What is up with the LSiW?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

-3db, 30hz?

Overall (-12db??) - 20hz

[jefft1314]

You know what's crazy? I was just about to post a topic asking about the LSIW, but I just wanted to know if anybody's actually heard the thing yet.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I don't think it has hit the stores yet.

I just don't understand why Polk has a problem with producing something that goes subsonic!

You would figure 2 10 inch woofs with 2 inch surrounds could go that low eh!

[jefft1314]

I know, it's funny. I work for Circuit City and the first speaker I have anybody listen to there are polks, then after i've sold them on polk speakers (not a terribly difficult thing to do, though one lady did opt for a set of infinity's once instead) I next sell them a velodyne subwoofer, which is always followed by the question "well why not a polk subwoofer to go with polk speakers?" to which I reply "all polk speakers produce a fairly good amount of bass... except their subwoofers."

[Dr. Spec]

The ability to play low/loud is dictated by enclosure volume and the tune point.

You can certainly have a deep tune point, but the efficiency AT the tune point will be poor if the enclosure volume is insufficent.

A 25 Hz tune point and a bigger enclosure (and of course 12" drivers which can play deeper) will get the job done.

Even so, the LSiW should still see 27 Hz in-room with room gain considered.

[Zero]

Jeff,

I typicallly showed people all our products, and saved the best *the Polks* for last. I've only lost maybe less than a handful of customers to other brands.

Funny, your response was very simular to my own. :)

[mantis]

They should see our salesfloor by the end of this month.I'm eager to test it.

The spec's I will test myself.I will post my findings.

[jefft1314]

I'm going to be pretty sad when we stop carrying the rti line, and pick up only the new monitor line. I'm sure that the monitor's will be nice, and i'm certianly looking foward to comparing them to infinity's beta lineup, though i'm pretty sure that I'll still like the Polks better.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

The monitor line may surprise us all.

Will be interesting enough.

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

In case you missed it, the LSiW product page is live: http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=25&speaker=364

Vr3MxStyler2k3 asks "I just don't understand why Polk has a problem with producing something that goes subsonic!"

We have no problem doing that. First, you are assuming a lot about the performance of the LSiW and any sub by looking at the frequency response numbers. Given the wide variety of measurement techniques and tendency of some manufacturers to just make up numbers, you can't rely on published specs to tell you much of anything of value at all. Second, going low is easy. Going low and loud and tight and musical is not easy. I think we got it all in the LSiW, but we'll let you guys be the judge of that when it hits the stores. I understand we'll start shipping in a matter of days.

[PolkWannabie]

Paul,

How would you compare the construction and components of the LSiW sub with the SRT subs both of which have dual 10" drivers ?

Are the drivers in the LSiW similar to the SW1080/1/2's that are in the SRT subs ?

Is the porting of the LSiW similar ?

How would you compare the frequency response and tightness between the two ?

Thanks in advance,

[mantis]

Given the wide variety of measurement techniques and tendency of some manufacturers to just make up numbers, you can't rely on published specs to tell you much of anything of value at all.

Have I not preached this for years????This comes right for the MAN himself.Spec's are spec's.....but real world performance is where it counts.I'm thinking this sub will do well if not shock some of us.Polk subs over the years don't stink.They actually sound pretty good compared to subs in there class.this sub is in the thousand dollar range so I believe it will stand there proudly.

Give it a chance guys,lets hear what it can do then pass judgement on it...for now I'm just excitied it's coming to our stores soon.

Dan

[Dr. Spec]

I LOVE the LSiW Product Page. I think Paul wrote it. ;)

Here's to hoping for GREAT things from the LSiW; the description sounds fabulous.

And yup, Underworld is one rip snortin' DVD. Not the deepest bass, but definitely some of the loudest bass I've ever had blasting through my system.

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

Wannabe,
Ow, hard questions...where do a start?

Comparing the two is like apples and oranges. The SRT sub was specifically designed to mate with a specific speaker (SRT sat) that could easily belt out 70Hz LOUD and tight. So all the SRT sub had to do was belt out 70 Hz and below LOUD. For that purpose a bandpass system worked out well - lots of deep bass output without too much concern for "tunefulness" above the deep bass. The SRT also had a very elaborate crossover to get it blend properly with the sats. Those on the forum who say Polk can't do subsonic and loud, have obviously not heard the SRT. My ears are still ringing and there is a slight depression in my chest cavity from the last time I heard Air Force One on SRTs

The LSiW has to be a more versatile product able to blend with any number of speakers and cover a wider range of frequencies. We got away from bandpass designs for stand-alone subwoofers because they tend to be difficult to blend with main speakers and are really one trick ponys when it comes to the range of frequencies they can reproduce gracefully. The LSiW enclosure is a direct radiating design with slot loaded power port so they are much easier to beldn seamlessly with main speakers.

Driver differences: The LSiW drivers have a longer throw (excursion) than the SRT drivers - technology moves forward. Our Klipple measurement system allows us now to vastly improve driver linearity, lower distrotion and improve frequency response by optimizing the motor structure and voice coil placement. So on an absolute basis, the LSiW driver is better but it is a moot point given the vastly different designs of the two systems.

How is the sound different? Well, the SRT woof plays louder. I don't have a numeric comparison handy but I'd say it is on the order of 3 - 4 dB louder. But for use with main speakers other than the SRT sats, I'd choose the LSiW for overall performance, musicality and seamless blending. If I had an SRT system (I kick myself now) I wouldn't be worrying about subwoofers. I'd just be grinning from ear to ear.

["Polk" Paul DiComo]

No Micah gets the credit for the opening text on that page. BTW that is an actual true story, not just Micah's typical BS.

[PolkWannabie]

Originally posted by "Polk" Paul DiComo
If I had an SRT system (I kick myself now) I wouldn't be worrying about subwoofers. I'd just be grinning from ear to ear. Yes ... I do that a lot (sometimes it's outright laughter) ... see my signature ...