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post #4141 of 4581
1/29/13 at 4:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoAZ View Post

I was into the audio store again last night to do some listening. I am still torn between the Image or Imagine lines and figured more listening couldn't hurt. I wanted to hear the Imagine T2 towers, unfortunately they did not have any to listen to. I was able to A/B some Image B6 and Imagine B speakers. The Image B6 sounded very good, but once the Imagines were on it was no comparison. The sound on the Imagine B was much wider and a bit more detailed. After listening to there's I asked him to switch over to the T6 towers. The T6 were impressive compared to either of the others (as to be expected comparing a tower to a bookshelf), but they did sound a tiny bit boomy in the mid bass. In the other room he had the Imagine T towers, they sounded excellent. The small drivers were putting out a health amount of very detailed bass with excellent detail. This session didn't allow me to listen to the Imagine T2, but it made me think that the Imagine T towers would suit me fine, and the T2 towers could only sound better still.

I asked the shop owner for his opinions on the different towers, he said in the under $2000 range he sold a lot of the PSB T5 and T6, but above that price point he sold more B&W CM8 and CM9 over the Imagine towers. He suggested I come back and A/B the Imagine T and the CM8 when I had more time. His take was that for mostly HT and some music the T6 and matching Image speakers would be great, but for more critical music listening the next step up was going to be worth the extra money. I forced an opinion out of him, he said he personally preferred the CM9 to the T2 towers.

Whatever I buy will be powered by my NAD T757.

 

Suggest to him that you would like to audition the demo speakers in your home before you make a decision and see waht he says.  I auditioned Synchrony Ones for a week before deciding to buy them.  I had them long enough that I even ran an Audyssey calibration.  Nothing compares to listening to speakers in your own room.

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post #4142 of 4581
1/29/13 at 9:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AustinJerry View Post

Suggest to him that you would like to audition the demo speakers in your home before you make a decision and see waht he says.  I auditioned Synchrony Ones for a week before deciding to buy them.  I had them long enough that I even ran an Audyssey calibration.  Nothing compares to listening to speakers in your own room.

I will not be purchasing the speakers from my local dealer, so I don't think it would be fair to use him for an at home trial. I will be using an incentive program through my work to purchase the speakers. I told the dealer this from day one and he was still a great help. I purchased my NAD receiver from him after I started looking at speakers because his customer service is excellent (he also gave me a good price that was less than Crutchfield even with paying the sales tax). If there are any speakers not covered by the points in my employers program I will be purchasing any others from my local dealer. I have 5125 points, worth roughly $1 per point, available to use on speakers.
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post #4143 of 4581
1/31/13 at 1:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoAZ View Post


I asked the shop owner for his opinions on the different towers, he said in the under $2000 range he sold a lot of the PSB T5 and T6, but above that price point he sold more B&W CM8 and CM9 over the Imagine towers. He suggested I come back and A/B the Imagine T and the CM8 when I had more time. His take was that for mostly HT and some music the T6 and matching Image speakers would be great, but for more critical music listening the next step up was going to be worth the extra money. I forced an opinion out of him, he said he personally preferred the CM9 to the T2 towers.

I have never liked the B&W speakers... well let me rephrase that. I have never thought they where worth the money. Even though the CM9's are about the same price as the Imagine T2 towers I would put the performance in the same category as the Image T6's (at half the price). The fit and finish on the T2's is just so much nicer then the B&W's. In my mind you get the better sound and better finish with the PSB's.

You have to watch out as everyone has their own bias at this price point (me included). there are a lot of very nice speakers available for $2-3000
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post #4144 of 4581
1/31/13 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by firebook23 View Post

I have never liked the (less expensive) B&W speakers... well let me rephrase that. I have never thought they where worth the money. Even though the CM9's are about the same price as the Imagine T2 towers I would put the performance in the same category as the Image T6's (at half the price). The fit and finish on the T2's is just so much nicer then the B&W's. In my mind you get the better sound and better finish with the PSB's.

You have to watch out as everyone has their own bias at this price point (me included). there are a lot of very nice speakers available for $2-3000
+1
I had a pair of DM605 speakers with the matching LCR60 center and to me they sounded too harsh and not near as detailed as the PSBs. The LCR60 was also weak as far as dialogue was concerned....... always had the subtitle option on. I believe that the CM9s are the next generation in this B&W performance class. I believe they even sell them at Best Buy if that means anything.

But as Firebook alluded to, it's your ears and your Home Theater and you should only concern yourself with what works best for you.
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post #4145 of 4581
2/1/13 at 1:35pm
Guys, I need an AV cabinet or AV table requirements must be around 24" deep and must have the WAF
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post #4146 of 4581
2/1/13 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LIKEAUDIO View Post

Guys, I need an AV cabinet or AV table requirements must be around 24" deep and must have the WAF


This has worked for me and holds the Synchrony 2C wonderfully. I paid $1600 delivered


http://www.standsonline.com/Free-Shipping/JSP-Bolero-TV-Stand-up-to-60-TVs-in-Harvest-Sun-finish__JSP-Bolero-HarSun.aspx
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post #4147 of 4581
2/4/13 at 9:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoAZ View Post

I was into the audio store again last night to do some listening. I am still torn between the Image or Imagine lines and figured more listening couldn't hurt. I wanted to hear the Imagine T2 towers, unfortunately they did not have any to listen to. I was able to A/B some Image B6 and Imagine B speakers. The Image B6 sounded very good, but once the Imagines were on it was no comparison. The sound on the Imagine B was much wider and a bit more detailed. After listening to there's I asked him to switch over to the T6 towers. The T6 were impressive compared to either of the others (as to be expected comparing a tower to a bookshelf), but they did sound a tiny bit boomy in the mid bass. In the other room he had the Imagine T towers, they sounded excellent. The small drivers were putting out a health amount of very detailed bass with excellent detail. This session didn't allow me to listen to the Imagine T2, but it made me think that the Imagine T towers would suit me fine, and the T2 towers could only sound better still.

I asked the shop owner for his opinions on the different towers, he said in the under $2000 range he sold a lot of the PSB T5 and T6, but above that price point he sold more B&W CM8 and CM9 over the Imagine towers. He suggested I come back and A/B the Imagine T and the CM8 when I had more time. His take was that for mostly HT and some music the T6 and matching Image speakers would be great, but for more critical music listening the next step up was going to be worth the extra money. I forced an opinion out of him, he said he personally preferred the CM9 to the T2 towers.

Whatever I buy will be powered by my NAD T757.

Well, my decision is made. The award link points company through work came back with a good deal on the Imagine T2, Imagine C, Imagine S, and Sub Series 300. Total cost shipped is 5828 points, the points are roughly worth $1 each. I have points to cover 5125, the rest will be cash on my end. I will be placing the order tomorrow morning. I'm pleased to finally have a decision made so I can move forward.
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post #4148 of 4581
2/5/13 at 3:37pm
Good move!

I just got the Imagine T2 and the Imagine C two weeks ago...and I have the Imagine S coming in this week. I auditioned the Imagine T's first and then went for the T2's. I don't regret it. Crystal clear and full spectrum sound that is very impressive. I went with a REL T-9 sub but I'm sure that the PSB sub is good.

I like the PSB speakers for music, first and they are also great for 5.1 surround movies or when I get the Imagine S; 7.1 surround. The Imagine C is fantastic as a center speaker; dialog is very clear and not muddy.

The fiit and finish of the Imagine line was a hit with my wife as they are not an overpowering looking speaker.

Let me know how you like them, when you get them setup.

Brian
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post #4149 of 4581
2/5/13 at 9:29pm
I am struggling to understand something with my Image T6's, C5 and B5's. The spec sheet states that these speakers are 8 ohm nominal impedance and 4 ohm minimal impedance. Does this classify these speakers as being 4 ohm speakers and should I be looking to receivers that specifically specify that they can drive 4 ohm speakers?

Thanks
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post #4150 of 4581
2/5/13 at 10:33pm
I recently asked this question of several sources before ordering my new speakers. The owner of my local audio shop (PSB and NAD dealer) told me the NAD receivers are fine with a 4 ohm load. He said that some amp companies rate their amps to 8 ohm to get the UL listing, and that running them at 4 ohm makes them run slightly warmer than the Underwriters Laboratory allows. I also asked NAD the same question about my new NAD T757:

2013-01-01 19:18 Impedance question using PSB speakers with a NAD T757 receiver
I recently purchased a NAD T757 receiver and am looking for new speakers. I am looking at either the PSB Image T6 towers or the PSB Imagine T towers. Looking at the manual for the NAD T757 it recommends that speakers with an impedance less than 8 ohms should not be used. The Image T6 towers are rated at 6 ohms, the Imagine T towers are rated at 4 ohms. Are either of these speakers safe to use with my newly purchased NAD T757 receiver?

Thanks!

2013-01-03 09:13 re: Impedance question using PSB speakers with a NAD T757 receiver
Thank you for contacting the NAD Electronics Support Centre.

The T757 is rated to drive speakers rated from 4 ohms to 8 ohms.

The manual for the NAD T757 recommends speakers no lower than 8 ohms, but the factory is telling me it is fine to run the Imagine series. I am going to run it as is and see if it melts under warranty, if it does I will use their statement against them to get it repaired or replaced. I'm not anticipating any problems.
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post #4151 of 4581
2/6/13 at 3:31am
When I was in the market, I called PSB they said that I need it a 4ohm stable amp or avr. I got a Parasound for my set up and a Pre amp Marantz, my imagines t2s sound way better than when I was running them with a Denon Avr. Yamaha has 4ohm rated AVRs.
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post #4152 of 4581
2/6/13 at 4:46am
same here...big sonic improvement going form a dnon AVR and a 809/emotiva xpa5 pre/pro setup

I have been told my B6 mains are in fact 6ohm.
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post #4153 of 4581
2/6/13 at 8:25am
Thread Starter 
Speakers are not "set" at a specific ohm setting. it is a moving target. So speakers like the T2 can have swings from 4-6 and maybe 8 ohms depending on the volume and material playing. So if your speaker is rated at 8ohms it is very likely that at times it will be 6ohms or so.

If your speakers are rated at 4ohms it is likely that at some points they will be 2ohms or so. (I have heard of amps that are rated to 4 ohms going into protection because it thinks there is a short in the system, or the speaker is loading below 1 ohm)

It seems like I am the maven for higher powered receivers and amps on this tread ;-)
But as some have just mentioned. moving up from the Denon, Yamaha and onkyos of this world into a NAD, Emotiva, cambridge, anthem and rotels really does make a HUGE difference

All these mass market companies just rate their amps into 1 channel (2 if your lucky) into 8 ohms. Some of them rate their amps with a 1khz test tone for 1/4 sec. burst!

Sorry for my ramblings
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post #4154 of 4581
2/6/13 at 8:29am
Thread Starter 
Has anyone heard the PSB Speakers M42 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones? Just picked up a pair last week and really like them. I am interested to see if anyone else has had the opportunity to listen to these great cans yet.
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post #4155 of 4581
2/6/13 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by firebook23 View Post

Has anyone heard the PSB Speakers M42 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones? Just picked up a pair last week and really like them. I am interested to see if anyone else has had the opportunity to listen to these great cans yet.

 

I have had a set of these since they first became available.  They were named Sound&Vision's Product of the Year (not just headphones of the year, but overall product of the year).

 

The sound is really great.  However, I don't find myself actually listening to headsets that often, and when I do (walking, working out), I am wearing a nice set of B&W earbuds, which are also very nice.

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post #4156 of 4581
2/6/13 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AustinJerry View Post

I have had a set of these since they first became available.  They were named Sound&Vision's Product of the Year (not just headphones of the year, but overall product of the year).

The sound is really great.  However, I don't find myself actually listening to headsets that often, and when I do (walking, working out), I am wearing a nice set of B&W earbuds, which are also very nice.

Ya I did see that they where named headphone of the year. that is impressive.

I needed a pair for work (closed back, so that I didn't disturb the office design) and over the ears as when I wear earbuds for more then a few hours they drive me crazy. I am happy so far.
the only thing I can say is that they are a little big.

-k
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post #4157 of 4581
2/6/13 at 12:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Firebook 
Speakers are not "set" at a specific ohm setting. it is a moving target. So speakers like the T2 can have swings from 4-6 and maybe 8 ohms depending on the volume and material playing. So if your speaker is rated at 8ohms it is very likely that at times it will be 6ohms or so.
Just to confirm what Firebook stated, when I was reading up on my Stratus Goldi speakers which are rated at 4 ohms, I remember seeing tests that actually showed that they would occasionally dip down to around 2.3 ohms on low frequency stuff IIRC.

My suggestion is to get a quality amplifier that can handle those 4ohm loads rather than mess around with something where the instructions say "don't" yet an e-mail says "OK".
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post #4158 of 4581
2/6/13 at 9:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by warpdrive View Post

I thought I'd drop by to show off my new little gem speakers otherwise known as imagine mini....

Very impressed so far

DSC_0265_1.jpg

Nice!

Curious - what desktop stands are you using?
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post #4159 of 4581
2/7/13 at 11:40am
Just throwing it out. I'm trying to find a pair of PSB image B15 / B25. Let me know if you have a set collecting dust.
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post #4160 of 4581
2/7/13 at 8:33pm
I'm running my PSB Imagine T2, Imagine C and when they get here the S surround speakers through an Emotiva XPA-5 amp via a Marantz AV8801. I have just received another XPA-5 that I am going to add to the mix. I had been running this through a Denon 4311CI which was good BUT what a difference. I'm not talking about an increase of db but just that the quality is amazing. The T2's are rated at 6 ohms/nominal 4 ohms. The EMOTIVA amps don't breathe heavy compared to the Denon. I would make sure that whatever you are using; check to make sure that it can go to 4 ohms without turning into a blow torch.

Brian
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post #4161 of 4581
2/8/13 at 5:39am
Agreed. When adding an emo xpa-5 to my image series fronts it was a whole new sound. It was amazing and I will never look back

Try the jazz classic take 5. An amazing imaging and sonic peice which I am sure will bring a huge grin to your face
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post #4162 of 4581
2/8/13 at 10:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii View Post

Nice!

Curious - what desktop stands are you using?

they are deskstands that came with my dynaudios

http://www.dynaudio.com/int/home_loudspeaker_systems/accessories/sf_1.php
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post #4163 of 4581
2/8/13 at 9:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torqdog View Post

Just to confirm what Firebook stated, when I was reading up on my Stratus Goldi speakers which are rated at 4 ohms, I remember seeing tests that actually showed that they would occasionally dip down to around 2.3 ohms on low frequency stuff IIRC.

My suggestion is to get a quality amplifier that can handle those 4ohm loads rather than mess around with something where the instructions say "don't" yet an e-mail says "OK".

I completely understand your point, but I thought I was going to get different speakers (B&W CM9, 8 ohms) when I purchased the receiver. Although I wasn't in a hurry to get the receiver before the speakers, my wife really wanted to get it as my christmas present. Since I already have the NAD T757 receiver I will be running it. I will evaluate the performance of my new Imagine series speakers and the temperature of my receiver compared to running it at 8 ohms with my current speakers. The receiver does have pre outs to connect an external amp, something like the Emotiva mentioned in another post. The Imagine T2 are rated at 6 ohms with a 4 ohm minimum.
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post #4164 of 4581
2/10/13 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoAZ View Post

I completely understand your point, but I thought I was going to get different speakers (B&W CM9, 8 ohms) when I purchased the receiver. Although I wasn't in a hurry to get the receiver before the speakers, my wife really wanted to get it as my christmas present. Since I already have the NAD T757 receiver I will be running it. I will evaluate the performance of my new Imagine series speakers and the temperature of my receiver compared to running it at 8 ohms with my current speakers. The receiver does have pre outs to connect an external amp, something like the Emotiva mentioned in another post. The Imagine T2 are rated at 6 ohms with a 4 ohm minimum.
Well 1st off, congratulations for your choosing the Imagines. They are truly fine speakers fully capable of reproducing those nuanced details in articulately recorded material.

Eventually you are gonna want to get a good amplifier capable of fleshing out all that your Imagines are capable of. I've read many testimonials on these forums and elsewhere from folks who have graduated from a receiver/amp combo to a good quality amplifier that is either fed by the preamp portion of their receiver or that the receiver is also replaced by a dedicated pre-pro. Either way, the results were all very positive.

BTW; you are a lucky man that has a wife eager to help with your audio gear purchasing.smile.gif
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post #4165 of 4581
2/10/13 at 3:10pm
Would these be an exact sonic match to the image b6 speakers?:


PSB - Image S50 - Bipole Surrounds -

Either these or imagine minis


Looking for surrounds thanks
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post #4166 of 4581
2/10/13 at 3:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Fineberg View Post

Would these be an exact sonic match to the image b6 speakers?:


PSB - Image S50 - Bipole Surrounds -

Either these or imagine minis


Looking for surrounds thanks

 

I would think the S50 would be a better timbre match, since they are from the same line (Image).  Alos, a bipole is a completely different solution when compared with the Imagine Mini, which is a monopole (direct) speaker.  It's like apples to oranges.  IMHO, you should first decide whether you want the diffuse sound of a bipole speaker, or the focused sound of a direct radiator.

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post #4167 of 4581
2/10/13 at 3:41pm
I want the dipoles. But the exact match is the image s5. These are an older model. Believe. But I can get them for 200$ as opposed to the s5 which is 900$

Just want to make sure they are timbre matched. The image mini was just a a thought
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post #4168 of 4581
2/10/13 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torqdog View Post

...
Eventually you are gonna want to get a good amplifier capable of fleshing out all that your Imagines are capable of. I've read many testimonials on these forums and elsewhere from folks who have graduated from a receiver/amp combo to a good quality amplifier that is either fed by the preamp portion of their receiver or that the receiver is also replaced by a dedicated pre-pro. Either way, the results were all very positive.
...

You're right that there are countless testimonials telling us that separates sound better, but are any of those actual scientific tests (level matched, blinded to remove bias, etc)?

People expect to hear a difference when they get a new, more $$ amp, and their brains don't let them down.
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post #4169 of 4581
2/10/13 at 5:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaveav View Post

You're right that there are countless testimonials telling us that separates sound better, but are any of those actual scientific tests (level matched, blinded to remove bias, etc)?

People expect to hear a difference when they get a new, more $$ amp, and their brains don't let them down.
You're right....... both my ears AND brain told me it sounded better when I made the switch many years ago. LOL

It's a no-brainer(pardon the pun) when you compare an integrated receiver/amp that advertises let's say 100 watts over 5.1 or 7.1 channels and a dedicated amp that puts out let's say 200 wpc, all channels driven. The integrated's 100watts is typically being spread amongst all the channels and when it is driven at moderate to loud volumes, it's questionable whether it's even capable of putting out more than let's say 30 wpc.

The dedicated, quality amplifier is definitely gonna sound better and I'd be willing to bet that double blind tests would prove it.

Just sayin......
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post #4170 of 4581
2/10/13 at 6:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Fineberg View Post

I want the dipoles. But the exact match is the image s5. These are an older model. Believe. But I can get them for 200$ as opposed to the s5 which is 900$

Just want to make sure they are timbre matched. The image mini was just a a thought

Brian,

If it were me in your position I would get the s50's in a heartbeat. It would be a tough sell for me to spend nearly 1000 on the s5's. I'd probably take the B4s instead just to save some coin. But if you have access to the s50's buy them they may be an older speaker but they will sound very similar to the S5s
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