Subwoofer for RM10 system?

Yardman 49

Hello all:

First, some background:

I have had a RM10 system for a couple of years now. The satellites (RM101s)are teamed with a Polk PSW10 subwoofer and a Klipsch RC10 center. The PSW10 is fed from the sub/LFE out on the receiver.

I have just upgraded the system from an Onkyo SR504 to the new Onkyo SR705. This is an excellent receiver for my needs. The sound improvement is fantastic. I'm enjoying rewatching movies that I never really even liked!

My HT room is in a finished basement. Tile floors. AV section is partially closed-in; size is 13' x14'. My sub is positioned near the plasma TV, alongside a wall. My RM10 satellites (fronts and surrounds) are mounted on ball-stud mounts on the walls up in the corners of the room. As the room is small, speaker choice and placement is partially limited by aethetics. The RM10 satellites have the right look for this room.

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Right now I've been researching subs to replace the PSW10. It has good musicality, but "farts" on low LFEs in movies. It's always done this, even with the SR705. I guess it is what some may call port noise. (FYI: I keep the gain at about the 1:00 position). Other than this occasional noise, I really like the sound and feel of the PSW10 teamed with the Onkyo SR705. Movies like "Star Wars" and "LOTR" really sound wonderful (except for the port noise).

I recently purchased a PSW110 through Crutchfield. I have to say that I was greatly disappointed by this sub. It definitely lacked the punch and clarity of the PSW10, no matter what I did with the EQ settings on the Onkyo.

For example, when viewing the "pod race" scene from SW Episode I, the PSW10 always provides for a very visceral experience for such a small sub: when the racer's engines would start, or when they would buzz by the viewer, the effect was very dramatic with the PSW10. But the PSW110 was underwhelming to say the least, and changed the feel of the scene. No punch, had to turn the gain past 3:00 to even match the PS10, and the sound wasn't as musical. This wasn't just my opinion, but others who listened to my comparison testing.

So I have returned the PSW110 (thanks, Crutchfield), and am looking at either the Polk DSW Pro 500, or the Infinity PS210. My questions are as follows:

- the RM10s have a -3dB cutoff of 130Hz. I'm running the AV crossover at 120Hz, (since the next nearest crossover is 150Hz). If I go with the Polk DSW Pro 500, will the sub's upper crossover limit of 120Hz be a bad match with the RM10s? (I really don't want to replace the RM10s right now).

- Would the Infinity PS210 be a better choice to go with the RM10s, since it's upper -3dB limit is 160Hz? Has anyone heard an Infinity PS210 that could comment on this?

- I'm limited by available space, so I have to keep the sub right up near the wall. If I chose the Infinity PS210, would the rear firing port cause problems with the sub being positioned only 2" from the wall?

- Which of these two subs would be best suited for both music and movie LFEs with my current setup?

- Any other things that I should be taking into consideration?


Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Frank

Yardman 49

Hello all:

I haven't received any replies to this thread yet, but I wanted to update my situation: rather than upgrade my sub right now, I have found that I can purchase the Polk R150s for my mains and surrounds. These seem to get excellent reviews all around, they have a form factor that is just about the right size, and their low end response is much improved over the RM10 system (RM101s) that I'm currently using:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?o=m&showAll=Y&g=37900&i=107R150&tp=186&tab=features_and_specs

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/individual/bookshelf/r150/

So I've order a couple of sets from Crutchfield, along with the Pinpoint AM20 wall brackets, which I believe I can use to wall mount the R150s, although I will have to screw into the speaker cabinets.

If this works out as planned, then I won't be tied to looking for subs that can carry up above 100Hz, and may be able to then go after the Polk DSW Pro 500.

If anyone has any comments on this approach, please feel free to share them.

Thanks in advance for your opinions

Frank

RutgersFTW

I like floorstanders better than satellites.

I'm saddened by your PSW110 experience as I can get a fantastic deal on one. Hopefully some other Polkies will chime in with their PSW110 experiences or offer alternatives in the $100-200 range.

Yardman 49

RutgersFTW wrote: »

I like floorstanders better than satellites.

I'm saddened by your PSW110 experience as I can get a fantastic deal on one. Hopefully some other Polkies will chime in with their PSW110 experiences or offer alternatives in the $100-200 range.

Hello Rutgers:

Thanks for the reply. I too was saddened by my PSW110 experience. I was hoping for a signficant improvement, not a step backwards from the PSW10. Fortunately, Crutchfield saved the day with their excellent return policy.

I know that many prefer floor standing speakers. Unfortunately, I'm limited by the size of the room and the aesthetics: the room is only 13' x 14', with 8 foot ceilings. Both my wife and I like the look of keeping the mains and satellites up in the corners of the room, out of the way so to speak. This makes the room more "user-friendly" for general entertaining, also.

And I personally like the sound field better this way (assuming the room dimensions accomodate this approach). Coupled with the sub handing the low frequencies, it gives a nicely balanced effect to the entire room.

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I've taken another step today, and ordered a Polk CSR to go along with the R150s that I have on order:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?o=p&g=12100&i=107CSR&tp=189

This speaker seems like another absolutely fantastic value from Polk. Once I get the new speakers and center installed, I'll rerun the Audyssey setup and see how things go.

At that point, I'll then be able to look at a subwoofer upgrade. Have you considered the Infinity PS210, or have you had a chance to hear one? It is a rear-ported sub. I don't know if it will sound better in my setup than the Polk PSW10 that I'm currently using. If anyone can comment, I'll be grateful.

Best wishes,

Frank

jaysonbarnett

Hey look at hsu epik or svs. I got a EPIK caliber and that thing is the best sub i have ever heard. You should look else where for a sub if you want more for the money. This years polk subs i hear are better but i only know that the caliber is more than enough for me. I have had about 7 different subs and im now happy and will not be looking for awhile.