In this review, we will be comparing SA-CS9 and PSW10, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Sony and Polk Audio. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Sony SA-CS9 and Polk PSW10 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Sony SA-CS9and Polk PSW10 have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have 1 x 10" drivers.
Frequency Response
SA-CS9 has a frequency range of 28-200 Hz whereas PSW10 has a frequency range of 40-160 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the SA-CS9 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the PSW10's min frequency of 40Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Sony SA-CS9 and Polk PSW10 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Sony SA-CS9's and Polk PSW10's external dimensions. Sony SA-CS9 has external dimensions of 345.0 x 295.0 x 400.0mm (11.6 x 13.6 x 15.7 inch) whereas Polk PSW10 has external dimensions of 366.0 x 356.0 x 412.0mm (14-3/8 x 14 x 16-3/16inch).
Polk PSW10 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 61mm wider, 21mm taller and 12mm deeper than Sony SA-CS9.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sony SA-CS9 and Polk PSW10 in scale.
Comparison image of Sony SA-CS9 and Polk PSW10 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Sony SA-CS9 is approximately 1180.0cm2 / 182.9inch2 and base area of the Polk PSW10 is approximately 1466.7cm2 / 227.3inch2. The SA-CS9 requires 20% less surface area than the PSW10 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Sony SA-CS9 weighs 11.50kg / 25.3lbs and the Polk PSW10 weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs. This makes the PSW10 3% heavier than the SA-CS9.
Here is a comparison of how SA-CS9 and PSW10's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Sony SA-CS9?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SA-CS9:
- Sony SA-CS9 10-inch 115W Subwoofer
- 6.5-feet Phono Cord
- 4 x Foot Pads
- Grille
- Limited 90-Day Manufacturer Warranty
What's in the Box of Polk PSW10?
Here are the items that come with the PSW10:
- Black powered subwoofer
- Grille
- Owners Manual
- Online registration card
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
160 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
345mm
vs
366mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1180cm2
vs
1466cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
248USD
vs
249USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Polk PSW10 needs about 24% more floor area. Polk PSW10 is 21mm taller.
| General |
Sony SA-CS9 |
Polk Audio PSW10 |
| Brand |
Sony |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
115 watts |
50 watts |
| Frequency Response |
28-200 Hz |
40-160 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
115-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
10" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
foamed-mica cellular reinforced |
Polymer Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
345.0mm (13.6") |
366.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
295.0mm (11.6") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Depth |
400.0mm (15.7") |
412.0mm (16.2") |
| Weight |
11.50kg (25.3lbs) |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
3 Years |
No single best subwoofer here. Your room, where the box can physically go, and whether this is mainly for films or mainly for music will settle it long before the specs do.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Sony SA-CS9 goes deeper - 28Hz against 40Hz. A real difference, though most music has little content below 40Hz. |
| Amplifier power | A | Sony SA-CS9 has the bigger amplifier - 115W against 50W RMS, about 3.6dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | evenly matched | Near-identical radiating area (10" against 10"). |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Sony SA-CS9 is about 24% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | evenly matched | Priced within a few per cent of each other. |
A Sony SA-CS9 B Polk PSW10
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Sony SA-CS9 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.