Price $199 with purchase of RM-6600, powerful, flexible hook-up options

Defective

I just purchased a RM6600 speaker set with the PSW 450 subwoofer. I loved the sound of the system at the store (Good Guys). Anyway I hooked up the system at home (Pioneer DV333, Yamaha RX V496 A/V) and tried to listen to my first DVD (Titan AE, since it is decoded in DTS).

The sound was great until ... after about 5 minutes in one of the first scenes when you hear a few explosions (I guess this is where the subwoofer needs to kick in) I heard an extremly loud crackling noise coming from the subwoofer. First I thought that the subwoofer itself had exploded, but the bass sound was still coming from it. The 'crackling noise' is best described as a series of firecrackers going off. I returned the subwoofer to the store and received a replacement subwoofer a day later (out of stock at that store). I connected the replacement subwoofer and had exactly the same problem. I then did some experimenting to to rule out a problem with the amplifier. I also contacted Polk Audio (via e-mail) but received no response.
I returned the system to the store today. Needless to say I am quite disappointed - no Polk Audio sound for me this Christmas.

Great Sounding Bass, accessible controls

none as of now

Recommend this for the entry audio enthusiast

Clean deep bass, flexible hook-up and adjustment options, solid enclosure, powerful amplifier.

more susceptible to RF noise than I'd like.

Used to be a total "home audio-nut" but after a couple of divorces, I decided to spend a little less time and money on my hobbies.

Never really had much faith in "cheap" subwoofers, but the Polk PSW line has made be a believer!

While not much on looks (black vinyl enclosure) this unit is very solid in construction. Lots of hook-up and adjustments make it possible to connect to any system.

Had a PSW350 originally, but found that it just had to struggle too much to produce lower bass without sounding boomy in the upper bass range. And for the extra 100.00 bucks you can't go wrong with the upgrade in SPL and hook-up options.

Only complaint so far is that the PSW450 seems inherently more sensitive to RF noise. When I replace by PSW350, I hooked the PSW450 exactly the same way with the same cables, and in the same place in the room. When I did so I immediately noticed electrical popping and buzzing coming from the sub. Never had some much as a whisper of noise from the PSW350, so I assumed a problem with the PSW450. Exchanged for another one at my dealer, but same problem. After much experimentation and cable re-routing the noise went away, but this seems to be a sensitive spot for the PSW450 (make sure your signal cables don't run too close to the power cables in your system!).

Overall, I would have to say that noise sensitivity a side, the PSW450 is an excellent value! Very musical, and very capable of moving some serious air in a mid-sized room.

Wish I could convince my wife to let me get a PSW650 or PSW1200, but I think I would most likely end up single and homeless as I do have neighboors!

Great job Polk!

My System:

Onkyo TXDS575x
Onkyo DVS535
Panasonic Hi-Fi VCR (cheapy)
Polk RT35i (fronts)
Polk CS245i (center)
Polk RT25i (surround)
Polk PSW450 (subwoofer)

Similar Products Used:

Polk PSW350, ADS, Def-Tech, Infinity, JBL