Polk Audio CSW155 User manual

SERIES CATALOG
CSW SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS BASS PERFORMANCE THAT’S OUT OF SIGHT

LAMINAR FLOW PORT
The wide, long Laminar Flow Port in the custom install subs dramatically reduces bass turbulence, noise and
distortion. This is because the cross-sectional area of the port is larger than the largest possible round port that
would fit into subs of this convenient size. The port’s solid upper wall helps reinforce the cabinet, making it less
prone to energy-stealing resonance. This rigid, large-area vent promotes and concentrates smooth, less-turbulent
air flow throughout the enclosure, pouring out a tidal wave of precise, thunderous bass. See more about Laminar
Flow Port at www.polkaudio.com/catalog/technology/.
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2CSW SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
CSW CUSTOM BUILT-IN HIGH
PERFORMANCE SUBWOOFERS
These are the built-in subwoofers and dedicated
power amplifier for custom home installations that
will raise the roof beams with their performance as
they tuck out of sight to blend with any architectural
style or interior design. If you’re looking for tight,
musical bass, you’ve found your subwoofers.
CSW SUBWOOFERS COMBINE ULTRA-
PERFORMANCE WITH ULTRA-RELIABILITY
The subwoofers’ long-throw designs have been thought
out with not only big, robust performance in mind, but
ultra-reliability, too. Massive motor structures, each
employing a tall coil, have been Klippel laser-optimized
to perfectly position the voice coil in the magnetic gap,
helping ensure a linear excursion of 25mm peak to peak.
The CSW100 and CSW200, as well as the CSW155, use
dual spiders for symmetric excursion stiffness. The overall
result is tight, superbly detailed, lower distortion bass.
CSW155
AN IN-WALL THAT ACTUALLY
OUTPERFORMS MANY FREESTANDING
POWERED SUBWOOFERS
The CSW155 is for anyone who covets uncompromising
bass performance in a nearly invisible package. The CSW155’s
single 10" diameter driver is the shallowest ever engineered
by Polk, ensuring the CSW155 fits easily in a wall. This is
really big bass that’s created with ultra-reliability in mind.
A massive 2" voice coil for high output and power handling,
plus dual spiders that ensure linear excursion and prevent
bottoming out are just some of the features that ensure
ultimate performance and reliability. A 15 1/2" x 17 1/2"
perforated grille that mimics the look of an air register is
included with the CSW155. The CSW155 stands 60" tall
but fits comfortably between standard 16" on-center studs.
CSW155
CSW155 HONORS

Designed for in-wall use; fits comfortably between
standard 16" OC (on-center) studs.
Single 10" diameter driver is the shallowest
subwoofer Polk has ever engineered.
Klippel Optimized Woofer—a state-of-the-art Klippel
Distortion Analyzer enabled our engineers to optimize
the woofer’s motor structure, voice coil alignment and
suspension for the best possible performance, with
low distortion, even at extreme listening levels.
Neodymium motor structure—made the sub’s shallow
depth possible without compromising performance.
Cast aluminum basket is rigid and as well as inert
to suppress resonance.
Massive 2" voice coil for high bass output and
high power handling.
Inverted roll surround—highly reliable design
maintains its “springiness” over time.
Dual spiders ensure linear excursion and prevent
the driver from bottoming out.
Rigid MDF Slot Ported Enclosure—the port cross
section runs the width of the grille.
Steel plate on the back of the cabinet stiffens the
enclosure for better performance.
15 1/2" x 17 1/2" perforated aluminum grille included.
All mounting hardware and isolation pads included.
OVERALL DIMENSIONS:
60"LX14"W X 3 3/8"D (152.4CM H X 35.56CM W X 8.57CM D)
OVERALL FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 30HZ-140HZ
SEE SPECIFICATIONS FOR MORE DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION.
KLIPPEL OPTIMIZATION
In order for a driver to reproduce complex sounds accurately, the cone must move
in exactly the same distance and manner in both directions of travel. If the cone moves
5 mm in the forward direction and only 4mm in the backward direction in response
to a given signal, the sound will be distorted. In order for the driver to move accurately
in both directions equal force must be applied to the cone and the cone must be able
to move as far and as freely in both directions. A Klippel Distortion Analyzer employs
a laser and sophisticated software to do large scale analysis of drivers in motion and
enables us to optimize the motor structure, voice coil alignment and suspension to yield
the best possible performance.
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IN-WALL SUBWOOFER WITH GRILLE
FITS BETWEEN STANDARD 16" OC STUDS

DYNAMIC BALANCE®
Advanced laser imaging technology allowed Polk Audio engineers to see the entire vibrating surface of a driver
and tweeter; they could actually see the resonance develop on the speaker cones—resonance that is the root
cause of loudspeaker distortion (A). Being able to see the resonance develop, they determined the “Dynamic
Balance” of high-tech materials, geometry and construction that effectively tune out the offending resonance (B).
Exclusive Dynamic Balance Composite Material Technology delivers sound |that’s effortlessly clean and clear,
even at lifelike volume. See more about Dynamic Balance at www.polkaudio.com/catalog/technology/.
B
A
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4CSW SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS
CSW200
For ultimate performance, there’s the CSW200, with a direct
radiating 10" driver in a 1.5 cubic foot slot load vented MDF
enclosure. The CSW200 produces robust bass down to the
lowest audible frequencies, thanks to its substantial size
and long-throw woofer. With its 12" x 12" grille, the CSW200
is for those who place a premium on performance over
size or unobtrusiveness.
Direct-radiating Laminar Flow Port enclosure is
designed for floor and ceiling installations.
Fits engineered floor joists and I-beam construction.
10" Long-throw driver with dual spiders for long
excursion control.
Klippel optimized driver.
Designed specifically for floor and ceiling installations.
Mounting hardware and isolation pads included.
12" X 12" grille (not included).
5 year warranty.
OVERALL DIMENSIONS:
34 1/8" L X 13" W X 9" D (86.68CM H X 33.02CM W X 22.86CM D)
OVERALL FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 22HZ-140HZ
SEE SPECIFICATIONS FOR MORE DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION.
CSW100
The CSW100 becomes practically invisible in a ceiling
or a floor. It can also tuck away in an entertainment
cabinet or other furniture. A single 10" woofer plus
patented Polk Audio technology—High Velocity
Compression Drive®Bandpass Alignment—helps
produce a gutsy, driving bass that other similarly
sized built-ins can’t equal. Bass frequencies launch
out of the enclosure via an unobtrusive 3" x 12" vent.
The CSW100 comfortably fits in standard joist spacing.
10" Long-throw driver with dual spiders for long
excursion control.
Klippel optimized driver.
Patented High Velocity Compression Drive.
bandpass alignment with slot port venting.
Designed specifically for floor and ceiling installations.
Fits engineered floor joists and I-beam construction.
Mounting hardware and isolation pads included.
Sound launches from an unobtrusive 3" x 12" grille.
5 year warranty.
OVERALL DIMENSIONS:
26 1/4" L X 13" W X 9" D (66.68CM H X 33.02CM W X 22.86CM D)
OVERALL FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 27HZ-140HZ
SEE SPECIFICATIONS FOR MORE DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION.
CSW100
CSW200

SPEX CARD
SPEX Cards configure the SWA500 for the particular model subwoofer being installed.
The card pre-programs equalization and overload protection. The card also features power
control circuitry designed specifically to each subwoofer’s requirements for extra reliability.
See more about SPEX cards at www.polkaudio.com/catalog/technology/.
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SWA500 AMPLIFIER
All three subwoofers are powered by an external Class
D amplifier, the SWA500. It produces 500W Continuous
into 4 Ohms. The BASH amplifier combines the fidelity
of conventional Class A/B amplifiers with the efficiency
of Class D amplifiers. The bottom line is high power,
and cool, reliable operation with precise definition and
low distortion. Plug-in data cards for each subwoofer,
called SPEX Cards, preprogram equalization, infrasonic
filter characteristics and power output that best matches
the subwoofer being used. Each SPEX Card also has specific
power control circuitry tailored to each subwoofer’s require-
ments for an even greater level of reliability. A SPEX Card
installs easily, plugging into the back of the amplifier.
Can power up to two subwoofers.
Delivers up to 250 Watts to each subwoofer.
SPEX card ensures optimum performance.
Front panel level and variable low-pass filter controls.
Power and protection LEDs.
Overload protection circuitry.
Low-level and high-level inputs.
2 sets of outputs (for daisy-chain connection
to additional amplifiers).
Phase switch.
Auto On/Off switch.
SWA500 (back)
SWA500 (front)
CSW200
CSW100

POLK AUDIO
5601 METRO DRIVE
BALTIMORE, MD 21215
WWW.POLKAUDIO.COM
CUSTOMERSERVICE:
800-377-7655 (USA & CANADA)
410-358-3600 (WORLDWIDE)
COPYRIGHT© APRIL 2008
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
* For an explanation of CEA 2010 go to Http://www.polkaudio.com/partners/paper.php?id=12
We’re fanatics when it comes to providing you useful, accurate information that can help you evaluate our products. But as we all know, we live in an imperfect world. At least some of us do.
That’s why performance specifications and product dimensions are subject to change without notice. For the most current specifications see our website, www.polkaudio.com/home.
Polk Audio is a Directed Electronics company which trades on NASDAQ under the symbol DEIX. Investor information can be found at http://investor.directed.com.
Polk Audio, Polk, PowerPort, Dynamic Balance, F/X, Atrium, Big Speaker Sound Without The Big Speaker, High Velocity Compression Drive, Acoustic Resonance Control, ARC Port,
Casket Basket, I-Sonic, SurroundBar & SDA are registered trademarks of Britannia Investment Corporation used under license by Polk Audio, Incorporated. Polk Audio Designs & miDock
are trademarks of Britannia Investment Corporation used under license by Polk Audio, Incorporated.
CUSTOM INSTALL
BUILT-IN SUBWOOFER CSW155 CSW200 CSW100
Frequency Response/-3dB 30Hz-140Hz / 36Hz-120Hz 22Hz-140Hz / 28Hz-120Hz 27Hz-140Hz / 33Hz-120Hz
CEA 2010* Ultra Low / Low 103.9dB / 121.3dB 109.6dB / 121.2dB 103.6dB / 120.4dB
Impedance 8 Ohms 8 Ohms 8 Ohms
Driver Diameter 10" 10" 10"
Enclosure Type direct radiating slot port direct radiating, slot vented HVCD bandpass, slot vented
Accessory grille wire mesh grille plastic molded grate with wire mesh grille
Driver Complement 10" polycomposite 10" polycomposite 10" polycomposite with slot load vent
Dimensions 60" L x 14" W x 3 3/8" D 34 1/8" L x 13" W x 9" D 26 1/4" L x 13" W x 9" D
152.4cm H x 35.56cm W x 8.57cm D 86.68cm H x 33.02cm W x 22.86cm D 66.68cm H x 33.02cm W x 22.86cm D
Grille Size 15 1/2" x 17 1/2" (39.37cm x 44.45cm) 12" x 12" (30.48cm x 30.48cm) 3" x 12" (7.62cm x 30.48cm)
Product Weight / Shipping Weight 36 lbs / 53 lbs 48 lbs / 52.9 lbs 33 lbs / 39.4 lbs
(16.33 kg / 24 kg) (21.8 kg / 24 kg) (15 kg / 17.9 kg)
CUSTOM INSTALL BUILT-IN
SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER SWA500
Power Continuous 500W @ 4 Ohms; 250 Watts @ 8 Ohms
Power Peak 800W @ 4 Ohms
Bandwidth 15Hz - 250Hz
Distortion 0.01%
Crossover Frequency Range 40Hz - 120Hz
Accessories SPEX Cards, rack ears
Dimensions 17" W x 3 1/2" H x 12 5/8" D
CSW SERIES LOUDSPEAKERS PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS