1. PSW-505, Very Poor Packing; 2. Brand New RT55i's

aba4430
aba4430 Posts: 80
edited December 2003 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
Team,

1. I purchased a PSW-505 today from our local CC. It was special ordered as it is not a routine store item. They carry upto the PSW-404 here. Anyway, it was an upgrade for the free PSW-202 which I got for buying 2 brand new pairs of RT55i's. The box was sealed, no damage visible on the outside, but when I opened it up and took the unit out, the grill frame was found shattered in 5 to 6 places. The grill plastic also had (minor) scratched the front silver plastic cabinet face at a couple of places. The packing is quite sturdy, but this is where the problem is. The styrofoam is hard against the "hard" plastic of the grill frame and any movement will break it. It is ridiculous that the box was perfect from the outside, but the speaker grill was shattered. Anyway, need to get the grill replaced now and am running the sub naked for the moment, the grill cannot even be placed temporarily.

This sub will complement my RTi100's, CSi40 and FXi30's in the family room. Driven via an Elite 47TX. I am going through growing pains setting the sub up. The RTi100's are set to large (gain 12 o' clock on both), the sub to plus (gain at 12 o' clock), remaining units to small, crossover to 50, then played with 80. Not happy as yet, and still need to fine tune the sound.

2. Now the good part, the local store has two (still has) display RT55i units, they are tagged at $169 each. Last Sunday, I found out that they had two brand new sealed pairs. Since they were running rebates, I received a promo price of $300 plus tax per pair. I bought both pairs. I will use a pair as fronts in my living room. Have the AB755 as surrounds, and I am still looking for a matching center. These are truly awesome speakers, I have a pair sitting on the floor on rubber stick on feet. The low end is fantastic. I am looking for ~18" sturdy speaker stands to open up the sound of the 55i's some. The Sanus stand's have a weight capacity of 25 lbs each. Using a 10 year old Yamaha RX-V870 receiver in the living room.

Regards,

aba4430
Post edited by aba4430 on
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Comments

  • fireshoes
    fireshoes Posts: 3,167
    edited November 2003
    Make sure you call Polk about the packing. They keep track of that stuff and work to improve it. They may ask for the serial number when you call. They will send you a new one straight away.
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited November 2003
    Team,
    The manual states that the 505 weighs 43 lbs and shipped weight is 48 lbs. Is this correct? For example, this is 3 lbs less than the 404 sub? The Polk site on the other hand states that the 505 weighs 56 lbs with a total shipping weight of 60 lbs. The 404 details are consistent at both places. I have not weighed anything, but was surprised the unit felt much lighter than I had thought it would be! And yes, I will complain to Polk about their packing. Additionally, can anyone point me to a site where I can read about BASH amplification?
    Regards,
    aba4430
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited November 2003
    Team,
    Just stumbled on this. Interesting information. Regards, aba4430
    http://legacy.pioneerelectronics.com/PioneerCanadaEng/CDA/Common/POC_Eng_ArticleDetails/0,1829,1474,00.html
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited November 2003
    this link came from the svs website, http://www.bashaudio.com/bashworks.htm
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,536
    edited November 2003
    aba,
    If you're still looking for speaker stands for RT55is, PartsExpress has been selling a very sturdy metal pair for monitor speakers like the RT55is for under $100 for a long time.

    PartsExpress

    Although the stands are spiked at top and bottom, you don't have to use the spikes. I've been using the stands with my RT55is in a separate two channel system for a couple of years. The stands can be filled with sand or lead shot, but I haven't bothered to do that since each stand weighs 25 lbs already. I find the stands to be the perfect height for the RT55is.
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited November 2003
    Emlyn,
    Thx. for the info. I will look them up. Regards, aba4430
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2003
    aba4430,

    what CC did you ever find RT55i's at? I would have thought they would have been cleared out by now.. that's very interesting to find new RT55i's still looming in the back rooms of these stores. the RT55i's were one of the most sought after bookshelf Polk ever made.

    good going..

    Al
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited November 2003
    Al,
    1. The local Albany, GA store. They still have the demos at $169 each. These have been there forever. In fact, if you speak with the store manager, s/he can look up their entire inventory and you might get lucky. Since I needed only a pair, I have put one of them up for sale on EBay.
    2. I called Polk up today and spoke to "Ken" explaining to him how I found the grill totally messed up on my PSW505. He did not even hesitate and said that he would have one shipped out to me immediately. I also asked him what the true weight of a 505 was. Per earlier post, there is a disconnect between the manual (43 lbs) and web (56 lbs). He called me back and clarified that the manual was correct. Wonderful CS.
    Regards,
    aba4430
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited November 2003
    Originally posted by aba4430
    Al,
    I have put one of them up for sale on EBay.

    a link would be cool for us BW challenged members;)

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited November 2003
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3060805316&category=14991
    Regards,
    aba4430
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  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited November 2003
    Originally posted by aba4430
    [B I will open the box and check the speaker's out to make sure there is nothing goofy with them prior to shipping. [/B]

    If the buyer request this then you can ship in two containers and won't be constrained by:
    Originally posted by aba4430
    [B I will ship these insured to a PayPal verified address via either FedEx ground (this weighs over their limit for Ground home delivery) or UPS ground home delivery.[/B]

    In two boxes they won't exceed the limit?

    for God sakes what the hell am I tring to say

    :D

    1/4 Twin
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • theear707
    theear707 Posts: 12
    edited December 2003
    Hello to all PolkAudio fans,first post here :)

    I have the PSW505 and 404,the 505 came with a broken grill also!
    The box was in perfect shape yet when unpacked the grill fell off,the pins were broken,glue took care of that.

    Still when you buy a new sub it should not need any glue. :o

    And yes the PSW505 feels very light compared to the PSW404,this is due to the very lighweight amp(BASH) as opposed to the more classic amp in the 404.

    Nothing to worry about,the 505 provides solid bass.

    Overall I find the PSW404 and 505 very good values for the money,the woofers look like they are built for business.Not to be mistaken for TC Sounds ones ;)

    Now I hope Polk comes out with its PW650 replacement
    Dynaudio Contour main system,Klipsch RF HT system and PolkAudio PSW404/505 subs and RTi speakers used with main PC.Some Totem speakers too...and much more
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  • aba4430
    aba4430 Posts: 80
    edited December 2003
    Team,
    Replacement grill delivered today, but did not include the logo. Anyways, sub is naked no more, but awaiting the logo.
    Regards,
    aba4430:confused:
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited December 2003
    Good to hear, coach.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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