Surroundbar 3000 how to#

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy DVD produced a wide arc of sound across the front of our home theater, amply demonstrating the effectiveness of the SurroundBar's technology. We started our evaluation of the Polk Audio SurroundBar with the standard hookup routine: just the 'Bar and a subwoofer. However, unlike the Polk SurroundBar, the Yamahas rely on reflective sonics to create the virtual-surround effect, which makes them particularly susceptible to the layout and the obstructions within the room. Unlike the Polk model, the Yamahas include built-in amplifiers, so they can operate independent of a receiver (straight from a DVD player, for example). The company has since released its second-generation models, the YSP-800 and the YSP-1000. Yamaha's similar YSP-1 debuted earlier in 2005. The SurroundBar isn't the first of its kind. Three: If you have a 6.1- or 7.1-channel A/V receiver, connect the 'rear' channels to one or two extra speakers and hook up the other 5 channels to the SurroundBar as you normally would. Two: Hook up the extra surround speakers in addition to the SurroundBar's surround channels. One: Hook up only the SurroundBar's left, center, and right channels and use separate surround speakers-Polk's RM6801 ($220 per pair), for instance-on the room's side or rear walls. The speaker has three alternative connection schemes that can dramatically improve the system's surround effectiveness. In other words, as you look at the speaker from the front, the right-channel inputs are on the left side, and the left inputs are on the right side.

The speaker's high-quality connectors are color-coded and clearly labeled, which is especially useful because they're arranged backward from left to right. Polk includes a 25-foot-long, five-channel flat cable to hook up the SurroundBar, but you can also use standard cables. Just make sure not to place the SurroundBar right next to any large objects, furniture, or walls they might impair its sound. Since the SurroundBar doesn't bounce sound off side walls, it's less affected by room acoustics than many other virtual surround-speaker systems. The system uses patented signal-processing techniques in an attempt to simulate the effect of side and rear speakers. The surround effect is generated by Polk's proprietary SDA (Stereo Dimensional Array) technology, first used in the late 1980s.

Surroundbar 3000 how to#

(For a more detailed look at subs, check out CNET's in-depth ' How to set up a subwoofer' feature.) The Polk Audio SurroundBar uses seven 3.5-inch woofers and three 0.75-inch tweeters. Plan on investing some time refining the blend between the Polk Audio SurroundBar and your subwoofer. Before we upped the crossover to 120Hz, we detected a sizable bass gap between the subwoofer and the SurroundBar, and vocals sounded undernourished and lacked body. Polk recommends starting at around 100Hz, but in our room we preferred 120Hz. Next, tackle the crossover control of your subwoofer or A/V receiver. Polk didn't make specific recommendations on that score, but we imagine the company's PSW404 ($480) or PSW505 ($590) subs would do nicely.Īfter you've situated your SurroundBar, bring up your A/V receiver's setup menu, zero out the speaker levels, and turn off the speaker delays (usually referred to as speaker distances). The SurroundBar doesn't produce deep bass, so plan on using it with a subwoofer. A wall-mount bracket and a table stand are included. Its anodized finish is available in black or titanium with matching cloth grilles. It weighs a substantial 25 pounds and measures 42.5 inches wide, 4.5 inches high, and a bit more than 5 inches deep. The SurroundBar's extruded-aluminum cabinet has an upscale look and feel. The Polk Audio SurroundBar will look great mounted above or below flat-screen TVs, but you can use it with any type of television. Furthermore, Yamaha's second-generation single-speaker unit, the YSP-800, delivered better overall sound at a lower price. The Polk Audio SurroundBar can create a satisfying home-theater experience on DVDs, though we found its sound lacking on CD. The SurroundBar retails for $950, but since it doesn't make much bass on its own, tack on another $500 or so for a subwoofer. Zero clutter.' We agree: the tidy package is ideal for buyers who get wobbly at the thought of stringing a mess of wires and speakers around their living rooms or for folks who are still using the speakers built into their TVs but want more of a surround effect. The Polk Audio SurroundBar is best summed up by the company's tag line: 'Five channels.