AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › Polk Audio PSW10 vs Sony SA-WMSP69
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Polk Audio PSW10 vs Sony SA-WMSP69

post #1 of 9
6/26/12 at 6:05am
Thread Starter 
Both these subs right now are in my price range and I'm looking to buy one of them. Just wondering what you guys think on the quality of each. Which might be the better buy. I have a Sony STR-DE985 as my receiver. My speakers are a five piece Panasonic surround set I got off kijiji.

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-electronics-Sony-10-Active-Subwoofer-SA-WMSP69-W0QQAdIdZ389994477

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/polk-audio-am1055-a-10-subwoofer/10053785.aspx?path=93c688c43389ac588dfdcf916e9cba32en02
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 9
6/26/12 at 6:23am
I'm not familiar with the Sony, but the Polk - which I bought at FS a number of months ago for $99, and promptly returned - is useful only in small rooms and for modest set-ups.

IMO, and YMMV. smile.gif

-- Edit --
If you have no objections to buying gently-used, and if you can stretch your budget to $150, IMO you should consider demo-ing one of these Paradigm PDR-10s.
Edited by eljaycanuck - 6/26/12 at 6:28am
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 9
6/26/12 at 6:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck View Post

I'm not familiar with the Sony, but the Polk - which I bought at FS a number of months ago for $99, and promptly returned - is useful only in small rooms and for modest set-ups.
IMO, and YMMV. smile.gif
-- Edit --
If you have no objections to buying gently-used, and if you can stretch your budget to $150, IMO you should consider demo-ing one of these Paradigm PDR-10s.

Is Paradigm any good?? I'm pretty new to all of this so I'm probably going to ask a lot of stupid questions. One thing that I've seen noted with the Polk sub above is that there is no LFE input. What does that do/mean and why is that important?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 9
6/26/12 at 7:15am
Paradigm is a Canadian company that has been around for years and which, generally speaking, makes well-rated audio gear. The PDR-10 is one of their entry-level subs, and it's decent. IMO, it will likely outperform either of the subs you're eyeing.

If nothing else, you should at least demo the PDR-10, compare it to the other two subs you're eyeing, and go with the one you think sounds / performs the best.

Re. the Polk sub: The manual states that you can use either input on the sub, or use a Y-splitter to connect to both. It doesn't make a difference.
Edited by eljaycanuck - 6/26/12 at 7:21am
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 9
6/26/12 at 8:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck View Post

Paradigm is a Canadian company that has been around for years and which, generally speaking, makes well-rated audio gear. The PDR-10 is one of their entry-level subs, and it's decent. IMO, it will likely outperform either of the subs you're eyeing.
If nothing else, you should at least demo the PDR-10, compare it to the other two subs you're eyeing, and go with the one you think sounds / performs the best.
Re. the Polk sub: The manual states that you can use either input on the sub, or use a Y-splitter to connect to both. It doesn't make a difference.

Well I put a "down payment" on the Polk sub at Future Shop yesterday cause it's only on sale until Thursday for $129. I've also seen many good reviews for it. As for the Sony sub. I've always had good success with Sony products. So I'd likely easily trust it. Paradigm I've never heard so I'd have to check it out in more depth.

Right now I'm using a Sony "Mini System" two speaker stereo and it actually does quite well. Even with it's "virtual surround". It just doesn't have "digital audio". I just want to upgrade to a true surround setup. My room is not a big room. Maybe 20' x 12'.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 9
6/26/12 at 8:47am
In a modest set-up, the PSW10 should work just fine. And if you don't like it, you have 30 days to return it. Keep an eye out for a price drop on that sub, though: They have been on sale for $99 before, and they likely will be again.

Congrats, and enjoy! biggrin.gif
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 9
6/26/12 at 9:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck View Post

In a modest set-up, the PSW10 should work just fine. And if you don't like it, you have 30 days to return it. Keep an eye out for a price drop on that sub, though: They have been on sale for $99 before, and they likely will be again.
Congrats, and enjoy! biggrin.gif

Thanks. lol ... A number of people have commented that this Polk Sub does not have an LFE input. Some have suggested a way around it. Is this an issue and does this make things more difficult to set up?
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 9
6/26/12 at 9:34am
Nope. As I indicated in post #4, it makes no difference if you connect to the sub's left input, right input or both inputs.

You can see it for yourself here (PDF), at the top of page 8.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 9
6/26/12 at 9:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck View Post

Nope. As I indicated in post #4, it makes no difference if you connect to the sub's left input, right input or both inputs.
You can see it for yourself here (PDF), at the top of page 8.

Oh okay. Thanks.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › Polk Audio PSW10 vs Sony SA-WMSP69