Subwoofer

Pycroft

Do I need a Polk Subwoofer to go wtih my other Polk speakers? Is there any advantage to using it? I know with speakers it's important for everything to match..not sure about the sub.

Thanks,

Pycroft

comfortablycurt

You don't necessarily have to have a Polk sub. It's important for speakers to be voice matched, but that doesn't apply to subs quite so much.

Polks DSW series and DSW MicroPro series are all excellent subs though. You might also want to look into Velodyne or SVS. Those are both very highly rated subs around these parts.

Pycroft

Don't have much to spend...hopefully less than 150 (I spent so much this year already). Any suggested places to look?

Thanks,

pycroft

comfortablycurt

At that price point your options may be somewhat limited. Keep your eye on Polk Direct, they have some good deals if you wait around. Their stock changes from day to day...so ya never know what will pop up. I see they have the PSW125 with a buy it now of 200. I've always heard pretty good things about that sub.

Polk Direct Ebay Store

There's always the Polk PSW10...which is a decent sub for the price it's at. Usually around 100 dollars. It's not exactly the greatest sub around but at that price point will fit the bill. It would probably match up pretty well with your Monitors too. Keep your out for a PSW12 too possibly. They seem to be a little harder to come by, but have a bigger driver and a bit more wattage than the PSW10.

leroyjr1

Less than $150 look at the Polk psw10

dorokusai

Pycroft wrote: »

Do I need a Polk Subwoofer to go wtih my other Polk speakers? Is there any advantage to using it? I know with speakers it's important for everything to match..not sure about the sub.

Thanks,

Pycroft

No. Use what you want but you'll have rocks thrown at you in public if you don't. There's no telling when it could happen...I feel for your well being.

comfortablycurt

dorokusai wrote: »

No. Use what you want but you'll have rocks thrown at you in public if you don't. There's no telling when it could happen...I feel for your well being.

I'd listen to him. He knows what he's talking about...I've seen the rocks get thrown...not a pretty sight.:p

maximillian

Skip the PSW10. If you really can only spend around $150 then buy the H-100 sub that is selling in the for-sale section. It's a good sub. There are better subs as comfortablycurt mentions above but you have to spend more. For $165 shipped the H-100 is going to be the best you can do. It doesn't do too well for music but it's good for HT. The PSW10 is too small and underpowered. It's good for small rooms only. I really recommend trying to go with a better sub though. In the end you will enjoy it more.

kneedragger37

Any opinions on Dayton? Their 10" is under $150 and the 12" is $155 -- I have heard nothing but great reviews on Dayton everywhere I've looked. This may be a good option for the original poster if they are really all they're cracked up to be....

cnh

I agree,

A lot of older Polk subs are OK for music but bottom out on high/low LFE movie effects. I have a PSW12 I run in a second system. It can play LOUD. But has limits and port noise can be a factor when pushing it.

On the other hand my Boston Acoustics 300 watt sub does not necessarily play much LOUDER than the PSW12 but does play lower and is a bit tighter and faster.

I think the PSW505 is comparable to my Boston Sub and represents a great compromise between music and movies at the jr, onecall price--less than 300. I really don't think you can go wrong with the Polk in that price range. Yeah its not a Velodyne, SVS, or Hsu, Sunfire, etc. But its also not 800+ dollars.

Regarding the Dayton. The PSW505 is superior! Slot rear port design helps it overcome the port noise of the PSW12, is a bit louder and tighter than the 12. A good, not great sub. I tire of hearing all the criticisms of older Polk subs. Ok, there are problems...but a lot of the worst complaints are by individuals who don't take the time to set up the sub properly.

I was able to eliminate or make most of the port noise of the PSW12 disappear by setting it at a right angle to my main fronts, then backing off the volume to about 12 o'clock. With that arrangement it was almost like a 'new' sub in my room. But it literally took me weeks of tweaking to get that right? So I recommend the 505, less temperamental in placement. Lower bottom.

cnh