PSW12 or PSW303?

bishopsnet

Noob here.

I am trying to put a mid range HT system together. I have decided to go with the following:

Yamaha 5760

4 - RTi4
1 - CSi3

Not sure about the subwoofer though. the new PSW12 is going to have the same power output as the PSW303. The 303 is an 8" woofer, but has more modifications that make it perform better. Can anyone give me an idea on which one will be a better match for my system and explain why? Also, does anyone know if the system I'm putting together is well matched? My brother has a yamaha receiver and an older version of the 6700 series system and his sounds really good. In the future i would like to add surrounds for the 7.1. I'm thinking the fxi3's would be evenly matched for this system. Can anyone confirm that?

Thanx!

lomic

Greetings my fellow noob. I too am setting up a mid range system and was in a quandry over which Polk subwoofer to buy. They sounded pretty good at the store (compared to what I had), and of course the RTi line sounds so nice that I wanted a matching subwoofer.

The folks here in the forum recommended that I get either an HSU or SVS sub instead, citing better overall quality. Since SVS was a little out of my price range for only slightly - if any - better performance according to all the reviews I read, I went with HSU Research.

So I got an HSU STF-2, and I'm simply amazed by its quality in every way. I'm certainly no audiophile at this point, but it's the best bass reproduction I've ever heard. It is a little higher in price than the 303, but well worth it in my opinion, having heard both.

For your other question, all the speakers of the RTi line will match each other: CSi centers, FXi surrounds and RTi mains. FXi3's are next on my list as well.

bishopsnet

Hey Iomic,

Which RTi's did you go with? I'm thinking RTi4's all the way around, but I might spend the extra cash and get the RTi6's in the front since they will produce more sound than the rears. I'll have to look into the HSU subs. At circuit city they also have a velodyne sub that is supposed to be amazing.

Dennis Gardner

Hey Pete,

I just posted a response for you on HTF and had the same advice for you to check out HSU. They build and excellent product!
I own lots of Polks, but the only Polk sub I have is on old PSW300 and I use it for my small satellite setup just fine, but Polk doesn't really build a top notch theater sub that reaches deep enough for the really low stuff.

Dennis

bishopsnet

I just read the article Dennis. I hate to say it, but my pockets are starting to hurt. I can feel the slap across my face that my wife will soon administer. I may have to go with the HSU. The only thing that sucks is that I'm trying to buy everything at CC so I can take advantage of the no interest for a year. If I chose a velodyne, would that be comparable to the HSU? Not sure what model Velodyne they carry, but i thnk it was around $400 bones.

lomic

I demoed the RTi6's and 4's for about an hour switching back and forth - sometimes with center and sub turned on, sometimes with them off. Overall I thought the 6's rounded out more nicely - they both perform almost identically on highs - and they should since it's the same tweeter - but the larger woofer and larger cabinet seemed to give the 6's much better mids, and even the lows they offered blended nicely with a subwoofer. I would get the 4's for my rears though if I were doing a 7.1 system, but I prefer 5.1 for the time being. I got my 6's online, they should be here tomorrow and I'll be more able to judge if the 4's might have sufficed.

I saw the Velodyne at CC, but didn't get a chance to listen to it. Everyone has said it's a good sub, but it's more of a boom-boom type - I wanted more clean, precise bass since I don't have a very large room to fill (18x14x8).

bishopsnet

Iomic,

Where are you getting your 6's online? did you get them a lot cheaper?

VR3

18x14 is a good sized room! LOL

My room... 10.5x10.5! is not a large room.

Go HSU

and dont look back.

lomic

Got them new on Ebay for $299 shipped, but it looks like CC recently put them on sale for $260+tax - still $379 on their website, but instore myself and someone else on the boards saw them for the $260 price. That might however only be for their floor/refurb models since they don't seem to have much of the RTi line in stock now that they're not going to carry it anymore.

bishopsnet

I ordered my stuff today. This what I'm goin' with.

2 - RTi6
2 - RTi4
1 - CSi3
Yamaha 5760

And I'm not sure on the sub. I know the HSU has very clear sound, but does it provide that low sound and does it pound pretty good when required. I want a sub that sounds clear but will still deliver the noise! Also, is the 200 watt output RMS or max watts.

Also, I ended up ordering my stuff at crutchfield. CC was out online and at the store of everything except the RTi6's. I got the six months no interest through crutchfield.I can't bring myself to order on ebay anymore. Even with the seller review system, too many of my co-workers have been screwed by merchants. Anyway, I'll probably order my sub today too. Should have my system by friday.

Dennis Gardner

Pete,

Welcome to Polk ownership and to the forum!

You will like the 6's for mains. They will be a great match with the center you chose. You have a great start to a solid performing system that will last you for years. The Yamaha is a nice receiver with the latest processing and should power your Polks nicely.

In choosing a subwoofer, for home theater you truly want a sub with enough guts to handle the lowest of stuff that is being put into the digital tracks in movies today. Subs need to go to around 20Hz to get the impact you want. A great powered sub will take the load off of your receiver's amps and make them do a good job if they aren't required to produce the bass.

As many have told you, HSU and SVS make about the most bang for the buck that is on the market today. 200-300 watts with a vented sub may be enough for a medium size room. If you are trying to fill a big room with vaulted ceilings, you may need to go for a more powerful model with a more rugged woofer.

A call to either of the companies mentioned will assist you into the model that fits your need best. They will never try to sell you more than you need. That is how great their customer service is!

DG

lomic

Looks like a nice system!

The box of the HSU STF-2 reports 200 watts RMS, 800 watts peak. I'd say it packs quite a punch in my room, and it's currently not even close to where Dr. Hsu said I should place it for optimal bass (will have to turn the room around).

It was actually packing too much of a punch before - finally picked up an SPL meter today and found out I was running the sub too hot by about 15 dB. Sounds much more even now - but at least I know I can rumble the whole house if I need to.

bishopsnet

I'm debating whether or not to go for the 5 year warranty for 45 bones on the HSU STF - 2. It comes with a 2 year. I kinda want to get it because I've been hearing a lot of people post topics about there subs going out. Is there a higher rate of subs having problems opposed to speakers? I'm thinking there is because of the extra electronics involved with the amp.

Dennis Gardner

2 years is pretty good, but $45 isn't alot for 3 more, basically a buck a month.

Just a thought, the smaller or less powerful sub you choose will be pushed harder during tough passages, so the added peace of mind may come in handy.

You do realize that when you get this great sounding setup with your new HSU, your sound will be much larger than your display and you will then be in need of a Big TV or projector!

bishopsnet

Originally posted by Dennis Gardner

Just a thought, the smaller or less powerful sub you choose will be pushed harder during tough passages, so the added peace of mind may come in handy.

So are you saying the STF-2 is small? It seems like it will be a pretty sweet amp to me. 200 watts RMS through a 10 inch isn't bad for a mid grade system.

Originally posted by Dennis Gardner

You do realize that when you get this great sounding setup with your new HSU, your sound will be much larger than your display and you will then be in need of a Big TV or projector!

Got that covered. I have a Mits 55" Platinum Plus Widescreen HDTV.

Dennis Gardner

The 200 watts is solid and I am sure that HSU engineers a great match. My comment about small sub size was simply in response to your concern for warranty needs.

Less powerful subs are driven to their limits by digital soundtracks while their larger counterparts have more reserve power builtin for the dynamic ranges required. A subs volume changes quite a bit more throughout passages than mains or surrounds simply since exposions etc. are meant to be startling thus requiring more reserve power from your sub.

The design type of a sub has more to do with its ability to play loud than the amp itself. I use a 200 watt amp to drive 2-12" Adire Shivas to reference levels using them in a 10 foot cubic ported box. I get the high levels of sound since the 2-12s can really move alot of air. I would have to have 500 watts or more to achieve the same levels if it were of a small sealed design. The Sunfire sealed subs claim 2700 dynamic watts (500-600 RMS)pushing the tiny 11-13" cube sealed boxes that Bob Carver designed. They rock, but it takes a ton of power to pressurize those subs.

The HSU will do a great job of giving you the bottom end you want. If you need more add another one later!


I hope you found all the advice that you got from your posts on the forums to be useful in your selection, I couldn't have built my theater without the great guys from here, HTF, and AVS.

Cheers,

DG

lomic

Boy are you gonna be happy with those RTi6's. Mine finally arrived today and I just tested them out with some music in 2.1 channel mode - the cleanest sound stage it's ever been my pleasure to hear.

It's amazing, when they need to be crisp, they're crisp. When they need to be smooth, they're smooth. I heard a level of detail and clarity I didn't know existed to this point - and all of this was music burned off 192k MP3's! I shutter to think of what a SACD or DTS music CD would sound like. This is also using my old Pioneer AVR, so I'm guessing a new HK will make them sound even better.

I should also say that in the past listening to music at a high volume with strong bass left me feeling fatigued after a long session, and often gave me a headache. However, this RTi6/HSU combo left me feeling almost drunk and not fatigued at all.

I'd have to say the best track I heard tonight was Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. Just an amazing song on this system, with multiple layers of music I hadn't heard before. I'm really looking forward to listening to a lot of old music again for the first time.

Hope you enjoy your set up just as well

bishopsnet

Yeah, I think the extra investment on the RTi 6's will be worth it. I just can't wait to get it. My polk's will be here today or tommorrow, but I haven't received my shipment e-mail from HSU yet. Hopefully my sub will be here by Friday.

bishopsnet

Got my HSU today. Should get my Polk's tommorrow. It's almost here!