Polk Audio Intros New LSiW Subwoofer

By Ian Bell Updated January 20, 2004

It features patented Polk Audio technologies and features for home theater and music performance.

The LSiW features dual 10″ drivers with high roll surrounds and 2 inch voice coils mounted on opposing 1″ thick MDF baffles. The top, bottom, front and back panels of the enclosure are finished inblack high gloss laminate and the side panels are finished in either Cherry or Ebony-finish wood veneer. The cabinet finishes, overall industrial design and high-end performance of the LSiW match therest of Polk’s LSi Series loudspeakers.

The system is vented via an all-new application of Polk’s patented Power Port that combines a slot-loaded port with a Power Port air diffusion device. The Power Port system allows air exiting theport to slow gradually, thereby, according to Polk, reducing air turbulence at the port mouth for superior bass reproduction with lower noise and distortion than that of conventional ports.

A built-in 400-Watt digital amplifier drives the system. The amplifier’s convenience and performance features include Front Panel Volume & Variable Low Pass Controls, High Pass Filters,unfiltered LFE Input, Phase Switch, Manual or Auto On/Off, Speaker Level Inputs and Line Level Inputs.

The LSiW replaces the PSW650 that debuted in early 1999. The LSiW will be available in April 2004 for $1199.95.

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Audio / Video

There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Audio / Video

Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM

Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Audio / Video

What is Roku? The streaming platform explained

A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?