Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)

I had been meaning to finally add that oomph missing from the (very few) action movies I loved, and this tax season I finally found an excuse to see what was available. I already had a good setup [Onkyo TX-SR806 to: fronts, Infinity 3(the Onkyo lets me set the main amps to 6ohms) cabinets and crossover moded with modern heavier magnet woofers and paper-cone tweeters; center, just some full range Bose bookshelf(it works!); sides, Wharfedale CRS 3s; Rear, Wharfedale CRS 5s], but even though music sounded great, even at high volume, the movies just weren't coming through. So I finally considered that wall-shaking bass might be the answer...

It was. And the reason I can satisfactorily report this is thanks to the Polk Audio PSW 505 12" subwoofer. I felt that ordering an affordable subwoofer was likely a mistake and that I should wait for when I could afford a high-end. Well, after getting to know my receiver better and really paying attention to the subwoofer's crossover knob, I am very pleased with its performance from Movies to live jazz. When it's shelved just below the LFE range of your main woofers, it just sings. Punchy? Check. Volume? Check. MY-GOD-WHAT-IS-THIS-WRATH-UPON-US bass reproduction for movie effects? CHECK.

Another reviewer commented that the 'auto' setting(so that you don't have to turn it on and off yourself all of the time) was slow to respond. I haven't had the same experience. I have watched the indicator light with scrutiny as I turn on my receiver and have each time so far had the subwoofer respond to input signal within 1 or 2 seconds.

Basically, if this subwoofer is within your budget, and you want a major upgrade to your(come on, admit it) low-mid-range system, this is the best value that I could find after much research, and I am not partial to brands.

Very happy with rhis sub.I searched around to find this one and im glad i did... it pounds!!!!

I found this Sub on clearance for only 249.00.
For this price the build quality and sound can't be beat. It can produce very tight accurate base even with a 12" driver. That being said when music demands a boomy sound it has no problem fulfilling this need either. The enclosure is extremely solid and well finished with a very stable feel and fairly compact size for the sound it can produce.

I would recommend this sub to anyone wanting great bass without spending tons of cash.

I have been building my home theater on a budget but am discriminating. I helped a buddy build a $15k theater in a dedicated room with sound panels and all and have an ear to truly enjoy it. I like tight well defined bass in my music from the "umph" of the intro to "Running with the Devil" to the nuances of cello, timpani, string bass etc. I like my movies to have impact I can feel . . . often a lower "rumble". I had decided to build my own sub due to cost but at $249 with free shipping I could not resist (nor build anything close). The frequency range is excellent - nearly impossible to hit these lows and have this kind of power in this price range. I am a fan of Polk products. I have 6 1/2" with satellite tweeters in my car with a Rockford amp and they rock so I figured I could not go wrong. This arrived in 3 days. I hooked it up to my Yamaha 665 an ran the auto setup. Wow!!! Very tight natural bass and the movies kick butt!!!! It does everything I need it to do and does it well! At this price you cannot go wrong. I have heard units that cost over $500 that cannot keep up with this bad boy.

The only feature that would be nice to have is remote control to do the level and crossover tweaking from my Lazy Boy. Thumbs up Polk Audio (again)!

Wow, I haven't had this for very long now - just a few days. But, I've gotten it set up, and I'm already amazed. Even before this thing gets broken in (it takes a sub a little bit of time to loosen up, and perform optimally), this thing rocks! Smooth, punchy, but WAY deep and loud!!! I've owned another 12" sub, and an 8". I currently am running a 10" WITH this new PSW505. Now, I WANT ANOTHER ONE!!!!

(edit)

I've just sold the 10", and added another one of the PSW505 models! Oh wow!!! I now have a problem...I have vibrations in the fireplace that I have to remedy!