Monitor 70's or PSW 505

Dan2036

For two channel listening and HT which upgrade would be the best. Replacing my PSW10 with a PSW505 and sticking with Monitor 60's OR Replacing my Monitor 60's with Monitor 70's and keeping the PSW10 ??

comfortablycurt

Without a single doubt in my mind, the 505 would make a much bigger improvement.

The 60's are pretty beefy speakers on their own, but the PSW10 is the most entry level sub in Polks lineup. IMO, you'd get a much larger improvement with a 505.

The 10 is decent for it's price point etc...but there's a lot of low bass info you're missing out on, simply because the PSW10 isn't capable of digging down low as efficiently as other subs.

Dan2036

I figured it would make a substantial difference in HT but honestly two channel music is by far the most important, would the sub still be the most beneficial ?

comfortablycurt

Dan2036 wrote: »

I figured it would make a substantial difference in HT but honestly two channel music is by far the most important, would the sub still be the most beneficial ?

If you're using the sub for your 2 channel listening, then yes on all counts. The PSW10 is basically a little toy sub(no offense to anyone using one). It serves it's purpose with smaller speakers, but it doesn't have the guts to keep up with larger floor standers.

Musicality isn't exactly the PSW10's forte anyway. It's more or less a one trick pony. It provides some decent solidification of the low end in a HT setup, but 2 channel would probably sound better with just the 60's, versus the 60's and the PSW10.

The 505 is an excellent sub, especially for their price point. Much more musical sounding than the 10 could ever hope to be.

Dan2036

Would the PSW505 be my best option at that price point Polk or Non-Polk ?

comfortablycurt

Dan2036 wrote: »

Would the PSW505 be my best option at that price point Polk or Non-Polk ?

There are better subs out there, but IMO, you'd be hard pressed to find a better one at that price point.

The 505 can be had for $250ish all over the place, and at that price it's a killer deal.

Slinger182

+1 on the 505. I went from a sub from a crappy HTIB to the 505 and it definitely made a big difference in my setup.

Knucklehead

I agree the 505 would be the way to go, however, you can get a very nice used sub for that as well.

wutadumsn23

You ccan probably get a used sub for around $250, but it's all about getting lucky sometimes. Check your local CL and Epray, but if not then the 505 is hard to beat for the prices they are going for these days.

-Jeff

Dan2036

Just to throw a little more into the mix, how about a powerful external amp. So of the three which would be the biggest improvement for music.

halo71

comfortablycurt wrote: »

The 505 can be had for $250ish all over the place, and at that price it's a killer deal.

Or for $150 here. Very tempting.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/ele/1624839956.html

concealer404

If you're open to spending that $250 on the used market, i wouldn't even be looking at the PSW505.

I want to say that i sold both of my last two subs for less than that, and they were/are heads and shoulders above the PSW505.

Look into a Mirage Omni S8 or S10. Nice fast musical subs that'll pack a surprising punch if you decide to move them into an HT setting.

Dan2036

Well my goal is to make a significant improvement in the musical performance of my system 250 being the max I can afford. So i'm just looking for the best possible way to spend the money. Will look into those mirage Omni subs and the Craigslist PSW505 thanks.

comfortablycurt

Dan2036 wrote: »

Just to throw a little more into the mix, how about a powerful external amp. So of the three which would be the biggest improvement for music.

If you were doing pure 2 channel listening(with no sub), I'd say this is the way to go.

However, when using a sub, adding an external amp is really going to make your PSW10's shortcomings even more obvious. Personally, I'd still say go for the sub. You can add an amp, but it still isn't going to change your low bass performance. The PSW10 is only rated down to 40hz...which is a painfully bad -3db rating for a sub. There's low bass material in movies and music all the way down to 20 hz, and you're missing out on nearly all of that information due to your sub.


My $.02

polknewby

+1 on the 505...check for the newegg special going on now for 229..or call jr.com and get it for 227.99 free ship after price match like I did when I got mine

cnh

concealer404 wrote: »

If you're open to spending that $250 on the used market, i wouldn't even be looking at the PSW505.

I want to say that i sold both of my last two subs for less than that, and they were/are heads and shoulders above the PSW505.

Look into a Mirage Omni S8 or S10. Nice fast musical subs that'll pack a surprising punch if you decide to move them into an HT setting.

I don't doubt this...but in general used subs at the 200 dollar or so price point aren't particularly 'good' or 'great' buys.

The really good subs 'used' sell for half price...which usually means above 350 as a minimum and more like 500 and above!

cnh

krauley

Dan2036 wrote: »

For two channel listening and HT which upgrade would be the best. Replacing my PSW10 with a PSW505 and sticking with Monitor 60's OR Replacing my Monitor 60's with Monitor 70's and keeping the PSW10 ??

i went from the monitor 50s with a psw10 to monitor 70s. they improved on the bass from the fronts but then gave me the feeling that my overall low end was lacking. Made my sub feel useless, i have the 505 coming on monday but it will be too late for a review. I would say go for the psw505 while its @ 229.99 at the egg, but the 70s are on sale again for 174.99 till the 15th if thats the way you want to go.