Subwoofer advice

geebolt

I just upgraded my R40's to Tsi 500's with a CS20 center. My R40's are replaceing my R10's for surrounds. My receiver is a Sony STR-DN1000. So far, I'm still using my old sub, a PSW12.
Everything sounds great when watching movies and also when listening to the Blu Ray's of David Gilmour at the royal Albert Hall, Roy Orbison Black and White Night, and Elton John at 64. I've seen a lot of comments around here about the PSW505 when compared to the PSW12.
My question is will I hear a big improvement if I get a 505 or should I consider a DSW600 (will take awhile to save for) or maybe even stick with what I've got. The room size is about 18' x 13' and the sub is placed near an exterior wall anout 4 feet from the nearest corner.
Like I mentioned, the sound seems great to me including the bass but can't help wondering if I'm missing something.

Thanks
George

ctrulock

I know this is a polk forum, but...HSU. They specialize in sub woofers and are less expensive (for what you get) and have same warranty. If you do not like the one you order just send it back (you pay shipping).

Get a vtf or stf series and I bet (odds 90:1) you dont send it back. I ordered too big of a sub for my 2.1 room and tried it in my theater room. You would have to pry that sub from my cold dead hands to get it out of my theater now.

So I ordered the next model down for my 2.1 music room and love it. No offence to polk subs, but companies like HSU and SVS who specialize in subs are still in business because they put out great products.

Well, for what its worth, that is my opinion. Can only cost you fed ex ground rate, which is like ~$20. I'm betting if you order a HSU sub and watch "Master and Commander" blu-ray it will not cost you ~$20 to send back. Because ......

wutadumsn23

While I agree with ct on the fact that HSU, SVS, Velodyne, Epik etc make "better" subs, if you are happy with what you have, then I say stick with it. The 505 will be leaps and bounds better than the PSW you have now, and the DSW 600 would be better still. If you can get your ears on either of them, that will be the best way to put your concers to rest. Good luck and welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

geebolt

Thanks for the replies. The 505 price right now is very tempting. And I did look at the HSU's on their site. They are also tempting albeit at a higher price.
Is the variable tuning thing really usefull?
My main concern would be good sound when listening to music blu rays and maybe an SACD now and then. Although I'll also want decent performance when watching movies.

Thanks,
George

ibewbrother

The extra coin spent on a SVS NSD would be well spent....I was thinking Polk sub until I did some research. I have no opinion on HSU....never heard one...but the SVS is worth every penny.

rallyshark

The 505 would be a definite improvement over your current sub, and considering the price they are going for at newegg, it is damn good sub for that amount of money. If you want to buy new and want to keep the price down, then the 505 would be a great purchase, and I'm sure you'd be very happy with it. That being said, if you can spend more, then there are MANY better ones out there. I say get the 505 and go from there. If you don't like it, you could easily recoup most if not all of the money spent on it by selling it on CL. It IS a better sub than what you have. I think you would be very happy with it, if not pleasantly surprised even:)

jemrey81

Have you seen the price on the dsw micro pro 2000 on Newegg? It's under $500!! If that's in your budget, I would jump all over that. I have the psw 505 and I love it now... I wasn't too sure about it at first, but highly recommend it now that I have it dialed in.

cnh

geebolt wrote: »

I just upgraded my R40's to Tsi 500's with a CS20 center. My R40's are replaceing my R10's for surrounds. My receiver is a Sony STR-DN1000. So far, I'm still using my old sub, a PSW12.
Everything sounds great when watching movies and also when listening to the Blu Ray's of David Gilmour at the royal Albert Hall, Roy Orbison Black and White Night, and Elton John at 64. I've seen a lot of comments around here about the PSW505 when compared to the PSW12.
My question is will I hear a big improvement if I get a 505 or should I consider a DSW600 (will take awhile to save for) or maybe even stick with what I've got. The room size is about 18' x 13' and the sub is placed near an exterior wall anout 4 feet from the nearest corner.
Like I mentioned, the sound seems great to me including the bass but can't help wondering if I'm missing something.

Thanks
George

I own a PSW12 it was my first HT sub..and my first Polk. It is temporarily sitting in its box in my basement at the moment. The PSW12 is similar to the PSW125....it may hit a bit lower and has a less controlled bass than its successor. It is also very difficult to PLACE....to find the right room placement. It's dynamic levels are 260 watts and the PSW125 maxes out at 300 watts...so not much of a difference there, except that the 125 rolls off frequencies under 33hz and the 12 DOES NOT...so it tries to reproduce them even though it can't--as a result the PSW12 will produce a horrendous PORT noise if overdriven and incorrectly placed. That's why I retired it. I am currently running a Boston Sub that has specs similar to the DSWpro 600 and it can hit 'harder' and 'lower' than the PSW12 in noticeable ways.

If you have the money go 600 it will give you greater sound pressure levels than the Micropro 2000 which is more expensive. The 600 is better for HT and the 2000 would be better for 'music'. The PSW505 would be somewhat better than the PSW12 also because it chuffs less and reaches a bit lower in the bass range--its slot air port also reduces the port noise of the PSW12.

All of that said. If you keep the PSW12 below 12 o'clock (power knob)...cross it over at 80Hz and don't OVERDRIVE it...it is quite listenable. The only thing is that you'll be missing some of the very lowest LFE effects on movies like Transformers, Iron man, Godzilla, Cloverfield and so on. You won't KNOW that until you hear a Better sub!

cnh

PerfectCreature

I just recently bought the 505 for 230. Very impressive price. I don't know what the other subs sound like. I do know it puts out a lot of bass and it is surprisingly accurate for a 12 inch subwoofer. Only downfall I find is its size. leave about a 2 foot square foot for it and at least a foot or so of room in the back for the bass port. Sometimes the bass can to much. I do have it at 3/4 though. Yay for volume level control. Anyway. My input is if you like what you have no run it dead. If not budget wise the 505 is a great sub. If you want to save up then by all means get the "better" sub. As for your room specs the 505 will fill that room with bass (given you tune it right and find the best spot for it) I know mine is placed behind me and it is amazing.
That said. I love my 505 and wouldn't trade it for anything less.
Its up to you.
Enjoy what you get though and have no regrets.