Opinion on Polk Sub

janmike

Have any of you folks owned or listened to the PSW303 subwoofer. I am looking to purchase a sub for HT. Any brand names would be appreciated. Thanks for your opinion.

aaharvel

Honestly- Polk Subs aren't the best- and i think many on here would say you can get much better for the money. I would start with Velodyne first and foremost.

You might want to check out SVS as well. i've never actually heard their subs but they have a huge following on both the polk forums and others on the internet.

My opinion- i would start with Velodyne. I have a Velodyne CHT-10 and love it because it's a musical-sounding sub. I got it for $200 new with free s&h. on closeout (www.electronics-expo.com) (type "Velodyne" in the searchbar). The thing retails for $400-$500 everywhere else and it's new model replacement- the DPS-10 is supposed to be even better with Digital Processing built into it's amplifier. Below is a review of the CHT-10 from Home Theater Magazine. Good luck.

Review: http://www.hometheatermag.com/subwoofers/177/

Tide

I bought a used 303 from a forum member (gshisme) for my office system and I think it sounds great. I use it for 2.1 channel music duty only, so I couldn't tell you how it would do for HT. It probably doesn't move as much air as my HSU, but it didn't cost as much either.

aaharvel

damn! i forgot to add HSU! they make great subs too!

jmierzur

What is your budget? It will be easier to give suggestions if this is known.

BrentMcGhee

i agree about not getting a polk sub. I have had polk speakers for a while but i always had some real crappy 12inch rca subs that i got when i first started to get into home theater. they were great when i did not what good sound really was, back when i thought the more bass the better the sound no matter how distorted it was. Acckkk!!!! i want to kick my own **** for even admiting i used to be like that. Well anyway i had always been really very pleased with my polk fronts (rt55i) so i figured polk would make great subs to. I ran out and got the psw202. Well it was a definate improvement over my two rca's. Tha rca's onyl knew one note wich was loud monotone mush, not very musical at all.
but after i got the polk sub i started to really be in tune with what bass was really suposed to sound like. A gentle rounding off of the low end.. (not a dominating froce that calls attention to itself in the corner of the room.)

Well, haha, half through my post i have kinda changed my mind about the polk sub. I would recomend getting a polk sub if you dont really know what you are looking for yet in a sub. It really gave a realy handel on the proper way to integrate a sub into a system and showed what i did and did not like about it helped me alot when i was purchasing my sub that i have now.

For the price polk subs are not bad especially to hold you over, but just dont stop there if you decide to get a polk sub now.

Willow

I had the 202 and now I have an energy sub. night and day difference, if you are going to buy a sub get the best you can afford, Polk subs are decent but don't hesitate to look elsewhere

organ

I think Polk makes excellent subwoofers. I love my PSW650. Their main problem is being unable to reach the sub sonic depths. So if you're really into HT and you want that gut hitting bass, there are better subs. But for the money, Polk makes nice subs.

Maurice

janmike

I think I would spend around $400 for a sub. Here are a couple that I am looking at. I really want to hear the jets scream by and buzz the tower.

1) Velodyne 1215 XII Subwoofer (Probably a little over the budget)
Frequency Range: 50 Hz - 20 kHz (-10dB)
Power Capacity: 175 Watts (test signal of IEC filtered random noise with a peak-to-average ratio of 6dB, 2 hrs duration)
Sensitivity: 89dB 1W, 1m
Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
Crossover Frequency: 3 kHz
Components: 165mm (6 1/2 in) low frequency loudspeaker 25mm (1 in) pure titanium dome tweeter


2) Definitive Technology Subwoofer PF 15TL+
Specs:size 17"x18"x17",14-150Hz,15" high definition driver,500W RMS,Controls Volume-Phase-Low Pass-High Pass,LFE input.


3) Theater Research Subwoofer (I have heard this is a scam)
Frequency response:40hz to 180hz, Sensitivity 90db @ 1watt, 1meter , Impendence: 4.8 ohms, Watts 200 rms

4) KOSS 100 WATTS HOME THEATER SUBWOOFER
Passive subwoofer
100 Watts power
Impedance : 6 ohms


Other than that, I am limited as to what I can acquire here in Yellowknife, so it would require shipping.

aaharvel

Janmike- go up to my 1st post and click on the velodyne review- and then go to www.electronics-expo.com

and in the searchbar type "Velodyne"

hell for $550 the successor of my subwoofer would sound unbelievable - maybe a little over budget- but still worth it if you can't get mine on closeout for $200. I know this b/c they're both pretty much the same sub- except the new model has that DSP engine in it's amplifier.

I liked that referral of Top Gun btw.

janmike

I should have puts quotes around that phrase. I bought that movie primarily for the sound. That sub is SOLD OUT. At 53 lbs., that could cost a lot for me in shipping. Northern Canada is an expensive place to ship to. My assumption is that Velodyne is a good brand name.

janmike

Here is another one I may consider.

THX - 5000 II Home Theater Subwoofer

Any thoughts - $400 - $500

aaharvel

hmm...not familiar with that one jan.

and yes velodyne is a great brand. i shopped for six months with many manufactorers and i tested it with music ONLY.

If a sub is great for movies- it may not be so for music.
Usually a great sub begins with its ability to reproduce music without sounding like a bland 1-note $hithole.

yeah that cht-10 is sold out. i would still call them and make sure- i mean hell for a $500 sub at a $200 price with free shipping- PLUS i forgot they're an authorized dealer so the warranty is still good.

might still want to checkout it's successor as well.
anywhoo- it's up to you good luck!

janmike

I would be interested if they would ship to Canada for free. It's a long way to Yellowknife, but worth the investigation call for sure. Greatly appreciated.

gatemplin

Hi Mike,

Check out www.creativesound.ca . A small company located in BC. Give Bob a call or email. He might be able to put together a kit or sub for you in that budget, he has used subs too. I highly recommend him.

Another Canadian company is RAW acoustics also in BC. Al Wooley is the owner. He builds custom stuff mostly but he may have something in your budget.
http://quicksitebuilder.cnet.com/wrnch2/

Good luck,
Graham

janmike

Have any of you folks purchased the Bettercables when you purchased a SVS sub. Seems like a good price for a silver interconnect.

sowen010599

Velodyne, SVS, or HSU.

One of those or find another hobby.

My Polk sub(s) -free- do nice in the work shop but they are not permitted inside the house under penalty of the 8lb. sledge.

janmike

Just like Proac.

RuSsMaN

http://www.polkaudio.com/home/library/reviews/view.php?category=7&speaker=319

MSALLA

I have the 303 now. It sounds alright. No distortion or anything but it's too small for my room. I'm looking into SVS subs.
Everything I read on here about them sounds good and the price is reasonable.

janmike

What size is your room?

MSALLA

12 ft. x 25 ft. . The sub sit about 20ft. away from the seating area.

wingnut4772

I have the Outlaw LFM 1 . It is excellent and extremely well reviewed. It s a little over your budget but well worth it. I am planning on getting a second one.

Willow

they ship within canada:

http://audioshop.on.ca/clearance.htm