POLK AUDIO PSW250 (01) PDF Document

The key features of the POLK AUDIO PSW250 include:

• 8″ (PSW250) direct radiating subwoofer driver for deep bass, smooth response and low distortion.

• Dual bass ports for deep bass and high acoustic efficiency.

• High current 50 watt (PSW250) power amplifier.

• Subwoofer volume control, variable crossover control and phase switch allow you to optimize performance to match your audio system, room acoustics, and program material.

• Auto on-off circuit that automatically turns your subwoofer on when it senses a program signal. When no signal is present, the circuit mutes the subwoofer.

Please inspect each loudspeaker carefully. Notify your Polk dealer if you notice any damage or missing items. Keep the carton and packing material. They will do the best job of protecting your speakers if they need to be transported.

Due to its compact size, the POLK AUDIO PSW250 offers plenty of placement options—in an entertainment center, behind furniture or next to a sofa or chair. The subwoofer may be placed anywhere in the room, but for the greatest possible bass output, place the subwoofer in a corner of the room. The subwoofer may lay on its side, but placing it on its feet or base will yield the best performance. NEVER LAY THE SUBWOOFER ON THE AMPLIFIER END—THIS WILL DAMAGE THE AMPLIFIER.

The POLK AUDIO PSW250 is magnetically shielded and can be placed close to a television set, if necessary. However, we do not recommend placing your TV set on the subwoofer. The vibration transmitted to the TV set may shorten the life of the TV. If you see any color distortion in your TV, move the subwoofer a few inches further from the set.

If you elect to use the speaker level inputs, use two conductor 16 gauge or thicker speaker wires. If you choose to use the line level inputs, use high quality, shielded RCA type interconnect cables.

Note that one of the terminals on the rear of the speaker is marked red (+) and the other black (-). Make certain that you connect the wire from the red (+) terminal of your amplifier to the red (+) terminal on your speaker, and the wire from the black (-) terminal of the amplifier to the black (-) terminal on your speaker. Most wire has some indication (such as color coding, ribbing, or writing) on one of the two conductors to help maintain consistency. If your speakers sound “thin” with little bass and little to no center image, odds are that one of the speaker wires is connected backwards. Double check all connections.

Strip 1/2″ of insulation from each of the two conductors on both ends to expose the bare wire. Twist the exposed wire of each conductor to form two unfrayed strands. Connect two conductors to the receiver or amp. Connect the two conductors on the other end of the wire to the speaker terminals.

Push the plastic tab of one connector to open up the hole. Insert the bare wire into the hole, and release the plastic tab. Repeat this step for the other terminal. Make sure that the two bare wire ends do not touch each other. Such an electrical short will cause your receiver or amplifier to turn off or malfunction.

This method is preferred for most systems.

1. Connect the left and right channel speaker output from your electronics to the left and right speaker level INPUT of the subwoofer.

2. Connect the subwoofer left and right speaker level OUTPUT to the corresponding left and right speakers.

If it’s easier, you can connect two sets of speaker wires from your electronics, running one set to the subwoofer and the other to the front speakers.

When using this option, it is necessary to adjust the settings of your electronics as follows: Front speakers = large, subwoofer = “OFF” or “NONE”. This may sound incorrect because you have a subwoofer, but it will yield the best performance. This hookup method enables Pro Logic and Dolby Digital electronics to direct a full range signal (with bass) to the front left and right speakers (and therefore to your subwoofer) along with the LFE channel.

This method is for use with electronics featuring a “PRE OUT”. Connect the left and right preamp output from your electronics to the left and right LINE LEVEL input of the subwoofer. This may require use of RCA “Y” cables (not supplied) to hookup both the subwoofer and your electronics. When using this option, it is necessary to adjust the settings on your electronics as follows: Front speakers = LARGE, Subwoofer = “OFF” or “NO”.

The POLK AUDIO PSW250 features auto on/off circuitry, marked “auto” on the power switch, that automatically turns your subwoofer on when it senses a program signal. When no signal is present, the circuit turns the subwoofer off after a few minutes. If you are concerned about the brief delay between when the music starts and when the subwoofer turns on, simply leave your subwoofer in the “on” position.

• Volume: Adjust by ear using a wide variety of CDs and video sources. Adjust for deep, powerful bass without “boominess.”

• Low Pass: This control adjusts the frequency range over which the subwoofer operates. When using smaller main speakers, the upper range of the control will probably yield the best results. With larger speakers, the lower end of the control range will probably sound best, but always let your ear be the final judge. If male vocals sound “thin,” turn this control up until the voice sounds rich but not boomy. If male vocals sound too “thick” or “chesty,” turn this control down until the voice sounds natural.

• Phase Switch: Have someone else switch between the two settings while you sit in your favorite listening position. Use music with good bass and a deep male vocal. When you hear the best balance of deep bass and natural lower octaves of the male voice, you have achieved optimum phase tuning.

Your new speaker cabinet is made of a rugged material that can be dusted or cleaned with a moist cloth. Avoid harsh detergents and cleaning fluids, they can permanently damage your speakers’ finish.

If, after following the hook-up directions, you experience difficulty, please double check all wire connections. Make sure that your electronic equipment is operating correctly by hooking up another speaker to the speaker output. For example, if you are not getting sound from the left channel speaker, connect the right channel speaker to the left output. If you still get no sound from that side, the problem is in your amp, receiver or source electronics. Should you isolate the problem to the speaker, contact the authorized Polk Audio dealer where you made your purchase.

If there is no bass, check the following possible solutions:

• Check AC plug and green LED on the back; make sure outlet is operational.

• Check volume control on subwoofer.

• For speaker level wire connections, check (+) on amplifier to (+) on subwoofer and do the same for (-) to (-).

• Check that RCA line level inputs of the subwoofer are not wired from speaker level outputs of amplifier.

If you are experiencing excessive mid-bass, try the following:

• Turn crossover frequency down.

• Move phase switch to “REV” and compare.

If you feel there is not enough bass, try these solutions:

• Turn volume up on subwoofer.

• Move subwoofer into a corner.

• Move phase switch to “REV” and compare.

To address a hum from the subwoofer, try these steps:

• Secure all wire and line level connections.

• Route all speaker and/or line level connections away from AC wires.

• Check for a bad RCA phono cable (if using line level inputs).

*This specification conforms to Federal regulations regarding amplifier power ratings. For purposes of comparison, be certain that all power ratings conform to these stringent FTC regulations. Power ratings alone cannot predict actual sound output. For this reason we also specify the calculated maximum sound output.