Polk Room Optimizer (PRO)

The response of any loudspeaker is influenced by its proximity to room surfaces boundaries. In the case of subwoofers adjacent surfaces have a profound effect on frequency (spectral) balance as the graphs below indicate.

Figure 1a is the response of a subwoofer placed far away from room surfaces. Notice that the response is very smooth and “flat” but with a steep roll-off of deep bass. Figure 1b is that same subwoofer placed midway on a wall. Notice that the deep bass response is improved but there are other changes as well. Figure 1c is the same sub placed in a corner. Here the effects are more dramatic with a peak that would make for a poor listening experience.

Polk Room Optimizer (PRO) is a set of four preset equalization curves designed to compensate for these boundary effects. The four buttons near the bottom of the remote control correspond with the four primary placement options: mid-wall, mid-room, corner and in-cabinet to introduce the proper EQ compensation to yield ideal frequency response irrespective of location. All the listener has to do to get flat, accurate bass response is to choose the woofer placement that works best for his/her lifestyle and push the appropriate button on the remote.