PSW650
I n s t r u c t i o n
M a n u a l
SERIES PSW
POLK AUDIO—A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE
Polk Audio was founded in 1972 by Matthew Polk and George Klopfer. Their dream was to make the highest performance speakers, at reasonable
prices. They did so by applying scientific principles to speaker design and by concentrating solely on the speaker business. That’s why they’re “The Speaker Specialists®.”
Today, Polk Audio is still headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and is now one of the world’s largest manufacturers
of home and car loudspeakers. Polk’s research has yielded over 20 patents for advances in loudspeaker performance and value. Polk speakers have earned the praise of audio experts the world over, as well as dozens of awards for innovative, high-quality design. Polk Audio speakers are sold in over 50 countries and in audio/video specialist retail locations throughout the U.S.
Founders Matthew Polk and George Klopfer still work alongside 300 dedicated Polk team members to bring you the best speakers you can buy.
A WORD FROM MATTHEW POLK
Dear Music Lover,
Thank you for purchasing Polk Audio speakers. Designing and building speakers is more than just a business for the people of Polk Audio–it is our passion. We are all dedicated to your complete satisfaction and delight.
Your new Polk speakers include the latest loudspeaker technology to assure outstanding performance and unmatched quality. Please take
a moment to read through this manual for information on getting the greatest enjoyment from these fine instruments.
We make a wide variety of main, center, rear channel, powered subwoofer, and accessory speakers so you can assemble a complete and well matched high-per- formance surround sound system. If you would like more information on building the Polk system of your dreams, consult your Polk Audio dealer or call our Customer Service Department. In North America call (800) 377-7655, Monday through Friday, 9:00am through 6:00pm Eastern time.
Sincerely,
Matthew S. Polk
Chairman and Co-Founder
P.S.: A wealth of information can also be found on our award-winning web site: www.polkaudio.com.
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FEATURES:
•Two 10 inch direct radiating subwoofer drivers for deep bass, smooth response and low distortion.
•Dual Power Port™ bass ports for deep bass and high acoustic efficiency with low distortion.
•High current 250 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.
•Auto on/off circuit that automatically turns the subwoofer on when it senses a program signal. When no signal is present, the amplifier turns off within 15 minutes.
•+3dB bass boost switch provides increased output when connected to electronics with low output subwoofer output jacks.
•Unfiltered LFE input for use with low pass filtered subwoofer output jacks.
•Speaker and line level inputs.
GETTING STARTED
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.
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PLACEMENT
Polk PSW Series subwoofers offer many 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 near a corner of the room. 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 feet. (Figure 2). NEVER LAY
THE SUBWOOFER ON THE AMPLIFIER END—THIS WILL DAMAGE THE AMPLIFIER.
The PSW650 is not magnetically shielded and should not be placed close to a television set. If you see any color distortion in your TV, move the subwoofer a few inches further away from the set.
FIGURE 1.
Driver Side |
≥ 6 inches (15cm) |
From wall |
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.
FIGURE 2.
OK
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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.
To connect wire to the binding post, unscrew the plastic hex nut on the binding post and insert the bare wire into the hole near the base of the binding post. Do not insert the insulated part of the wire into the hole; this will not give you a good connection. Twist the hex nut back down the binding post until it firmly meets the wire. Do not over-tighten.
(Figure 3.)
FIGURE 3.
HOOK-UP OPTIONS
The PSW650 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.
LOOSEN HEX NUT |
INSERT SPEAKER WIRE |
TIGHTEN HEX NUT |
DO NOT INSERT |
|
THROUGH HOLE |
|
INSULATED SECTION |
|
|
|
OF SPEAKER WIRE |
FIGURE 2A. |
|
|
|
AMPLIFIER
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