Get an exclusive sneak peek into our new project. >>> Click Here
Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

polk psw125 vs. Rythmik fv15hp

2137 Views 25 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Ckindt, Feb 24, 2014

Ckindt

Discussion Starter · Feb 16, 2014

I don't get much impact from my psw125 sub (it's the first sub I owned) I hear some bass during movies, but I don't really feel it.

It's ok during music playback, but I use my system for 99% movies.

My HT room is 13 x 27 x 8.5. The tv is on the 13' wall. There is a standard single door opening opposite the front sound stage and a staircase to the level above.

I sort of splurged and ordered the fv15hp after reading all the glowing reviews. Do you think there will be a significant difference?

It's scheduled to be here this Wednesday. I can't wait. I even ran two new 20A circuits to use for my existing equipment and the new sub.

See less See more

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

bear123

· #2 · Feb 16, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24364445

I don't get much impact from my psw125 sub (it's the first sub I owned) I hear some bass during movies, but I don't really feel it.

It's ok during music playback, but I use my system for 99% movies.

My HT room is 13 x 27 x 8.5. The tv is on the 13' wall. There is a standard single door opening opposite the front sound stage and a staircase to the level above.

I sort of splurged and ordered the fv15hp after reading all the glowing reviews. Do you think there will be a significant difference?

It's scheduled to be here this Wednesday. I can't wait. I even ran two new 20A circuits to use for my existing equipment and the new sub.

If these subs were in a shootout, it would be like PeeWee Herman fighting The Rock.

eljaycanuck

· #3 · Feb 16, 2014

3

Quote:
I sort of splurged and ordered the fv15hp after reading all the glowing reviews. Do you think there will be a significant difference?

Nope, no difference at all...

Congrats on the new sub!

See less See more

Reactions: 2

cel4145

· #4 · Feb 16, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by bear123 /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24364458

If these subs were in a shootout, it would be like PeeWee Herman fighting The Rock.

Or like the difference between a pellet pistol and a .357 magnum revolver. LOL

BeeMan458

· #5 · Feb 16, 2014

2

Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp/0_100#post_24364736

Or like the difference between a pellet pistol and a .357 magnum revolver. LOL

And if you have two of them, it's like a .357 vs a .500.

The point, when it arrives, you will not be disappointed. We'll look forward to your first impressions and if you have questions during setup, we'll be happy to help you down range.

(before I die, I want to own a Henry....just to say I own one)

...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp/0_100#post_24364445

I even ran two new 20A circuits to use for my existing equipment and the new sub.

Now that's thinking ahead. Congratulations on your effort and your new purchase.

-

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Ckindt

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 16, 2014

Thanks for all of the reassuring comments and visual analogies.

I'm looking forward to hearing and feeling the new sub. I'm sure I'll have some questions about set up - I'm still feeling out REW, but my mic only has a FR down to 20hz.

See less See more

cel4145

· #7 · Feb 16, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24364917

I'm looking forward to hearing and feeling the new sub. I'm sure I'll have some questions about set up - I'm still feeling out REW, but my mic only has a FR down to 20hz.

That will be fine for figuring out where the best place is to put your sub

See less See more

BeeMan458

· #8 · Feb 16, 2014

For the time being, if it has a correction file you can load into REW, the measuring microphone will get you where ever the FV15HP will be able to take you.

When the time arrives, for

bear123

· #9 · Feb 16, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24364643

Nope, no difference at all...

Congrats on the new sub!

This was way better than my analogy

See less See more

BeeMan458

· #10 · Feb 16, 2014

3

Quote:
Originally Posted by bear123 /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp/0_100#post_24365120

This was way better than my analogy

Not really as we all know which truck represents the Rock.

...vs...

...

-

See less See more

Ckindt

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 21, 2014

2

Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24364643

Nope, no difference at all...

Congrats on the new sub!

I have been listening to my new sub for three days now and all I can say is wtf! I am amazed by the feel of the lfe's in worthy movies. The whole house shakes and rattles. In music the detail and accuracy throughout the fr is incredible.

Now for the Polk: uh, well, it tried.? It's a pos in comparison, but it's not quite fair to compare the two really. It has it's purpose, but it eludes me right now.

Settings on the fv:

Avr line in

Rumble off/1

One port plugged

Damping low ht/ hi music

Ext freq 14

Volume 21:30 to match 75 db level of other speakers. Any higher and things started falling off shelves during testing!

100hz sub xover in avr 60 hz for all other channels

I have not run any fr tests - not sure how to set up REW yet, but I'm happy with the sound now and will just enjoy for a while. I did do the sub craw to find an optimal spot for it.

Now I need to upgrade my front left and right monitor 60's.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

eljaycanuck

· #12 · Feb 22, 2014

3

Quote:
It's a pos in comparison, but it's not quite fair to compare the two really. It has it's purpose, but it eludes me right now.

That's what the guy who replaced his compact pick-up with a Terex Titan probably thought!

Glad to hear that you're appropriately blown away by your new sub.

See less See more

cel4145

· #13 · Feb 22, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24391054

I have been listening to my new sub for three days now and all I can say is wtf!

I don't think you would have believed us before if we had told you that now you will become a critic of whether your house or the movie theater has better bass. LOL

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24391054

Now I need to upgrade my front left and right monitor 60's.

Definitely wouldn't hurt. But I feel certain that there are many of us here who's sub setup cost as much as their front soundstage. Subs like yours are an awesome upgrade

See less See more

cel4145

· #14 · Feb 22, 2014

One more thing: Enjoy the four to five star movies in this list: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1333462/the-new-master-list-of-bass-in-movies-with-frequency-charts

laulau

· #15 · Feb 23, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24391054

Settings on the fv:

Avr line in

Rumble off/1

One port plugged

Damping low ht/ hi music

Ext freq 14

Volume 21:30 to match 75 db level of other speakers. Any higher and things started falling off shelves during testing!

100hz sub xover in avr 60 hz for all other channels

Glad you're enjoying your new sub, but some of your settings don't look quite right. I would guess your frequency response would have a big hump between 60Hz and 100Hz since both the sub and speakers would be playing these frequencies.

Did you run Audyssey XT32? If not, you should at least give a try.

Did you follow the Rythmik Installation Guide ?

When you run Audyssey, adjust the Volume (Gain) control on the sub - only to obtain a successful Audyssey run (i.e. so that Audyssey sets your sub to a +-3dB Level setting, ideally).

Thereafter, you shouldn't be touching the Volume control on the sub. Obtain your 75dB matching levels (after the Audyssey run) by adjusting the Level Calibration setting in the AVR only, not on the sub.

Recommendations:

Use the LFE input on the sub (if you use the Line-in connector, it enables the Phase, Crossover and Low Pass Slope controls on the Sub, which may conflict with what the AVR/Audyssey is trying to set...use the AVR for your bass management).

None of your speakers should be set to Full Band.

Your fronts are flat down to 48Hz, I would cross those over to the sub at 80Hz or 60Hz (whichever sounds best to you).

Your surrounds are flat down to 61Hz, I would cross those over to the sub at 80Hz.

Your center is flat down to 65Hz, I would cross that over to the sub at 80Hz.

LPF of LFE - set to 120Hz.

After running Audyssey:

Use an SPL meter to set all speakers to 75dB using the AVR's Level Calibration controls. Feel free to bump the subwoofer's Level Cal setting a few extra dBs to suit your taste. Be sure to take into account the SPL meter's correction tables, if any. Again, you should be using the AVR's controls, not the Volume control on the sub itself.

Turn off Audyssey Dynamic Volume in the AVR.

Enable Audyssey Dynamic EQ (DEQ) and see if you like it (you can always turn it off), experiment with the different Offsets.

IMO, AFAIK,YMMV.

Have fun.

See less See more

Ckindt

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 23, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by laulau /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24397967

Glad you're enjoying your new sub, but some of your settings don't look quite right. I would guess your frequency response would have a big hump between 60Hz and 100Hz since both the sub and speakers would be playing these frequencies.

Did you run Audyssey XT32? If not, you should at least give a try.

Did you follow the Rythmik Installation Guide ?

When you run Audyssey, adjust the Volume (Gain) control on the sub - only to obtain a successful Audyssey run (i.e. so that Audyssey sets your sub to a +-3dB Level setting, ideally).

Thereafter, you shouldn't be touching the Volume control on the sub. Obtain your 75dB matching levels (after the Audyssey run) by adjusting the Level Calibration setting in the AVR only, not on the sub.

Recommendations:

Use the LFE input on the sub (if you use the Line-in connector, it enables the Phase, Crossover and Low Pass Slope controls on the Sub, which may conflict with what the AVR/Audyssey is trying to set...use the AVR for your bass management).

None of your speakers should be set to Full Band.

Your fronts are flat down to 48Hz, I would cross those over to the sub at 80Hz or 60Hz (whichever sounds best to you).

Your surrounds are flat down to 61Hz, I would cross those over to the sub at 80Hz.

Your center is flat down to 65Hz, I would cross that over to the sub at 80Hz.

LPF of LFE - set to 120Hz.

After running Audyssey:

Use an SPL meter to set all speakers to 75dB using the AVR's Level Calibration controls. Feel free to bump the subwoofer's Level Cal setting a few extra dBs to suit your taste. Be sure to take into account the SPL meter's correction tables, if any. Again, you should be using the AVR's controls, not the Volume control on the sub itself.

Turn off Audyssey Dynamic Volume in the AVR.

Enable Audyssey Dynamic EQ (DEQ) and see if you like it (you can always turn it off), experiment with the different Offsets.

IMO, AFAIK,YMMV.

Have fun.

First, thanks for all the tips! I was just going through all my settings this morning.

I set all my speakers to 60hz crossover and the sub is at 80hz.

I used my spl meter to check the FR of the sub playing sine wave test tones. It was -10db off in the 35-55hz range and pretty hot lower than that to its roll off - not very good. After fiddling with minor position changes and then tweaking its PEQ I finally moved it to the opposite side of the room. Starting with the PEQ off in the new location, I immediately saw a dramatic improvement in the 35-55hz range. It was really quite flat except below 25hz where it was +7 or so strong. I was able to pull it down with the PEQ to achieve a pretty flat response, at least as good as I could with only a spl meter.

I ran audyssey and am quite pleased by how it sounds. I did have to modify the crossovers to 60hz and tweak the distances here and there. I disabled the dynamic volume and I leave the dynamic eq on.

I'll listen to it for a while, but I think I may take the crossovers up on the surrounds and center as you suggested.

See less See more

laulau

· #17 · Feb 23, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24398727

First, thanks for all the tips! I was just going through all my settings this morning.

I set all my speakers to 60hz crossover and the sub is at 80hz.

I used my spl meter to check the FR of the sub playing sine wave test tones. It was -10db off in the 35-55hz range and pretty hot lower than that to its roll off - not very good. After fiddling with minor position changes and then tweaking its PEQ I finally moved it to the opposite side of the room. Starting with the PEQ off in the new location, I immediately saw a dramatic improvement in the 35-55hz range. It was really quite flat except below 25hz where it was +7 or so strong. I was able to pull it down with the PEQ to achieve a pretty flat response, at least as good as I could with only a spl meter.

I ran audyssey and am quite pleased by how it sounds. I did have to modify the crossovers to 60hz and tweak the distances here and there. I disabled the dynamic volume and I leave the dynamic eq on.

I'll listen to it for a while, but I think I may take the crossovers up on the surrounds and center as you suggested.

If you are using the LFE-in connector on the sub (which you should be), the crossover control on the sub has no effect. Where are you setting the 80Hz for the sub?

Typically, you should set your crossovers ABOVE the F3 point (the -3dB point) of the speakers frequency response. So for your surrounds and center, the crossovers should be set at >60Hz (i.e. 70Hz; 80Hz; 90Hz, etc.).

You really shouldn't be changing the distance settings since they're not so much actual distance settings but delay settings .

HTH.

See less See more

Ckindt

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 23, 2014

I use the lfe inputs on the sub and set the crossover in the avr.

The distances were only off of actual by 6" on a few speakers.

I used my spl meter to fine tune the levels tp 75 db. Most were close.

The volume knob on the sub ends up at 9:30 to achieve the 75db cal level.

laulau

· #19 · Feb 23, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ckindt /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24398928

I use the lfe inputs on the sub and set the crossover in the avr.

The distances were only off of actual by 6" on a few speakers.

I used my spl meter to fine tune the levels tp 75 db. Most were close.

The volume knob on the sub ends up at 9:30 to achieve the 75db cal level.

Just to be clear, you should not be touching the Volume knob on the sub once Audyssey has finished its calculations. All subsequent volume tweaking (including the sub) should be done in the AVR (via the Level Calibration adjustments). When you change the Volume knob (actually a Gain adjustment) on the sub, you're changing the Gain setting that Audyssey based it's calculations on. IOW, you're invalidating the Audyssey run that you just did.

It sounds like you're well on your way. Cheers.

Ckindt

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 24, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by laulau /t/1518114/polk-psw125-vs-rythmik-fv15hp#post_24399044

Just to be clear, you should not be touching the Volume knob on the sub once Audyssey has finished its calculations. All subsequent volume tweaking (including the sub) should be done in the AVR (via the Level Calibration adjustments). When you change the Volume knob (actually a Gain adjustment) on the sub, you're changing the Gain setting that Audyssey based it's calculations on. IOW, you're invalidating the Audyssey run that you just did.

It sounds like you're well on your way. Cheers.

Thanks. I'll run audyssey again. I didn't rerun it after I replaced the Polk sub.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.