General Asylum: REVIEW: Polk Audio PSW 650 Speakers by bullethead

Model:	PSW 650
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$749
Description:	Dual 10" powered subwoofer
Manufacturer URL:	Polk Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Polk Audio

Review by bullethead on August 01, 2001 at 17:28:42
IP Address: 24.164.129.187

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for the PSW 650

After reading some reviews from various online audio publications I decided that adding a subwoofer was a good step for me since I listen to a lot of metal music. Let me tell you I was pushed back against my wall when I set everything up. The PSW series is an excellent "budget" series. I got the PSW 650 for $649 and it was worth every dollar. I already have Polk products (they are my main speakers) in my system. I use the RT16's with the PSW 650 and they are a perfect match. I had to go to Polk's web site to match my "vintage" speakers with the current subwoofers. They recommended either I get the 650 or smaller model. I of course, went all out and purchased the bigger one. This subwoffer blends well within my system.
I have Analysis Plus wire running directly into the sub and it sounds perfect. I immediately noticed the growling vocals more in the front of the soundstage, before the guitars and bass overpowered the vocals. Now the vocalists are in the front of the band where they should be. Since this sub goes down to 25hz I can hear a lot of what I have been missing. My speakers by themselves only go down to about 45hz. They are pretty big floorstanding speakers as well. I feel like I have the ultimate system for the time being.
I started off listening to Nile and I was blown away. I looked at myself in the mirror while the music was playing and my pupils were huge (purely from the meditation I do when I listen to music). I never felt so in touch with the metal music before. This was a very enlightening experience. I was utterly in front of a live concert in my bedroom. This subwoofer goes loud (250 watts). It has a direct radiating vented enclousure, dual 10" woofers and an adjustable 40-120Hz crossover. It includes phase control and has a nice gloss black finish to it. It weighs about 70 pounds but I had no problem unpacking and setting it up by myself. For my entry level system I am very happy.

Product Weakness: none
Product Strengths: Beautiful appearance, great build quality, good price

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity A300 150WPC dual mono integrated amplifier
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Musical Fidelity A3CD
Speakers:	Polk Audio RT16, Polk Audio PSW 650 sub
Cables/Interconnects:	Audioquest, Analysis Plus
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Metal
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	none
Product Strengths:	Beautiful appearance, great build quality, good price