Most are black, some are brown.

ALL Polk SDAs are good speakers. They can do things that other speakers could only dream of. Balanced highs, killer bass, and of course the legendary wide soundstage. Although the 2B were toward the bottom of the line, they are still high end speakers and sound fantastic. You got an AWESOME deal on them if you paid $150 and got the SX-780 with them. The SX-780 usually goes for about $200-250 and the 2B Studios for about $200-300. I always say that Polk SDA speakers are the best deal in vintage audio. The resale price is ridiculously low for the amount of sound you get out of them. For instance, I owned a pair of Klipsch Chorus IIs at the same time as a pair of Polk SDA 2B Studios and determined that the SDA 2B was better in every way. And the Chorus II is a very well respected speaker. I sold them for $800. The 2B Studios cost me $180. So there ya go.

There are also a lot of useful upgrades you can do to them to make them sound even better. Polk still supports them. You can replace the tweeters with new units from Polk for $100 and that in itself will be a huge upgrade in sound quality.

The only problem with SDAs, and one of the reasons why they cost so little on the used market is because they have to be powered properly, and placed properly to sound good. I can tell you right now that you have FAR less power than they really need. Your 780 has 45 wpc, and any SDA owner with experience will tell you that you need at least 200 wpc. It's not about volume. The SDAs are actually fairly efficient speakers and will get loud enough on 20 watts of power. But their electronics are complicated and require a lot of current to get the woofers moving. I tried using my 2Bs with a 100 wpc receiver and they fell all over themselves. The bass was sloppy, the dynamics were poor. As soon as I hooked them up to my Crown XLS 1500 amp with 350 wpc, they came alive. HUGE difference. So I suggest the first thing you do is replace your amp. Get a separate amp/preamp combo. Maybe sell the 780 to pay for it. Regardless of what the guys in the Polk forum will say, you don't need to spend a lot on a high powered amp. Those guys HATE pro amps. Of course, the ones who say they hate them haven't heard a Crown XLS, so go figure. My Crown XLS 1500 cost me $175 brand new from Amazon and it drives my SDA SRS 2 (big ones) VERY well. They're discontinued now, but you can find them on ebay for not a whole lot more. If you like the Polks you need the power. Then you'll love them. It's worth the upgrade.

The other thing is spacing. You can cram SDAs into any old room and they'll sound good, but if you want the breathtaking soundstage, they need 3 feet of open space on either side of them and you need to sit at least as far away from them and they are from each other. So if you're 8' in front of them, place them about 10' apart and make sure you have 3' open on the outside of them. This usually means you need a long wall to place them on.

So if you don't have 200 watts or 3' on each side of them, you're not fully enjoying these awesome speakers.

Here's a good site for basic SDA info: http://www.polksda.com/
LOTS of good info in the SDA Handbook: http://vr3mods.com/uploads/SDA_Handbook_2011_Rev2.pdf

Hope this helps and I hope you can get the power and have the space to fully enjoy these awesome speakers. Once you find what they're truly capable of, you might find yourself upgrading to one of the big SRS models. That's what I did, and I haven't been able to find a better speaker.

Hi, I use a Yamaha ax596 to move a pair of SDA 2 Studio version, I need a more powerful amp to ”squezze” those speakers? Thanks

 

[70'sMusic]

Hi, I use a Yamaha ax596 to move a pair of SDA 2 Studio version, I need a more powerful amp to ”squezze” those speakers? Thanks

FWIW - I use a vintage Pioneer SX-1250 receiver and it drives my SDA-2s just fine. In fact there is a noticeable difference in sq using the vintage Pioneer vs. the Yamaha R-9 I use to drive them with. At 4 ohms the Yamaha was pushing 200 wpc and the Pioneer is pushing 320 wpc.

 

[Rex81]

Hi, I use a Yamaha ax596 to move a pair of SDA 2 Studio version, I need a more powerful amp to ”squezze” those speakers? Thanks

Your ax596 is a pretty powerful amp and is rated down to 2 ohm, which is good. It's probably fine. Maybe borrow a dedicated amp from someone to try out, or try a tube amp on them if you have a chance. 25-50 wpc tube amps usually sound great on SDAs.