User Guide

22
SPECIFICATIONS
PSW1200
Driver Complement
2-12" woofers
Continuous average power*:
230 watts into 8 ohms @1% THD
over power bandwidth of 30-120Hz
Dynamic Power Rating* -
350 watts into 8 Ohms
System Acoustic Efficiency -
90db from 1 watt at 1 meter
Calculated Maximum Output -
115db at 1 meter
Enclosure Type
Direct radiating, vented
Port Type
Power Port
Frequency Response: Overall /- 3db Limits
20Hz -140Hz / 22Hz -125Hz
Lowpass Crossover Frequency
Adjustable 40Hz -120Hz
Phase Control
Variable 0˚ to 180˚
Inputs
Speaker and line level
Outputs
Speaker and line level
High Pass Filters
Line Level Outputs:
Switchable 40Hz or
80Hz, 12db/octave
Speaker Outputs:
Switchable: Flat, 40Hz or 80Hz
Shipping Weight
110 lbs/ea (49.9 kg)
Dimensions
26
1
⁄2"H x 18
3
⁄4"W x 23
3
⁄4"D
67.3cmH x 47.6cmW x 60.3cmD
* About Power Ratings
When making comparisons between
product specifications it helps to under-
stand what they mean, particularly with
amplifier power ratings. The Federal Trade
Commission has recently issued new
regulations regarding the power ratings
of all amplifiers including self-powered
speakers. Polk Audio supports this effort
to standardize power testing methods in
order to provide consumers with a “level
playing field” basis for comparison. Make
sure the basis for the power rating is
clearly stated before comparing it to
another product’s specification.
The FTC rating is based on the continuous
power output of the amplifier. However,
music and movies are not continuous but
are mainly composed of short bursts of
sound. For this reason we also supply a
“Dynamic Power” rating which measures
the ability of the amplifier to produce power
in short bursts similar to those found in
music and movies. In our experience an
amplifier with higher Dynamic Power out-
put will play louder under most conditions
regardless of the continuous power rating.
Dynamic Power is typically greater than
continuous average power although it is not
uncommon for two amplifiers with identical
FTC “Continuous Average” ratings to have
very different Dynamic Power performance.
However, loudspeaker efficiency is by
far the most important factor in determin-
ing how loud your system will play.
Loudspeaker efficiency is usually given as
the amount of sound produced by 1 watt at
a distance of 1 meter. A medium efficiency
loudspeaker rating would be around 87 dB
from 1 watt at 1 meter. A highly efficient
loudspeaker might be 90 dB. Each 3dB
increase in efficiency doubles the sound
output for a given power input. So a 100
watt, 90 dB self-powered speaker and a
200 watt 87 dB unit would produce the
same sound output. For this reason we
also specify the loudspeaker efficiency
and calculated maximum sound output.
Polk Audio and the Consumer Electronics
Manufacturer’s Association are currently
engaged in an effort to set standards for
specifying the actual acoustic output of
self-powered speakers. If we are success-
ful, consumers will be able to use these
ratings to make more meaningful product
comparisons and better purchasing
decisions in the future.