Polk's response to PSW404 issues?

torotot · October 2003

I've read a lot of posts from Circuitcity and this forum about PSW404's reliability. Some folks claim their PSW404 would get damaged at certain volume levels. I agree that you probably won't need to turn it up that high but then again if the subwoofer can't handle it, there has to be some mechanism to prevent this in the first place.

Anyway, I really wanted to purchase a PSW404 but I'm still undecided because of these reliability issues I've read. Another option for me is the Velodyne CHT-10.

I'd like to hear what Polk has to say about these supposed issues with PSW404 and if there are recalls in order, etc...? Thanks

Dr. Spec · October 2003

Originally posted by torotot
I agree that you probably won't need to turn it up that high but then again if the subwoofer can't handle it, there has to be some mechanism to prevent this in the first place.

That mechanism is YOU. Calibrate the sub properly and don't overdrive the system and you've got it licked.

Some subs do have peak current limiters or servo circuits, etc., but they are in the minority. Most of the time, not destroying gear still falls under the common sense category.

Anyway, I have not heard of any 404 recalls. Ask Ken S. at Polk tech support and see what he says.

torotot · October 2003

Dr Spec - thanks for the lovely insight. I wonder what the guys in Polk would say. I had wanted to purchase PSW404 but the possibility of it getting damaged as often as I've read scares me.

F1nut · October 2003

"I wonder what the guys in Polk would say."

I'm thinking........Don't overdrive the speaker!

Any speaker that is overdriven isn't going to like it. It comes down to knowing the limitations of your power supply and common sense. A 100 wpc in a Denon is not the same 100 wpc in a high-end amp.

faster100 · October 2003

All user related!! I had a psw404 and overdrove it(turned the plate amp volume to high) and it blew.. I got it replaced thankfully and never happend again after realizing its limits and calibrating it once..

don't hesitate because of that, besides it has 5 full years of warranty to cover it.. if its deffective..

torotot · October 2003

I like your responses.

faster100 - just curious. Are there any particular reasons why you wanted to sell off your PSW404? I think I saw you were selling it somewhere here.

faster100 · October 2003

Yes, to get an SVS sub, which is worlds apart from a psw404... I have a Svs pb1-isd now. BUT.. The 404 did sound good to me and really good on music. just not the impact i wanted for movies.
those were running $399.00 and the SVS was 599.00 so for 200 bucks more i have a excellent sub instead of just a good one

eclypse · October 2003

Faster how high did you push it? I just got one and its still in the box till i set everything up.. I doubt i'd go anywhere near the 12'oclock possition.. but where did you set it when it blew so i dont do the same by mistake?

torotot · October 2003

eclypse - I saw the pix you posted. Sweet. Let me know how the PSW404 sounded.

eclypse · October 2003

No prob will do.. if i'm lucky the wife will get her but in the shower and we can hit the store soon.. I'm runing for the Matrix! Then i'm going to have a few hours to finish hookin everything up and that movie will be the first i watch ofter properly calibrating the system wtih Avia/Digital Video Essentials!

My wife will hopefully finally see where all the money went and why! heheh.. I hope she can appreciate it all

I swear if she says big deal the old bose and 35" tv was fine for me...umm i dont think i'll beable to recover

:rolleyes:

heh i'm sure she'll be like wow!

faster100 · October 2003

I had it setup correctly, my sister and her Boyfriend were over.. i just reached behind the sub to the volume trying to turn it up.. mistakenly turned it well past 12O clock and when i hit the receiver master volume i started hearing clacking and slapping.. it was the woofer blown, VC scratching.. i looked at the amp and noticed it was all the way up.. Opps.. my mistake. trying to make the 404 do what it could not do.. produce deap, loud bass

Pauly · October 2003

i think the 404 is a fine sub. it has been holding me out for now until one day when i get a svs :rolleyes: but yeah my freind loves to "overdrive" his sub and it makes me cringe :eek: but its all out you and how you use it. IMO if you like ALOT of bass dont get a entry level sub and just drive it into the ground, just go for the gold and get a "HighEnd" sub. They sub never did anything to you to deserve that!!!

Spaz

faster100 · October 2003

hehe!! yeah leave the poor defensive sub alone... or my SVS will kick ya ****!! LOL

Pauly · October 2003

oh yeah rub it in....:D

ziggy0809 · October 2003

A good read guys, I was hoping the issues were in fact related to people just cranking them into oblivion.

Just purchased the RM6700 today - with a no charge upgrade to the 404 I thought it was a no-brainer (but I have to wait 2-weeks for the order ARGGG)...then I saw the similar negative reviews on CC, but positive everywhere else.

Also looks like I'll go straight to the Polk-way in hooking them up - I like the idea on the sub getting a signal on every source. The only other issue I've heard is a noticeable hum from this baby - anyone else getting that?

Cheers
Zig

p.s. Polk, if you see an Ontario, Canada order come through for a PSW404 - please rush it!!

eclypse · October 2003

Sub sounded fine durring the Matrix Reloaded! I only used the sub connected to the LFE input. I probably will later on hook it back the way i had my other sub which was the polk way.

Hum noise? Nope.. Never. Must be something they are doing wrong or they have some power cables crossing the speaker wires or sub cable. They also might not have a proper AC filter.. like a monster power bar that could be introducing noise into the system.

wallstreet · October 2003

Not being able to overdrive it is one of the tests for a good speaker isn't it? My ears start to bleed before the distortion kicks in.

faster100 · October 2003

Good point. I mean when my 404 blew their were no warnings of distress, just went from booming to poping and clacking in one minute.. and it was shot, no turning down after i realized anything.. it was already to late. Seems a bit touchy even if it was overdriven, briefly

[Deleted User] · October 2003

Hello Torotot,
Thanks for participating in our Forum, I'll try and offer some helpful information. When the PSW404 was first introduced we began noticing a moderate number of owners who experienced a problem with the woofer if it were played at relatively high volumes (say 1:00 o'clock or higher on the bass level) with wide range dynamic program material. We found that the glue bond that joined the cone itself with the voice coil former (a metal cylinder that has the coil of wire wrapped around it is called a "former") could become separated. The engineering and quality control departments isolated the problem, developed an improved gluing procedure to solve the problem and initiated a new testing threshold for all of our woofers that dramatically insure reliability. We, of course, have replaced any owner's woofer that failed, at no charge, and have not seen any indications of performance problems with the PSW404. In fact, because of our attention to the original problem, the PSW404 has gone on to become one of the most trouble free products we've produced. Plus we gained an insight into advanced testing procedures that now include all of our units.
I hope this is helpful information and supports your decision to buy the PSW404, its a fine unit.
Regards, Ken Swauger

ziggy0809 · October 2003

Ken,

Many thanks for the informative reply. Having just purchased and awaiting the 404 delivery, many worries are now put to rest. I must say, this forum is top quality in getting and exchanging solid information - and quickly. I just became a Polkie, and the info I've gained over the past few days is incredible.
Keep up the great work.

Cheers
Zig

[Deleted User] · October 2003

You're welcome, Zig, enjoy your sub!
Take care, Ken

Dr. Spec · October 2003

A gutsy response from a real man. Polk always earns my respect with responses like that.

Big league kudos to Ken Swauger for telling the real story behind the early failures of the 404.

Polk turns lemons into lemonade by fixing the problem and applying the learned R&D knowledge to all other subs for even better QA/QC in the future.

THAT is the sign of a company with its head screwed on right and its priorities in the right order. Bravo - nice work.

faster100 · October 2003

I second that, Good call Ed....

Polk's response to PSW404 issues?

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