PSW505 = Weak Bass?

mod220
mod220 Posts: 30
edited November 2007 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
finally got my HT installed and i have to say, i'm extremely disappointed...the room is small, 12 x 14, so I thought my set up would have a lot of pop...i went with:

Denon 2808ci
Polk RTi10
Polk CSi5
Polk Fxi5
Polk PSW505

after reading reviews for month everyone seemed very impressed with this set up, but I dont "feel" the sound...I can "hear" it, but it is no where near the "theatre quality" i thought i was getting...i know you can spend $100k on a HT, and this may be low end relative to what the big boys are running, but quite frankly it just sounds like a loud TV, not a home theatre...

anyone else have similiar results?
Post edited by mod220 on
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Comments

  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2007
    The only weak link that I see is the sub, but even then - you should really be getting some pretty decent sound.
    • You have your DVD player hooked to the AVR with an optical, coax or HDMI digital cable connection correct?
    • When you play a disk it says it is decoding in DTS or Dolby Digital, not Dolby Pro-Logic?
    • Have you calibrated your system with an SPL meter (about $60 at radio shack)?
    • Avia or Digital Video Essentials may not be a bad choice to get the channels set correctly. (but you should get close with the test tones built into the AVR)

    I would say something is definately out of wack. You should really be getting great sound. (even with the 505)

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2007
    I had the 505 in a similar sized room at one point. It would definetely shake the room. I would review the speaker size and sub settings in the AVR setup menu.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited November 2007
    And it goes without saying that you have adjust the gain correctly on the sub? I once spent about an hour trying to figure out what was wrong with my home theater's low end to the final realization that someone had touched the gain on the sub...
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited November 2007
    mod220 wrote: »
    finally got my HT installed and i have to say, i'm extremely disappointed...the room is small, 12 x 14, so I thought my set up would have a lot of pop...i went with:

    Denon 2808ci
    Polk RTi10
    Polk CSi5
    Polk Fxi5
    Polk PSW505

    after reading reviews for month everyone seemed very impressed with this set up, but I dont "feel" the sound...I can "hear" it, but it is no where near the "theatre quality" i thought i was getting...i know you can spend $100k on a HT, and this may be low end relative to what the big boys are running, but quite frankly it just sounds like a loud TV, not a home theatre...

    anyone else have similiar results?

    Your overall setup is much better than mine originally was, and I got plenty of good sounds out of it, even with a PSW450 for LFE. And my room is basically 15x25, so there was quite a bit more CF to pressurize, yet the low end stuff was not bad at all. I agree, there is something not quite right with whatever settings you have. Is your room on a concrete slab with hard wood floors? Even so, you should be getting some low end out of that. Keep
    trying different things; you will get good sound eventually.
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited November 2007
    It would really wake up with a 5ch amp...

    maybe a parasound HCA-2205a or something like that...!! :p
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited November 2007
    Stop teasing the guy and just tell him to step up to an SVS, epik or Elemental Design. Simple as that. http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-isd2.cfm The rest of the system is very well put together. I had a Klipsch KSW12 before I went with SVS, had no idea until I came here. Needless to say Im very happy. Try any of the brands mentioned that will fit your budget, promised to put a smile on your face.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2007
    While I have no doubt, a sub upgrade would be a nice upgrade for the guy - there is a clear setup issue here. The more I think about it - it sounds like the bass is being routed away from all your speakers and to.... nothing. Look closely at your sub setting both on the back of the sub and in the AVR. There is a problem there.

    Once you get it dialed in and think it sounds awesome, come back and we will convince you to upgrade your sub.... :)

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited November 2007
    thanks alot for posting the linky !!

    You made me want to get a Pb+2 again...!


    just when you think your out, they pull you back in ...!!
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited November 2007
    beardog03 wrote: »
    thanks alot for posting the linky !!

    You made me want to get a Pb+2 again...!


    just when you think your out, they pull you back in ...!!

    Go for it bro and dont look back. I run dual PB12 +2s, many thanks to this very forum for my own purchase. You'll be happy.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2007
    mod220 wrote: »
    finally got my HT installed and i have to say, i'm extremely disappointed...the room is small, 12 x 14, so I thought my set up would have a lot of pop...i went with:

    Denon 2808ci
    Polk RTi10
    Polk CSi5
    Polk Fxi5
    Polk PSW505

    after reading reviews for month everyone seemed very impressed with this set up, but I dont "feel" the sound...I can "hear" it, but it is no where near the "theatre quality" i thought i was getting...i know you can spend $100k on a HT, and this may be low end relative to what the big boys are running, but quite frankly it just sounds like a loud TV, not a home theatre...

    anyone else have similiar results?

    do you have a Radio Shack sound level meter? if not, get one. that's a must have for any serious home theater set up.

    1 set your front speakers to small in your receiver
    2 set the volume knob on your subwoofer to about 11 o'clock
    3 run the auto speaker calibration in your Denon
    4 place your subwoofer in a corner along a wall if possible
    5 make sure you are hearing Dolby Digital or DTS on your receiver
    6 use a good digital audio cable from your cable box or DVD player to your Denon


    that subwoofer should be pumping out some serious bass by now. if not, then you have a problem.

    There is nothing wrong with the Polk Audio speaker combo you bought.. that's a great set up to start at. I think it's just a matter now of dialing everything in. Home theater takes some tweaking to make it sound right. After 10 yrs, i'm still tweaking the home theater. ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2007
    That system should rock in that small room. Calibration and sub placement!
    Never Forget
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited November 2007
    I concur, start by dialing everything in. You'll notice a huge improvement, once you do that, then go for the SVS if you still want more bass. Im sure you will.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • mod220
    mod220 Posts: 30
    edited November 2007
    thanks everyone...I'm going to have my installer out again soon to help getting this thing dialed in...I'm hoping he just needs to make some tweaks.

    If i have to get a new sub thats fine, i can put this one in my Living Room and justify the upgrade :D

    thanks again, ill update the thread when he comes back
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2007
    Place the sub in the front left or right corner of the room.
    Never Forget
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