Polk Subs

Kano

I bought the Polk RTi8s, CSi3, FXi3, and PSW404, with a HK AVR430 a year ago.

I love everything except I'm not sure I went the right way on the sub.

Why does Polk use foam surrounds on all their high end subs?

Even the LSiW appears to have the same hi roll surround as the PSW303-505. Yet they use a rubber surround on their PSW202. Can anybody explain this?

I'm quite happy with the sound from it, it's full for movies and pumps much louder than I need it. For music it does have a slight delay as the port takes a little too long to release. Which is great for movies but a little annoying during some music.

For the same money I'm thinking I should have ordered the Powered cylinder from SVS which goes down another 5 hz.

What do you guys think?

Early B.

Check out SVS' PB10-ISD or a Hsu STF-2. Hsu subs are known for being very musical, but either one should fit your needs quite nicely.

Tour2ma

Welcome to the Club...

I agree with EB, Polk makes nice entry level subs, but you've already entered, so it may be time to move on...

As for the surround, just a guess, but when Polk was qualifying drivers for the 404, the one they liked likely came that way from the supplier. Expensive proposition to have them make butyl surround runs just for them... not to mention that the surround change could alter the characterisitics of the driver that attracted Polk to that model to begin with...

audiobliss

Originally posted by Tour2ma
the one they liked likely came that way from the supplier. Expensive proposition to have them make butyl surround runs just for them... not to mention that the surround change could alter the characterisitics of the driver that attracted Polk to that model to begin with...

Are you saying that Polk doesn't make their own drivers?!?!?!

I'm not sure I could believe that. Why would a high-end audio-gear manufacturer order drivers? Does nobody make their own drivers?

I guess, if they do order their drivers, it's workin' pretty good....

Early B.

Are you saying that Polk doesn't make their own drivers?!?!?!

Of course not. For instance, Polk uses Vifa tweeters in its LSi series. Vifa is a European company. Polks strengths, like most other "manufacturers," lie in R&D and marketing.

Think about it this way -- most "manufacturers" don't make their own parts. Can you imagine the cost of an American car if GM made all of their parts? Labor costs too much in the good ol' USA. No American wants to work for $1/hour, but there are a billion people globally who are willing to do so. When a product says, "Made in America," typically it means it was assembled in this country. Most of the parts were likely made overseas where it's much, much cheaper to produce. That's why it's strange when people to jump on the "Buy American" bandwagon. That ship sailed 30 years ago.

Tour2ma

Originally posted by Early B.
Polks strengths, like most other "manufacturers," lie in R&D and marketing.

A more apt description of Bose than Polk, methinks... I think there's a design strength in there somewhere... on the Polk side that is...

ad,
All corporations have to determine where their strengths are, what are their "core competencies" and leverage them to the max. Areas outside of this list are "outsourced", i.e., the expertice is purchased often at a much lower cost.

Polk has had a hand in the design of various drivers. May have made some in the early days, but as EB said, it's not really feasisble in the business world today. This is one of the hurdles faced in rebirthing the SDA line. The original SDA PR's would be a specialty item to have made, which means costly...