Polk vs. Paradigm sub

marcpam

I listened to my friends paradigm subwoofer which is 250 watts and goes down to 18 htz. I have a psw505 which only goes to 23 htz. I have to tell you, his sub was awesome. We listened to Terminator 2 and we calibrated his sub to 75 htz, as well as mine, and his is louder w/more impact. Granted he has a lot smaller room than i do. I really want to get those low freq. How can I do that without buying a new sub. If I bought another psw505, will that get me down to where I want to be.

Also, if you calibrate two subs to the same db and both rooms are different is size, will it have the same impact? You would think if you are getting 75db from your listening area it shouldn't matter, you would have to run the db range up more in the bigger room to compensate. What do you guys think?

Please don't tell me to buy a SVS sub, I know these things are great but I want to make due with what I bought.

gregure

Well, it seems to me that if you buy another Polk sub, you will be getting more volume from your bass, but if your single sub isn't reaching the lower limits, why would two reach any lower? If it's the same sub, it won't go lower, you'll just get more volume in the frequencies you already have. If you really want those lower frequencies, and you want them loud, sell the Polk, and use that money plus the money you would use to buy a second for one really good one. Really, if you want to make due with what you bought, you will have to sacrifice the lower frequencies.

Airplay355

agreed....sell the polk and buy something better

marcpam

thanks for the response.

Dr. Spec

There is a difference between extension and sound pressure.

T3 really doesn't have a lot of super deep stuff, although it IS loud and fairly deep. I would imagine your 505 can dig deep enough for most of T3. If you want more impact, just turn up the sub calibration level a bit (try 3 dB more).

Also, a smaller room will exhibit room gain sooner and to a greater amplitude. That could be another reason the P-digm sounds better.

Also, how is your bass management configured? Try mains to large and sub to "LFE+ Mains" and see how you like that.

marcpam

I have my 505 volume set at 12 oclock position and I am using the lfe unfiltered connection to my sub input on my processor. I calibrated my speakers using the radio shack spl meter. My bass management for my sub is set to -7, the range goes from -15 to +10. All of my speakers, including my sub, is set to 75 db with my reference level on my preamp set to 0 db (master volume). Is there anything you see that i have done that you would do differently? Thanks

Dr. Spec

Is there anything you see that i have done that you would do differently? Thanks

Try setting the mains to Large, all the others to Small, and the sub to "LFE + Mains"

Some AVRs have the ability to attenuate or trim the LFE channel. If your's does, make sure this control (not to be confused with the subwoofer level control) is set to its maximum (i.e., unattenuated) level. The range is usually 0 to -10.

Also, check to make sure the Dolby Digital dynamic range compression circuits are OFF in the DVD player and the AVR.

And make sure the DVD player is set to bitstream and your AVR is actually seeing and decoding 5.1 and 6.1.

Finally, try 78 dB on the sub calibration. Just up the sub level to -4.

Let me know if your research and adjustments turn any thing up, or make a difference in the bass power and impact.

Kpt_Krunch

Originally posted by Dr. Spec


Also, a smaller room will exhibit room gain sooner and to a greater amplitude. That could be another reason the P-digm sounds better.

You're kidding, right Doc?

Ok, I had a PSW404 - it lasted a week. It bottomed out on Finding Nemo and did not do anything that my old old Yamaha with two 6 inch (yes you are reading right - 6 INCH) drivers couldn't do. I returned the 404 and got the Paradigm PW-2200. Kinda like being on a race track and going from a Ford Escort (the 404) to a Porsche Carrera (The 'digm).

Marc, sounds like your buddy has the V.1 PW-2200, the V.2 - the one I have - has a 400 watt amp and can peak at 1500 watts when asked to. It is set to 11 O-Clock and shakes the windows in the bedrooms 2 floors up. It is in an area of about 27' x 16' x 7.5', in the first level of my basement, on a cement, carpeted, floor.

I know the 404 is not a 505, and that is a bit unfair, but if I were you Marc why don't you take your 505 over to your friends' house and see how it sounds there?

Dr. Spec

You're kidding, right Doc?

About the room gain comment? No, I'm not kidding. I think you are on the right track about marcpam taking the 505 to his bud's house and listening to it there. It will have more impact and extend deeper in a smaller room.

That's what I meant by that comment. Not only is the P-digm P2200 is a superior subwoofer, it also has the advantage of being in a smaller room - a double whammy against the 505. :cool:

Kpt_Krunch

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
About the room gain comment? No, I'm not kidding. I think you are on the right track about marcpam taking the 505 to his bud's house and listening to it there. It will have more impact and extend deeper in a smaller room.

That's what I meant by that comment. Not only is the P-digm P2200 is a superior subwoofer, it also has the advantage of being in a smaller room - a double whammy against the 505. :cool:

My mistake Doc - sorry about that. Of course you are absolutely correct about the room gain. I would be interested to see if Marc tries out the little experiment - I'm sure the 505 would sound better in smaller room where it doesn't have to try and move as much air.

Dr. Spec

No prob - and BTW the P-digm 2200 V2 is a damn good subwoofer - you've got great taste in bass.

If I lived in Canada, I'd take a hard look at the P-digm 2200 V2 or the Servo-15 as the subwoofer of choice; P-digm is great value for those enthusiasts living "north of the border".