PS Audio has launched the Foundry F12, an active subwoofer that claims to do more than just make windows vibrate. The Foundry F12 isn’t a budget powerhouse or a lifestyle accessory. With the Foundry F12, PS Audio is venturing into the realm of serious subwoofers that deliver bass that you can hear and feel. The Foundry F12 is available in both white and black.
According to PS Audio, the closed-back Foundry F12 is a powered subwoofer designed for accuracy and consistency in real-world listening rooms. The F12 is currently the only model in the Foundry line. The core idea behind the F12 is simple, according to the designers. Low-frequency performance is heavily influenced by room acoustics, especially below 200Hz, and many subwoofers prioritize maximum output over control and integration. With the F12, PS Audio has opted for predictable bass response, easy placement, and compatibility with both music and home theater systems, without the use of bass ports or excessive tuning.
The F12 utilizes a sealed enclosure, a long-throw driver specifically developed for this application, a powerful internal amplifier, and onboard DSP to manage bass performance. According to PS Audio, it’s about control, not volume. The design goal is bass response that seamlessly integrates with the main speakers and maintains timing and tonal balance at normal listening levels. The Foundry F12 is designed to work in a wide range of room sizes without the need for extensive calibration or multiple subwoofers.
The Foundry F12 utilizes a custom-designed 12-inch long-throw driver, developed specifically for sealed enclosure use and for consistent performance in the listening room. Rather than striving for maximum output, the focus is on linear excursion and control, allowing the driver to move a significant volume of air while remaining stable across the entire frequency range. Although the F12 is powered by a 1,000-watt continuous amplifier, the design prioritizes precision: clean start and stop, accurate reproduction of musical dynamics, and the avoidance of reverb or compression that can blur low-frequency detail.
The Foundry F12 is designed for a controlled, predictable, and flat frequency response rather than exaggerated low-frequency output. PS Audio specifies the subwoofer at -6 dB at 20 Hz in an anechoic ground plane measurement, with the response remaining flat in the room below 20 Hz under normal room amplification. Across the entire operating range, the response is rated at ±0.5 dB up to 500 Hz, emphasizing linearity and integration rather than low-frequency emphasis or tonal tactics.
The amplifier is assisted by built-in DSP to manage crossover behavior, room interaction, and overall tonal balance. The system supports both manually adjustable parameters for fine-tuning and automatic room measurement with EQ to correct bass behavior in the room. All DSP functions are accessible through the Foundry Control app, allowing users to configure and customize performance without relying on external processors or hardware controls.
The Foundry F12 offers multiple connection options to support a wide range of systems, including low-level RCA inputs, balanced XLR inputs, and high-level speaker terminals. This allows the subwoofer to be integrated with traditional two-channel systems, balanced preamplifier configurations, and amplifiers without dedicated subwoofer outputs, providing flexibility without additional adapters or converters.
There’s also wireless connectivity via an optional WiSA transmitter. One transmitter can control ten or more subwoofers, with each unit requiring its own receiver. This allows for flexible placement and configurations with multiple subwoofers without having to run long connecting cables throughout the room.
If a single subwoofer isn’t enough, multiple units can be daisy-chained to work together. The Foundry F12 is designed to simplify multi-subwoofer setups by providing each unit with a dedicated subwoofer output. This allows multiple F12s to be daisy-chained without the need for external splitters or processors. This makes it easier to place two or more subwoofers in a room, improving bass consistency and the acoustics of the room.
PS Audio also offers an optional stacking kit that allows two or three F12 subwoofers to be stacked vertically. The necessary hardware and connection cables are included for easy installation.
The Foundry F12 weighs 35 kilograms. Its dimensions are approximately 36.88 x 41.88 x 43.75 centimeters (W x H x D). The maximum rated sound pressure level is 113 dB at a distance of two meters.
