In the “On” position, the power amplifier
will operate and the power light will
glow GREEN until the switch is set
to the “Off” position or the AC cord is
disconnected from a power source. We
recommend using the “Auto” position.
Turn it to “Off” if the system will not
be used for extended periods of time,
such as during vacations.
SUBWOOFER LEVEL CONTROL—
VOLUME
(FIGURE 8)
Subwoofer level (volume) is adjusted
via the knob on the rear amplifier plate.
To set Subwoofer Level, play a piece of
music that has an average amount of
bass content. Start with the knob set to
12 o’clock and the Phase Switch set to
0. Adjust by ear using a wide variety of
CDs and video sources. Adjust for deep,
powerful bass without “boominess.”
LOW PASS FILTER
(FIGURE 8)
This control adjusts the frequency range
over which the subwoofer operates.
With the PSW550, the middle range
(11 - 2 o’clock) of this control will yield
the best results. Experiment and let
your ears be the final judge. If male
vocals sound “thin,” turn this control
up until the voice sounds rich but not
boomy. If male vocals sound too “thick”
or “chesty,” turn this control down
until the voice sounds natural.
Turning the knob clockwise from the
recommended setting
(FIGURE 9,
or
9A)
will add more “warmth” to the bass and
lower midrange, possibly at the sacrifice
of bass “tightness” and midrange clarity.
Turning the knob down from the recom-
mended setting will make the bass
and lower midrange sound “thinner.”
PHASE SWITCH
(FIGURE 8)
Changing the phase of your subwoofer
can strengthen its bass “attack.” If the
bass sounds muddy or unclear, try tog-
gling the phase control. Have someone
else switch between the two settings
while you sit in your favorite listening
position. Use music with good bass
(preferably “plucked” string bass) and
a deep male vocal. When you hear the
best balance of deep bass and natural
lower octaves of the male voice, you
have achieved optimum phase tuning.
SUBWOOFER ADJUSTMENTS
(FIGURE 8)
The PSW550 Powered Subwoofer offers
a range of setting options. We recom-
mend the following settings as starting
points, but the settings that are best for
you depend upon your speaker place-
ment, electronics and personal taste.
After you’ve become familiar with what
the settings do, experiment with alter-
nate options to find the method that
works best for your system setup.
You’ll find an informative article on
“Subwoofer Positioning and Adjustment”
in the set up section at:
HTTP://WWW.POLKAUDIO.COM/
HOME/FAQAD/
AC POWER
(FIGURE 8)
The PSW550 Powered Subwoofer has
a built-in power amplifier and must be
plugged into a standard household AC
power source in order to operate. The
power switch has three positions: “On,”
“Off” and “Auto.” When the Powered
Subwoofer is plugged in (even with the
power switch in the “off” position) the
power light will glow RED. In the “Auto”
position, the amplifier will automatically
turn on as soon as the speaker senses
a signal coming from your electronics.
The power light will change from RED
to GREEN upon sensing a signal. The
subwoofer will turn off approximately
15 minutes after input signal ceases,
and the power light will return to RED.
10
11
Polk Audio Customer Service:
800-377-7655 (Outside US: 410-358-3600) [email protected]
For Accessories & Info, Visit:
www.polkaudio.com
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9A
