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Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)

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#1 ·
Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)

Description:
POLK PSW505 - This high quality powered subwoofer makes opens a whole new dimension of thrilling low end sound for audio and home theater systems alike. This versatile, clinically accurate beast handles bombs and bullets and delicate string sections with equal finesse. Polk Audio's PSW series of powered subwoofers were designed to deliver powerful and astonishingly musical bass at amazingly low prices. All the PSW models represent an evolution and refinement towards a truly visceral home-theater bass experience that coordinate with Polk's TSi and RM, and R/M/T Series Speakers for home sound that truly rivals the best that theater's offer. Experience movies, music, shows and games like never before. Pick up a PSW subwoofer and feel its superb build quality. Polk Audio PSW-505 is comprised of top-notch quality components from the driver, the power amp, and the cabinetry to deliver the finest performance. Hi-Roll Surrounds to support longer excursion High current 300 Watt Continuous (460 Watt Dynamic) power amplifier Frequency Range - 23 Hz - 160Hz Adjustable low pass crossover, phase switchand volume control for perfect blending with any main speakers Unfiltered LFE input Magnetically shielded Auto on/off circuit that automatically turns your subwoofer on when it senses a program signal. When no signal is present, the amplifier turns off within 15 minutes Sturdy Feet keep the sub from sliding across the floor when played at high volumes Unit Dimensions - 16-1/8H x 15-1/8W x 18-3/16D; Weighs 56 pounds Warranty - 5 Years Parts and Labor Speaker; 3 Years Parts and Labor Amplifier Subwoofer cable required; not included. Monster Cable is recommended

Details:
DetailValue
BindingElectronics
BrandPolk Audio
EAN0747192109257
FeatureSingle powered subwoofer in black for use with stereo or home theater speaker systems
Equipped with one magnetically shielded 12-inch long-throw woofer
Slot-load venting minimizes turbulence, noise, and distortion
Rated to 300 watts of continuous power (460W peak)
Measures 16-1/8 x 15-1/8 x 18-3/16 inches (HxWxD)
Item Height16.1
Item Width15.1
LabelPolk Audio
ManufacturerPolk Audio
MPNAM5050-C
Package Height19.1 inches
Package Length20.4 inches
Package Weight48.8 pounds
Package Width20.4 inches
PackageQuantity1
PartNumberAM5050-C
ProductGroupSpeakers
ProductTypeNameSPEAKERS
PublisherPolk Audio
StudioPolk Audio
TitlePolk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)
UPC747192121709
UPCList - UPCListElement747192121709
747192109257
999999122001
Item Weight43 pounds
CatalogNumberList - CatalogNumberListElementAM5050-C
ModelAM5050-C
ColorBlack
Warranty5 Years, 3 years on amplifier parts & labor
 

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#2 ·
Stay FAR away from these!

review by corekneelius

I own 2 of these subs. No bottom end without excessive port noise, actually not much bottom end period. If you are thinking about buying this sub, DONT. Save your money until you can get something better, or buy something different around the same price point. I will be replacing these subs as soon as the wife will let me. Stay far away, no matter how cheap it is. I regret buying these subs, un-listenable at high volume levels, your ears will thank you if you do not buy this sub. STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SUB!

ProsCons
CostLacks bottom end. Muddy when pushed hard. Port Noise.

Ratings
Overall2
Design2
Features2
Performance2
Value2
 
#7 ·
Really?

review by techman734

Based on the single review of this subwoofer, I had to jump in here and say something. I bought this subwoofer based on 527 reviews on Amazon and never found a single negative comment that would lead me to "Stay FAR away"
confused.gif


ProsCons
Excellent Sound solid cabinetNone

Ratings
Overall5
Design5
Features5
Performance5
Value5
 
#14 ·
Great air pump to shake your room without ability to produce decent sound at lowest notes

review by esdwa

With over 700 mostly five star reviews and huge discount for discontinued product listed on one of most popular online merchant store, I was sure I can't go wrong with PSW505. But I was. If you never had any sub before, this probably will meet your expectations as for less than $200 you get massive heavy well built cube able to shake your room well. But is it all what defines decent sub sound quality? Certainly not.

First of all, this sub must have really poor amplifier/supply design as it produces audible hum with no signal being inputted. This 60Hz noise level follow the volume setting and is also affected by the length of connecting LF input RCA cable. Which tells me about poor design of the input circuit as well as power supply filtration including proper ground noise decoupling. This is not 70's or 80's anymore and any active subwoofer should be absolutely silent when no LF signal is fed. Unnaceptable, period.

Secondly, quick look at used woofer design might give a clue of why produces bass is slow and muddy comparing to similarly priced competitive products. Although driver is listed as 12 inch, the actual diaphragm diameter is little over 8 inches suspended on enormously wide surround suspension which for sure allow woofer to work with large displacement but it produces lots of distortion and may slow the bass reproduction which in case of PSW505 is clearly heard.

Lastly, this is back vented subwoofer design. This means most of people may have hard time to position the sub in order to get deep unidirectional distributed bass. The vent port blows as the main drives blow directional so the bass intensity dramatically changes as you change listener position against it or rotate subwoofer on its axis sitting in fixed position. There are plenty budget subs around with bottom vent design and these are able to produce unidirectional bass which makes sub location flexible and allows entire floor to distribute lows, which makes a big difference in sound scene not only for watching action packed movies but when listening traditional stereo in 2.1 mode.With that said, I cannot recommend PSW505. My experience with this product seems to explain such heavily discount offered for already discontinued product which apparently performed below acceptable performance level which I define as minimum required for decent HT systems out there.

The only positive thing that i can think about this subwoofer is the current price of $199 and free shipping with some selected on line retailers. But, does huge discount means PSW505 is worth it? Or maybe it means it's value for the performance might be even lower? Think twice before deciding to get one.

ProsCons
PriceSlow, muddy bass, audible 60Hz hum at mid volume setting with no muted audio

Ratings
Design3
Features3
Performance0
Value4
Overall2
 
#15 ·
Great air pump to shake your room without ability to produce decent sound at lowest notes

review by esdwa
I auditioned many of the Polk subs at home and took them all back. I did not have a 505 but owned a PSW250 for years, my first sub. So with this said I am sure your review is spot on, thank you. Polk subs are toys and you need to spend probably at least $500 to get something decent, IMHO.
 
#18 ·
Great Subwoofer for the price.

review by salfirebird92

Let me start by saying I'm not a audiophile, with that being said, this sub rocks. I came from a Onkyo HTIB subwoofer which it sucked, I didn't realize what I was missing until this sub came in, again not a audiophile, but I do love bass. My sub is already broken into meaning I had it playing for more than 20 hrs, and it sounds great deep low and loud bass. It shakes my whole house. My living room is 12x18 not big or huge. I was going to buy a Klipsch RW12D glad I didn't some may say the klipsch will sound better, and probably it does but even on sale is $300. So I got a deal on the woofer $140 on eBay . Pulled the trigger and bought it it sounds great with all movies so far deep bass that you can feel not just hear. People have different taste so may not be for everyone, also some may recommend HSU, SVS, BIC, OUTLAW, ED and so on but they're on the pricier side. This woofer did it for me I listen to all types of genres Hip Hop the most and sound great. Anyways I loved it so much I just order another one, but like I said it all depends on you. Overall I recommend this woofer to anyone that just wants something great for the money, my brother just order one as well, it doesn't deserve under 4 stars. I gave it 4 1/2 cuz of the silver front but just keep the grille on until I get some polk floor speakers to match.

ProsCons
Great big sound shakes my house movies or music(hip hop)Just the silver front but i keep the grille on.

Ratings
Design0
Features0
Performance0
Value0
Overall4
 
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