Cambridge SoundWorks Newton Series P500 Powered Subwoofer (Slate)

by Cambridge Soundworks

Product Details

Product Manual [411kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 100 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000068PKP
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,117 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Product Description

The Cambridge SoundWorks Newton P500 Powered Subwoofer uses two 8-inch woofers and a 500-watt B.A.S.H.® (Bridged Amplifier Switching Hybrid) digital amplifier, delivering thunderous bass, tightly and accurately, down to 24Hz - all in a remarkably small, one-foot-square cabinet! The separate Subwoofer Control Module keeps the controls and connections conveniently near your equipment. You can even adjust bass output using an infrared remote control -- no more crawling on your knees to adjust bass when you switch from music to movies.

Featuring: Dual 8-inch polymer laminate diaphragm side-firing drivers 500-watt B.A.S.H. amplifier Blonde maple, mahogany wood veneer or slate-gray finishes Separate Control Module with IR remote control Hum-free optically-isolated balanced signal interface Continuously variable low-pass filter from 50-150Hz with 48dB/octave slope Continuously adjustable 0-180 degree phase control Semi-parametric bass equalization with +/- 6dB range Speaker level, line level, LFE inputs Dimensions: 13.5H x 13.75W x 12D Newton Subwoofer Control Module included

Newton Subwoofer Control Module

The separate Subwoofer Control Module used by Newton Series powered subwoofers gives you ultimate control and wiring flexibility. Connect the Module to your amplifier or receiver using either line outputs, speaker wire outputs or the subwoofer output of a Dolby Digital® receiver. The module allows you to adjust both the subwoofer output level and the crossover frequency (variable from 50Hz to 150Hz). It also allows you to equalize the output of the subwoofer to match your room acoustics. You choose an equalization center point anywhere between 20Hz and 60Hz, and then adjust output up or down 6dB in that range. If you place the sub in a corner and it produces too much bass, you can cut the output. If the sub is placed away from a wall and produces too little bass, you can boost output for full, rich low-frequency sound.

Subwoofer Control Module Features: 0-180 degree continuous phase control for ultra-precise matching of phase response with the system's main speakers The Subwoofer Control Module sends the bass signals to the subwoofer via RJ11 phone cable, which can't pick up any hum, even at great lengths Accepts preamp and speaker level inputs, has high-pass preamp level output for stereo systems Motorized volume control with IR remote Will accept left, right and center inputs, as well as dedicated sub inputs

Slate, also available in Mahogany and Blonde Maple.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but needs some work, December 15, 2006

By 

Jeremy D. Burman (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cambridge SoundWorks Newton Series P500 Powered Subwoofer (Slate) (Electronics)

I have owned this subwoofer for about a year and a half now. While it is attractive looking and often produces satisfying output, it still has its fair share of problems.
Overall, I can generally get this sub to blend well with my mains and surround speakers (I use MC300's for L/R/C and S300's for surrounds. These are also produced by Cambridge Soundworks and I can recommend these, especially the MC300's.) However, switching between my 3 main sources of audio (DVDs and Television, CDs, and finally multi-channel SACD) requires constant tweaking. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to do with the P500's separate control module as well as a remote control for the volume. It is quite capable of putting out powerful bass that will shake the floor when you need it.
Now for the bad.
First of all, I'm not sure if it's due to the size of the 8" drivers, but this sub often has trouble outputting bass that is focused in the lower frequencies. The bass simply comes out as a dull thud that is very displeasing to the ears (this is true for both pair of woofers I have used - more on that later). This usually requires turning the volume below desired levels or changing the equilizer frequency on the control module to a higher frequency. You can also get stronger output by placing this sub in a corner (just keep it at least a foot away from the wall or it can get boomy).
Second, the exterior of the sub simply does not hold up. I have only used the Slate model, so I do not know if there is a similar problem with the other finishes, but after using the sub for about 6 months, I noticed numerous cracks forming in the corners of the subwoofer's casing as well as along the middle of the surfaces. After being told to send it in for service, and then sending it in (paying the shipping charges of course) I eventually received the unit back exactly the way that I sent it in. They did however notify me that they had replaced the woofers in the unit. Speaking to someone in their service department informed me that they don't service exterior problems with the subs (useful information prior to sending it in), and they didn't seem overly concerned with helping me out.
This has been a long review, but for a reason. While this is a good subwoofer, I can't recommend it to everyone. It definitely requires some configuration and tweaking, and there are several gotchas. You will need to be willing to put some time and patience into it, and if you're not willing to do that then you should try out other brands first. Also, the cracking can be an issue as well, especially if you might be planning on reselling the unit in the future.
3 out of 5.