Polk Audio DB1242DVC Series Subwoofer with Marine Certification Operational Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Polk Audio
Table of Contents
Polk Audio DB1242DVC Series Subwoofer with Marine Certification
WIRING DIAGRAMS
Single Voice Coil Hookup
Please make certain that your amplifier is rated to carry the specified load.
Single 4 Ohm Load
With speakers wired in parallel: Two 4 Ohm speakers will present a 2 Ohm load.
With coils in parallel: a dual 4 Ohm speaker will present a 2 Ohm load.
With coils wired in series: a dual 4 Ohm speaker will present an 8 Ohm load.
With the coils wired in series and the speakers wired in parallel: 2 dual 4 Ohm speakers will present a 4 Ohm load.
With coils and speakers wired in parallel: two dual 4 Ohm speakers will present a 1 Ohm load. (Not recommended unless amplifier is rated for 1 Ohm operation.)
With the coils wired in series and the speakers wired in parallel: 3 dual 4 Ohm speakers will present a 2.7 Ohm load.
SPECIFICATIONS
VOLUME
Sealed Enclosures
Vented Enclosures
Please inspect your loudspeakers carefully. Notify your Polk dealer if you notice any damage or missing items. Keep the carton and packing material; this will do the best job of protecting your loudspeakers if they must be transported.
SAFE LIMITS OF OPERATION
Damage to loudspeakers can occur when an amplifier, regardless of its wattage, is made to play at higher listening levels than it can produce at low distortion levels. This is usually beyond the “noon or 1 o’clock” position on the volume control. Operation at this level can result in very high levels of audible distortion originating in the amplifier, which can add a harsh, gritty sound to your listening material. Contrary to popular belief, a loudspeaker is more likely to be damaged by trying to get too much volume from a low-powered amplifier or receiver than from a high-powered one.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR SERVICE
If, after following the hookup directions, you experience difficulty, please double-check all wire connections. Should you isolate the problem to the loudspeaker, contact the authorized Polk dealer where you made your purchase, or contact Polk Customer Service 800-377-7655 (M-F, 9-5:30 EST, US only) or via email polkcs@polkaudio.com Outside the US, call 410-358-3600. More detailed information—including audio how-to articles, FAQs, and online manuals—is available on our website www.polkaudio.com
PRODUCT DISPOSAL
Certain international, national and/or local laws and/or regulations may apply regarding the disposal of this product. For further detailed information, please contact the retailer where you purchased this product or the Polk Importer/Distributor in your country. A listing of Polk Importer/Distributors can be found on the Polk website www.polkaudio.com or by contacting Polk at 1 Viper Way, Vista, California 92081 USA— Phone: +1 800-377-7655
LIMITED WARRANTY
Polk Audio, Inc. warrants the original purchaser only that this product will
be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of (1) one year
from the date of original retail purchase from a Polk Authorized Dealer.
However, this warranty will automatically terminate prior to the expiration of
the (1) one year period if the original retail purchaser sells or otherwise
transfers the product to any other party. The original retail purchaser shall
herein after be referred to as “you.” To allow Polk to offer the best possible
warranty service, please fill out the Product Registration Card(s) and send
them to the factory at the address provided in the Registration Card within
(10) ten days of the date of purchase.
Defective products must be shipped, together with a proof of purchase, prepaid
insured to the Authorized Polk Dealer from whom you purchased the Product, or
to 1 Viper Way, Vista, California 92081. Products must be shipped in the
original shipping container or its equivalent; in any case the risk of loss or
damage in transit is to be borne by you.
If, upon examination at the factory or Polk Authorized Dealer it is determined
that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any time during the
Warranty period, Polk or the Polk Dealer will, at its option, repair or
replace this product at no additional charge, except as set forth below. All
replaced parts and products become property of Polk. Products replaced or
repaired under this warranty will be returned to you, within a reasonable
time, freight prepaid.
This warranty does not include service or parts to repair damage caused by
accident, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence, inadequate packing or shipping
procedures, commercial use, voltage inputs in excess of the rated maximum of
the unit, cosmetic appearance of the cabinetry not directly attributable to
defects in materials or workmanship, or service, repair, or modifications of
the Product which has not been authorized or approved by Polk. This warranty
is in lieu of all other expressed warranties.
If this product is defective in materials and workmanship as warranted above,
your sole remedy shall be repair or replacement as provided above. In no event
will Polk Audio, Inc. be liable to you for any incidental or consequential
damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product, even if Polk
Audio, Inc. or a Polk Dealer has been advised of the possibility of such
damages, or any other claim by any other party. Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and
exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights
which may vary from state to state.
This warranty applies only to products purchased in the United States of
America, its possessions, and U.S. and NATO armed forces exchanges and audio
clubs. The warranty terms and conditions applicable to products purchased in
other countries are available from the Polk Authorized Distributors in such
countries.
FAQs
How long should your Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofer be broken in?****
We advise taking a good 20–24 hour break. You can set it up with a strong signal over the course of the night. Now that you’re set up, you can install and carry on your adventure.
Need subwoofers like the Polk Audio DB1242-DVC a break-in period?****
Subwoofers must therefore be broken in before they can deliver the greatest sound. Consider how you would feel if you rolled out of bed in the morning and took a few minutes to scroll through your phone to fully awaken.
Does a boat need a Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofer?****
Actually, the answer to that question depends a great deal on your listening tastes and is quite arbitrary. High-end full-range marine speakers can produce very good bass response without a subwoofer. In fact, some claim that using too much bass degrades the precision and quality of sound reproduction.
How can I power the subwoofer in my boat, a Polk Audio DB1242-DVC?****
The amp and boat batteries must be connected using a power and ground cable. Simply purchase an amp kit to connect lead wires, ground, and power for powered subs. After that, run the wires to the remaining components of your system and the boat battery.
I need to install how many Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofers in my yacht.
Because they don’t want “too much bass,” many individuals wrongly think that having more than one subwoofer is unneeded or undesirable. On the other hand, having additional subwoofers will make for a better listening experience and more consistent audible performance.
How long does a Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofer last?****
A subwoofer can last from five to fourteen years. If properly cared for and not abused, the average person should be able to get 10+ years out of their subwoofer.
Do Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofers overheat?****
Due to the plateaus in the waveform caused by clipping, the subwoofer moves less than usual and generates more heat. The voice coil eventually fails as a result of the voice coil’s excessive heat over time.
What happens if a Polk Audio DB1242-DVC sub isn’t broken in?****
If you choose not to break it in, you run the danger of shortening its lifespan and lowering the bass sound quality. A new subwoofer won’t suffer any serious injury from not being broken in, but it won’t perform at its best.
Is it acceptable to always have the Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofer on?****
Yes, you can leave your subwoofer on all the time as long as it has an auto standby mode. Standby subwoofers consume less energy and are more durable. Older subwoofers without this feature should be unplugged when not in use because the amplifier gets hotter than usual due to heat produced by electricity escaping.
How can damaged Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofers be avoided?****
Fixing the problem by adding a grill is simple (or grille). The front of the speaker is covered by a subwoofer grill, which is a piece of steel or plastic mesh that is fastened to the speaker or the aperture of the enclosure. Manufacturers design grilles specifically for their woofers in order to guarantee a flawless fit and straightforward installation.
Will my battery be discharged by a Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofer?****
The most common sort of damage from a subwoofer is battery depletion. The electrical system in your car will be put under more stress if you install a subwoofer. Sound vibrations need a lot of power to produce them. The power required to run a subwoofer is supplied by your battery.
Do subwoofers like the Polk Audio DB1242-DVC require a power supply?****
Passive subwoofers require an additional power source, such as an amplifier or receiver. As they already have an amplifier and power source built in, active subwoofers only need an audio source.
Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofers are powered in what manner?****
A speaker created specifically to reproduce the bass, or low-pitched audio frequencies, is known as a subwoofer (also spelled sub). Passive Sub: Passive subs are so-called because they must be powered by an external amplifier or Audio/Video (A/V) receiver. This is similar to traditional speakers.
What results in the burning of Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subs?****
Numerous factors can contribute to glue burning, including excessive amounts, voice coil glue burning, burning electronics, overheated voice coils from improved bass, and glue burning around the speaker basket in the case of a new subwoofer.
Are Polk Audio DB1242-DVC subwoofers automatically turned off?****
Most subwoofers and many amplifiers include automatic on or standby settings. The most frequent settings for the power switch are on, off, and auto or standby. The definitions of on and off are evident.
Is it free air sub or does it need a sealed box?****
I placed in a closed box. I installed it beneath the steering wheel of my 2000 Sea Ray 190, using the factory-installed Clarion head unit and an Alpine S-A55V amplifier. The object thumps.