Accurate reproduction of the full sound stage

none

I've had a pair of Polk Audio SDA 2A for 15 years (when Polk Audio knew how to build a strong quality speaker). They cost $1500 in 1986. The SDA stands for Stereo Dimensional Array. I remember when I first heard them. The store was playing Glenn Miller's In A Digital Mood. The sound was amazing! It produced a full sound stage, and when I closed my eyes I could point to each musician. I love these speakers, they fill up the room (my livingroom is an acoustic nightmare—hardwood floors, no curtains, and it's 25 X 44 feet) with a warm, detailed full sound.

height, width and depth of sound stage

none

i bought a used pair about 2 years ago. they sound stage is very realistic. i recently put on a pair of transparent music wave super cables and the sound is very detailed and the background very quiet. my friend spent twice as much money for new speakers (i won't mention the brand) and he thinks mine sound superior in every way. because the price of these used (if you can find them) were $600, i have to give them five stars for value and rating.

Similar Products Used:

product model year is unknown

sound stage, imaging, dispersion,clean,clear,very warm midrange,smooth crossover points

a little shy in the low end,a little on the bright side

i don't know where to start, the company or their products!! i have nothing but RAVES to say about both. i have been around polks since high school. a friend bought an early pair of monitors and i didn't like them(don't remember why). then after years had passed and i had been through the usual try these and try those,i came across the SDA-1 series, and fell in love immediatly. i was about to buy a pair when my retailer, who i had dealt with for years, told me to wait,the sda-1A's were coming out, that i should hear them before i do anything. so i did, and 20 plus years later, i am glad i did!!!!!! they still sound better than any speaker i've heard to date, and i've been around !!!!!!!! all the strengths i mentioned above plus many more hold true for any polk speakers. they stand behind their product 100% and then some. they've helped me out several times, under warranty and out of. the highest compliment one could give any reputable company. i wouldn't go anywhere else, why when they've got the best. no, i'm not getting paid for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

m&k sat/sub system, altec, jbl, various not worthy of mentioning !!!!!!!

Interesting concept in cancelling dual wave lengths

lack of bass and clarity

I bought a pair of Polk SDS-2 speakers back in August 1988 for $1000 dollars from a company in Tustin CA. that is no longer in business, and I had the speakers until October 1998. The Polk SDS-2's were an upgrade from a pair of JBL speakers that I bought as a teenager. Therefore the Polk SDS-2's were part of my second stereo system with Yahama separates with a 125 watt amp. The Polk SDS-2 served as the main speakers on the ground with Bose 301's hanging from the cealing. It was amazing on how little I knew back then and how matching these 2 types of speakers worked well together. What the Polk SDS-2 didn't play, the Bose 301's did and visa verse. Most people liked my stereo system, but then again, most people that I knew back then bought over sized Boom Boxes, therefore I was one of the few that had at least a semi good stereo system. I had an audio friend that bought some Vandersteen 2 that did out play the Polk SDS-2's in clarity and presence and I am surprise at the high rating that everyone gave here. The Polk SDS-2's are good, but not that good. Later both me and my friend bought Martin Logans speakers which out class and out play any Polk equipment by far, but then again, my friend is ranning his Martin Logan Aerius with an Adcon amp, and I am ranning my Martin Logan SL-3's with an Aragon 8008BB amp. With these amps the Martin Logans breath and clarify each note. I can hear the Bass player's hands touch the bass guitar in Holy Cole's CD Temptation which the Polk SDS-2 could never do. I gave my Polk SDS-2 to my brother, who knows nothing about audio equipment, and he was surprised on how well these speakers out played his small Cerwin Vegas. Later my brother bought a large TV and the his wife didn't like how the the Polks looked beside the TV and so I gave the Polks to a church friend of mine. Another issue is that the Polk's were a little better then the Bose's in material quality, but both have this cheap colored wood wall paper over cheap plywood. The Vandersteens and Martin Logans are like furniture, made of fine wood. Just a few weeks ago I bought some NHT VT-2's after testing several NHT speakers, again are like fine furiture. The NHT VT-2 are like the Polk SDS-2 in that they have one small tweeter and 2 mid woofers playing frontwards, but have one subwoofer playing sideways, therefore they are like a Polk SDS-2 in size, but are smaller width-wise. The NHT VT-2 has a audio/video switich that does the same thing as the Polk's commication wire making a different soundstage, but without the wire. Rating would be a 4 if the Polk SDS-2 were made of better material because the Polk SDS-2 does play well, but it is not a piece of art, therefore a 3 rating.

Similar Products Used:

Vandersteen 2, NHT VT-2, Martin Logan SL-3