Deep, musical bass from an ultra-compact subwoofer

For potent, high-energy bass that's also controlled, dynamic, and musical, check out PSB's SubSeries HD8. PSB designed this subwoofer to complement high-end two-channel audio systems and home theater setups alike. And this surprisingly small sub takes up less than a cubic foot of space, so you get deep bass impact without the visual impact of a large enclosure.

Unique driver array pumps out heavy bass

This sub's excellent performance comes courtesy of its heavy, 8" woofer and dual 8" passive radiators. The woofers have an extremely long excursion, so they can displace a large amount of air to produce the deepest bass. The dual opposing radiators also help tune the cabinet, producing frequencies generally only achieved by much larger enclosures. A heavy cast-aluminum basket, oversized magnet structure, and large-diameter voice coil support the HD8 in churning out musically accurate low frequencies.

The brains behind the brawn

The HD8 uses an intelligent Class H amplifier with sophisticated circuitry to keep the drivers, enclosure, and electronics in a well-balanced system. It helps this sub produce controlled, quick sound, untainted by boom or bloat. PSB's "smart bass" monitoring system also helps it maintain accurate musicality at even the highest volumes and lowest frequencies. This circuitry also keeps the woofer from being dangerously overdriven or producing obvious distortion, without squashing the dynamic subtleties or compromising its thunderous impact during big action flicks.

Flexible connections for easy system integration

Line-level and speaker-level inputs let you connect this sub to just about any audio system, while volume, crossover, and phase controls help you fine-tune the bass to your liking. It also comes with rubber feet to prevent it from vibrating across the floor. The HD8 makes an excellent addition to PSB's Image, Imagine, and Synchrony family of speakers in either a stereo or home theater music setup.

Product highlights:

frequency response 35-150 Hz (±3dB)
built-in amplifier delivers 500-watts of continuous power, 1,600-watts dynamic peak power
continuously variable low-pass 50-150 Hz crossover
8" poly-coated fiber cone woofer
dual 8" passive radiators
bass-reflex (passive radiator) enclosure
rear mounted volume, crossover, and phase switch
auto on/off
speaker level inputs
line-level inputs and outputs
LFE input and output for use with home theater receiver's subwoofer output
gold-plated binding posts
satin black finish
11-3/4"W x 11"H x 12-5/8"D
weight: 25 lbs.
warranty: 5 years subwoofer, 1 year amplifier
MFR # HD8

What's in the box:

PSB SubSeries HD8 owner's manual

Powered Subwoofer
8' AC power cord
Owner's manual (English/ French/ Spanish)
Warranty information
psb website information

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Features & specs


Enclosure	Passive Radiator
Woofer Size (inches)	8
Woofer Composition	Poly-coated fiber
Firing Direction	Front
Amplifier Output (watts)	500
Frequency Response	35-150 Hz
Connections
Preamp-Level Inputs	Yes
Speaker-Level Inputs	Yes
Speaker-Level Outputs	No
Wireless	No
Controls
Low-Pass Crossover Freq	50-150 Hz
High-Pass Crossover Freq	N/A
Phase Switch	Yes
App Control	---
Remote	---
Other Info
Height (inches)	11-3/4
Width (inches)	11
Depth (inches)	12-5/8
Weight	25 lbs
Speaker Parts Warranty	5 Years
Speaker Labor Warranty	5 Years
Amplifier Parts Warranty	1 Year
Amplifier Labor Warranty	1 Year

Product Research

Features
Controls
Connections

Features

Class-H Amplifier: The PSB HD8 features an efficient, high power class H amplifier. Class H improves efficiency by using a variable power supply rail voltage; the voltage only swings high when necessary, using a music modulated high frequency switching power supply. The available power output is 500 watts continuous, 800 watts dynamic, and 1600 watts dynamic peak.

Woofer: To compliment the powerful amplifier, the HD8 subwoofer uses an 8" high mass poly-coated fiber cone active driver with a cast aluminum basket and high density rubber surround.

Passive Radiator Design: The HD8 powered subwoofer incorporates two opposing 8-inch passive radiators to reinforce the bass output, without taking up enclosure volume with a port tube. The radiator design is high mass and high excursion, and the two radiators facing opposite directions reduces cabinet vibration.

Controls

Volume: The Bass Level control on the back panel adjusts the volume of the sub.

Low-pass Crossover: The crossover control allows you to adjust the upper limit of the subwoofer's frequency response. The crossover point is continuously variable from 50 to 150 Hz and the slope is 24 dB/octave.

Phase Adjustment: A rotary knob on the back of the HD8 allows you to adjust the phase of the subwoofer's output. The phase is continuously variable from 0° to 360° for perfect transition from the main speakers to the sub, regardless of position.

Auto Turn-on: When the master power switch is on and a line-level or speaker-level signal is presented to the sub, the amp will automatically turn on. The amp turns off automatically approximately one hour after the signal is removed.

LED: The front panel power LED is red when the HD8 is in standby and changes to green when the amp turns on.

Connections

Stereo Preamp Connections (RCA): The line-level input jacks should be used when connecting the subwoofer to a preamp, integrated amp, signal processor, line-level crossover, or receiver with stereo preamp outputs. The HD8 also has preamp outputs, useful if your amp has pre-out/main-in jacks.

LFE Connections (RCA): Use the single LFE (Low Frequency Effects) input when the preamp signal is already crossed over by a surround processor or line-level crossover. This input bypasses the built-in crossover. The HD8 also has an LFE output for adding additional subwoofers.

Speaker Level Input: The 5-way binding post speaker-level input jacks connect directly to the speaker outputs of any amplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver. Your amplifier will not notice a significant additional load when you use these inputs due to their high impedance.

Trigger Input: The sub can be turned on using an external trigger voltage. Applying an AC or DC (tip positive) voltage of 2-30 volts to the mono 3.5mm mini-jack will engage the amplifier. The amp turns off automatically approximately one hour after the voltage is removed.

Power: The rear panel master power switch can be turned off to defeat the automatic and voltage trigger turn on circuitry.

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