Polk Audio Psw10 Subwoofer Review
Although subwoofers appear to look the same, the catch is, they do not sound the same as they are not all the same when it comes to quality.
While there are so many subwoofer models in the market, finding one that works for you may require some research. Whether you want to boost the audio quality of your TV or looking for something to stand-in as a home theater system, a high-performance subwoofer might provide you with the kind of sound you have in mind.
Polk Audio is one of the many reputable manufacturers you can turn to for this!
93/100
our score
Last Updated: October 2023
Polk Audio PSW10 Subwoofer at a Glance: Specs and Features
Polk Audio PSW10 Review
Ever since its inception into the business in 1972, Polk Audio has come a long way in terms of the quality of their products. The manufacturer boasts a vast catalog of impressive audio equipment with a reputation for releasing them at affordable prices.
Among their most popular offerings currently in the market is the Polk Audio PSW10. According to online reviews, it offers sound enthusiasts great quality and this becomes apparent the minute you plug in the subwoofer and turn up the bass.
But before we jump to a conclusion, let’s take a closer look at this subwoofer in the following Polk Audio PSW10 review!
Polk Audio PSW10 Design and Construction
There is nothing outstanding about the design of the PSW10 speaker system. It has the basic look of a subwoofer, featuring a cubic shape with straight edges. The unit is relatively compact with dimensions of 14.5 x 14 x 15”. Thanks to an MDF board construction, the subwoofer looks and feels solid.
At 26 pounds, the system is relatively heavy but you can find a nice corner in the room to place it.
The face of the subwoofer comes with a metallic silver color, which is covered by a black mesh to protect the driver from dust and other debris. You also get to choose from either a black or cherry colored vinyl finish to match with your household furniture.
All the controls are positioned at the rear end of the unit, and these include everything from the volume controls, power button, and phase (0-180) degrees to low pass 80Hz-180Hz. The control button is toggle type and can be moved through On, Auto, and Off positions.
In auto mode, the PSW10 will automatically power on when there is a signal or when you turn up the volume. It will also stay on for about 15 minutes if not used after which it will switch off to conserve power.
The only aspect I don’t like about the design of the subwoofer is that there is no magnetic shield. The lack of such may cause electrical interference when you place the PSW10 close to a TV or computer, which you will notice.
Thankfully, the lack of a magnetic shield doesn’t adversely affect the overall audio quality of the subwoofer. Furthermore, you might pick out some color distortion or interference when you set up the unit near your CRT based TV or PC. Otherwise, if you have a DLP, LCD, or LCOS, the speaker magnets won’t have an effect!
With regard to connectivity, there are various output and input connections available at the back of the PSW10 unit. These include an RCA line-in L and R connectors, as well as stereo speaker inputs and outputs positioned below other controls.
The last thing to mention about the design of the subwoofer is that it lacks a LIFE input. This might be a let down for some people but it shouldn’t necessarily be a deal-breaker as the issue can easily be bypassed with a quality receiver
Polk Audio PSW10 Performance and Sound Quality
I can describe the sound quality from the Polk Audio PSW10 as immersive! I watched a couple of movies and listened to my favorite playlist to test the performance of the speaker.
The bass produced by the PSW10 is detailed and clear without necessarily sounding overpowering! This is not the subwoofer to go for if you want a boomy bass output.
It also means that it is better tailored for a smaller space and will probably deny you the full bass experience if you install it in a large room.
When testing the speaker in moderate to small-sized rooms, the sound quality was relatively impressive, with the bass heard clearly throughout all the corners.
However, when I switched to a large room, the bass notably lacked a punch and the overall sound was slightly underwhelming.
Having said that, the Polk Audio PSW10 comes with a frequency range response of 35HZ to 200HZ. This is made possible by a 10” polymer-composite cone driver that offers a standard power output of 50 watts.
I know how skimpy this power rating may sound but before you make up your mind, give the subwoofer a test and you might be surprised by what you hear. When watching movies and listening to music, the bass sound reproduction makes for an immersive sound experience.
However, the unit tends to lose clarity as the frequencies get lower and lower. Overall, it will be ideal for most people!
For gaming, the bass sounds better when there is gun-firing and explosions, so you’ll get the most out of the speaker if you are playing an action-packed game. The sound is generally natural with ample bass but not at the compromise of higher frequency sounds.
If you want to add some mid-range reproduction to the PSW10, the results are simply awesome. I paired the unit with two mid-range tweeters and the outcome could not have sounded better. The higher frequency sounds are not drowned out by the strong bass.
Polk Audio PSW10: Weighing The Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Ultimately, there are so many things that make the Polk Audio PSW10 such a hit in the market. It is designed to be durable and has the looks to easily blend in with your home furniture.
As far as the sound is concerned, this is a respectable subwoofer with a detailed bass output that will sound best in a smaller room.
The PSW10 is a great acquisition for those looking for an affordable way of enhancing the bass quality in their home audio system. Furthermore, included is an extended 5-year warranty on the woofer, as well as a 3-year warranty on the electronics, which is way more than the 1-year period that most products offer.
All this to assure that you’re getting a great bang for the buck!
About the author:
Barry Allen
I grew up to be a self-proclaimed stuck-up audiophile, and I – partially – blame Pinnacle Speakers for it.
The whole point of me starting this website was to keep the tradition going. Although the means have changed, the mission remains the same: Bringing „sterling sound“ as they once put it into home theaters and sound systems worldwide!