Polk DSW 550 vs Velodyne Impact 10 - which would be better?

[tanmayj]

Room size: 22 Ft x 10 Ft.
However, the interiors are done in such a way that the HT system and TV are along the 22 Ft wall, with the sitting area in the 10 Ft. in front of it. Therefore, though there is no danger of the sound bouncing off walls of a small room and creating complicated sound-fields, the actual throw of the system doesnt have to be 22 ft. It has to be 10 Ft. Actually we've combined and incorporated the balcony into the hall, leading to a very long room!

Setup: Onkyo 616/ Polk TSi 400 FS/ Polk CS-10 Center/ Polk TSi 100 surrounds. Currently I'm using the older 8 inch 100W Sub that came with my previous JBL/ HK HTiB setup, but it's time to upgrade.

The question is - should I go for Polk DSW 550 or Velodyne Impact 10?

Both are priced within a thousand bucks of each other.

On paper, the configuration of each is as follows:

1) Polk DSW 550:

10 Inch Cone
Total Frequency Response: 23Hz-160Hz
Upper -3dB Limit: 125Hz kHz
Lower -3dB Limit: 30 Hz
Continuous Power: 200 watts
Dynamic Power: 400 watts

2) Velodyne Impact 10:

10 Inch Cone
150watts RMS
250 watts Dynamic Power
Frequency Response: 32-140 Hz +/- 3 dB

BTW if somebody can explain the significance of the Upper and Lower -3 dB Limits, that'd be great. I want to understand whether I should compare the Velodyne's frequency response to what's mentioned as the upper and lower limits for the Polk, or the Polk's Frequency Response given above.

Now, the dilemma is as follows:

I know Velodyne is a specialist Subwoofer and highly recommended. By contrast, I've read in multiple forums on the net that Polk, though they make great speakers, not so well known for Subs.

However, if you pitch an entry-level Velodyne in front of a fairly high-end Polk as above, what'd be the result? The Polk's specs look a lot better than the Velodyne's at-least on paper (or I should say on screen ) Can Velodyne really beat the Polk which is a few notches higher on the specs?

I'm gonna try for home-demos of both the subs, but I'm not sure if that'll work out. There's no sense in going to different stores and listening (I already tried that), because different amps and speaker combos means that you really cant compare intelligently.

Any suggestions?

 

[AtheK]

I have a 660 and it is an absolutely amazing Sub, very balanced. I heard velodyne too, and found them really good as well, but opted for Polk finally as i wanted to keep the entire setup from Polk. You actually can't go wrong with either of them, both are very good.

 

[haisaikat]

I also have DSW 660, and I love it. The only downside I found is that sometime it vibrates in sudden high bass and starts micro jumps, creating a minor rattle. If you place something heavy on it then this does not happen. Not sure if this is only with me

 

[Kittu]

Profx is selling a few DSW Micropro 2000 models at 50% off. Some reviews say dynamic volume adjustment is a pain, audition and see.

Velodyne are good only if you go EQmax or a level above. Recently astonia subs are making waves on forum, but not available to audition anywhere.

 

[tanmayj]

Profx is selling a few DSW Micropro 2000 models at 50% off. Some reviews say dynamic volume adjustment is a pain, audition and see.

Velodyne are good only if you go EQmax or a level above. Recently astonia subs are making waves on forum, but not available to audition anywhere.

That was exactly my concern with the Velodynes - they might be a great company, but I cant afford anything above the Impacts.

Micropros are not listed on the ProFX website, and are showing as a discontinued model on the Polk Audio USA website. Not sure if I wanna go in for an older product. Secondly, the Wattage on these is through the roof! I'd be concerned about power bills!

 

[AtheK]

why not look at the DSW Pro 660 itself?

@haisaikat: Did not experience anything like that.

 

[spirovious]

Velodyne is better,I have DSW550 & it is not very fast,loose for movies.

 

[tanmayj]

660 is physically too big and way out of budget, budgets already stretched to the limit with 550.

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[tanmayj]

Velodyne is better,I have DSW550 & it is not very fast,loose for movies.

Which velodyne is better? Impacts?

When you say not very fast, you mean what exactly? That there's a lag in the bass reproduction with respect to the rest of the effects?

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[n_sachin84]

go for mumbai based sub astonia sub ps2000
http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/30895-astonia-audio-ps-2000-subwoofer-review.html

 

[spirovious]

Which velodyne is better? Impacts?

When you say not very fast, you mean what exactly? That there's a lag in the bass reproduction with respect to the rest of the effects?

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In movies,bass should be present very fast.This one sound "Dhup Dhup" & not "Thad Thump".The effect is not best. Velodyne impact 10 is good.Also try pioneer SW which is cheaper & good for movies.

 

[haisaikat]

why not look at the DSW Pro 660 itself?

@haisaikat: Did not experience anything like that.

Probably my relative volume is more then... Moreover after my Aviano 6 has break in (now almost 2 years is complete) and I introduced ODAC, now I hardly use sub during music.

 

[tanmayj]

BTW any good movie scenes that come to mind to test out subs?

I've been using my Kill Bill DVD. The scene in which Uma fights of that Jap kid Gogo, the one with the spikey metallic ball and chain.

For music I've been using the track 'Punjab' (Aao huzur tumko) by Karunesh.

Any suggestions welcome.

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[Rupam]

Test with Avatar Bluray

 

[Flash]

On paper, the configuration of each is as follows:

1) Polk DSW 550:

10 Inch Cone
Total Frequency Response: 23Hz-160Hz
Upper -3dB Limit: 125Hz kHz
Lower -3dB Limit: 30 Hz
Continuous Power: 200 watts
Dynamic Power: 400 watts

2) Velodyne Impact 10:

10 Inch Cone
150watts RMS
250 watts Dynamic Power
Frequency Response: 32-140 Hz +/- 3 dB

BTW if somebody can explain the significance of the Upper and Lower -3 dB Limits, that'd be great. I want to understand whether I should compare the Velodyne's frequency response to what's mentioned as the upper and lower limits for the Polk, or the Polk's Frequency Response given above.

Humans beings in general can hear between 20 hz - 20khz (Dependent on age)
Lower frequencies are one u can feel and not hear. Usually anything below 20hz can be felt and it adds a third dimension to movies - SEE - HEAR - FEEL as well as music HEAR - FEEL

Since you dont have small satellites anything above 60-80hz would not really matter as that's where you would like cross the sub to your speakers to get a seamless blend.

Lower the extension that a subwoofer can produce better.
however with budget subs specifications it would not really matter


On Paper the Polk does have an edge wrt to low frequency extension . However with most budget subs. Not many can sustain 85 - 95 db SPL at extremities.

Although both the subs have a low frequency extensions of 23hz and 32hz respectively. They are both measured at 1 watt / 1 meter.

However when more power is fed into them aka higher volumes. they behave completely different and will not be linear.
For example at a reference volume of 90 db
The sub may produce 30hz frequencies at 78db 35 hz at 84 db and 70hz at 90db. This is again not factoring room gain. Most if not all rooms create havoc with bass frequencies with null and peaks. However that's a different topic all together. However since I did bring it up Parametric EQ does help in taming room modes.

And this is one of the reasons why so called audiophile subs are expensive - Linear response aka Accuracy of bass frequencies as well as distortion figures
Most budget subs sound one note,muddy and ill defined atleast when compared to more expensive counterparts.

Another example :
2 bookshelves speakers from competing manufactures rated from-3db 50hz to 20 khz will not necessary sound the same. Since they are again rated at 1 watt / meter
So the watts pile on the sound completely different with certain frequencies attenuated and certain recessed.

Again Sub plate amp watts are again not something to look at at blindly at Subwoofer with a higher wattage amp may not unnecessary be louder than a sub with a lower wattage amp.
The Subwoofer's drivers sensitivity comes into play again.

However if I were to compare the 2. My personal take would be the Velodyne. Having heard both the models you have mentioned.
The feel the Velo impact 10 has a more linear response through the freq spectrum. The polk if my memory serves me right did have a higher output. However I heard them at 2 different setups.

Audition both and whatever else you can in your budget and decide on a subwoofer on the basis of what you feel gives you the best defined bass

 

[tanmayj]

Test with Avatar Bluray

Can you point out a specific scene to me?

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[spirovious]

BTW any good movie scenes that come to mind to test out subs?

Batman Dark night,the Bank scene.

 

[Santanu Ghosh]

Hi,
My sub is polk psw110.can anybody tell me about the correct setting of the controls behind it

 

[AtheK]

The entry of batman in Dark Knight Rises, specially when he takes out the new Bat mobile.

 

[midnitefreakin]

go and try mordaunt short aviano 7...

much much better than these two!