It may be a bold statement but this is probably one of the best subwoofers out there right now. If your current sound system is sounding a little sorry for itself, it may be time to invest in something new!
If achieving top-quality sounds without any distortion or crackling is music to your ears, the Polk Audio PSW505 Subwoofer may be ideal for you.
I know how it feels when your sound system isn’t quite what it used to be. Crackling and distortion start to occur more frequently leaving your listening experience ruined. The mere thought of buying a new subwoofer can fill you with stress. But there is no need to stress!
The best thing about this subwoofer is that you don’t have to splash the cash to buy one! That’s right! You can get an incredible subwoofer that provides you with crystal clear, powerful bass combined with accurate voice sounds at a very affordable price.
With a sturdy design that will sit still on any surface, this Polk Audio PSW505 will give you one of the best sound experiences possible. If you’re a bass lover like me and want to know if this subwoofer will be bassy enough for you, stick around!
Below is an in-depth review of this outstanding Polk subwoofer so you can just sit back, relax, and find out all you need to know about this high-quality subwoofer.
Overview
If you’re too busy to read the whole article, here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about the Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer.
- It provides an accurate and clear sound
- Made with magnetic shielding to prevent unwanted noise
- Very affordable and budget-friendly, especially compared to similar models
- Offers an excellent frequency response for detailed sounds
- Offers amazing bass sounds that are not too boosted or distorted when turned to high volumes
- Ideal for both music studios and home use measuring 16x15x18-inches
- Very stable legs to prevent the subwoofer from moving around, even if the bass is too loud
- Has a higher constant power of 300W resulting in a good bass level and easily distinguishes voices
- Offers versatility with a detachable front grille and a Phase Toggle Switch for running multiple subwoofers
- Made by a highly reputable brand so you are safe in the knowledge that you will have good customer support
- The control panel settings situated on the back of the subwoofer can be a little tricky to control
- Some users have experienced muddy or distorted sounds when listening to lower frequencies with a slight hint of port noise at high volumes
- This is just a round-up of the Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer. If you want to find out more, continue below for a detailed review of this product.
Specifications
OUR TOP PICK
- Product name: PSW505 12 Inch Subwoofer
- Product Brand: Polk Audio
- Subwoofer Amp Output: 300 watts of continuous average power output/460 watts of dynamic power output
- Weight: 48-pounds
- Dimensions: 16.125 x 15.125 x 18.1875-inches
- Frequency Response: 23Hz - 160Hz
- Subwoofer Amp Warranty: 3 years parts & labor
- Speaker Warranty: 5 years parts & labor
Design and build
Construction
The Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer’s design is very similar to many other budget speakers. It looks very stylish with a solid and durable MDF construction surrounded by a black layer.
The MDF helps the subwoofer provide distortion-free sounds that are also clear and accurate. Whether your room is on the larger or smaller side, the PSW505 would look good no matter what. Its combination of black color with wood veneer is very elegant and attractive.
Detachable cloth grilles
Detachable cloth grilles add to the appeal of the PSW505 subwoofer creating a well-sized oval on the front of the speakers.
This may not be unique to this model but I really like this particular design.
Control panel
Its control panel is located on the back of the subwoofer incorporating all necessary settings and controls. These are a little harder to reach compared to other models but you’ll soon get used to them.
A toggle switch allows you to run more subwoofers if required so you can have full surround sound. Talk about a cinematic experience! There are also options for an adjustable low pass crossover and phase switch from the subwoofer’s main volume control.
This means you can get the most out of your speakers and your sound. If that wasn’t enough, you can even adjust the voice volume to make it higher or lower than the background sounds. This makes voices easier and clearer to understand for a more enjoyable experience.
The PSW505 is essentially a very impressive subwoofer with an attractive design and built quality. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the performance level this subwoofer has to offer.
Performance
Watts
At peak power, the Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer reaches 460Watts while its basic power is 300Watts. It has a frequency range of 23-160Hz which is more than adequate for listening to music.
Its lower peak power is a little disappointing for some users but it more than makes up for this with an excellent bass level and its clear sound for distinguishing voices with a higher constant 300W power.
The subwoofer’s bass sound is powerful and distortion-free. If you like to watch action movies or big blockbusters, you will absolutely love the amazing rush that comes from these speakers.
It is engineered with a unique motor-like design with a longer suspension than most subwoofers offer. This design allows you to enjoy calmer and more peaceful melodies far more.
Magnetic shield
This subwoofer comes with a magnetic shield to prevent noise distortion or interference. This means you can place it near your television without having to worry about excess noise.
Nonetheless, I recommend you keep this subwoofer a little distance away from your television as the magnetic shielding isn’t always entirely effective.
Automatic feature
The Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer comes with a highly convenient automatic feature that switches the subwoofer on whenever a sound signal is picked up or present.
If there are no sound signals for 15 minutes, the subwoofer automatically turns back off. Not only is this very useful but it is also extremely efficient.
You could save money on your energy bills over time thanks to this clever feature. If you’re like me, anything that saves money down the line is worth it!
Value
The Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer comes under the category of budget subwoofers. This isn’t to say it doesn’t offer good quality though!
There are regular sales which bring the price down from its usual reasonable standing.
When this price is decreased, the PSW505 subwoofer has to be one of the best models you can get for that kind of money.
It offers nearly everything you look for in good quality subwoofers such as good noise-canceling features, an excellent frequency range, and larger speaker diameters than most of its competitors.
With its stylish design, the PSW505 is a superb subwoofer at an even better price. If you can wait, I recommend you hang on for the discounts to come in again.
Measurements and weight
The Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer measures 16 x 15 x 18-inches and should fit comfortably in most living spaces.
Its weight of 48-pounds means the whole unit is pretty easy to move around and fit into certain spaces.
Warranty and support
The Polk Audio PSW505 subwoofer comes with an instruction manual to get you started. This will inform you of the whole process and any necessary tips on getting the most out of the PSW505.
It comes with an online registration card so you can access support at any time if required. There is a 3-year warranty for all electrical parts (the amp) and a 5-year warranty for non-electronic components.
If you have any problems with the subwoofer, get in touch with the manufacturer and they will provide you with all the support you need. This kind of warranty is a leader in this industry.
In Summary
It’s hard to ignore how much of an absolute steal this subwoofer is when you compare it with similar models on the market today.
It does lack some quality when it comes to low-frequency sounds as they can become distorted but this shouldn’t affect your movie-watching experience.
Although it may not have the widest frequency range, the Polk Audio PSW505 makes up for this with a provision of deep bass for clear and pleasing melodies.
For its price, there isn’t much better than this PSW505 subwoofer. It more than makes up for what it lacks with outstanding features like the magnetic shielding and automatic on/off component.
Its simplistic look and design may not be to everyone’s taste but I believe it adds to the overall charm and the fact it will look good in most spaces effortlessly is a great selling point!
Overall, the Polk Audio PSW505 is an excellent choice if you are looking for a deep bass yet high-powered speaker.
In the mood to try it out for yourself? Go ahead and purchase yours today here!
