DSW MicroPRO 4000
therealjeepguy
Posts: 62
Anybody here have experience with this sub?
I just got one Friday, 5/7/2010, and I'm not impressed. First of all, I've been using Polk speakers since 2004. I have the RTi 6's for front mains, RTi 4's for surrounds, a CSi 5 and my sub is an SVS PB10-ISD...remember those? Well, a couple of months ago I thought I'd try some towers, so I bought a pair of RTi 12's for $800.00. A good deal? Yes, but these things are monsters!! Initially, I was going to try to eliminate a sub altogether. I played with different configurations and adjustments until I concluded that the sonic improvements weren't noticable enough to justify their enormity, so they're sittin' idle in my spare bedroom now. I reverted back to my previous sub/sat setup and figured I'd upgrade my sub instead. Needless to say, I bought a DSW MicroPRO 4000. I picked it up at my local UPS terminal Friday. It was in a ragged out box, but there is not a scratch on the sub, so that's a plus. I get home and set it in the same place where my SVS was previously sitting and fired it up. I ran the auto calibration and then let my Onkyo TX-SR 707 adjust the levels through Audessey. First of all, Audessey set the distance at 30 feet, the sub sits 10.5 feet away and that's always where it accurately recognized my SVS. I made the corrections manually and rolled with it. I knew after spending that many years with my SVS that I could expect the 4000 to sound different and boy, did it!! The bass was so prominent, bloated and just downright boomy. I certainly didin't expect that, but the weekend was young and I was determined to get this thing dialed in and singing along seamlessly with the rest of my rig.
By Saturday evening I was becoming increasingly more pleased with it until I gave my Iron Man on Blu ray a spin. The opening scene shook me all night long with the AC/DC intro leading up to the bombastic explosions targeted at Tony Stark's Humvee motorcade. I was thinkin' yeah this thing rocks!! And then it happened...the scene where Tony dons his prototype steel suit to make his escape. It occurred during the thunderous footstomps as he was walking out of the cave where he was held captive. I played this passage over several times and couldn't believe what I was hearing. The cone began to exhibit audible distress and distortion. Now mind you, this thing is set well below half volume, it's crossed over at 80Hz, it's phased in correctly and I was playing the movie at -10db. My reference level is set to 0, so I know I wasn't overdriving it. It simply could not handle this passage where my SVS performed flawlessly. This was my turning point...it's gotta go! I hooked my SVS back up and haven't decided what to do with this brand new air moving end table now! Once I part with those, I can focus on giving my system a worthy sub...I'm thinkin' an HSU ULS-15. Please gimme some feedback!
Thanx to all who reply!
I just got one Friday, 5/7/2010, and I'm not impressed. First of all, I've been using Polk speakers since 2004. I have the RTi 6's for front mains, RTi 4's for surrounds, a CSi 5 and my sub is an SVS PB10-ISD...remember those? Well, a couple of months ago I thought I'd try some towers, so I bought a pair of RTi 12's for $800.00. A good deal? Yes, but these things are monsters!! Initially, I was going to try to eliminate a sub altogether. I played with different configurations and adjustments until I concluded that the sonic improvements weren't noticable enough to justify their enormity, so they're sittin' idle in my spare bedroom now. I reverted back to my previous sub/sat setup and figured I'd upgrade my sub instead. Needless to say, I bought a DSW MicroPRO 4000. I picked it up at my local UPS terminal Friday. It was in a ragged out box, but there is not a scratch on the sub, so that's a plus. I get home and set it in the same place where my SVS was previously sitting and fired it up. I ran the auto calibration and then let my Onkyo TX-SR 707 adjust the levels through Audessey. First of all, Audessey set the distance at 30 feet, the sub sits 10.5 feet away and that's always where it accurately recognized my SVS. I made the corrections manually and rolled with it. I knew after spending that many years with my SVS that I could expect the 4000 to sound different and boy, did it!! The bass was so prominent, bloated and just downright boomy. I certainly didin't expect that, but the weekend was young and I was determined to get this thing dialed in and singing along seamlessly with the rest of my rig.
By Saturday evening I was becoming increasingly more pleased with it until I gave my Iron Man on Blu ray a spin. The opening scene shook me all night long with the AC/DC intro leading up to the bombastic explosions targeted at Tony Stark's Humvee motorcade. I was thinkin' yeah this thing rocks!! And then it happened...the scene where Tony dons his prototype steel suit to make his escape. It occurred during the thunderous footstomps as he was walking out of the cave where he was held captive. I played this passage over several times and couldn't believe what I was hearing. The cone began to exhibit audible distress and distortion. Now mind you, this thing is set well below half volume, it's crossed over at 80Hz, it's phased in correctly and I was playing the movie at -10db. My reference level is set to 0, so I know I wasn't overdriving it. It simply could not handle this passage where my SVS performed flawlessly. This was my turning point...it's gotta go! I hooked my SVS back up and haven't decided what to do with this brand new air moving end table now! Once I part with those, I can focus on giving my system a worthy sub...I'm thinkin' an HSU ULS-15. Please gimme some feedback!
Thanx to all who reply!
If you don't drive a Jeep, then please stay on the pavement.
Post edited by therealjeepguy on
Comments
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EDIT: I spoke with therealjeepguy offline and he just didn't know the rules....don't start ragging, its been fixed with his permission and encouragement....so really read this issue and try and help guys. He sounds like a cool guy...even if he owns an SVS.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Don't you mean even if I soon own "ANOTHER" SVS? Lol!
Seriously, thanx for understanding and pointing me in the right direction. I haven't been here in a looooong time and I never really made myself much aware of the rules that regulate the forum...my bad, sorry. All in all, I love my Polks...at least the ones that play from 40Hz and above. Lol! I still have a PSW-404 that I've been letting a friend "borrow" indefinitely and I honestly prefer the way it performed over my recently purchased MicroPRO 4000. Could it just be a fluke? Review the above post, ask questions, brainstorm and post your feedback. I believe in and highly recommend Polk to all who ask me about building a good system on a budget. I think I can still get my hands on a discontinued PSW-1000 with the dual 10's. Read good stuff about that one. Lemme know if that would be wise as well. As always, everyone's input is appreciated.If you don't drive a Jeep, then please stay on the pavement. -
I don't know what that (^^^^^^) was all about...
An analogy... It seems to me that you've replaced a 10-year-old, full-size pickup truck, with a nice, modern compact truck and are expecting it to do be able to the same work.
I have a MicroPRO 2000. It's a great sub in it's own right, but it's definitely not going to perform as I expect my much larger HT sub to perform. That SVS you've got is evidently quite a workhorse. It's tuned much differently than the Polk. Ported vs sealed. Also, just looking at the numbers, there's no way that a PSW-1000 is going to meet your expectations:
Lower -3dB Limit
SVS PB10-ISD - 18 Hz
MicroPRO 3000 - 24 Hz
PSW1000 - 30Hz
It's not a fair comparison. Check out the measured response on your SVS:
I'm not sure what the Polks would look like on this graph, but that SVS is still going strong down to 20Hz. It seems to me like you really get off on the boom, so I'd say your best option is the $2200 sub from HSU. -
therealjeepguy, are your RTi12 available for sale? I'm interested. Txs
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For some reason, I referenced the 3000, when I should have referenced the 4000. It should have read:
Lower -3dB Limit
SVS PB10-ISD - 18 Hz
MicroPRO 4000 - 21 Hz
PSW1000 - 30Hz
Closer, yes, but for the types of movies/scenes you are talking about, I still don't think the 4000 is going to meet your expectations and exhibit the room-shaking response that your SVS can. It's all in the tuning. I'm not sure if I've seen any in-room response curves on the MicroPROs to compare. -
therealjeepguy wrote: »Anybody here have experience with this sub?
Yes. See my review of the MicroPRO 4000 (MP4K) here. In my master bedroom system, the MP4K performed much better than an SVS SP12 Plus. The MP4K also held up well when compared to a much larger and higher performance SVS subwoofer, the PB 12 Ultra/2.therealjeepguy wrote: »Needless to say, I bought a DSW MicroPRO 4000. I picked it up at my local UPS terminal Friday. It was in a ragged out box, but there is not a scratch on the sub, so that's a plus.
I also experienced ragged out packaging, but no physical damage, with my MP4K.:)therealjeepguy wrote: »The bass was so prominent, bloated and just downright boomy.
I tried my MP4K in a variety of audio/video systems and in each case, manual (PRO preset) settings sounded better than automatic settings using either an A/V processor or the MP4K's own AutoPRO function. I did not experience bloated and boomy bass.Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country! -
Jeep - I had a similar experience with a microPro 3000, where it was being overdriven at about the same levels as you experienced with your 4000. I noticed it on Casino Royale BLu-ray disc, specifically during the opening scene through the construction site. Like you, I had my sub volume matched to the other speakers (via Audyssey MultEQ XT and RS SPL meter). Luckily, I was able to return it for a refund via the Polk Ebay auction where I bought it. Polk CS was great to deal with - very understanding and helpful.
Though to be fair, this single 3000 definitely hit lower bass notes than my previous dual microPro 1000 setup. I can only imagine what a properly-working 4000 would sound like! I hope you get your sub working properly...Main HT:JVC DLA-RS45135" Elite Screens fixed frame, 1.1 gainMarantz SR7007 (operating as pre-pro)Emotiva XPA-1 x3 (L+C+R), UPA-7 (surrounds)Oppo BDP-103D/BDP-83Toshiba HD-XA2Panamax M5410 Pro x3Polk LSiM707s, LSiC706, 80 F/X-LS, 65-RTSeaton Sound/MCCA MFW "Turbo" + custom Dayton SA1000 sub amp (orig. AV123 MFW-15)Velodyne SMS-1I/Cs: MP 12ga/4-cond (fronts); MP 12ga (surrounds), MP HDMI (all sources), some BJC sprinkled thruoutHarmony EliteSalamander Triple 40 C/B* still need to sell older but mint gear!! -
buccidiego wrote: »therealjeepguy, are your RTi12 available for sale? I'm interested. Txs
Yes they are. I listed them last night on Amazon. You can find them there under the same username, "therealjeepguy." Thanx for the interest! If you wish to send me a private message, I can release my personal contact info and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about them.If you don't drive a Jeep, then please stay on the pavement. -
Jeep - I had a similar experience with a microPro 3000, where it was being overdriven at about the same levels as you experienced with your 4000. I noticed it on Casino Royale BLu-ray disc, specifically during the opening scene through the construction site. Like you, I had my sub volume matched to the other speakers (via Audyssey MultEQ XT and RS SPL meter). Luckily, I was able to return it for a refund via the Polk Ebay auction where I bought it. Polk CS was great to deal with - very understanding and helpful.
Though to be fair, this single 3000 definitely hit lower bass notes than my previous dual microPro 1000 setup. I can only imagine what a properly-working 4000 would sound like! I hope you get your sub working properly...
I knew I wasn't crazy! I don't know what the deal is with it, but I can't have a sub that behaves like that...nope, won't do! I'm much happier with my SVS. I just wanted something of equal or greater value that isn't so obtrusive.
I contacted Polk about it, but still never recieved a reply. That's cool...no biggie. I'm sending it off to Amazon tomorrow and will just have to suck up the shipping costs. Oh well.
I'm becoming increasingly curious about the Emotiva brand of subs/speakers...might have to check out one of those subs. I'm thinkin' the 12" ought to suit my needs. They offer a 30 day trial period and being an internet only based company, like HSU Research and SVS, this allows them to build speakers to higher standards and keep the prices within a working man's budget. That's all me..plus I like the sealed enclosure. I've been wanting to try one of those out.If you don't drive a Jeep, then please stay on the pavement. -
mdaudioguy wrote: »I don't know what that (^^^^^^) was all about...
An analogy... It seems to me that you've replaced a 10-year-old, full-size pickup truck, with a nice, modern compact truck and are expecting it to do be able to the same work.
I have a MicroPRO 2000. It's a great sub in it's own right, but it's definitely not going to perform as I expect my much larger HT sub to perform. That SVS you've got is evidently quite a workhorse. It's tuned much differently than the Polk. Ported vs sealed. Also, just looking at the numbers, there's no way that a PSW-1000 is going to meet your expectations:
Lower -3dB Limit
SVS PB10-ISD - 18 Hz
MicroPRO 3000 - 24 Hz
PSW1000 - 30Hz
It's not a fair comparison. Check out the measured response on your SVS:
I'm not sure what the Polks would look like on this graph, but that SVS is still going strong down to 20Hz. It seems to me like you really get off on the boom, so I'd say your best option is the $2200 sub from HSU.
Well, I can honestly say I've never been disappointed with my SVS by any means. I've been happily living with it for many years now, but as with the onset of newer technology and developments, I was curious to find out what the new Polk could do for me and regretfully, it couldn't live up to my expectations. I was actually excited to put my SVS back into service again! I would like a more compact design, more air displacement and better transient response with my next sub...whatever that may be. Does anyone know why SVS ceased production of their sealed SB-12 Plus? I have a realatively large room and I'm not a big fan of the "boom" I just want tight, clean and controlled bass. I know the only way to acheive that with a sealed design is to simply go BIG. That's why if I'm going to go with a cabinet of similar size to my current sub, I want the driver to be substantially larger as well. I think my system is perfect for me, but can still use a little improvement in the low frequency dept. I'm going to be checking out reviews and doing more research before I move on to another one.
Thanx for your input, it does not go unappreciated. :-)If you don't drive a Jeep, then please stay on the pavement. -
Best of luck. Let us know how the story ends. There are lots of options out there. Personally, I think that the MicroPRO line is a very good quality product. I don't think many other brands offer such performance from such a compact size. That really is a valid selling point. Some want deeper performance and that's all good, but others are averse to the large footprint that's usually required to get that performance - especially at a reasonable price. For some guys, if they ignore what the wife demands, they do so at great peril.
I owned 2 or 3 subs prior to my "big" sub, and honestly, I really didn't know what I was missing. My previous subs were no bigger than about 14" cubes with 10" woofers (and weak amps). Each probably performed to somewhere in the low 30Hz range. Adequate, but not spectacular. Then came the house-shaking big sub. Wow. :eek: Yeah, not only does it perform, it also takes up a large chunk of real estate. Gone is the day of hiding it next to a couch or behind a plant... So, it's a trade-off. Numbers aren't everything and in-room response varies (usually most significantly with subwoofers), but I'd recommend you pay attention to the specs, lest you go out and buy something else that CAN'T compare favorably to what you already have. You have a sub that's tuned to play fairly loud and hard down to 18Hz. Polk never promised you as much. Good luck with your replacement. -
therealjeepguy: what is your email? Thanks!
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buccidiego wrote: »therealjeepguy: what is your email? Thanks!
Check your private messages. I just sent you some info.If you don't drive a Jeep, then please stay on the pavement. -
My experience with Polk Audio Micropro 4000 Subs
Usually, within a half days time, I can set up the sound on my latest speaker system purchase....but the subs are a whole different story. I have spent on and off up to 1-2 weeks getting the subs tuned into the room. As an aside, and more than the speakers, I found that subs never sound like they do (which was usually not that good) at HiFi stores. Additionally, I feel a lot of salesman are not even knowledgeable enough to even know how to set up a sub. I think they just plug them in, and go. Also, the rooms where the subs are in these stores are sometimes way larger...ceilings way higher than than in most homes...and of course, the changed room acoustics when you take it home....changes everything. So the point is, what you hear at the store is not what you're going to hear at home.
At one time, and within my price range, I was the most impressed with the Velodyne SPL-1200 and bought one. Later, after reading the merits of running two subs, I sold the 1200, and purchased two Velodyne SPL-1000's which I still have. Before these I had purchased a Klipsch Sub-12 (down firing). I was never totally happy with any one of these subs for all applications. I found that I liked the down firing sub better for movies, but disliked the more muddy transients in the bass for music. On the other hand, I like the Velo's much better for music, but they didn't hit with quite the same impact as the down firing Klipsch on movies (i.e., canonball explosions on the ship deck on "Master and Commander").
I have never been a fan of Polk subs. They just never performed at a level that I wanted. I tried several of them and gave up. However, when I purchased the Micropro 4000 my impression of Polk Subs completely changed. As much as I was intrigued about what I read about the engineering of these subs, I almost didn't buy one based on the design of this subs speaker itself (shallow I know). It just looked too weird, or different from most sub's speakers I'd seen. But somehow I mustered up enough faith in Polk...... took the Polk plunge one more time, and bought one. After getting it and hooking it up, I thought I had really messed up. I did not like it. But, I gave it some time thinking that I was probably judging it against the Velo's that I had become accustomed to hearing. Later, I found that to be exactly the case. I had put it in the same place as one of the Velo's and that just didn't work. It was so different. In the end, I ended up moving it out of the corner of the room and down the wall away from the corner about 3 feet to make it work for the room it was in. But it took me on and off about 1-2 weeks to get all out of this sub that I thought it was capable of, and get it "tuned in" to the room. Only then was I beginning to appreciate how this subs clear dynamic range, and how "universal" it was. When I played the canonball scene in "Master and Commander" where the cannonballs hit the deck of the ship I was not prepared for the power and impact that I got from this rather small sub. OMG, it really nearly knocked me out of my seat! From pictures on the wall to the china cabinet 30 feet way, everything rattled. It was if my house was struck by an earthquake. On "Transforners II" on one of the fight scenes the sub thundered with tremendous power and authority. I really believe the 1200 watts rating on these things is really 1200 watts! I know there are better subs out there, but this is the best HT sub I have experienced so far.
Anyway, I was anxious to try it on music, and played a couple of cuts of Billy Sheehan playing with Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert. Billy is probably one of the fastest bassist on the planet and I feel he challenges the response time of any sub. I felt that the Micropro 4000 handled him as good as the Velo's. Very impressive.
The first music CD I tested was the SACD version of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon". When I listened to the cut "Time" those low notes struck with impressive power, tone, and clarity. The tom rolls on the drums that Nick Mason plays here sounded extremely nice with a lot of tone and power. The Micropro was making my whole LSi speaker system sound better. I then tried track #4 "Animals" from Nickelback's "All the Right Reasons" CD. On Nickeback, this sub really shined. The power of Nickelback's lows in the sound really came across with a lot punch. This sub just seems to throw it out at you. I then played the SACD of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exibition" performed by the Chicago Symphony with Fritz Reiner, conductor. Low pitched orchestral stringed instruments in my opinion are hard for subs to get right on blending with speakers, as are also low organ tones. A cheaper sub, or sub not set up right, can actually detract from the fidelity of the music especially if you have some higher quality speakers. Again, all I can say here is........ very impressive.
I was so impressed in fact that I ended up buying another one of these subs. As this point, my experience is that the Micropro 4000's can handle anything you throw at them....and for their size they handle it well. This is the only sub I have owned so far that has satisfied me as being equally capable on both music and movies. It does both very very well. It front fires, but also has a uniquely designed fluid filled 12x12 bass radiator on the bottom that helps this sub to hit low and hard. I think this has something to do with why it works with so many formats. It is a shame that Polk has a reputation for lower quality subs. I think this fact has "turned off" most of the professional reviewers from even testing the Micropros. It certainly has not gotten the press it deserves. To date, and in my experience so far, it is the best sub I've ever purchased under a 1000.00.Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One
Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151 -
Devlon - Thanks for posting your review, can you add it to the actual product line review on the homepage? Contact me offline, just highlight my name and I'd like to talk to you.
-MarkCTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Well Mark you helped me make up my mind, I was going to pick up the DWS 600 pro, I have a Kef PSW1000 that getting moved to the bedroom, But I was at Visions today and seen the 4000 and I when back again and had a listen. So I was reading the reviews all afternoon online. And after reading your well written review it convinced me it the one for I want to round out my system.
Thanks and have a nice day. -
I believe you should thank DarqueKnight, mdaudioguy, therealjeepguy and Devlon....not me, unless their's another Mark I'm not aware of here. All of them provided comments, technical and grassroots information.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Your right, Sorry for any slight/or insult to anyone I didn't mean to offend.
It was the review written by Devion that convinced me to make my decision to buy the 4000.
Now that being said everyone whether pro or con for this sub made for interesting reading on this subject and the passion for Polk speakers is refreshing. As I'm hooked on these speakers and the journey to gain knowledge about then is a pleasure using this forum. Perhaps in the future as I learn more I will be able to pass on some useful information. -
Subs, for me anyway, are the most difficult to get dialed in right. It's almost 2024 and I still think my Micropro4000's are killer. You really need dual subs to help tame a room. On these & any subs, I highly recommend getting a Dspeaker Antimode 2.0. It'll take quality subs to their studio & Imax quality potential!Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One
Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151 -
Subs, for me anyway, are the most difficult to get dialed in right. It's almost 2024 and I still think my Micropro4000's are killer. You really need dual subs to help tame a room. On these & any subs, I highly recommend getting a Dspeaker Antimode 2.0. It'll take quality subs to their studio & Imax quality potential!
Glad you’re still digging them! I’ve always wanted to hear one of those subs. I’ve never owned any piece of gear that long lol. Happy Christmas!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
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 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer