gmeredith

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $399.00 from J & R Music World

Summary:
I use my speakers in a two channel music only system. consisting of the Polk Lsi 15. . Depending on the recording, these speakers will at times sound thin if the recording does not contain deep bass content. Of course the sound is also effected by the acoustics of your listening room. I have since added the matching subwoofer (PSW1000), which caused the sound to bloom, become more dark and natural sounding compared to the original laboratory, pristine sound, caused a depth in the soundstage along with more bass weight on the deepest notes. The subwoofer helped to present a more lifelike presentation of the instruments and vocals. Also, with the sub online you could at times hear certain instruments even more distinguished than before, without the sub. I am sure I will go back and forth between listening with and without the sub online. As I said, these speakers were already good by themselves.

Strengths:
All the bass depth and weight I will ever need.

Weaknesses:
No remote but for the price I paid I can't complain about anything.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first stand alone subwoofer. I have a pair of Polk RT2000i's that incorporate built in subwoofers.

tony wilkins

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Acoustic Sound Desig

Summary:
Great tight bass response. I was surprised at he quickness of the drivers. I was initially concerned about the bass port in the rear because normally these are designed as a crutch to help the sub produce a note it is unable to other wise. This can some times make the bass boomy. However, the bass was surprisingly rich and very rounded. It has good authority. The weight of the unit is sufficient to avoid cabinet movement. With the drivers being installed in the sides helps the subwoofer to disappear. Yes sub-frequencies are omni directional, but lets face it you can tell the placement with some subwoofers when you close your eyes. The cabinet is beautiful rich real wood, which added a touch of class to the unit. I have always owned Velodyne subwoofers. I just sold 2 Velodyne HGS-15's because of needing to take up less room. So I very reluctantly branched out and tried a different manufacture. It is hard to beat a Velodyne for the cost, but this Polk Audio PSW1000 surprised me, while not having the Velodyne's authority and raw slam, it held its own for the price. I am very happy with it!

Strengths:
Cabinet very solid, real wood! Bass is very rich and rounded. Very detailed. Priced right! Although it has good cubic footage, it is narrower than it is deep (instead of being an exact cube) so it will take up less horizontal room.

Weaknesses:
I do not care for the controls on the front and I think they should be in the rear of the unit. For the size of the unit, it lacks a "tinge" of authority and raw slam. Perhaps a small remote control is in order for a unit at this level. As I mentioned, definitely not a Velodyne HGS or Velodyne DD, but it is probably the best subwoofer under $1,000.

Similar Products Used:
Veodyne HGS-15

sburken

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Hifi buys

Summary:
This is a home theater sub and is thus fairly large. it performs admirably for music when turned low. When used for home theater though it can rock your world, the twin 10" drivers are nicely percussive, but are very clear and constant with longer notes. this sub is not the sonic equal of my svs monstrosity but it is immenently more mobile and thus serves as my school system sub. The looks of this thing are second to none though, i have researched subwoofers extensively and have yet to come across anything snappier under $3000. The sub is also very very solid in its construction to with 1.75" MDF walls. My one of my two complaints is that this sub cannot play deep with any power. At 20hz it is -6 to -10 db whereas my Svs can hit 14hz at the low setting -3 t0 -6 db. My other complaint is the lack of a remote. I hate getting up every time between movies and music, but oh well at least the control panel is on the front of the sub. I would recomend this sub to people who enjoy mainly movies, but some music. when dialed in the Psw1000 can play very loud with very low distortion and is thus excellent for WAF afflicted audiophiles and movie afficianados.

Strengths:
LOOKS! very visually appealing
clear percussive base

Weaknesses:
Lack of remote "aaargh!"
lack of sonic depth

Similar Products Used:
Svs Pb12 plus 2
Velodyne DLS5000R