|   Polk Audio PSW450 Loud popping sounds | REW
Jan 10, 2002 9:10 PM | | Polk Audio PSW450's are possibly the best subbies on the market (for the price range). I've had one for over a year now, but recently I keep getting a popping sound at very low frequencies. This never happened in the past. DVD Player re-configuration? Tried it-but no change. Is my subby blown or about to be? Someone even suggested that my wires (signal & power) may be too close to each other. Could that be?! What do you think?
ALL suggested solutions are welcome. |
| re: Polk Audio PSW450 Loud popping sounds | paulbl
Jan 11, 2002 9:33 AM | | It sounds to me like a classic case of bottoming - the driver is exceeding its excursion limits. Solution: turn down the sub level, turn down the volume, or upgrade! |
| re: Polk Audio PSW450 Loud popping sounds | Voodooloo
Jan 12, 2002 12:21 AM | | Polk's original warranty is 5 years on the speaker, 3 years on the amp. Does it happen at lower volume levels? |
| re: Polk Audio PSW450 Loud popping sounds | REW
Jan 12, 2002 7:16 AM | | It appears to happen above 75% of volume and appears not to happen below that. Do you suspect that the speaker/amp is shot? (after only 1 year?!) What about the crossing of the wires, is that a credible reason or bull****? Other possibilities? Thanks. |
| re: Polk Audio PSW450 Loud popping sounds | Voodooloo
Jan 12, 2002 8:31 PM | | I'm not too high on that wire theory. You're either getting interference or you're not. If so, I think you'd be hearing it at all levels, not just over 75%.
Just a note, 75% of volume is WAY UP THERE. I bearly run my PSW-650s more than half way, typically less. Some suggestions:
1) SUB PLACEMENT: Is your sub in the corner or just up against the wall? Corner loading will increase SPL, but may be too much for some rooms, yeilding a muddy, inarticulate bass response. Your sub could be in a null zone (an area of low pressure). Try moving it a foot or two and see if this makes any difference.
2) POSSIBLE MECHANICAL AND/OR ELECTRICAL DAMAGE: If electrical, I suspect you'd be hearing it below 70% output. As for mechanical, check this out: place your fingers around the center of the speaker cone and slowly press DIRECTLY inward, being careful to exert equal pressure all the way around. Now listen, do you hear any mechanical scraping sounds. If so, this means that the suspension has been compromised, possibly the spider.
3) Get the expert's opinion. Don't be shy, give Polk a call, that's what customers service is all about.
Good luck,
Lou
P.S. THere's no SUBstituion (excuse the pun) for multiple subs. The second one will increase your max. SPL by 6db, allowing you the run both at half of what you're running now for the same SPL. Not bad, eh. |
| re: Polk Audio PSW450 Loud popping sounds | REW
Jan 14, 2002 10:34 AM | | Polk Audio's Customer Service has finally responded (after about 1 week):
They've determined that the woofer has been damaged and so I will be returning it for a replacement. Thanx for all the interesting info!
BTW - I attempted to upgrade to the PSW650, but Circuit City told me that upgrades do not apply to subwoofers... Once again, thank you. |
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