DSWPRO500

by Imran Baksh, August 3, 2008

Strengths:

Powerful and clear. The remote is an added bonus to this bad boy.No getting up to set volume.

Weaknesses:

None at the moment

Review:

After weeks of researching (all major brands)for a great subwoofer to go with my RTi5's - this was the perfect match.I originally bought the PSW 125 but it was too 'boomy'.I am amazed with the amount of power this sub is able to generate.If you watch movies like "Fast and Furious" and "Jurassic Park", you will be blown away.My wife is a little 'ticked' of but hey .... I can safely say Polk make great products and I do recommend it .... comes also with a good warranty.Looking forward for years of enjoyment!!!

by MR. MIKE, December 1, 2009

Strengths:

Not boomy. Having a downward firing driver helps reduce that and makes the sub sound natural. Pretty powerful 10 inches too.

Weaknesses:

Wish it had a volume knob rather than 2 tiny buttons for volume adjustment.

Review:

Got this sub at Visions Canada and found it far superior to a PSB 12 inch sub I bought 10 years ago. The old sub was just too boomy or hard to adjust for music or movies. The Polk is more attactive and the remote is a nice touch. Very easy to set up without too much adjustment. Blends in amazingly well.

by Ray, July 9, 2010

Strengths:

Filled my 20'x 24' room with realistic bass.

Weaknesses:

Remote not great, but once I had the volume set on the DSW PRO 500 my Onkyo Receiver will take over from that point.

Review:

Just received the DSW PRO 500. The bass is tight, clear-not muddy, and reproduces sound the way you would expect that the original artist meant it to sound like. Was somewhat skeptical about the bottom firing but Polk obviously knows better than I do. When I set it up correctly on the front wall, the sound was not directional and filled the room with what I said before, a realistic low frequency response. I do not usually set the volume at close to max. but just tried it once and it produced a thumping bass response of a Lionel Richie CD similar to what you would hear at a disco. For a 10 inch woofer it greatly exceeded my expectations.

by Sam in IN, December 28, 2007

Strengths:

Clear, concise bass with absolute perfect balance. Remote control is a great feature to control the sub when you change movies/channels or switch to music. Don't have to get up to make adjustments.

Weaknesses:

None that I can determine at this time.

Review:

I purchased this sub for Christmas in '07. I debated at length between other subs, including the Polk PSW125. However, I found a great deal on this one and I must say - I'm impressed. For Movies and Music, there is no distortion from this sub, just clean bass. I was in Best Buy and they had their own high-end system (another brand) with a front-firing sub. All it did was boom with no clarity or definition. It was like someone was banging on the other side of the wall with a mallet. It was more annoying than pleasant. This sub, with all it's options contained on the remote - is perfect for what I need. Am running a 5.1 system (Denon Digital Dolby Amp), R50's at the corners, CSi3 center, and this DSW500 as the sub. I've had Polk's for nearly 20 years. There are some good speakers out there, but it would be hard to convince me that there is any better value.

by Justin Fraley, April 5, 2008

Strengths:

ROCKS THE HOUSE. Very easy to use and performs at every level at text book pace. It is like it knows how to play every song.

Weaknesses:

PRICE...but hey, you have to break an egg to make a cake.

Review:

Just got it out of the box and had to say something, now the Death Star is complete. This thing is not only freak in the bed, but it can definitively be a lady as well. I have it set right below eviction level and I couldn't be happier. One of these I will test Eviction level and one day, Antichrist level. Really no tweeking needed. I set it on "corner" and it sounds like I have my own Larz Ulrich in my front room beaudiox. No blow hole noise. Can rock the Transformers, Gladiator and Glory soundtrack and at the same time can keep up with Snoop. Wish every product was this damn rewarding. F'n BRAAA-VO POLK

by meir-israel, July 12, 2008

Strengths:

strong and heavy.

Weaknesses:

non

Review:

the best subwoofer i ever had,and i had a few. very strong and punchy.it deliver a very good bass with my rti a7 speakers hooked to hk 3480. the remote control is very usefull and nuce. and the main thing is:very very good lowes and bass. thank you very much and sorry about my bad english

by Steve Wills, December 5, 2008

Strengths:

Quality of reproduction and remote. Flexibility of placement and ability to fine tune different applications without constant tinkering.

Weaknesses:

None -- really.

Review:

I bought this to go with my LSi9's (already real good at the low end) and to provide the audio effects from DVDs while complementing my SurroundBar 50. The flexibility afforded by the remote is amazing and the ability to reproduce tight and seamless bass in all applications reflects listening environments that now seem without compromise. Very, very happy.

by tricky, February 9, 2009

Strengths:

very user friendly with the remote & flashing LED

Weaknesses:

it moved 2 inches across the floor when "The Chemical Brothers" CD came on!!!

Review:

1st & most probably last sub I'll ever need - unless my kids do the unimagineable. Yet to hook into my new 5.1 system but listening to audio through my 2.1 (using Paradigm Monitor 7's, it truly compliments & "adds life & realism" to my CD collection. Hooked

by Anand, September 28, 2009

Strengths:

Setup - with the included remote control, night mode and awesome sound quality.

Weaknesses:

Can't think of any yet.

Review:

What an awesome speaker. It truly has a heart of a 12-inch woofer. Bass is thumping and deep but not boomy. Connected my pre-amp out from my Pioneer 7.1 receiver. You can leave the speaker in Stand-by mode and it automatically picks up the bass input and starts up. I was replacing the passive subwoofer from my Bose AM4 system. Very impressed with this selection.

by ANDRWE, August 29, 2007

Strengths:

POWER,SOUND PERFORMANCE,OPTION OF DOWN FIRING AND FRONT FIRING

Weaknesses:

NONE

Review:

EXCELENT POWER SOUNDS GREAT DOWN FIRING AND FRONT FIRING,IT ALSO HAS ENOUGH POWER TO FILL UP A HUGE LIVING ROOM

by Chris Perito, March 22, 2008

Strengths:

Great thunderous bass in a small package.

Weaknesses:

None

Review:

I got this to replace a monster passive Cerwin Vega 15in subwoofer which I have had for well over 10 yrs. The quality of the bass far exceeds my old subwoofer. It's nice and tight. Such power coming from a 10in subwoofer surprised me. This sub. sounds great with my new Polk monitor 70 floor speakers. I look foward to many a great listening yrs. from this sub.

by Doug, December 6, 2008

Strengths:

Nice looking with nice tight sound.

Weaknesses:

None.

Review:

Love it! I went from stereo to surround sound. I hooked up all the other speakers first and the subwoofer last. It was the icing on the cake. I have heard too many subwoofers sound muddy, but not these. They have an amazingly fine sound. I especially like the remote so i can adjust to my liking without getting up. I would recommend.

by Beastmode, July 1, 2009

Strengths:

Powerful, sleek design, remote control, very clean bass, LFE connection for easy connection.

Weaknesses:

None. Get it.

Review:

I also own the 400. If you are considering the 400 I suggest you spend a little more and get the 500. Both are great but the 500 really gets it done for a home theatre. I keep the 400 in my gym.

by Edwin Sunday, December 15, 2007

Strengths:

It will perform like the one I have.

Weaknesses:

I don't think it has any weakness.

Review:

Although I did not have this system, I do believe that it is good like the one I have. All Polk equipments are great.

by Steve Vaughan, December 18, 2007

Strengths:

Powerful quality sound.

Weaknesses:

None

Review:

Buy it. You WONT be disappointed.

by Greg, September 12, 2007

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Review:

This sub sounds fantastic!

by Gary, January 5, 2008

Strengths:

Flexibility of configuration from input source to phasing to power control options. This sub is a winner. I would not hesitate to recommend it.

Weaknesses:

Uh, they're not free??? But you already figured out that the "good stuff" has a price. I haven't found any negative issues at this point.

Review:

INCREDIBLE !!! I have a pair of vintage Polk Monitor 4As married to this sub using a NAD 3225PE amplifier. One of the big selling points for me is the flexibility to use either line level or speaker level connections. I listen to classical orchestral as well as rock. When the music contains low frequency energy, this sub presents it with authority and clarity. Many years ago I purchased a pair of Polk RTA15ts for my primary listening system because of their excellent musical accuracy and their incredible mid and low frequency transient response. I auditioned 20-30 speaker systems and always came back to the RTA15ts. The DSW PRO 500 mated with the Monitor 4As is their equal, if not even better. (other than power handling at unreasonable volume levels) Take the time to set levels carefully using a mixture of different music and test tone sources. The sub contribution should be audible, but not overpowering. I set it up using classical orchestral to get the balance. Once I switched to rock I had to drop the level down to keep from rattling the neighbors windows. If there is LFE in the program, they ARE going to hear it! WARNING ! DO NOT SET EXPENSIVE WINE GLASSES ON TOP OF THIS SUB WHEN IT IS TURNED UP!

by Ron, March 16, 2008

Strengths:

Deep tight base without the boominess

Weaknesses:

None that I can think of

Review:

I purchased this sub to complete my 7.1 system setup. This complements my Monitor 50's for fronts, CS1 for CC and RC80i's for surround and surround backs. All I can say is wow!!!! I originally purchased the PSW110 but was very dissatisfied as the sub was boomy and could only be felt at close to full volume. The DSW even at half volume seems to shake the floor with it's deep tight base. I am very happy with this selection.

by chris, February 22, 2010

Strengths:

thunder-like power. hits all notes of bass perfectly

Weaknesses:

absolutely nothing

Review:

where to start? if you can't afford Polks microPro line of subs. think in advance how much bass you want b/c these things move objects!! i myself purchased the 10 inch woofer. it gives more than enough bass on the high end and low end spectrum. if you decide on the 12 inch, more power to ya! Let me put it to you this way...i turned up a movie walked outside, and closed the door mind you, and kept walking until i couldn't hear the bass anymore. i walked over 40-50 yards before it was starting to fade out. thats impressive for one 10 inch subwoofer! plus it has a remote.

by Fareast, March 9, 2010

Strengths:

Very superb low bass with very fair price.

Weaknesses:

My cat never sleep in the house again.

Review:

When I bought a DSW500, start from that moment, I feel not sitting on my sofa and watching a movie anymore, I feel that i'm in the movie. Its all around you man...