Polk Audio PSW10 (black)
Manufacturer: Polk Audio, Inc. Part number: PSW10
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Polk's baby subwoofer belts out tight home-theater bass and sounds sweet with music, too.
Read more
Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Polk Audio PSW10 (black) price range: $97.29 - $137.97
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 12/08/2004
- Released on: 07/15/2004
The good: Equally adept with movies and music; robust MDF cabinet; matches other speakers in Polk's Monitor Series.
The bad: All that's missing is a direct input that bypasses the sub's internal crossover.
The bottom line: Polk's baby subwoofer belts out tight home-theater bass and sounds sweet with music, too.
The PSW10 has a 10-inch composite woofer and a 50-watt high-current amplifier. Yes, we know that some of you are probably snickering over the skimpy power rating, but we'd urge an audition before you dismiss this sub. We found its bass power definitely up to snuff. For connectivity, you get stereo speaker-level inputs and outputs as well as RCA line-level inputs. All that's missing is a direct/LFE input that bypasses the onboard 80Hz-to-160Hz crossover control. We prefer direct inputs because they make it easier to blend the sound of satellites and the subwoofer, but we didn't have any problems matching the PSW10 with Polk's Monitor 30 satellite speakers.
This is a fairly compact subwoofer, just 14.5 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 15 inches deep; thanks mostly to its robustly constructed MDF (medium-density fiberboard) cabinet, it weighs a hefty 26 pounds. The PSW10 is available in black or cherry-colored vinyl, and its titanium-finish front baffle matches that of the other Monitor Series speakers. The extended warranty offers five years of protection on the woofer and three years on the electronics--pretty decent considering that the electronics warranty on many other products is often limited to just 12 months.
The PSW10's deep-bass capabilities were impressive, but its definition and control on the Blue Man Group's new DVD-Audio disc, The Complex, were really special. The Blue Men's drums and percussion-heavy instrumentals lose impact on muddy-sounding subs. But the PSW10 delivered every thump and rumble with the utmost clarity. That said, it will do its best work in small to moderate-size rooms. If you want to feel the bass in larger spaces, check out the PSW10's bigger sibling, the PSW12.
User reviews
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Just the right kick
by rhody2442 on November 30, 2006
Pros: Power and Value
Cons: Base needs to be turned up high to get full proformance, all controls are located on the back
Summary: The Dynamic Power Output of 100 watts ensures tight bass with movies and music. It is a great addition to any mid-range surround sound. I just added it to my ...
Summary: The Dynamic Power Output of 100 watts ensures tight bass with movies and music. It is a great addition to any mid-range surround sound. I just added it to my existing Polk Audio Surround Sound and it gives me my needed kick. The owner needs to turn it up to 3/4 to get full performance. Even at 3/4 I will have to turn it down because it is too loud. Polk has put out a quality sub for a quality price. The only thing I don't like is that I have to reach behind the subwoofer to adjust the bass and power off. This is a pain because Pold wants the back to the wall. But I still love it.
Here are some other specs I found on Polk's Site:
Electrical:
Overall Frequency Response 35Hz - 200Hz
Lower -3dB Limit 40Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 160Hz
Crossover variable 80Hz - 200Hz
Inputs Speaker level, line level
Outputs Speaker level
Dimensions:
Cabinet Size: 14-3/8" H x 14" W x 16-1/8" Enclosure Type: Vented via front panel flared port
Power Output: 50 watts Continuous Average Output
Dynamic Power Output: 100 watts2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great addition to my plasma tv
by jowster on June 16, 2006
Pros: Easy to set up and great sound for the price
Cons: Not quite audiophile quality but sounds great as a compliment to my plasma tv
Summary: I have a dell 42" plasma with two nice sounding speakers that came with the package. My only complaint with the sound of the dell was the bass could be ...
Summary: I have a dell 42" plasma with two nice sounding speakers that came with the package. My only complaint with the sound of the dell was the bass could be improved and the psw10 was a pleasing and economical way to solve the problem.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The Best Budget SubWoofer
Pros: Non expensive Easy to use Nice bass output and ease to setup Warm fill of bass around a regular size room (like my bedroom or my audio room; 4*3*3 mts)
Cons: Not the best one out there Leak bass to fill an open room, like a big living room or dining room It may become noisy vibration maker if not adjusted properly, only for my neighbors
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Nice Bang For The Buck
by MHirn on April 26, 2009
Pros: Relatively small, quick response for music, auto shut-off, versatile set-up options, very affordable $100-$110.
Cons: Performs to price for special effects. Don't expect to shake the room.
Summary: The tight, responsive nature of this sub really impressed me while playing a variety of music. As with most subwoofers, once the volume knob on the subwoofer is turned beyond ...
Summary: The tight, responsive nature of this sub really impressed me while playing a variety of music. As with most subwoofers, once the volume knob on the subwoofer is turned beyond one third of its range, it will start getting muddy. Others have noted this as a flaw, but it should not be seen as one. I found the PSW10 quite capable of playing anything in my collection without lagging or distorting at moderate volume levels. The low wattage rating should not concern most users. Unless you want to blast your music at very high volume, you will find this sub makes efficient use of power.
This subwoofer also did a nice job of providing a more engaging movie experience. I have it set up in my bedroom and it brought out the low special effects very nicely for its size. I would definitely think that any room beyond 10X14 ft. size would start to challenge this subwoofer's capabilities. It will not rattle your room like at the movie theater, but then again, what can you expect for $100?
If you are looking to spend less than $115 for a subwoofer and your room is not too large, this one will do a very nice job for music and movies alike. -
Sounds great and modestly priced.
by christopherpryan on March 19, 2009
Pros: Good price and nicely styled. Sounds very nice in conjunction with my TSi200 bookshelf speakers and my CS20 center.
Cons: I don't really want to have my house shake, so we tend to keep the volume really low. I don't really think that's a con though.
Summary: For less than $100, I am satisfied.
Summary: For less than $100, I am satisfied.
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Another terrific polk product
by marc sloan on March 13, 2009
Pros: Exellent build quality, deep rich, clear bass,
Cons: nothing I can think of
Summary: Exellent value, well constructed sub-woofer.
Summary: Exellent value, well constructed sub-woofer.
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Great subwoofer for the price.
by leadbelly2550 on July 27, 2008
Pros: Sound; appearance; flexible hook-up.
Cons: Low power for very large rooms
Summary: I purchased this subwoofer for a home entertainment system - large LCD TV, surround sound receiver with 80 watts per channel, cambridge soundworks M80 speakers - in a 19x19 room. ...
Summary: I purchased this subwoofer for a home entertainment system - large LCD TV, surround sound receiver with 80 watts per channel, cambridge soundworks M80 speakers - in a 19x19 room. For pure audio, it delivers the bottom end that i have been missing for quite a while in a subtle way, without shaking the room. for movies or sports that we tend to play louder, it has a little of that room-shaking quality - occasionally, i think it's thundering outside, and it turns out to be the subwoofer. If you want a subwoofer to deliver gut-shaking low end power, look elsewhere and spend more money. for my non-audiophile taste, and for people who want the low end without waking up the neighbors or having a house party, this is a great way to go. it also looks fine, black cabinet with wood grain, so you don't have to hide it (it delivers sound from anywhere in the room; we parked it at the back of the family room, behind the furniture).
i recommend trolling for sales, as this can be purchased for a little over $100 with some limited searching on the web. -
awesome sub!
by edluver on July 14, 2008
Pros: great sound,looks beautiful.
Cons: no lfe input.
Summary: Don't let the 50w rms fool u,this thing rocks hard.I have to turn it down most of the time because it has too much bass.It compliments ...
Summary: Don't let the 50w rms fool u,this thing rocks hard.I have to turn it down most of the time because it has too much bass.It compliments my monitor 70s & cs1 perfect.Highly recommended from a picky person.U can get it @ electronics expo for 97 bucks on sale.
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boom boom polk in the room
by bremori on January 27, 2008
Pros: affordable bass reflex powered
Cons: controls not easily accessible if put behind tv/stereo
Summary: another black friday steal, this time at circuit city, for $99 I figured why not? I have had three piece stereo units, but never a stand alone bass unit, and ...
Summary: another black friday steal, this time at circuit city, for $99 I figured why not? I have had three piece stereo units, but never a stand alone bass unit, and always liked polk products. unpacked, set up and put on high with music source, it was overwhelming, too booming. moved the setting to halfway and got a much better response, worked the amp setting vis a vis the subwoofer output and was able to get true low end support. even with the 10" speaker, in the small space it could be overpowering. in the end it took a combination of bass adjustment and crossover/output adjusment on the speaker to get it right, but now movies have IMPACT. highly recommended for power for price ratio.
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Awseome subwoofer, for the budget minded.
by gregpo1 on January 21, 2008
Pros: Great sound, and build quality, and looks.
Cons: 40 hz low freq.
Summary: Wow! this is my first home theater setup, I have the polk psw10 sub, and the polk m10 bookshelf speakers, with a onkyo av receiver. I am so impressed with ...
Summary: Wow! this is my first home theater setup, I have the polk psw10 sub, and the polk m10 bookshelf speakers, with a onkyo av receiver. I am so impressed with this sub for only having 50 watts of power and being 10 inch. It has unbelievable bass. Whatever polk did to make it sound so good with the low wattage is a miracle. If you st up your crossover right and get good cabeling you will be very happy. I bought a sony 12 sub that has 180 watts thinking I would get more bass, but I couldnt believe my ears. The 10inch polk with 50 watts blows the 12 inch sony away. I cant say enough, the build quality is excellent no cheap plastic bits, nice toggle swithces in back too. I am so happy I bought polk, for the money you cant beat them.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Polk Audio, Inc.
- Part number: PSW10
- Description: The PSW10 offers a clean, stylish look with powerful, accurate and musical bass in a compact enclosure. Built for speed, power and value, the PSW10 is a great introduction to high performance bass for movie and music listening.
General
- Product Type Subwoofer
- Width 14 in
- Depth 16.1 in
- Height 14.4 in
- Weight 26 lbs
- Enclosure Color Black
- Enclosure Material MDF
Speaker System
- Series Monitor
- Speaker Type Active
- Nominal (RMS) Output Power 50 Watt
- Max (RMS) Output Power 100 Watt
- Response Bandwidth 35 - 200 Hz
- -3dB Frequency Response 40 - 160 Hz
- Crossover Frequency 80 - 200Hz
- Output Features Bass Reflex
- Audio Amplifier Integrated
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Detachable Grilles Yes
Speaker System Details
- Speakers Included Subwoofer - 50 Watt - 35 - 200 Hz - Wired
- Driver Details Subwoofer : 1 x Subwoofer driver - 10 in - Polymer composite - Dynamic Balance
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ), 2 x Speakers input ( Click-fit x 2 ), 2 x Speakers output ( Click-fit x 2 ), 1 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono )
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 5 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - Speaker driver - 5 years, Limited warranty - Parts and labor - Amplifier - 3 years
Product series
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Manufacturer: Polk Audio, Inc.
Specs: subwoofer, 14 in x 16.1 in x 14.4 in, Black, Active, 50 Watt
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Manufacturer: Polk Audio, Inc.
Specs: subwoofer, 14 in x 16.1 in x 14.4 in, Cherry, Active, 50 Watt
Manufacturer info
- Polk Audio, Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Polk Audio, Inc. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.polkaudio.com/
- Address:
5601 Metro Dr., Baltimore, MD - Phone: 410-358-3600
- Email: polkcs@polkaudio.com
- Fax: 410-764-4817
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