Power Sound Audio Triax Subwoofer Preview

[Steve81]

The Triax is the latest offering from fledgling subwoofer manufacturer Power Sound Audio, sporting a trio of 15" drivers in a tri-axial array and a 4,000W RMS / 8,000W Peak amplifier in a sealed enclosure. Currently priced at $2,799 (introductory) which is expected to rise to $3,299, the Triax is far from being inexpensive, though for the hardware you get, it appears to be a veritable bargain. The first release of Power Sound Audio's new Prism lineup, how does the imposing Triax stand up to a a quick inspection? Read on to find out.

Executive Overview
Unlimited Power!!! What other words could be used to describe such a subwoofer? In terms of raw specifications, one of the more pertinent items for a sealed subwoofer to consider is sheer displacement, as there are no ports here to augment output. Suffice it to say, the Triax is "well equipped", with a trio of 15" woofers each rated for a peak to peak excursion of 3". Compare this with the formidable XS30, which boasts a pair of 15" woofers with 2" of peak to peak excursion, and you'll note the Triax has more than double the driver displacement.

Displacement is critical of course, but without a capable amplifier to realize the potential, you're not going to get very far. However, this is unlikely to be a major concern for the Triax as it boasts a 4000W RMS class D amplifier. The partnering amplifier also has a couple of useful tricks, including a soft-start and long-term power limiter to reduce the odds that you'll trip a breaker in use. Naturally, the amplifier is also DSP optimized, and features two built in programs to help tailor response to your room.

So what does all this add up to? Power Sound Audio states that the Triax should deliver 2 meter CEA-2010 burst testing averages of 127.1dB in the 40-63Hz band and 116.1dB in the 20-31.5Hz band, which would give it twice the output of the extremely potent Paradigm Signature Sub 2. In no uncertain terms, there are very few subwoofers on the market today that could hope to touch this performance. This kind of power makes some of the most potent subs tested by Audioholics such as the Rythmik FV15HP and SVS PB13-Ultra, both Extreme Bassaholic rated, look like toys. That's pretty impressive any way you dice it.

Now all the power in the world is great (and it certainly appears to be on tap here), but it won't make a whit of difference if the subwoofer is an ugly black box that your wife vetoes. Power Sound Audio's previous designs haven't exactly been ugly, but they aren't exactly the most attractive designs on the market either. The Triax (and presumably by extension, the Prism line) is looking to change things a bit. The base finish appears to be a relatively ho-hum satin black texture, but for an additional $200, you do get the choice of four wood veneers which should spruce up the look nicely. Combined with the tri-axial layout, the Triax should be anything but an ugly black box.

Summary
Power Sound Audio seems to be raising the bar yet again. While the new Triax doesn't qualify as cheap at $2,799, it has the qualifications necessary to be considered one of the most powerful sealed subwoofers on the market today, and it achieves this while being accessibly priced. Moreover, unlike a lot of big value oriented subwoofers, the Triax is anything but an ordinary black box. The only question in my mind at this point is: what's next for Power Sound Audio?

So what do you guys think? Any bassoholics in heat right now? Should Josh Ricci review this puppy? If he does, who's going to help him wrestle 190 pounds of subwoofer?



Quick Specs
Driver: Proprietary 15” driver with dual 3" diameter voice coils, 25lb heavily vented motor, 3" peak to peak excursion, assembled in the USA

Amplifier: 4000W RMS (continuous), 8000W Peak (dynamic) with DSP, class-D topology, 120VAC only, built in USA

Enclosure: Sealed enclosure, Triaxial driver array, Made in the USA

Dimensions (D x W x H): 27.5” x 31” x 23.5”, Weight: 190lbs

CEA-2010 Ratings (2m ground plane): Ultra-low bass (20-31.5 Hz): 116.4dB
Low bass (40-63Hz): 127.1dB

 

[GlocksRock]

That thing looks sick, I can't wait for some reviews on this beast.

 

[j_garcia]

 

[fuzz092888]

Hmm, for what it is that's pretty light. Just looking at it, I figured it would be at least 200lbs.

 

[its phillip]

I hope PSA plans on sticking around for a very long time, since it will be many years before I can afford any new HT equipment

 

[Tom V.]

Trade up policy link is up.


A bit more complex than we hoped but there are a lot of "moving parts" to consider for us in all this.






POWER SOUND AUDIO — Triax Trade Up Policy


We'll have more updates on the page soon, including the wood veneer option images.


Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

 

[pbc]

Wow Tom, that looks very impressive! Plus some wood veneer options (finally!!). Awesome!

 

[gene]

Interesting rating on the power amp though not achievable unless you're running 220V/20A service even with Class D efficiency of 95%. The website says this only runs on 120V so you would need 35A of current to achieve that kind of power level continuously. What is the rating on the slo-blo fuse for the amp?

Are all the woofers active?

 

[GlocksRock]

Interesting rating on the power amp though not achievable unless you're running 220V/20A service even with Class D efficiency of 95%. The website says this only runs on 120V so you would need 35A of current to achieve that kind of power level continuously. What is the rating on the slo-blo fuse for the amp?

Are all the woofers active?

Here is what Tom posted on the Blu-Ray forums

Originally Posted by pretsam With the Triax would you need a extra amp circuit for your home or would your typical outlet suffice? <TBODY> </TBODY> As long as the outlet is not already burdened by numerous other devices it will be fine. In fact dual Triax on a single 15a breaker will usually work just fine as long as there aren't other high draw devices on the same circuit. Remember, a standard breaker will allow 2-4x the amperes for a few seconds without any issue. Would you get a *tiny* bit more max output if you had a dedicated 15-20a circuit for each Triax? Sure. But its not something I would personally worry about. In context you might be talking about 130dB at your seating position versus 132dB. Tom V. Power Sound Audio <!-- / message -->

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[Rickster71]

Interesting rating on the power amp though not achievable unless you're running 220V/20A service even with Class D efficiency of 95%. The website says this only runs on 120V so you would need 35A of current to achieve that kind of power level continuously. What is the rating on the slo-blo fuse for the amp?

Are all the woofers active?

"Interesting rating on the power amp..."
That's because you missed where they mentioned, "Flux Capacitor' sold separately.
Either that, or they're exaggerating.
Maybe it has two different power cords for use in separate circuits.

 

[Steve81]

FWIW: word on the street is that this is the amplifier in question:
SP1 Mono Models - SpeakerPower
SP1-4000

 

[its phillip]

SpeakerPower - Home is the manufacturer of the amplifiers. I'm sure you can get some details from them.

edit: beaten by Steve to the link

 

[Rickster71]

Here is what Tom posted on the Blu-Ray forums

Originally Posted by pretsam With the Triax would you need a extra amp circuit for your home or would your typical outlet suffice? <tbody> </tbody> As long as the outlet is not already burdened by numerous other devices it will be fine. In fact dual Triax on a single 15a breaker will usually work just fine as long as there aren't other high draw devices on the same circuit. Remember, a standard breaker will allow 2-4x the amperes for a few seconds without any issue. Would you get a *tiny* bit more max output if you had a dedicated 15-20a circuit for each Triax? Sure. But its not something I would personally worry about. In context you might be talking about 130dB at your seating position versus 132dB. Tom V. Power Sound Audio <!-- / message -->

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I guess it's too early for actual third party measurements. I don't see real word numbers meeting the advertised.
Too many variables once it's hooked up in different homes and circuit loads.

As I've read more into the specs: "Includes gentle soft-start and long-term power limiter to reduce the chances of tripping breakers."
So that's how it's done.
EDIT: It would be interesting to see how this sub (or any really large sub) would work on an Arc Fault breaker?

 

[gene]

Here is what Tom posted on the Blu-Ray forums

Originally Posted by pretsam With the Triax would you need a extra amp circuit for your home or would your typical outlet suffice? <tbody> </tbody> As long as the outlet is not already burdened by numerous other devices it will be fine. In fact dual Triax on a single 15a breaker will usually work just fine as long as there aren't other high draw devices on the same circuit. Remember, a standard breaker will allow 2-4x the amperes for a few seconds without any issue. Would you get a *tiny* bit more max output if you had a dedicated 15-20a circuit for each Triax? Sure. But its not something I would personally worry about. In context you might be talking about 130dB at your seating position versus 132dB. Tom V. Power Sound Audio <!-- / message -->

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Regardless, the power rating on the amplifier is ridiculous. I've seen that exact amp used in other subs that rate it at 1/2 that power which is more realistic.

 

[its phillip]

The manufacturer rates the SP1-4000 at 4000W/2. JTR uses that amp in the Captivator S2, with the same rating.

Here are the specs for all of their standard amps:
http://www.speakerpower.net/uploads/4/9/5/7/4957539/specifications_sp.pdf

 

[ShaunH]

Regardless, the power rating on the amplifier is ridiculous. I've seen that exact amp used in other subs that rate it at 1/2 that power which is more realistic.

Gene, Speaker power offers several different amp powers including the 2.4k model in the submersive. From what I remember reading most of the amp range uses the same frame. The rating is from the manufacture and is not Power Sound audio changing the rating.

SP1-6000 $1499 6000W/2, 3200W/4, 2000W/2 8 lbs
SP1-4000 $1299 4000W/2, 2400W/4, 1300W/8 7 lbs
SP1-3200 $1399 3200W/4, 2000W/8 7 lbs
SP1-2400 $1199 2400/4, 1300W/8. 6 lbs
SP1-1000 $1099 1200W/4, 600W/8 8 lbs
SP1-500 $899 500W/4, 250W/8 6 lbs
SP1-200 $449 200W/4, 100W/8 4 lbs

http://www.speakerpower.net/index.html

 

[ShaunH]

Also all the drivers are active

 

[Steve81]

Regardless, the power rating on the amplifier is ridiculous.

It's probably not a good idea to call the rating continuous. That amplifier might be able to deliver 4000W into a 2 ohm load for a few hundred milliseconds, but it isn't likely to pass Josh's long term power compression sweeps delivering that kind of output.

 

[Tom V.]

Regardless, the power rating on the amplifier is ridiculous. I've seen that exact amp used in other subs that rate it at 1/2 that power which is more realistic.

You may be confused.

rbh uses the 2400w version, which they rate at 2400w of course. Seaton Sound uses the 2400 version, which they rate at 2400w of course. JTR has used the 2400w and 4000w versions, which they rate at....what for it....2400w and 4000w.

Power Sound Audio is using the 4000w version, which we rate at 4000w.

Can you list the manufacturers using the SP1-4000 and rating it at 2000w? Thanks.

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

 

[Tom V.]

It's probably not a good idea to call the rating continuous. That amplifier might be able to deliver 4000W into a 2 ohm load for a few hundred milliseconds, but it isn't likely to pass Josh's long term power compression sweeps delivering that kind of output.

Actually the Speaker Power amplifiers can deliver full rated power for much longer periods than that. There is plenty of information about these amplifiers available.

Comparative Performance - SpeakerPower

Lab Gruppen FP14000 gets spanked...by plate amp?

SpeakerPower Torpedo SP1-4000 Plate Amp

If you look at the capabilities of these amplifiers in relation to how they will be used the manufacturer's specifications are accurate. If, for some reason, you expect these amplifiers to produce their rated power for hours...than no, they cannot do that. Of course it would be of absolutely no benefit if they did....well, maybe you could weld with them at that point.

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio