PSB Speakers Owners thread - Page 116

I have owned many B&W's and now have PSB speakers (600 series, Image, and older models). They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Both good manufacturers. I think B&W's entry level lineup (600 series) doesn't have the "sizzle" PSB offers, but when I was younger I would've preferred the B&Ws sonically.

Definitely a lot of thought goes into the B&W designs, e.g. even the packaging, something often overlooked. B&W's speakers are packaged with ease of reuse in mind. PSB less so. I will struggle to "re-box" my T5's if the need arises, whereas my B&Ws were easier.

Hey folks. A centre channel question for 2nd gen Image owners. The 2nd Image series with 2 and 1/2 way design with identical woofers and tweeter up top.

My HT setup is a pair of T65's, a C60 and a pair of S50 and B15 for 7.1 surrounds. I am trying a vertical centre. For now my C60 is vertical and aimed up, pointing the tweeter at the ears of the seated listeners, since the tweeter on a vertically places C60 is far below that of the tweeter on the T65's. It's probably not perfect, but so far it sounds good. I haven't compared with the conventional horizontal placement in a while. I may try to put the tweeter outboard up top somehow (maybe find somebody with a damage B25 and macgyver something with the facia).

I was wondering if anybody is using a vertical T45 as a centre channel while using a pair of T55 or T65 front speakers. I ultimately want to make a franken-C60, basically flipping the tweeter to the top of the front cabinet, but that requires a donor speaker....or a T55 or T65. I haven't found any T55 or T65's close to me and/or reasonable enough in cost, but there is a pair of T45's for sale locally. The T45 has the smaller drivers vs the C60 and T65, but, although it seems to have slightly less in the power handling department vs the C60, it actually has better bass extension and slightly better sensitivity. Now, you don't need loads of low bass for a centre channel speaker, but I figure even though it's slightly lower power handling is at least made up for in part by the deeper bass and better efficiency.

Although the speakers are tonally matched, the smaller driver and different crossover will most certainly sound different than a vertical C60 or T55. Has anybody tried a T45 as a centre with T65's or T55 as front speakers? Is it worth a try or should I hold out for a T55 at least?

thanks in advance for any feedback,



P.S. There are also a couple of pairs of 3LR's for sale somewhat locally too, and for a bit less money, but they are less sensitive and use the first gen drivers, so even less of a match.

Hi cpc, been buried in work, but some quick thoughts... First there is some discussion here on using the PSB MTM's in a vertical config. and you may want to go back and find them.

Personally, my opinion is just don't do it. A MTM is designed to have a very specific dispersion pattern. In particular, PSB takes a lot of care to design their speakers for flat response across that pattern as much as possible, but with a MTM you are always going to have null response lobes at some frequencies. When used vertically, these can be exploited to avoid floor and ceiling bounce. When used horizontally these can be exploited to avoid side wall first reflection bounce. However, the distances (or alternately the frequencies) at which all of this occurs is not likely to be the same for the two configurations. Maybe you'll get lucky and it will work but I'd certainly want some detailed measurement and listening comparisons before I assumed this was true.

As to modifying the speakers, um sure, but I think I'd just buy something designed from the start to do what I want. Again there are a lot of variables here, including the distances between the two mid range drivers that will all effect the final result, it's not just as simple as moving the tweeter around.

Finally, having said all that, I think that for the average listening room the issue of having a vertical vs. horizontal front is pretty low down on the priorities. Room treatments probably matter an order of magnitude more...

I always found the dialogue with my centre channel wasn't the clearest with my C60 MTM centre channel sitting horizontal, and as a result I was always turning it up to compensate but that didn't really help. This was in a different room than the one I have now. Ideally I am looking for another T65 or a T55 which only use one woofer to voice the freq from the tweeter xover of 2500 Hz on down . The T55 has a second woofer for 500 Hz on down and the T65 has two. Neither of these has two woofers voicing the midrange like the C60 does, so ideally I want to find one of those.....but, in the absence of a T55 or T65, I wonder if a T45 would be a good option instead of the C60. I may pick up the pair and compare.

If anybody wants to split a pair of 2nd gen T55 or T65 speakers as centre channel speakers, PM me and we can search together. The closer we are to one another the better.

Hello all, I haven't posted on this forum in some time but my current HT is 2x T65 fronts, C60 centre and 2x B15 rears. They are currently hooked up to an Onkyo 707 and overall I like the sound. Recently, I've had the upgrade bug in my head and I'm debating the following:

A) Purchase a sub to complete a 5.1 setup and possibly upgrade my Onkyo receiver to a NAD for possibly improved sound.
B) Sell everything and upgrade to a full Imagine T setup or possibly Synchrony One bookshelf setup. I've even debated a full Axiom setup...

Obviously option A is the better for my bank account... what are your guys thoughts?

If I were you I would try a subwoofer first unless you don't like the sound of your current setup. I am sure the Imagine T or Synchrony One sounds good too, but is it worth it? I upgraded from the first image series to the second only because I bought used so upgrade cost was quite low.

How large a room do you have to fill..? Listening distance from the speakers..?

How about Imagine B's (half the cost of the T's) plus subs?

Their top end and midrange are just as beautiful as the T's and properly integrated into your room with a nice musical sub or two makes for a nice sound.

I do like the sound of my system, I'm just wondering if PSB owners think upgrading to the Imagine Ts or Bs would be worthwhile. I'm sure they are it's just a matter of the upgrade cost I guess. I may try just adding in a sub and see how it sounds from there.


I've considering bookshelf speakers but I don't know if they can fill my room (roughly 2700 cubic feet). I'll do some more research on the Imagine Bs and see how they would work. I do like the idea of two bookshelf speakers paired with two subs though... I've heard this kind of setup before and when it's done right it sounds fantastic.

Been a PSB owner since 1999- Century 800i's, 200ci, and 100c's for surrounds in one theater, Alphas all around in another 5.1 setup.

I plan to get more 100c's for surrounds.

Is there any audible difference between the 100c and 100ci?

It appears the tweeter and woofers are identical between the 100c and 100ci, and I assume the crossover(?)

The only difference I can tell is the 100c uses spring clips and 100ci uses banana binding posts.

Guys I got the Image B6 and C5 in front.

I'm all set to purchase the S5 tomorrow which are substantially more expensive than the B5 or B6

Is the S5 truly worth the extra money over the B5 for "Surround" duty ?

Congratulations on the purchase.

It really depends on what you want as to whether you need the S5's. The whole idea of a surround speaker is to have a diffuse image that, well surrounds you. The S5 is designed to do that, the B5's are not. If you can bounce the B5's off a rear wall or ceiling surface it may work ok for you. Some people prefer the more direct image when they are aimed into the room. Personally, I my the S50's and I'm regularly impressed by how realistic the sounds coming from the rears and sides are and I'm also impressed by how hard it can be to pinpoint that it's coming from the speakers. The other day the kids were watching a show and I heard something that sounded like our dog barking to get in from outside (outside of the listening room). Almost got up to try and figure out why the dog hadn't just used the dog door when I realized it was just part of the show...

I think that if your HT is mainly for movies then S5 is ok to have... but if you will be playing a lot music on your HT then the B5 may be the way to go.

I'm trying to decide between the B5 ($320) and the B6 ($400) for my primary speakers while keeping in mind I'll move the speakers to the rear once I move into a space that can handle a HT system (I'm aiming for T6-s).

Will the B6-s work well with the T6-s? Would I need a sub with a B6-T6 setup?

Would I be better off with a B5/T6 system + a sub?

- if the B6 is eventually going to the back then i'd recommend to start with the B5 as it will be more than ample for surrounds duties later on when you move them to the back.

- if you are serious about HT and want as close an experience to a movie hall then you absolutely need a sub.

- B5/T6 system + a sub is the perfect option.

I agree. If possible, get the B5 and use the savings for a sub. No tower can match the presence of a good sub. The B5 with a good sub will sound great and it will sound even better when you get the T5 or T6.

Would you recommend a PSB sub or one from someplace like SVS or Hsu?


I'm thinking of getting a PSB system but I cant decide between the Imagine T or the Image T6 towers. Or for that matter PSB Imagine T Atlantic Theatre System ($5,800 (msrp) or the PSB Image T6 HT Command performance system ($2,800). Is the Imagine T system or just the towers really that much better than the Image T6?
It's a rather large price difference so I figured I'd get some input. The price figures came from a local retailers website. I can probably bring that down or build the system over time like L-C-R-Sub and get the surrounds later.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/home-thea...eaker-packages

Any insight would be quite helpful.

Hi guys,

I want to get your impressions on PSB Image 8C. How would you pay for this center? Lets not get into matching discussion because I can't match it given current limitations.

Thanks.

I returned my pair of Imagine Ts after 2 separate sets had fit and finish issues. They sounded fantastic but not quite the build quality I expected for what they cost. Stereophile seemed to really like the T6.

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloud...t6_loudspeaker

Thanks for the input

Has anyone tried mix-matching the newer Image T6 floor standees with the previous generation Image C60 center speaker (and with the s5 surrounds as well)? I happened to win the c60 at a party raffle.

Problem is, the same generation T65/55/45s are no longer locally available in my area, moreso the the S50 surrounds. I've trIed the c60 and I like how it sounds over my current entry level mission setup but I don't know if I can still build a complete previous generation Image system.

Am I better off with system based entirely on the Images (T6-C5-S5-B6) than a hybrid old and new Image line-up?

My thought, in case of movies, the match of sound is somewhat improtant for main front speakers and the center channel. The surrounds and back surrounds (in case 7.x configuration) can be not only from different generation, but even from a different brand. Saying that, the modern calibration systems, such as Audyssey MultEQ, can help to match quite different speakers into a decent sounding system.

I bought NR5008, and now plan to buy the speakers(Image T6, B6, C5,Sub5i). The total of MSRP is $2800. In the past I heard from my friends that usually if I buy whole package, there is around 20% discount, is this still true these days? If this is not allow to discuss here, please help me via private message. Thanks very much in advance!

My room is just 14'x22'x9'. Is it OK to replace the B6($550) with B4($330) to save some money as usually not much sound comes out from the surround?

I feel the S5($899.99) is little bit too expensive...

firebook23, Thanks for help!

Now I will go with T6, C5, S5 for 5.1 setup, my room size is 14'x22'x9', little bit more than medium size(2000 cube feet?), I think Sub 5i might be roughly OK to use as I am not looking for house shaking bass to avoid neighbor complaining. Also stereophile review talked about Sub5i, I assume I won't go too wrong with it.

From the PSB website, the "Command Performance Home Theatre System" mentioned there uses Sub300 with MSRP $1000 which seems little bit too expensive to me, double the price of Sub5i.

I might be able to use B4 to replace S5 to reduce the cost because I heard B4(not B5/B6) has pre-drilled thread hole for wall mount but I am not sure as I can not find the picture of the back/bottom of B4. So far I only 100% sure Imagine Mini has the thread hole at the bottom for wall mount.

Any suggestion will be highly appreciated... Plan to place the order next week...

If you are going to be doing more of music then the monopole B4/B5 might make more sense.

But, if your setup is mostly geared toward movies then it is my humble request to go S5 for surrounds. The bipole is so much smoother and more spacious than a monopole for surround duty. I use B6, C5 and S5 with an SVS sub.

After upgrading from monopoles to bipoles the performance changes that i've noticed were... I did so after getting good advise earlier up in the thread from fellow helpful members.

- The surround info/sound is now more diffuse and more pleasant than earlier. It just feels more spacious and expansive. Earlier with the monopole when there would be a sound from the side it would draw my attention and many times i would turn towards the speaker. It was quite distracting. Now the same sounds feel more subtle. I know it's coming from the side but i can't pinpoint it's location like before and this is a much more pleasant experience.

- The soundstage also seems to be better now and front to back seems more real and more cohesive. It's a smoother experience.

- I recommend people to try out bipole/dipole designs as these are excellent especially for movie performance due to their diffuse qualities.

Bottomline.... Don't compromise on surrounds. In my opinion they are as important as the front 3.

There is a pair of PSB Image 5T's at a local used shop and they are slightly worse for wear, but selling cheap. I could get at least one of them out of the pair that would work as a potential centre tower speaker with my T65's.

Does anybody know how well a 5T would work as a centre channel with T65's? Is the crossover of the 5T the same as the T55? Although the cabinets are different between the 5T and T55, I was thinking if the drivers fit, I could even use the woofers and tweeter of my C60 in the 5T temporarily and get a closer match with the T65's than the 5T with it's own drivers. Once I find a T55 or T65 (or split a pair) I could swap the drivers back and sell my C60 and the 5T's.

Anybody?

Rana, Thanks for help!

Front T6s are for music already.

I will go with S5 for surround, for the family, movie and game are the priority.