Polk audio PSW550 User Manual

17. Object and liquid entry.

Never push objects of any kind into this product
through openings as they may touch dangerous
voltage points or short out parts that could result
in fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any
kind on the product.

18. Damage requiring service.

Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to qualified service personnel under the
following conditions: a) Power supply cord or plug
has been damaged. b) Objects have fallen into, or
liquid has spilled into, the product, or c) Product
has been exposed to rain or water, or d) Product
does not operate normally when following operating
instructions. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions, as an
improper adjustment of other controls may result
in damage and will often require extensive work
by a qualified technician to restore the product
to its normal operation; or e) Product has been
dropped, or enclosure damaged; or f) Product
does not appear to operate normally or exhibits
a marked change in performance.

19. Attachments.

Do not use attachments not recommended by the
product manufacturer as these may cause hazards.

20. Replacement parts.

When replacement parts are required, be sure
the service technician has used replacement parts
specified by the manufacturer or that have the
same characteristics as the original part.
Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock, or other hazards.

21. Safety check.

Upon completion of any service or repairs to this
product, ask the service technician to perform
safety checks to determine that product is in proper
operating condition.

22. Servicing.

Do not attempt to service this product yourself
as opening or removing covers may expose you
to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer
all servicing to qualified service personnel.

SAFETY—PRECAUTIONS
READ FIRST!

1. Read the instructions.

All the safety and operating instructions should
be read before the product is operated.

2. Retain instructions.

Safety and operating instructions should be retained
for future reference.

3. Heed warnings.

All warnings on the product and in the operating
instructions should be adhered to.

4. Follow instructions.

All operating and use instructions should be followed.

5. Water and moisture.

Product should not be used near water—for example,
near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub,
in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.

6. Accessories.

Do not place this product on an unstable cart,
stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The product may
fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and
serious damage to the product. Use only with a
cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended
by the manufacturer or sold with the product. Any
mounting of the product should follow the manu­facturer’s instructions, and should use a mounting
accessory recommended by the manufacturer.

7. Wall or ceiling mounting.

Product should be mounted on a wall or ceiling only
when and as recommended by the manufacturer.

8. Ventilation.

Cooling fins on the rear of the amplifier are provid­ed for ventilation, to ensure reliable operation of
the product, and to protect it from overheating.
Fins must not be blocked or covered. The fins
should never be blocked by placing product on a
bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This prod­uct should not be placed in a built-in installation
such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventila­tion is provided or the manufacturer’s instructions
have been adhered to.

9. Heat.

Product should be situated away from heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
products that produce heat. If placed near an
amplifier, check with manufacturer for applicability.

10. Power sources.

This product should be operated only from the
type of power source indicated on the marking
label. If you are not sure of the type of power
supply to your home, consult your product dealer
or local power company.

11. Grounding or polarization.

This product may be equipped with a polarized
alternating current line plug (a plug having one
blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into
the power outlet only one way. This is a safety
feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully
into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug
should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to
replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the
safety purpose of this polarized plug.

12. Power cord protection.

Power-supply cords should be routed so that they
are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items
placed upon or against them, paying particular
attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the product.

13. Cleaning.

Unplug this product from the wall outlet before
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol
cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

14. Non use periods.

The cord of the product should be unplugged from
the outlet when left unused for long periods of time.

15. Lightning.

For added protection during a lightning storm,
or when it is left unattended and unused for long
periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and
disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will
prevent damage to the product due to lightning
and power-line surges.

16. Overloading.

Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords,
or integral convenience receptacles as this can
result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

2

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WARNING

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

AVIS: RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE. NE PAS UVRIR.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclo­sure that may be of sufficient magnitude to con­stitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral tri­angle is intended to alert the user to the pres­ence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accom­panying the appliance.

WARNING

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK,

MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT,
FULLY INSERT.

ATTENTION: POUR ÉVITER LES CHOCS

ÉLECTRIQUES INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS
LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRE­SPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER
JUSQU’AU FOND.

PLACEMENT

Your PSW Series subwoofer offers many
placement options—in an entertainment
center, behind furniture, or next to a
sofa or chair. It can be placed anywhere
in the room, but you will get the best
performance from it when it is on the
same side of the room as the front
satellites. Placing it near a wall or in
a corner will increase bass loudness.
Allow at least 6 inches (15cm) of space
between any subwoofer driver and a
wall or obstruction

(FIGURE 1). The

subwoofer should only be placed
on its base

(FIGURE 2). It may lie

on its side, but NEVER LAY THE
SUBWOOFER ON THE AMPLIFIER
END—THIS WILL DAMAGE THE
AMPLIFIER

(FIGURE 3).

The PSW550 subwoofer is magnetically
shielded for safe placement near your
television set. If you notice video distor­tion or discoloration, immediately move
the subwoofer away from the TV and
call Polk Audio Customer Service 800­377-7655 (US & Can), 410-358-3600,
9am-6pm EST, Monday through Friday,
or email: [e-mail].

You ’ll find an informative article on
“Subwoofer Positioning and Adjustment”
in the set up section at:

HTTP://WWW.POLKAUDIO.COM/
HOME/FAQAD/

CONNECTING THE SUBWOOFER
TO THE SYSTEM—GENERAL

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. See your Polk dealer for wire
recommendations.

Note that one of the speaker input
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 subwoofer doesn’t seem to
produce much bass, it is most likely
that one of the speaker wires is con­nected backwards. Double check all
connections for correct polarity.

5

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FEATURES:

• One 8 inch, long throw, shielded,
direct radiating subwoofer driver
for deep bass, smooth response
and low distortion.

• Downward firing Power Port

™

bass
port for deep bass and high acoustic
efficiency with low distortion.

• High current 100 Watt (RMS),
250 Watt Dynamic, 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 the subwoofer on when it sens­es a program signal. When no signal
is present, the amplifier turns itself
off within 15 minutes.

• Unfiltered LFE input for use with low
pass filtered subwoofer output jacks.

• Speaker and line level inputs.

• Magnetically shielded for safe place-

ment near TVs and video monitors.

GETTING STARTED

Please inspect your loudspeaker
carefully. Notify your Polk dealer
if you notice any damage or missing
items. Keep the carton and packing
material. It will do the best job
of protecting your speaker
if it needs to be transported.

4

Polk Audio Customer Service: 800-377-7655 (Outside US: 410-358-3600) [e-mail]

FIGURE 1 FIGURE 3FIGURE 2

OK

AMPLIFIER

6" (15cm)

HOOK-UP OPTIONS
OPTION #1

(FIGURE 5)

This method is preferred for
most systems.

Connect the left and right channel
speaker output from your electronics
to the left and right speaker level
INPUT of the subwoofer. 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
obviously have a subwoofer, but
it will yield the best performance.

The PSW550 has a built-in, adjustable
low pass filter to separate the low fre­quency signals (the bass) from the full
range signal. The dedicated “subwoofer
output” jacks (sometimes labeled “LFE”
or “Low Frquency Effects”) on most
receivers also contain a fixed low pass
filter. If you connect the subwoofer to
the receiver’s LFE Out jack, the two
filters will interact and reduce the
fidelity of your system. Follow these
hook up and receiver set-up/bass man­agement instructions and all of the bass
will go to the subwoofer, you will not
lose any bass, and you will get the
highest possible performance from
your system. We promise.

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 un-frayed
strands. Connect two conductors to the
receiver or amp (refer to the owner’s
manual supplied with your electronics
for assistance with proper hookup).
Connect the two conductors on the
other end of the wire to the speaker
terminals. Repeat for the other channel.

USING PUSH-TAB

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

(FIGURE 4).

Make sure that the two bare wire ends
do not touch each other. Such contact
could result in an electrical short
and cause your receiver or amplifier
to turn off or malfunction.

HOOK-UP OPTIONS

The PSW550 offers a wide range of
hook-up and use options. Each option
has advantages and potential down­sides. The option that is best for you
depends on your electronics, main
speakers and your personal taste.
Read all the options before selecting.

The hook-up method will have a large
impact on the “blending” between your
main front speakers and the subwoofer.
A poor blend will sound unnatural; you
will be more aware that the main and
subwoofer speakers are two separate
units. In a well-blended system, you will
not be able to pinpoint the location of
the subwoofer in the mix. Experiment
with alternate options to find the
method that works best for you.

6

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Polk Audio Customer Service: 800-377-7655 (Outside US: 410-358-3600) [e-mail] For Accessories & Info, Visit: www.polkaudio.com

This method is the
most popular when
using a receiver
or amplifier.

OPTION #1
PREFERRED
HOOKUP

FIGURE 5

FIGURE 4

HOOK-UP OPTIONS
OPTION #3

(FIGURE 7)

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 option #3, it is
necessary to adjust the settings on your
electronics as follows: Front speakers =
“LARGE,” Subwoofer = “OFF” or “NO.”

HOOK-UP OPTIONS
OPTION #2

(FIGURE 6)

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 option #2, it is necessary
to adjust the settings of your electron­ics as follows: Front speakers =
“LARGE” or “SMALL” depending
on their output capabilities;
Subwoofer = “ON” or “YES.”

8

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Polk Audio Customer Service: 800-377-7655 (Outside US: 410-358-3600) [e-mail] For Accessories & Info, Visit: www.polkaudio.com

This method is for
use with electonic
components featuring
a PRE OUT.

FIGURE 7

OPTION #3
PRE OUT
HOOKUP

OPTION #2
SUB OUT
HOOKUP

This method is for
use with electronics
that include a
“SUB OUT” feature.

FIGURE 6

In the “On” position, the power amplifier
will operate and the power light will
glow GREEN until the switch is set
to the “Off” position or the AC cord is
disconnected from a power source. We
recommend using the “Auto” position.
Turn it to “Off” if the system will not
be used for extended periods of time,
such as during vacations.

SUBWOOFER LEVEL CONTROL—
VOLUME

(FIGURE 8)

Subwoofer level (volume) is adjusted
via the knob on the rear amplifier plate.
To set Subwoofer Level, play a piece of
music that has an average amount of
bass content. Start with the knob set to
12 o’clock and the Phase Switch set to

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

LOW PASS FILTER (FIGURE 8)

This control adjusts the frequency range
over which the subwoofer operates.
With the PSW550, the middle range
(11 - 2 o’clock) of this control will yield
the best results. Experiment and let
your ears 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.

Turning the knob clockwise from the
recommended setting

(FIGURE 9, or 9A)

will add more “warmth” to the bass and
lower midrange, possibly at the sacrifice
of bass “tightness” and midrange clarity.
Turning the knob down from the recom­mended setting will make the bass
and lower midrange sound “thinner.”

PHASE SWITCH (FIGURE 8)

Changing the phase of your subwoofer
can strengthen its bass “attack.” If the
bass sounds muddy or unclear, try tog­gling the phase control. Have someone
else switch between the two settings
while you sit in your favorite listening
position. Use music with good bass
(preferably “plucked” string 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.

SUBWOOFER ADJUSTMENTS

(FIGURE 8)

The PSW550 Powered Subwoofer offers
a range of setting options. We recom­mend the following settings as starting
points, but the settings that are best for
you depend upon your speaker place­ment, electronics and personal taste.
After you’ve become familiar with what
the settings do, experiment with alter­nate options to find the method that
works best for your system setup.

You ’ll find an informative article on
“Subwoofer Positioning and Adjustment”
in the set up section at:

HTTP://WWW.POLKAUDIO.COM/
HOME/FAQAD/

AC POWER

(FIGURE 8)

The PSW550 Powered Subwoofer has
a built-in power amplifier and must be
plugged into a standard household AC
power source in order to operate. The
power switch has three positions: “On,”
“Off” and “Auto.” When the Powered
Subwoofer is plugged in (even with the
power switch in the “off” position) the
power light will glow RED. In the “Auto”
position, the amplifier will automatically
turn on as soon as the speaker senses
a signal coming from your electronics.
The power light will change from RED
to GREEN upon sensing a signal. The
subwoofer will turn off approximately
15 minutes after input signal ceases,
and the power light will return to RED.

10

11

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FIGURE 8

FIGURE 9 FIGURE 9A

For Accessories & Info, Visit: www.polkaudio.com

13

SPECIFICATIONSMAINTAINING THE APPEARANCE

OF YOUR PSW550

Your new speaker cabinet is finished
in gloss black veneer that can be
dusted or cleaned with a damp soft
cloth. Avoid harsh detergents and
cleaning fluids, they can permanently
damage your speaker’s finish. Vacuum
the grille to remove dust.

Q. “Why does my system hum?”

A. “It doesn’t know the words.”

This is what passes for humor in the
audio business. Here’s the real answer:
If you have any electrical (50/60Hz)
hum in your system you’re going to hear
it clearly as soon as you hook up your
subwoofer. Most hum problems are
caused by “ground loops.” That is, the
electrical grounds of the components in
your system are not at the same electri­cal potential. A very common ground
loop source is cable TV. Disconnect the
coaxial cable from your TV and/or VCR.
If the hum goes away, the cable is the
ground loop villain. In that case you
need a 75 ohm ground loop isolator.
This device attaches to your coaxial
cable where it plugs into your VCR (or
television). They’re simple to install and
usually solve the hum problem. Find 75
ohm ground loop isolators at your audio
dealer, Radio Shack stores, or online
at http://polkaudio.tranguard.com/.

Ground loops and hum can also be the
result of faulty electrical wiring in your
home. Consult a licensed electrician to
evaluate and, if necessary, repair the AC
wiring in your home. Light dimmers also
tend to introduce noise into audio sys­tems. Remove them.

If none of our suggestions work for you,
contact Polk Audio Customer Service
800-377-7655 (US & Canada), 410-358­3600, 9am-6pm EST, Monday through
Friday, or email: [e-mail].

12

Polk Audio Customer Service: 800-377-7655 (Outside US: 410-358-3600) [e-mail]

PSW550

Driver Complement:

1 - 8" (20.3cm) shielded, woofer

Enclosure Type:

vented with floor-coupled Power Port

™

Overall Frequency Response:

26Hz - 200Hz

-3dB Limits:

32Hz - 180Hz

Crossover Frequency:

variable 60Hz - 160Hz,
90Hz optimal (Low-pass filter)

Amplifier Power*:

FTC Rated Amplifier Power:
100W Continuous Average Power into
4Ohms with < .05% THD, 30-200Hz

Dynamic Power:
250W

Available Finish:

gloss black veneer

Dimensions:

16 1/2"H x 13 1/2"W x 16 1/4"D

41.9cmH x 34.3cmW x 41.3cmD

Shipping Weight:

45lbs. (20.4kg) each

Product Net Weight:

39lbs. (17.7kg) each

*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.

Note:

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
OR SERVICE

If, after following these hook up direc­tions, you experience difficulty, please
double-check all wire connections.
Should you isolate the problem to the
speaker, contact the authorized Polk
Audio dealer where you made your
purchase, or call Polk Audio’s friendly
Customer Service Department at 1-800­377-7655 (calls from US or CAN only),
410-358-3600 9am to 6pm EST, Monday
through Friday. You may also contact
us via email: [e-mail].

For more detailed hook up information
and manual updates, visit:

HTTP://WWW.POLKAUDIO.COM/
HOME/PRODUCTS/SUBWOOFERS/
PSW550

or

HTTP://WWW.POLKAUDIO.COM/
HOME/FAQAD/

For recommended accessories
(including speaker stands, brackets,
accessories and exclusive Polk Audio
logowear), visit our Webstore:

HTTP://POLKAUDIO.TRANGUARD.COM/

15

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14

Polk Audio Customer Service: 800-377-7655 (Outside US: 410-358-3600) [e-mail]

POLK AUDIO LIMITED WARRANTY

“Polk Audio,” “The Speaker Specialists,” and “Power Port”

are trademarks of Britannia Investment Corporation used under license by Polk Audio Incorporated.

Polk Audio, Inc., warrants to the original pur­chaser only that the Amplifier in this Polk
Audio Loudspeaker Product (the “Product”)
will be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of three (3) years
from the date of original retail purchase from
a Polk Audio Authorized Dealer. Polk Audio,
Inc., further warrants to the original pur­chaser only that the

Loudspeaker(s) in
this Polk Audio Product (the “Product”) will
be free from defects in material and work­manship for a period of five (5) years from
the date of original retail purchase from a
Polk Audio Authorized Dealer. The original
retail purchaser shall hereinafter be referred
to as “you.” However, this Warranty will
automatically terminate prior to the expira­tion if you sell or otherwise transfer the
Product to any other party.

To allow Polk
Audio to offer the best possible warranty
service, please fill out the Product
Registration Card(s) and send it to the
Factory, at the address provided on the
Product Cards(s) within ten (10) days
of the date of purchase.

Defective Products must be shipped, together
with proof of purchase, prepaid insured to
the Polk Audio Authorized Dealer from whom
you purchased the Product, or to the Factory
at

2550 Britannia Boulevard, Suite D, San

Diego, California 92154

. Products must be
shipped in the original shipping container
or its equivalent; in any case the risk of loss
or damage in transit is to be borne by you.
If upon examination at the Factory or Polk
Audio Authorized Dealer it is determined
that the unit was defective in materials
or workmanship at any time during this
Warranty period, Polk Audio or the Polk
Audio Authorized Dealer will, at its option,
repair or replace this Product at no addition­al charge, except as set forth below. All
replaced parts and Products become the
property of Polk Audio. Products replaced
or repaired under this warranty will be
returned to you, within a reasonable time,
freight prepaid.

This warranty does not include service or
parts to repair damage caused by accident,
disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence, inade­quate packing or shipping procedures, com­mercial use, voltage inputs in excess of the
rated maximum of the unit, cosmetic appear­ance of cabinetry not directly attributable
to defect in materials or workmanship, or
service, repair, or modification of the Product
which has not been authorized or approved
by Polk Audio. This warranty shall terminate
if the Serial number on the Product has been
removed, tampered with or defaced.

This warranty is in lieu of all other expressed
Warranties. If this Product is defective in
materials or workmanship as warranted
above, your sole remedy shall be repair or
replacement as provided above. In no event
will Polk Audio, Inc. be liable to you for any
incidental or consequential damages arising
out of the use or inability to use the Product,
even if Polk Audio, Inc. or a Polk Audio
Authorized Dealer has been advised of the
possibility of such damages, or for any claim
by any other party. Some states do not allow
the exclusion or limitation of consequential
damages, so the above limitation and exclu­sion may not apply to you.

All implied warranties on this Product are
limited to the duration of this expressed
Warranty. Some states do not allow limitation
on how long an implied Warranty lasts, so
the above limitations may not apply to you.
This Warranty gives you specific legal rights,
and you also may have other rights which
vary from state to state.

This Warranty applies only to Products
purchased in the United States of America,
its possessions, and U.S. and NATO armed
forces exchanges and audio clubs. The
Warranty terms and conditions applicable
to Products purchased in other countries
are available from the Polk Audio Authorized
Distributors in such countries.

PSW SERIES

PSW550

Instruction

Manual

5601 METRO DRIVE,

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21215, USA,

800-377-7655, 410-358-3600

http://www.polkaudio.com

RM7209-1