Polk Audio PSW505 12" Powered Subwoofer - Deep Bass Impact & Distortion-Free Sound, Up to 460 Watts, Easy Integration with Home Theater Systems, Black

UPDATE **06-24-2013**So far so good. I have had a chance to listen to more music, and I must say that this speaker is really pretty solid for music. I've listened to some orchestral, hip hop, rock and a variety of other music. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the bass response I got from this speaker. Its HT use is still solid. It's had more of a chance to break in now, and so far, it sounds really good.I also noticed that the link I tried to provide did not show up. The review I was referring to was written by Ed Mullen. Just Google "Ed Mullen PSW505." Skip down to his in-room frequency response test. You will see that he found this subwoofer to be flat down to 25 Hz as well.I also want to clarify how I am using the subwoofer. I have it positioned several inches away from the wall. I have the volume set to a little above 1/4 as it is far too powerful for the smaller room I have it in. I also have the AVR set to -3db for the subwoofers (I am using 2, but one of them is an older Klipsch I've had for years). I also rarely find occasion to crank my receiver to reference level (0db). Normally, the highest I go is about -10db with certain music. Movies are usually in the -25 to -20db region for me when I watch movies on this setup. I won't bother going into EQ settings, etc, since all of these values including the ones I've listed will change based on the room someone places their speakers in.All in all, I highly recommend it for someone placing it in a smaller to medium sized room. A larger room might be questionable since single ported or slotted subs may struggle the harder you have to push them. However, it sounds great so far, and I am very pleased considering how little I paid for this thing.**ORIGINAL REVIEW**A LITTLE BACKGROUND:I believe these are discontinued as Polk no longer lists a price for them on their website. That may also be a large reason for the price you can get this thing at (along with other factors I'd imagine such as the competition). This sub can't really compete in the $500 and up category any longer as it may once have been able to do. However, that does not mean it's a bad sub. In fact, for the price it can be had at now (at the time of purchase), you'd be hard pressed to find anything better.It appears the sub retailed originally for close to $600. It can now be had for as little as $170-$180 from what I've seen. I wasn't really in the market for a new subwoofer, but when I saw the price this thing was at ($179.99), I was tempted and decided to do a bit of research. The specs on this sub looked pretty amazing compared to the normal subs that you find in this price range. Subs that are manufactured to actually sit in the $100-$250 price range are much lower in overall power as well as craftsmanship. Their frequency response and extension are usually much worse as well. Aesthetically speaking, this is definitely not the "prettiest" sub around, but it's not the ugliest either. Aesthetics matter to some people more than others depending on where the speaker will be placed, and who will be able to see it.I would have preferred the entire speaker be black rather than the silver front where the actual driver is located. The grill covers this, but the silver outline you can see is distracting imo, especially since the rest of my set up is black. However, for $180, I can't complain that much. The sub definitely feels sturdy enough.As far as specs go, this is a sub with $600 specs being sold for less than $200. Even though it is an older model, you will not beat it for the price with any sub normally marketed in this price range. The subs that will compete with it are the ones you find on sale such as the BIC F12 which is also a sub that once carried a higher MSRP ($499). It also currently carries a price tag below $200 (at least at the time that I received this sub which is early June 2013). Of course, these prices are always subject to change. I found others that might be comparable specs wise within the $150-$250 price range as well.I read a lot of reviews ranging from before ordering to after I pulled the trigger on this one. You will find a mix of opinions regarding this sub especially compared to other subs within the same price range. I also read a few comments from people that claimed this sub did not go very low on the bass spectrum and has a severe roll off below 30-35 Hz. One of the reasons I saw that some people recommended the BIC F12 over this sub was because of its extension down to 25 Hz (at least its rated extension).Some people were basing this off of what they read while others had listened to the sub and drawn their own conclusions. I also read a review that claimed there is a lot of port noise or "chuffing" when this sub tries to extend below about 35 Hz. Anyway, this was a concern for me, so I decided to do some frequency response testing to verify the in-room extension of this sub after I received it. While 35 Hz is actually pretty low, it's terrible for a subwoofer intended for HT use. It might be ok for music if the sub is responsive enough, but even this depends on the type of music you listen to and the extension you expect. You often have to sacrifice clarity, "tightness," and responsiveness for deeper extension especially with ported subwoofers.Anyway, as I stated, these kinds of statements had me second guessing whether or not the Polk PSW505 was the right subwoofer for me even at the price since it would be used for a mix of movies as well as music, so I decided to do some experimentation of my own. The first thing people must remember is that many subs will extend lower than their rated frequency response. The problem is that the rated "lowest" response is typically where you begin to see (and hear) dramatic roll off which means the bass frequencies below that point will have less and less energy until the speaker essentially cannot produce the sounds anymore.Another thing to consider is the size of the room you are installing the subwoofer in, and you must take care where you place the sub and how you calibrate it using whatever tools you have at your disposal: AVR (Audyssey ), parametric EQ, etc. I find that it is often better to keep ported or slotted subs at least several inches away from the wall if not more. It reduces "boominess", improves overall bass response across the spectrum relative to the selected listening position (essentially keeps the sub from sounding like a "one-note" wonder), and keeps the bass clean sounding. Contrary to what many people may think, walls and windows rattling is not the sign of a "good" subwoofer as it usually serves to distort the sound of the bass you can hear if anything. It's also very distracting. Moving the sub away from the wall typically remedies this along with the sense that the sub is only good at producing a certain frequency and nothing else. In other words, it improves the "musical" aspect of the subwoofer. /end rantOk, back to business. This sub is definitely "overpowered" for a small room. It should do just fine in a medium sized room. It may be enough for some larger rooms as well, but once you start to get to very large rooms, you should be looking at speakers/amplifiers/etc that are in a completely different league (and price range) if you want proper in-room response and sufficient SPL. I purchased this subwoofer for a smaller room for which it is more than powerful enough.It's paired with Polk Monitor 40's used for front L/R, CS1 Center, OWM3 surrounds, and an Onkyo TX-NR709 receiver. It's a respectable budget system for a smaller listening room, and I've had most of this gear for a little while. I also have an older Klipsch KSW 12 set up with this system which is a far more capable sub than many seem to give it credit for if positioned and calibrated properly.Essentially, I saw the price of the PSW505 as an opportunity to add a second subwoofer to this lower budget arrangement for my small listening room which would allow me to even out bass response in the room. 2 subs are better than one not because of higher perceived loudness per se even though you can probably achieve this if that is your goal, but because they can better even out the in-room bass response and fill the room with bass while creating cleaner, more responsive bass in the process. They tend to eliminate the peaks and valleys of in-room response you often get with only one subwoofer (the "if I sit/stand in this corner the bass sounds best, but if I sit/stand in that corner or over there, the bass seems to disappear" effect). They also broaden the listening area allowing for a larger "sweet spot."SO HOW DID IT DO?That's really the question isn't it? First, I discovered that the in-room response of this subwoofer is quite good. It can get down to 20 Hz, but the roll off is quite apparent; you can audibly tell it's losing energy especially as it drops below 25 Hz. This sub is by no means limited to 30-35 Hz. It does not produce loud port noise and chuffing below 35 Hz as I read in one review (at least I haven't had that problem). The stated total frequency response of this sub from Polk is 23-160 Hz. The lower -3dB limit is stated to be 28 Hz (which is where it should start to roll off). This seems to be pretty consistent with my testing with it being difficult to audibly hear the difference between 25-35 Hz in a sweep of that frequency range (meaning that you probably won't be able to hear the loss of energy down to the 25 Hz region). This is a good thing since it means that the sub maintains a relatively flat response down to 25 Hz.The bass is clean and powerful. Some equalization may be necessary to achieve optimum performance and flatten out the response up to between 50-120 Hz depending on where you choose to cross the frequency out, but this sub definitely handles the lower frequency spectrum quite respectably. It is much more powerful than the Klipsch sub I have it paired with. I had to drop the volume on this sub quite a bit so it would sit nicely and evenly with the Klipsch and not overpower the rest of the system. The KSW 12 has similar frequency response, but it doesn't match up with the power this PSW505 is capable of producing. I expected this since the Klipsch sub's RMS output is 105 watts whereas the RMS rating for this PSW505 is 300 watts. The Klipsch is definitely suited to smaller rooms (possibly medium sized rooms). It's great for the smaller room I have it in. The PSW505 is really overkill for the room I have it in and should easily work in a larger room.I noticed an audible dip in energy as I passed 120 Hz up to about 140 Hz which again is consistent with the rated upper -3dB limit of 125 Hz for this speaker and the crossover setting I used on the AVR low pass filter which I set to 120 Hz. This tells me that the bookshelfs I'm using aren't handling the upper mid bass as nicely as I'd like. However, I plan to get some floor standers eventually which should make it easy to even out that part of the spectrum. At that point, I will probably lower the crossover to between 60-80 Hz for the subs since any good floor standers should be able to produce that bass range respectably enough. This in no way reflects badly on this sub as it shouldn't be responsible for that part of the spectrum anyway.I tested things out with a few scenes from movies such as Fellowship of the Ring which has some great bass in the opening battle scene as well as about midway through the movie when they are in the caves and the skeleton is pushed down the well. This sub handled those scenes quite nicely and got some nice extension on them. I also checked out some scenes in Kingdom of Heaven. There are a few battle scenes with some really nice bass and rumble. I sampled a variety of music and found the sub to be adequate. I personally think having a set of higher range woofers to handle the upper end of the bass spectrum (60-200 hz or so, maybe 80-120 at least) is preferable to tasking ported subwoofers with this task (or even wide slotted subs such as this PSW505).I often find ported subs lack the articulation and responsiveness that upper mid bass requires. This is just a personal preference. I prefer subs such as this one to stay in the lower bass regions from 80 Hz and down (maybe 100 Hz and down in some applications). Unfortunately, I cannot do that while using bookshelf speakers since the Polk Monitor 40s really don't handle the mid bass as well as I'd like. They are great speakers. I love the way they sound, but to get the response I want, I'm left with either getting some floor standers with built in 6.5 to 10 inch woofers that can handle that upper bass region better or investing in two more sealed subwoofers which are more likely to handle that upper bass region better than the ported (or slotted) subs I am currently using. Again, this is just a personal preference. I listen to a variety of music, so "boom" is not the only thing I care about. However, I do listen to music that has "boom" and bass that extends quite low. This sub reproduces that bass very well and is more than adequate for bass 80 Hz and below, even possibly 100 Hz and below.If anyone is interested, here is a nice review that seems to be spot on with my experience as well: [...] Read the section on in-room frequency response and you will see that the reviewer also found this sub to be flat to 25 Hz (which is about what you can expect from almost any 10-12" sub below the $500 price point).FINAL VERDICT:This subwoofer is simply a steal at the price I got it at: $179.99. You probably won't do significantly better until you hit roughly above the $500 price point. It simply blows away any subwoofer that was actually manufactured to sit in the MSRP range of $99-$250. This is essentially a "$600" sub priced at around $200. I'm guessing these prices are due to the subwoofer being end of life. It still sounds much better than its current price tag would suggest. If you can get this subwoofer below $200, grab it and don't look back. Once you start hitting $250 and higher, I would recommend maybe stretching your budget a bit and looking at other subs.You could take a look at the Hsu STF-2 although I don't know how significant a step-up this would be. You may also want to check out the VTK-1 MK2, but again, I'm not sure how much of a performance gain you will get for the difference in price. I would suggest looking at the VTK-2 MK4. The price is higher, but it should be worth it. You could also look at the SVS PB-1000. These are more expensive subs, but they should provide a sufficiently superior experience as well. Beyond that, you are getting into some serious money and into a class of subwoofer that this sub is not really intended to compete with.At less than $200, you can't really beat the PSW505 from what I've seen (and heard). As you push closer to $250 and especially higher than that, I think it's worth it to add a bit more to the budget and step up to something a bit better.

I bought this unit 4-5 years ago and I should have read the reviews first! And, I should have written this review before now. This sub has been used infrequently (it is in the basement so I can enjoy music while I tinker with things). It worked great for about 3 years and then it quit. The power light comes on but no sound. I've graduated from YouTube University and run through just about every diagnostic procedure out there. Outside of replacing all of the cheap no-name Chinese capacitors that Polk uses, I'm at a loss. The speaker itself is not the problem - the board simply failed. Further online research revealed that I am not alone. Many online posters reported that Polk subwoofers (this model in particular) have short life spans. Most reviewers give them 3-5 years of usability which is consistent with my experience. Mine quit over a year ago even though I am just now writing this review. In any event, save your money unless you want to replace this thing every 3-5 years (it's not like a sub is rapidly advancing technology that must constantly be upgraded - it's a simple powered subwoofer!). No more Polk for me. I have a couple of older subs made by other companies which sound better and LAST! I have one that is a double 8" box; it sounds great and has lasted for almost 22 years! I've learned my lesson and will not be buying any more Polk speakers.

** boy does time fly ....3 Jan 2013 update....my two PSW505's still amaze me.......that is all.....**Update, 28 Dec 2011, still flexin' my windows in my basement and taking names....just ordered another one because was running this and a 6.5 klipsch sub in each corner, will go 2 PSW505's. Tip...you can catch them onsale late at night like one day a month for $170. Oh also 2 weeks ago the pizza man said "last week what were you watching?? When I came to the door I could fell the bass in my chest." That would be dark night with a PSW505 and an Okyno 809 reciever....thanksPurchased this sub at the same time I purchased a BIC F12. Will update withmore info but basically ran them the same hours before testing (about 15 on music and movies), watch same 20-30min of exact movie scenes(Inception, Star wars, Matrix reloaded, Dark Knight, did testing "slow, C weight, blabla with meter from my friends father who is "Carver, Paradigm" Audophile type.Design: The PSW505 is built a little better and the grill doesn't vibrate when bass is loud like the F12. The F12 is a little higher but the PSW505 seems about 15lbs heavier.Bottom line, this PSW505 produced a way higher SPL with the same settings than the F12, much higher.My basement theater room is 25 wide by 40' deep. Placed both subs in same location, 1 foot from intersection of north and west walls. Sony 820 receiver connected subwoofer out, receiver on -3db SW setting volume 32, 40 and 42.This Sub is powerful enough to overpower my BIC LRC (Left right center) Formula speakers. The F12 couldn't do that without going to 3/4 volume and shaking the grill and sounding like it was working 2 hard. The PSW505 at about 5/8 volume shakes my entire north wall, the window, the ceiling and the south wall about 35 feet away from the sub.F12 did sound a bit better for punch deep bass songs like "murder gram" by LL Cool J, and "eat em up L". On movies F12 sounds nice, but PSW505 sounds like IMAX.It's like comparing a 50 cal. to a cannon (PSW505). Both will do damage but the PSW505 does the most. Also with the PSW the bass is "thick enough" to where the M16 shots in Inception kinda scares me, with the F12 no.F12 is good tho' but the Polk, you can play that thing and your walls will submit before the sub.So anyway the F12 is going back to Amazon tomorrow.FYI most people who review subs are upgrading from a HTIB (home theater in a box) so they will like the sound of anything, I have a 8" Klipch, sub12 Klipsch, 6.5" klipsch from my 300 HD surround system, some 8" off brand, 2 subs in my living room, 2 fosgate punch classics in my car, etc, etc, so I know what Im talking about when it comes to bass.Like someone said, this Polk isn't something for apartment dwellers or people who share walls with neighbors! It actually shakes my ceiling. No picture falling off the wall and all that other crazy stuff but once again, my theater room is 25x40.I will edit with db meter readings I did over the last 2 days.One more thing, you can run 2 subs from 2 dif manufactures at the same time, did it with the Polk and F12 and the Polk and one of my Klipsch subs. Just place them in a room perpendicular to each other and also one will have to have phase set to 0 and one to 180.5 starts because for a $200 and something sub this thing scares me. Not 5 stars compared to $900 600watt RMS subs.Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)BIC America F12 12-Inch 475-Watt Front Firing Powered Subwooferedit: When I first connecting this sub, I got little bass and port noise, took about 5 days of playing it about 1-2h a day before it started to really "do work" but every day it got better and better with thicker bass at a lower volume.26 Oct 2011 edit:Ok so here are the SPL readings I took:with Sony 820 receiver vol at 32 the F12 produced 91.5db the PSW505 94db SPL....SPL w/o a sub on my system at vol. 32 is 65dba. That's with the subs hooked up exactly the same way but polk just under 1/2 volume crossed over at 90 and F12 just over 1/2 gain crossed over at 90. Location was each sub 2ft from Northwest corner of theater room (25x40)with polk at 1/2 volume, and vol. 40 on sony receiver Polk hit 101.5 SPL, little over 1/2 (like one dash) hit 105 SPL. F12 same Vol hit 95 SPL both crossed over at 90 htz.just as a comp, my HD300 6.5 sub at 40 hits 82db SPL.at vol. 20. the Polk hit 92db SPL, the F12 86 dbat vol 30. the Polk hit 103 db and F12 98 db (sitting slightly to the left of test done at vol 32 above).Songs to test: "respect" by Notorious BIG (should here a low to high rumble on each bass hit)"Murdergram" LL cool J"Eat-em Up L" LL cool J"phone numbers" Whiz Khalifa - this song has some fast low bass hits that the F12 got each one clearer than the Polk."get em girls" Cam'ron"booming system" LL cool J - particularly the part where he spell "C O O L I N"a bunch of random top 40 songs and a few limp biskit songs and the movies above.So anyway I got this to feel the bass in my chest while watching movies and provide some low end for music. If you're only listening to music get the F12, if you want to feel gun shots in movies get the PSW505. I couldn't even imagine using 2 PSW505's!**Update 28 Oct 2011** Switch my output on my bluray to bitstream HD versus PCM to let my sony 810 reciever decode the sound and the LFE signal came on the reciever when watching movies and the bass just got real!!! Now run it at little over 1/4 sounds nice. Gets better by the week. Prob had it 2 weeks now listing at about 1.5h/day av.