PSW505 Sub problem

Cyberdrew

I recently purchased a PSW505 sub from Newegg to replace my 10 year old Infinity BU-120 12" 100w amp sub. Now I know the infinity sub has horrible reviews on the web, but it had a bit of punch to it and I have had no problems with it except for the woofer cracking at higher volumes.

I was really excited to get this new sub, but once I got it I hooked it up to the sub out on my receiver. I have also hooked it up the Polk recommended way through the main speakers out. Same result, it seems to have a lack of punch. Plus, as I turn the volume up on it, it seems to taper off the louder it goes. I am guessing a bad capacitor? I don't know. It doesn't seem as strong as the junky Infinity I am replacing. I called Polk, their customer service is TOP NOTCH! They are sending me a new amp, I guess we'll see then. Anyone else have an experience like this? I guess what I am looking for is a sub that I can tune to a comfortable bass level for general use, but I want to be able to crank it up from time to time to shake everything to show it off.

Cyberdrew

Well, I got the new amp in the mail today and installed it, it seems to have solved the problem. I really like the sub's deep clean bass but I do miss some of the "punch" my old sub had.

kawizx9r

Cyberdrew wrote: »

Well, I got the new amp in the mail today and installed it, it seems to have solved the problem. I really like the sub's deep clean bass but I do miss some of the "punch" my old sub had.

Give the sub some play time to properly break in, I'll bet it'll sound much better later on!
Btw, welcome to CP!

-Freddy

Cyberdrew

What is the best way to break it in? How long to break it in? Pink noise for 5 minutes? Thanks.

concealer404

Cyberdrew wrote: »

What is the best way to break it in? How long to break it in? Pink noise for 5 minutes? Thanks.

Just play music/movies. Don't beat on it, just normal use. Might take 50-100 hours of use, or less, or more, just depends. You'll hear it change the more it plays.

jimmydep

It took my DSW-PRO 600 about 40 - 60 hours to break-in. I just played music at a normal level.

concealer404 wrote: »

Just play music/movies. Don't beat on it, just normal use. Might take 50-100 hours of use, or less, or more, just depends. You'll hear it change the more it plays.

thuffman03

Good to hear you got the issue fixed with the sub.

zeppage2

Customer service cannot be quantified

Props and kudos to the Polk Team!

Cyberdrew

Thanks for all the advice.

Cyberdrew

WOW! I was listening to dance mixes last night at half volume with the sub only at half volume and the crossover at 90hz. This thing really pounds the fillings out of my teeth!!! I am in love and need another one!

concealer404

What are your main speakers?

binarycool

Nice I just ordered one of these off newegg can't wait for it to come in, and perfect timing i just blew out my little PSW350. (Does anyone have any use for it before I just throw it out - I'm in NJ)

I was complaining about my sound in my new TSi500's a few weeks ago - time has made all the difference. They sound great now. I really never realized how important a break-in period was.

Cyberdrew

My main speakers are Monitor 60s. I replaced a pair of Infinity SM-125s and an Infinity BU-120 sub with these and the PSW505. 100% better sound and performance!

Cyberdrew

My receiver basically is 135wX2 .02% THD, I am just using it for stereo and have the sub hooked up through line outs. I would rather use PRE outs but this receiver doesn't have them, it has a sub out but then it internally crosses over the frequency for the mains and the sub. I hate that. My sound source is a Windows 7 PC using SPIF 48kHz / 24bit connection. (Receiver is 10 years old and wont do anything higher)

concealer404

Cyberdrew wrote: »

My receiver basically is 135wX2 .02% THD, I am just using it for stereo and have the sub hooked up through line outs. I would rather use PRE outs but this receiver doesn't have them, it has a sub out but then it internally crosses over the frequency for the mains and the sub. I hate that. My sound source is a Windows 7 PC using SPIF 48kHz / 24bit connection. (Receiver is 10 years old and wont do anything higher)

So you have your mains running full range?

I would actually suggest using the sub out, and setting it on your reciever to 80hz if you could. I think it should sound better.

Right now you're straining your Monitor 60s to go full range, and probably ending up with a lot of overlap down low.

Cyberdrew

I will try that, but in the Polk manual, it recommended the other setup. Oh yeah, I use a flat EQ with no sound enhancements except I have the loudness turned on.

I like the sub out option better (less wires)

concealer404

Cyberdrew wrote: »

I will try that, but in the Polk manual, it recommended the other setup. Oh yeah, I use a flat EQ with no sound enhancements except I have the loudness turned on.

I like the sub out option better (less wires)

Ewww..... turn loudness off.