Two Polk PSW10's or one PSW505?

HTguru1982
HTguru1982 Posts: 1,066
edited February 2013 in Speakers
I just purchased a PSW10 for $100 and am finding a lot to like about it, especially for the price. I've got it set up to where it produces a solid amount of bass without being too boomy. My original plan was to to just buy a single 505 and be done with it. But Best Buy had the 10 on sale so I figured I would try it out. So now I'm wondering if using two PSW10's is the way to go. Is it easy to set up two subwoofers and would it be worth it? I'm not concerned with gaining more bass with dual subs but rather more even bass throughout the listening area. Or should I scrap that plan and just go with the single 505? I would look at dual 505's but that would be out of my price range right now. Thanks in advance!
Display: Sony 42" LCD
Sources: Harman Kardon DVD-27,
Panasonic DMP-BDT110 blu ray player
AVR: Sony STR-DA2400ES
Amps: Sonance Sonamp 260(fronts),
Kenwood KM-894(surrounds)
Fronts: NHT 2.5
Center: NHT VS-1.2A
Surrounds: NHT Super One
Subwoofer: SVS PB10-ISD
Post edited by HTguru1982 on

Comments

  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited February 2013
    I probably would have held out and bought a better sub. Throw $100 bucks on top of the purchase price of the PSW505 you would have been in the price range of the DSW Pro550 WI (10") $299 or the DSW Pro 660 WI (12") for $329-349.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited February 2013
    Im a PSW10 hater. I have seen numerous posts here about how PSW10s have failed. Also, have had first had experience with friends having issues with said sub. Go with the 505 and sell that PSW 10 while you can.
  • Tbone289
    Tbone289 Posts: 661
    edited February 2013
    After owning a PSW505, PSW10, and PSW202 (same amp as PSW10) I would recommend the PSW505 over two PSW10s. I don't think there's any way two PSW10s could perform as well as one PSW505 for movie soundtracks. I also prefer the tighter bass of the PSW202 over the PSW10 for music, and I still use one in my 2-channel system.

    Yes, I've offered you my PSW10 to add to your system, but I have to be honest.... :wink:
    2.1: PC>Schiit Gungnir MB>Schiit Freya Noval>NAD C-270>Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1, HSU STF-2 5.1: HDMI Bitstream>Denon AVR-1910>polkaudio RTE55, CS350-LS, RT3, HSU STF-2, Visio M55-F0
  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited February 2013
    505 and maybe add another one if you desire at a later time. I believe the 505 is more popular, so you should have trouble selling it/them down the road if you decide to go in a different direction.

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
  • Dimehead
    Dimehead Posts: 31
    edited February 2013
    I have 2 of the 505 and I could not be happier. So 505's all the way!
    Front Stage
    Polk Audio MM6501 Door's
    Polk Audio MM5251 Kick Panels
    Back: Polk Audio MM651
    Sub : 2x Polk Audio MM1240dvc
    Front's : Soundstream Reference 700s
    Back : Polk Audio PA D200.2
    SUB : Soundstream Referencre 1000s 1ohm
    Alpine 3331 EQ
    Alpine cda-9856 Receiver
  • HTguru1982
    HTguru1982 Posts: 1,066
    edited February 2013
    Thanks for the replies, guys. It looks like I'll be going with the 505.
    Display: Sony 42" LCD
    Sources: Harman Kardon DVD-27,
    Panasonic DMP-BDT110 blu ray player
    AVR: Sony STR-DA2400ES
    Amps: Sonance Sonamp 260(fronts),
    Kenwood KM-894(surrounds)
    Fronts: NHT 2.5
    Center: NHT VS-1.2A
    Surrounds: NHT Super One
    Subwoofer: SVS PB10-ISD
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    edited February 2013
    I've owned one before--didn't like it--and I don't think anyone here would recommend the PSW10, and for good reason. It's an entry level sub that bottoms out very easily and it's a slight notch above the Home Theater In A Box sub. Go with one PSW 505.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
  • Wow, I had the same exact question except that in my situation I have already come across 2 PSW10 subs. I guess I am the exception since I am quite happy with them so far since I get plenty of bass out of them with the little I have been able to figure out so far and I don't have any port noise from them. The only negative I have with the PSW10 is that they aren't matching with one being black and the other being cherry finish but that is no big deal. I have purchased a used PSW505, which I am yet to physically get, thinking I would need it due to reading so much negative feedback in the internet with many stating that one 12" sub is better than two 10" subs. I obviously have to keep an open mind and wait until I install the PSW505, but so far I'm thinking I might have jumped the gun and was premature in buying the PSW505. I am open to using some combination of the three with this set up plus I am still looking to put a Surround Sound set up in my bedroom so I am sure I will want to use a PSW10 there. Any input on one 12" vs. two 10" vs a combination of three?
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    2 10s will always perform better than one 12 all other things being equal, but they aren't in this case. The 505 will give you a big bump around 33hz and then drop like a rock just so you know. Depending on how your 10s react in your room, the 505 might be used as the main and the 10s as low fill if you can tune them that low.

    Just my opinion and observations.
  • mrloren
    mrloren Posts: 2,454
    I would save my money and get an HSU or SVS much better that a 505 or that PSW10 thing.

    HSU
    http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk3.html
    SVS
    https://www.svsound.com/collections/outlet-specials/products/pb-1000-outlet-1

    A friend has a 505, I took over my STF-2 one evening set it up and he was just floored at how much better my 10 year old 10" out performed his newer 12" 505
    When I was a kid my parents told me to turn it down. Now I'm an adult and my kids tell me to turn it down.
    Family Room:LG QNED80 75", Onkyo RZ50 Emotiva XPA3 GEN3 Oppo BDP-93,Sony UBP-X800BM. Main: Polk LsiM 705Center: Polk LSiM 704CFront High/Rear High In-Ceiling Polk 80F/X RT Surrounds: Polk S15 Sub: HSU VTF3-MK5
    Bed Room; Marantz SR5010, BDP-S270Main: Polk Signature S20Center: Polk Signature S35Rear: Polk R15 Sub: SVS SB2000
    Working Warehouse; Yamaha A-S301, Sony DVP-NS3100ES for disc Plok TSX550T SVS PB2000 Mini tower PC with 400GB of music
  • FestYboy wrote: »
    2 10s will always perform better than one 12 all other things being equal, but they aren't in this case. The 505 will give you a big bump around 33hz and then drop like a rock just so you know. Depending on how your 10s react in your room, the 505 might be used as the main and the 10s as low fill if you can tune them that low.

    Just my opinion and observations.

    Thanks for you input FestYboy. I am new to this recent HiFi sorround sound stereo building. I am very familiar with 2 channels but am learning on the fly. I really like the two 10s so far, which I got ridiculously cheap. I am still trying to familiarize myself with a Sony STR DE845 Receiver and I dought that they can be tuned. I am yet to try a pioneer VSX 521 Receiver. I have numerous speaker combinations that I have and will acquire but will probably end up with RT800 fronts with RT600 rears.
  • mrloren wrote: »
    I would save my money and get an HSU or SVS much better that a 505 or that PSW10 thing.

    HSU
    http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk3.html
    SVS
    https://www.svsound.com/collections/outlet-specials/products/pb-1000-outlet-1

    A friend has a 505, I took over my STF-2 one evening set it up and he was just floored at how much better my 10 year old 10" out performed his newer 12" 505

    Thanks for your input mrloren. Like I said I own a PSW505 except I am yet to get it in my hands plus I am quite happy with the two PSW 10 with $120 invested. I am very sure that those are better subs just like there are better subs than the ones you are suggesting.
  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,952
    Wow, I had the same exact question except that in my situation I have already come across 2 PSW10 subs. I guess I am the exception since I am quite happy with them so far since I get plenty of bass out of them with the little I have been able to figure out so far and I don't have any port noise from them. The only negative I have with the PSW10 is that they aren't matching with one being black and the other being cherry finish but that is no big deal. I have purchased a used PSW505, which I am yet to physically get, thinking I would need it due to reading so much negative feedback in the internet with many stating that one 12" sub is better than two 10" subs. I obviously have to keep an open mind and wait until I install the PSW505, but so far I'm thinking I might have jumped the gun and was premature in buying the PSW505. I am open to using some combination of the three with this set up plus I am still looking to put a Surround Sound set up in my bedroom so I am sure I will want to use a PSW10 there. Any input on one 12" vs. two 10" vs a combination of three?

    If you are running a receiver that EQs the subs, you will get significantly more output in the 25-35 hz range from the 505, at least based on professional measurements: http://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_2/polk-psw-505-subwoofer-4-2005.html

    But if this is running pure 2 channel with no EQ, and you have room nodes (which most rooms do), then two might be better than one.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:
    Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra

    Bedroom 2.1
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,952
    FestYboy wrote: »
    The 505 will give you a big bump around 33hz and then drop like a rock just so you know.

    I am not doubting that this is what happens in your room, and you did say that this is your observation, and its good to know people's real-world experience. But if I were the OP I would want to see how the 505 sounds in my room, because clearly (based on professional measurements) something in your room or setup is causing this to happen, it's not endemic to the 505.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:
    Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra

    Bedroom 2.1
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Well, I have 4 505s in different areas of the room and they all exibit nearly the same behavior... and the physical measurements of the port size support what I'm seeing for tuning... I donno, it's just what I'm finding. Admittedly my room is unusual as is the LFE setup I have. Take it with a grain... :|
  • I have the 10 & the 505, & have now paired the 505 with a velodyne 10, & they play well together, one tuned to bass guitar, the 505 is the thumper tuned a little lower,
    it is a 2cnl rig with no receiver "Audysey" correction or sub hookup. Aside from constant fiddling they sound great.
    Lsi 7's, Snell E.5's, velodyne & polk subs, Trancendant pre , Musical concepts & Musical design Amps, Cal Audio CD player