PSW12

by JR Marks, May 6, 2005

Strengths:

Price. Construction. Amplifier Controls. Looks. Power Output. Signal Inputs.

Weaknesses:

Review:

I bought the PSW12 with a CSi3 and Monitor 40s so we could upgrade our old stereo system to a Home Theater type sound system. These 4 new speakers are anchored by 19 year old Polk Monitor 10Bs (our Front speakers). Once the initial adjustments to the new amp / reciever were made and the PSW12 was adjusted to compliment the other Polk speakers in the system, the bass sounded thunderous, tight, powerful, and distinct even at low power levels out of the new amp / receiver (Yamaha HTR-5890). It matches well with the new Monitor 40s, the CSi3, and extremely well with the 19 year old Monitor 10Bs in our system. Music, movies, and television programs all sound great. Surround Sound encoded movies really come to life, especially the LFEs this speaker can reproduce! This speaker really reinforces the bass sound field in our living room. Polk Audio thanks for making such great products!

by rob, August 13, 2004

Strengths:

Clean, solid bass even at high volume levels

Weaknesses:

none that I can see other than it is a pretty good size box. But thats ok because it does look cool :)

Review:

I just purchased this sub to replace the sub that came with my Kenwood theatre in a box. Just this box has breathed new life into my old system. The richness and clarity of the bass is incredible. I was able to max out my new Onkyo 85w reciever and there was no distortion at all.

by Joel, October 25, 2004

Strengths:

BIG bass. Knocks stuff off the walls.

Weaknesses:

None, other than the bass now drowns out my main speakers.

Review:

This sub is pretty sweet. I bought it to replace my PSW8, and now the neighbours hate me even more.

by djneal, November 5, 2004

Strengths:

Deep Bass,decent powerGreat & a affordabe.

Weaknesses:

None detected at this time.

Review:

Deep Thunderous BASS!!! I did not detect any boominess once I had made the proper adjustments to the Subwoofer (volume control)and my receiver (variable crossover)using the LFE input. This is a great match for my other polk speakers.

by DAVID KING, January 6, 2005

Strengths:

rich bass, you can clearly hear the bass notes.

Weaknesses:

so far none

Review:

This subwoofer brings out super rich bass and it outperformed other subwoofers that had a higher watt(rms).

by steed, January 11, 2005

Strengths:

sounds good with all types of music and really when your listening in surround sound. great with your favorite movies.

Weaknesses:

not a one.

Review:

played it hard loud and long and it never missed a beat. bass is tight and deep another good product. thanks polk.

by John, May 24, 2005

Strengths:

Rediculously huge amount of bass from a mid sized sub.

Weaknesses:

My other audiophile friends are all jealous.

Review:

I have had the PSW12 for about 6 months now and its great! I shopped around for almost a year looking for a great sub for a good deal (I'm a student and subs can be expensive). I didnt think I'd be able to afford a sub like the PSW12 but I managed to get a good deal $500 CAD including a nice cable 10 year Future Shop warrenty and taxes (the sub itself turned out to be about $350 CAD). As far as performance goes the PSW 12 has continued to impress me and all my friends. I had this sub set up in my 24' x 28' Garage with 10' ceilings and the sub still sounded incredible in almoast 6500 cubic feet. The current set up in my bedroom regularily draws complaints from my sister and parents. The only time the PSW12 sounded less than perfect was when I was playing 50 cent In da Club when I got a fair amount of port disturbance. Of course the music was so loud by this time you couldnt hear it from more than 5 feet from the sub.

by Thomas Clentimack, June 24, 2005

Strengths:

This sub has rich bass. Works wonderful with a 5.1 surround system.

Weaknesses:

The only draw back it has is the port noise. The port design, I believe could have researched better. The port can sound like someone blowing accross the top a bottle. As long as there is enough background sound from the other speakers you can't hear it well, but you can hear it from time to time.

Review:

Overall performance is great. It matches well with the Moniter Series. It looks stylish and can be placed in a wide open area without looking out of place.

by Bobby, September 20, 2005

Strengths:

Stylish design, great value for price

Weaknesses:

Jarring at mid high volumes, air throw from front can be disturbing for some.If alone jarring is not there this would be in my home.

Review:

Tested the sub twice, both times I was able to hear Jarring at higher volumes, but at reasobably lower volume it sounded good.

by Justin, September 25, 2005

Strengths:

Stylish and Loud

Weaknesses:

Port noise is horrible, I wish I bought something else.

Review:

This sub is OK for music but not very good for a HT at all.

by Cody Hanson, December 18, 2005

Strengths:

The Bass Level Is Just Right Exelent For Music and Movies.

Weaknesses:

None

Review:

Realy Good Sub Great For Music and Movies Good Sound Real House Rattler Good Design No Problems.

by bernell griffin, March 21, 2006

Strengths:

rich bass sound.

Weaknesses:

none at all.

Review:

this subwoofer is very sweet for music and movies,I like the bass sound it have with no port noise.

by Carlos Briones, April 23, 2006

Strengths:

Nada que decir

Weaknesses:

Tengo la experiencia y oido para saber que fue una muy buena obsion, ya que tengo parlantes frontales y traseros bose, y encuentro que hacen un buen conjunto

Review:

Buena vibracion de bajos

by Jorge Vergara L, October 17, 2006

Strengths:

Soy propietario de un sistema HiFi y este Subwoofer viene a completar el conjunto,su respuesta de bajos y sub-bajos es exquisita.

Weaknesses:

Para los que tengan la oportunidad de escucharlo, se darán cuenta de lo que les hablo y no sobre-evaluo este Subwoofer,considero que fue una excelente decisión el comprarlo,reitero mis felicitaciones a Polk Audio por este producto.

Review:

Excelente producto,felicitaciones.

by Tommy, December 23, 2006

Strengths:

Tight, Powerful, Deep Bass

Weaknesses:

None that I can detect.

Review:

I have owned this subwoofer for about 8 months and am enjoying it every time I listen to music or movies. It has a lot of rich and tight bass, and looks awesome as well. I hear a lot of complaints about the port noise being a problem. I am not too familiar with what port noise exactly sounds like, but I can tell you the sound that this subwoofer supplies is awesome anyways. Deep, rich, and tight!

by Dave L, August 20, 2007

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Review:

Solid bass; but I needed two of them to be satisfied. That being said, they made a pretty decent stand for my TV, a 56" DLP. Gives some good grunt in a small room. I'm a bass junkie, however, so others may not need so much air movement.

by Ken S, November 13, 2007

Strengths:

Connectivity and ease of use is superb.

Weaknesses:

None

Review:

Believe it or not, I play my bass guitar through my PSW12 as a practice amp. I can hear every inflection and mixed with LFE from my system, well i can't express enough praise.

by Peter Holmes, November 29, 2007

Strengths:

Everthing! Love that rumble in my chest region when watching a DVD and thump when listening to cd's.

Weaknesses:

The dog hates it, always leaves the room and the big mutha loves to dance across my Tasmanian Oak floor BUT that's probably my wife's fault for polishing it too much!!!!!!

Review:

Superb and then some, very good sound! I wired my Denon amp into and out of my PS12 and the subsequent sound all round from my monitor 60's backed up by 30's and CS1 is exceptional.

by Mark Musser, June 30, 2008

Strengths:

small, compact, low to the ground. powerful

Weaknesses:

none worth speaking of

Review:

I remember back in the 70's, looking in the stereo mags, there was this geeky looking guy wearing a Labcoat selling speakers. After going to a high end Stereo store I got to see those $2,999.99 a piece Tower Speakers. And that geek was Polk. Anybody hearing Polk speakers, had to have them. I know that I wanted them. The sound was unsurpassed. You old timer Polk fans know what I'm talking about. Ok, back to the reveiw. The PSW12 delivers a crisp powerful sound without that thump. I have a few surround (that was a big thing back in the 70's) DVD's where you need that bass. Man, does PWS12 work with this.! Where at the the time of the film it calles for a DEEEP rumble, thats what you get. Not a growl or thump sound. The Phasing and bass cutout are outstanding. The cabinet is pleasing to the eye.

by Daniel TORINO ( Argentina & Chile ), August 1, 2008

Strengths:

Sonido profundo, claro y potente. Diseño tan robusto como debía ser: es perfecto.

Weaknesses:

Cuando le doy gas... peligran los vidrios de las ventanas!!!

Review:

Recomiendo 100% este equipo a quienes amen "sentir" los sonidos más bajos atravesando el torso... Ya sea para películas ó para música es EXCELENTE!!!

by Bruce Wayne, April 14, 2009

Strengths:

Great, especially at low to medium volumes.

Weaknesses:

None noticed.

Review:

For a low to medium volume listener (condo or apartment), this thing sounds great. It really picks up the lows in movies at low volumes. But don't be afraid to crank it, this thing can make the house shake.

by juan vasquez, August 22, 2010

Strengths:

sonido estremadamente profundo y impactante.

Weaknesses:

muy mala salida de aire lo cual hace que sientas un sonido horrendo de vez en cuando.

Review:

buen subwoofer , bajos profundos increibles y tambien controlados, si no fuera por la el gran detalle de la salida de aire muy pequeña seria espectacular.

The Absolute Sound
February 2006

"The Polk PSW12 is a great subwoofer for the money: a $300 addition to a $2000 system elevated it from merely 'good' to darn near excellent."