POLK AUDIO PSW450 (01) PDF Document

The POLK AUDIO PSW450 includes the following features:

• 12″ direct radiating subwoofer driver for deep bass, smooth response and low distortion.

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

• High current 150 watt 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.

• LFE input.

• Switchable 80Hz high pass or full range speaker outputs.

• 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 your loudspeaker carefully. Keep the carton and packing material. They will do the best job of protecting your speakers if they need to be transported.

The POLK AUDIO PSW450 offers plenty of placement options, such as 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, as this will damage the amplifier.

The POLK AUDIO PSW450 is magnetically shielded and can be placed close to a television set, if necessary. However, it is not recommended to place your TV set on the subwoofer, as the vibration 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. 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.

To prepare the wire, 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 the conductors to your receiver or amp and then to the speaker terminals.

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.

The POLK AUDIO PSW450 uses 5-way binding posts. To connect speaker wire:

1. Unscrew the red or black nut several turns until the hole in the shaft appears.

2. Push the bare wire into the hole and retighten the nut finger-tight.

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 is a preferred method 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.

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 can be used with electronics that include a “SUB OUT” feature.

Connect a single RCA cable from the “SUB OUT” of your electronics to the LFE input of the subwoofer. This input bypasses the subwoofer’s variable low pass filter and relies on the filter built into your electronics. If your “SUB OUT” is an unfiltered signal (check your owner’s manual), use either left or right “Line Level Input” to use the low pass crossover in the subwoofer.

When using this option, it is necessary to adjust the settings of your electronics as follows: Front speakers = large or small depending on their output capabilities; Subwoofer = “ON”.

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 the use of RCA “Y” cables (not supplied) to hook up 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 PSW450 offers a “switchable high pass filter” at 80Hz for situations where you choose to limit the lower bass content directed to your front left and right speakers. The benefit can be greater dynamic range from the front left and right speakers because they are not being asked to produce any bass frequencies below 80Hz.

This hookup is the same as Option #1 (using speaker level inputs and outputs), but with the switch on the back of the subwoofer turned to “80Hz.”

The POLK AUDIO PSW450 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 you are getting no bass, check the following possible solutions:

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

• Check the volume control on the subwoofer.

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

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

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

• Turn the crossover frequency down.

• Move the phase switch to “REV” and compare the sound.

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

• Turn the volume up on the subwoofer.

• Move the subwoofer into a corner.

• Move the phase switch to “REV” and compare the sound.

If you hear a hum from the subwoofer, try the following solutions:

• 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 hookup option 2, 3, or 4).

*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.