Polk Audio psw-505 raw driver

[Tony Nelson]

I found this guy over at meniscus audio. at $57 it looks like a good deal.

http://meniscusaudio.com/polk-subwoofer-p-820.html

I know that the psw-505 retailed at $500 which doesn't really mean anything.

I was wondering if this subwoofer would out-perform the dayton classic 12 inch subwoofer http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=295-204

This would be used at a christmas present to my father to replace the old 12in subwoofer he currently has, which bottoms out so effortlessly when he watches movies.

The new polk would be running off of around 200 watts. I would tune it around 26-28hz, it would be used strictly for movies. He doesn't need it to really shake things up as my mother hates loud anything. The room is L-shaped, not sure of the dimensions.

But what do you guys think of that woofer? I can't spend more then $100 so the RS line is out of the picture.

[Tony Nelson]

No one huh?

Any ideas out there. Would this woofer outperform the Dayton classic 12inch subwoofer?

[mattp]

I'll bite.

Im guessing that Polk driver is not much more than the Classic 12" with an oversized surround. It's hard to compare the two with the limited Polk specs but If I had to guess, that fat surround is going to kill the efficiency of the driver and for no good compromise. It's hard to tell but it probably doesn't have more than 6-8mm of usable Xmax either. I'm bias, but the Dayton would be easier to trust, as you can model box responses based on the provided information, its probably more efficient and has longer linear xmax.

Edit: I didn't see the PDF on that page. The Fs is a high 33 if you want a tuning around 26, the Classic would be better in that regard. Plus, the Polks efficincy is a full 4dB lower. That begs the question, is it worth the extra $20? I think so, especially with free shipping.

[Tony Nelson]

Thank you for your response. That was what I was looking for, and was thinking myself. Just wanted to know what others thought as well.

I will keep looking. the unit that it will replace is a KLH subwoofer, so I am sure that it would be better then that. I have taken the KLH apart and it is the one of the smallest weakest looking subs I have ever seen.

[Brent_S]

I haven't run the models, but this closeout from Fi looks like quite the deal at $65. Given Fi's rep, I would expect it to be much better than the Polk or the Classic.

-Brent

[Tony Nelson]

I haven't run the models, but this closeout from Fi looks like quite the deal at $65. Given Fi's rep, I would expect it to be much better than the Polk or the Classic.

-Brent

I do like FI's stuff, I have heard and really like the Q line. Except they are Dual 4 ohm. They would need to be single 4 or dual 8 and this will be running off a plate amp. good find though, and I am seriously contemplating buying one of those woofers just because.

[mattp]

Wow, $65 for that Fi looks very intimidating. Just for giggles I modeled the Polk and Dayton using BB6:

Polk:
1.7 cuft, 4" x 27" port will tune the box to 27Hz. Max output looks like about 109 dB with 200 watts. F3 27Hz.

Dayton:
3.4 cuft, 4" x 16" port will tune the box to 22 Hz. Max output looks like over 112 dB with 200 watts. F3 24Hz.

[Tony Nelson]

what about the Polk against the dayton sd315?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=295-490

the polk only costs 7$ more.

[mattp]

SD215-88:
2 cuft, 4" x 16" port will tune the box to 29Hz. Overall max output looks like over 115dB with 200 watts. F3 is 39 Hz.

[Tony Nelson]

Wow, $65 for that Fi looks very intimidating. Just for giggles I modeled the Polk and Dayton using BB6:

Polk:
1.7 cuft, 4" x 27" port will tune the box to 27Hz. Max output looks like about 109 dB with 200 watts. F3 27Hz.

Dayton:
3.4 cuft, 4" x 16" port will tune the box to 22 Hz. Max output looks like over 112 dB with 200 watts. F3 24Hz.

Not too bad for either one. I do like the smaller box for the polk, but I don't think it is a concern for my father. The current box is right around 2 ft^3. I didn't calculate the port volumes though. So it is smaller then that, and there isn't much for internal bracing.

Too bad that FI is a dual 4, or I would use that one for sure.

[Tony Nelson]

SD215-88:
2 cuft, 4" x 16" port will tune the box to 29Hz. Overall max output looks like over 115dB with 200 watts. F3 is 39 Hz.

Definately not as much extension as the other two. And the SD doesn't have much xmax, but I am not sure of the xmax on the polk either.

[Erich H]

I owned the Polk 505 subwoofer for about a year until I went a bit nuts on a DIY build. It wasn't bad at all. Personally, I would get that driver over the other 12" units you linked to. There's a review out there comparing it to a BIC 15" subwoofer, and the Polk was given better marks. Obviously that was a fully built sub/amp combo. You might want to search for that review and see if they offer anymore info or specs on the Polk driver. It beat the BIC at the reviewed price of $450.

But for what it's worth, you could buy the PSW-505 a few months ago for only $250 shipped. That's going to be really hard to beat once you figure in the amp, wood, finish, and time. Of course it's always fun to DIY though.

[Tony Nelson]

I owned the Polk 505 subwoofer for about a year until I went a bit nuts on a DIY build. It wasn't bad at all. Personally, I would get that driver over the other 12" units you linked to. There's a review out there comparing it to a BIC 15" subwoofer, and the Polk was given better marks. Obviously that was a fully built sub/amp combo. You might want to search for that review and see if they offer anymore info or specs on the Polk driver. It beat the BIC at the reviewed price of $450.

But for what it's worth, you could buy the PSW-505 a few months ago for only $250 shipped. That's going to be really hard to beat once you figure in the amp, wood, finish, and time. Of course it's always fun to DIY though.

I believe you can still buy it for that price. I already have an amp that would push it to decent levels, and a box wouldn't cost that much. I think I will go ahead and get the polk, as it will go with an old pair of rca speakers, and the dayton center channel, and an old jvc reciever. So as you can see, the subwoofer upgrade will be quite noticeable.