Power Sound Audio XV15 Subwoofer Review
By Josh Ricci
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Summary
- Product Name: XV15 Subwoofer
- Manufacturer: Power Sound Audio
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: November 18, 2012 18:05
- MSRP: $ 799 (Shipping Included)
- Specifications
-
- 15” downward firing long throw woofer
- Bass reflex design with rear firing 4” flared Aeroport
- 1” thick MDF cabinet with 1.5” thick MDF base plate
- Amplifier: 500 watts rms, 1000w peak
- Frequency Response: 21-200Hz +/-3dB (16-18Hz typical in room extension)
- Finishes: Black “sand” textured
- Dimensions (H/W/D): 24.25” x 18.5” x 23.5”
- Weight: 92 lbs.
- Warranty: 5 years (bumper to bumper)
Driver Features
- Proprietary US built FEA optimized 15” long throw driver with 2” peak to peak excursion
- Triple stacked Y35 grade magnets
- Cast aluminum frame
- Vented pole piece
- Rubatek foam surround
- Reinforced curvilinear kraft pulp cone
- Poly cotton high excursion spider
- Flat wound copper voice coil with black anodized former
Amplifier Features
- PS BASH Hybrid Class D operation
- Energy Star compliant (Stand by power less than 1 watt)
- Off/Auto/On selector
- Variable level control
- Variable low pass filter, 40-150Hz/LFE
- Phase: Variable from 0 to 180 degrees
- Detachable power cord
- Universal voltage: 120/240V with auto switching
- Unbalanced (RCA) inputs, left (LFE) and right
- Speaker level left and right inputs
- Thermal protection
- DC offset protection
- Driver voltage monitoring
- Driver current monitoring with overload, short circuit and load protection
- Primary voltage monitoring to control dynamic and average power limits
- Frequency dependent compressor circuit
- Soft limiting
Pros
- Massive bang for the buck
- In room extension to below 20Hz
- Extended warranty
- Made and assembled in the USA
Cons
- Large and heavy (May be a little too much sub for some tastes.)
- Some port noise with heavy deep bass
Introduction
Upstart home audio company Power Sound Audio’s entry into the internet direct subwoofer arena a few months ago with the PowerX line of subwoofers has been accompanied by lots of speculation and excitement. Their middle model in the PowerX line, the XV15 subwoofer, is a large 15” down firing vented unit weighing in at a substantial 92lbs, with a 500 watt class D BASH amplifier, heavily flared Aero-port, black sand textured finish, heavy duty U.S. made driver and a 5 year comprehensive warranty. Additionally the PowerX line is assembled in the U.S. from U.S. made components with the exception of the amplifier. Somehow the price for the XV15 is held to just $799 and that includes shipping. We found that the XV15 sounded clean, composed and dynamic with music, while possessing extension well below 20Hz in room with plenty of headroom to make its presence felt in a large space on movie night. Even more important than the impressive parts list of the XV15 is the manner in which those parts are tuned to work together in a well rounded finished system. Highly recommended.
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gajenn posts on February 16, 2013 09:09
Just got mine yesterday, what a difference a sub makes...doesn't over power my other speakers. fills the sound,makes my b&w speakers sound 10x better. I play mostly movies with my 65" panny plasma, for ht this just totally rocks, but it's Massive. Looks good though, don't know why some knock its looks. It's not a highend wooden piece of furniture and unless you live in a warehouse its very large and noticable,but if you like deep clean bass then get one...
Steve81 posts on December 18, 2012 02:02
Coult_45 posts on December 17, 2012 22:29
There should be a running list of sub-woofers and their bassaholic rating. Maybe they should be listed in alphabetical order for each room size. This would really help the average person that is shopping for a subwoofer. It would give them a list of subs (older models and newer) that they should be thinking about based on their room size. It should be located in the what to buy tab. Is their a list that gets updated?
jbrown15 posts on December 05, 2012 10:55
PSA has excellent customer service. Before I made my mind up on buying one I emailed Tom and told him I was looking at upgrading the subs in my theater and I was looking at about 6-7 different subs anywhere from $1500 to $2500.
Not once did he put down any of the other manufactures subs that I was interested in. All he did was ask for a drawing layout of my room and gave me an honest opinion on how the different PSA subs would perform in my room. And gave a small comparison of some of the subs that he had heard from the list of subs I was looking at. If he wasn't familiar with one of the subs he would actually go and do a little research on that sub to get an idea of how it would compare to a PSA sub.
I really considered a Funk Audio 18.0C because I live in Canada and they are manufactured not that far away from me. But after dealing with Tom I felt totally sold on his customer service and what looks to be a great product.
Not once did he put down any of the other manufactures subs that I was interested in. All he did was ask for a drawing layout of my room and gave me an honest opinion on how the different PSA subs would perform in my room. And gave a small comparison of some of the subs that he had heard from the list of subs I was looking at. If he wasn't familiar with one of the subs he would actually go and do a little research on that sub to get an idea of how it would compare to a PSA sub.
I really considered a Funk Audio 18.0C because I live in Canada and they are manufactured not that far away from me. But after dealing with Tom I felt totally sold on his customer service and what looks to be a great product.
psbfan9 posts on December 05, 2012 08:42
I emailed Power Sound last night around 7-7:30pm and I had a reply by 10:30pm the same night.
Tom asked questions about room size, other speakers, and lay out of the room. When I've emailed other sub builders,the response was, "Our subs are great, just buy one."
So plus one for Power Sound Audio customer service.
Tom asked questions about room size, other speakers, and lay out of the room. When I've emailed other sub builders,the response was, "Our subs are great, just buy one."
So plus one for Power Sound Audio customer service.
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