Getting a sub, PSW10 or PSW111 (ive audited several)

SivaNevets

i need a sub for my HT
i already have
RTI6 as front, M10 as rear, CSIa4 as mid, Denon AVR789 and receiver now i need a sub.
i currently own Klipsch iFi 2.1 for my PC (RSX-3 + some random alluminum woofer, but the woofer sounds ok to me)
im not a huge bass fan but cannot tolerant no bass. I specifically prefer tight, articulated bass and hate boomy ones. I went to futureshop and bestbuy in Toronto to audited several different onez,
Polk PSW125, Klipsch Synergy 10'', some random JBL 12' (listed $399 CDN), PSW111 and Velodyne 15'.
heres r my short experience (cannt say its a review): Klipsch Synergy 10'' was in my least favor, its so boomy i cant hear anything. Polk PSW125 was slightly better but kinda disappointing to me for the money, not very tight. i like the JBL i think its somehow well balanced, tight and deep. Velodyne 15' was too lound, no way im gonna put in my apartment, when i turned the volume down, it sounds better than polk PSW125, deeper than JBL but not as tight as JBL.
then comes my personal winner PSW111, im really surprised on how well they perfome in music, very musical, blends in perfectly better than all ive listed, the closest was the JBL one.
i think it just me i think maybe i just like smaller subs. im sure DSW series will be better but i cannot afford untill i get another summer job next summer.
the only reason i didnt buy it is, i haven't heard PSW10, i would like someone heard both PSW10 & PSW111 to give me some opinion because i really like the PSW111 and its on sale ($259 CDN, but not extremely hot) but its a little overbudge for me. If PSW10 is as good it usually went on sale during boxing day for something like $99 CDN, which would be akiller deal for me. IF if its not as good ill probably just goona grab the PSW11 even its gonna hurt a bit.
they dont have PSW10 as demo wand not willing to do so ive no idea wut PSW10 sounds like.

oh by the way my living room is mid sized and i think ill never like huge bass. althought im brand new to D-I-Y HT but I bought my first sub back when I was 13 years old (Creative Cambridge soundworks 2.1).

can anyone explains why i like cheap subs better?

nguyendot

In my opinion, the PSW10 is very underpowered. For the money it's not bad, but it's severely lacking in output. 50wrms, and it seems to put out less bass than my PSW50, and not as tight!

Go for something else....

SivaNevets

nguyendot wrote: »

In my opinion, the PSW10 is very underpowered. For the money it's not bad, but it's severely lacking in output. 50wrms, and it seems to put out less bass than my PSW50, and not as tight!

Go for something else....

Thanks nguyendot, what do you think about the sub im owning now based on its specifications
http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/ifi-specifications/

i have no idea how many watts is underpowered for an mid-sized living room, but i knowmy Klipsch iFi sub is slightly underpowered when i desire the most bass when i watch movies, i need to turn the sub to its maximum volume (like a typical 2.1 pc speaker, u control the sub volume, and theres an overall volume control, usually 70% to its max, so i say 70% to its max volume of the sub). It rates 200watt class D amp but consider it also drives 2 RSX-3 satelite.
What do you think? PSW10 compare to this klipsch sub.

kawizx9r

In regards to the Polk PSW10, its a punchy sub no doubt. It's pretty musical as its tight and accurate but imo it'll entertain in a small sized room. It doesn't have the power/etc or the capabilities to provide that deep rumble for HT, especially for a medium sized room. Before you actually purchase another sub though, have you tried different placement with your current one? You never know what you might get!

kawizx9r

Personally if you can afford the PSW111 right now, go with that. Its better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.

Knucklehead

kawizx9r wrote: »

In regards to the Polk PSW10, its a punchy sub no doubt. It's pretty musical as its tight and accurate but imo it'll entertain in a small sized room. It doesn't have the power/etc or the capabilities to provide that deep rumble for HT, especially for a medium sized room. Before you actually purchase another sub though, have you tried different placement with your current one? You never know what you might get!

I will have to disagree with you, I have 2 PSW10'S in my setup, medium sized room, once you have them set up properly they sound pretty nice for 50w.

cnh

If you're just using one sub...I'd go with the PSW111--it's a pretty musical and tight sub...a bit better balanced and more powerful than the PSW10 which can be over-driven pretty easily on HT but is OK on music. People mistake that 50 watt rating as being weak. The PSW10 is really an OK entry sub with a 100 watt dynamic peak. In a smaller sized room it will surprise you...that said it only reaches to about 40hz on the lower end. (I'm agreeing with knucklehead above here!).

It should also be said here that, in general, a smaller cone sub will be more musical....it's very hard to manufacture a 15" woofer or even a good 12" that will respond fast enough for pure 'music', even if they're pretty expensive units. A 15" Velo is a great HT sub...but that 15" of sound moving power will not be as good for music as a 10" Velo!

Part of what you're hearing in the PSW series is that very phenomenon.

cnh

SivaNevets

thank to all above.
Theres an upgrade factor also affects my decision, ill eventually upgrade to a pair of RTia5 (better mid than a7, easier to drive from my receiver) paired with this sub. If i get PSW10 now, ill mostlikely upgrade to DSW PRO 400/500 since its very cheap to get.
if i get these PSW111 now, its like almost $300 CDN after tax and im not sure i want to upgrade them again.
Hows 2x PSW111 compare to 1 DSP 400/500? 2 subs only get things lounder right? I feel ill prefer 1 DSP400 over 2 PSW111. BUT PSW111 may provides enough i need though.

mdk5068

I have a dswpro400 on sale now if you are ever interested...250 and one hell of a sub!

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1110162&posted=1#post1110162

good luck!

--Mark

thuffman03

I know I chime in on some of these sub question threads and I say the same thing. I say get a Sunfire.

I have a Sunfire True Sub and I love it. I just heard a Sunfire D-8 and it is one heck of a sub and they can be had for the high $300 to low $400 range. It goes down to 22 HZ and has 1000 watts of power and it is so small you can hide it and no one but you will know it is there till it fires off a thump that will rattle the walls of most homes.

But once again here I am saying Sunfire, Sunfire, Sunfire. It will be the last sub you will buy. Unless you want two of them like I do. One for my HT and one for my 2 channel system.

Good luck with what ever you buy and happy listening.

SivaNevets

mdk5068 wrote: »

I have a dswpro400 on sale now if you are ever interested...250 and one hell of a sub!

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1110162&posted=1#post1110162

good luck!

--Mark

Hi Mark im very interested. Hold it for me for 2 days Ill discuss with my gf first:D.
thanks!

mdk5068

I will hold on to it for as long as I can. ps I know what its like checking with a gf. We are lucky not to have to deal with waf, but gfaf is almost as bad!

SivaNevets wrote: »

Hi Mark im very interested. Hold it for me for 2 days Ill discuss with my gf first:D.
thanks!

cnh

Siva...

That's definitely a better sub than either one you're considering and will do well in your room! A nice compromise between HT and music...hits a lot lower than the 10 or 111 so might be a bit longer before upgrades...

Hope mdk and you can work this out!

cnh

Serendipity

I heard the Polk PSW111 before and it sounded very good.

I would go with the 111.

SivaNevets

my gaf wont allow me to buy used speakers now theres a deal on PSW10s
https://www.visions.ca/catalogue/cart/default.aspx?formAction=update_item
but i figure since im not too happy with my Klipsch 200w 8' woofer I wont be too impressed with the PSW10s either. Ill probably grab the PSW111 this friday after I gets my paycheck. If i feel needs an upgrade ill go for the higher DSW400 or even Micro 1000 (too much for apartment?).

another question is:
Can I put PSW111 in the car? How do i hook them (i dont have a car right now, but most likely will in the next few yrs)

Knucklehead

you could.....but why? You would have to buy a heavy duty inverter, kinda not worth it IMO.

SivaNevets

Knucklehead wrote: »

you could.....but why? You would have to buy a heavy duty inverter, kinda not worth it IMO.

thx man, i wasnt sure at all. i thought there maybe some plugs in the car.
polk car audio any good?

Knucklehead

not really into car audio, if I were I would have no hesitation in buying Polk thats for sure.

nguyendot

Why would you put a powered sub in your car designed for home? That's not a good idea at all. The cones/surrounds are not designed to take that type of punishment and it won't tune well at all.

Also, why do you have to ask your GF what you want to get for your system? Or is she paying for it?

Knucklehead

[QUOTE=nguyendot;1112261
Also, why do you have to ask your GF what you want to get for your system? Or is she paying for it?[/QUOTE]

Because he loves her?

SivaNevets

we've been lived together for several yrs i respect her opinion but lets not talk abt gafs and talk abt subs:D

conqur

siva, if you want psw 10s check out this site.

http://electronics.become.com/psw10-subwoofer--compare-prices--c205265178

cnh

Go with the PSW111 then. It will be fine for a while.

But in a car. No one puts HT subs in a car? I'm not into car stereo either....but from reading posts on this site it would seem like Polk car stereo speakers can compete with any manufacturer.

As far as your car! Buy dedicated Car Audio subs...as someone said above the current and impedance are different for car speakers...they're being powered by your DC battery/electrical system? Home Audio and car stereo....TWO very DIFFERENT things!

cnh

SivaNevets

crap... the deal for psw111 is gone... but the nice thing is psw10 went on sale ($150 CDN, not the best but still pretty good) ill probably just grab 1 of these. hopefully they dont get sold out before 6.

SivaNevets

got the psw10 for 150 cdn. very happy though. havent play at a volume could distort it yet. not as tight as psw111 but still pretty good for music, it is a huge improvement from my last 8 inch klipsch sub, hearing some lower notes that never heard before. will keep it for a long time until next upgrade. now i got a complete 5.1 set up
thx everybody

cnh

Congrats!

And you are right, the PSW111 is a bit 'tighter' on bass. But the PSW10 is fairly musical, though, if you don't push it too far in a smaller room. The problems with the PSW10 and the larger now defunct PSW12, I still have one somewhere? Are that they TRY to play notes well below their low end capability. I believe that is 40hz for the 10, and 33hz for the larger 12. That's where they get into trouble and start to give you port noise.

I've found that placement and backing off the volume are critical when you get to those limits.

Enjoy!

cnh

SivaNevets

the better thing is the psw10 looks very nice, i do like think the 10'' is the right size for decorative sub though. my gf likes the looking a lot, fits the rest RTi/a setting.
im currently running cross over @ 80hz, didnt test higher onez. since frequency below 80hz is non-directional so i guess its better to keep it that way.