perplexo

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.75 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $220.00 from DMC Electronics

Summary:
I keep a separate Class A two channel system for music, (mostly vinyl). The AV system I'm slowly building is, at best, mid-fi, because I'm not as concerned that TV propaganda/DVD digital reproduction be absolutely pristine. That being said, I left on close to an objective mission to audition an array of speakers in the $300.00 range for main channels--not quite objective as I felt I would probably not be satisfied with any of them. I should preface also by saying I did not audition with DVD's feeling that well recorded music would trump a DVD; instead, I brought along two of my favorite recordings: Dead Can Dance's "Into the Labrynth" tracks 4&5, and Charles Mingus' "The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" track 1. to I listened to Athena ASB-2 and Epos ELS-3 through a Parasound system; the Acoustic Energy EOS1, NHT SB1, Monitor Audio, PSB Image 2B, and their B15 model through an NAD sytem. Monitor Audio was out immediately--just plain muddy. NHT's were pretty neutral, more accurate but boxy. The Athena, now available at Best Buy, (which also tainted my objectivity somewhat), were full sounding, but too bright. Separation was also off, especially in midrange/high frequency details. The Epos I liked. Considerably more accurate and neutral. Lacked some of the bass response, but for such small woofers, what can one expect? At least the bass was accurate and tight. I liked the Acoustic Energy slightly more because I sensed they were even more neutral and their imaging was great. I listened to the PSB Image 2B right out of the box, so there was no break-in period. They just seemed a little muddy and bright. (These were on a special close-out deal. Normally, they retailed for $399.00 USD). I was expecting the same out of the B15's, of course, though it is apparently the updated model of the Image 1B, a step below the 2B. I was quite wrong. This is a very exciting speaker. My taste is for neutrality, accuracy and imaging. Wow. Listening to Mingus' bass creep out on the first track was amazing; so out front and dead accurate--but not dominant--compared with all of the other speakers. Smooth highs, no "tinny-ness" or roll off. Midrange sweet with great clarity. From many speakers, one can sense that one or more frequency ranges tends to jump out at the listener while dissolving others. With the B15's, there was an odd sense that all of the music was jumping out without any of the details being lost. And all of this from the B15 which replaces the Image 1B--not the 2B! I would highly recommend giving this speaker a listen, but as we are all subjective, I would also suggest hearing the Epos and Acoustic Energy lines if you're in the market. Great prices at DMC Electronics, by the way.

Strengths:
Bass response, accuracy, midrange clarity, larger than life for its size. Though sound matters most, they are attractive little buggers in the maple finish.

Weaknesses:
I might be able to tell you if I listened to them through a 2-channel Class A Hi-Fi system.

Similar Products Used:
Auditioned Epos ELS-3, NHT SB1, Monitor Audio(forgot model#), Athena ASB-2, and Acoustic Energy EOS1.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Sound Images by High

Summary:
I bought these speakers as surrounds for my HT set-up and wow! For the price these little guys are mighty. Before my HT room was ready, I set them up in a secondary room I use for stereo audio only. These guys blew. Even my old albums sounded cool again. I hated to move them when the room was ready.

Strengths:
Lots of flavor for the price.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
JBL, PSB, Bose, KLH

Summary:
The beauty of this little speaker is that for the price, I think one would be very hard pressed indeed to find a better sounding suround speaker.

I bought them as surround speakers to accompany the recent addition of a DVD and they sound utterly superb. Everything comes through on them.

At present my room is somewhat cramped so I had to move out some of my speakers. As a result the PSB's are being used as mains. Granted I have mounted them on big manly stands - so that does improve the bass somewhat, but still the music I play through them sounds fantastic. If anyone says to you that they lack bass - don't listen. Besides, one is hardly going to make the floor shake with a set of surrouds, that sort of thing just isn't done.

I paid NZ$700 (about $300US) which I thought was a little extravagant. Them I heard them. Absolutely no regrets. If this is your price budget, don't waste any time trying anything else.

Strengths:
Beautifully magnificnt sound. Warm and clean. Small enough to fit into the most cramped of selves

Weaknesses:
PSB are hard to get in this country

Similar Products Used:
B&W, JBL, TDL, Infinity, Mirage...

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Audiocentre.com

Summary:
Upgraded from the PSB Alpha Mites. I loved those Mites, but wow... what a difference!

Strengths:
Full sound; great range; perfect surround speaker!

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
PSB Mites; PSB 2B; Sony DD-515; Sony SS-616

Summary:
These speakers sound great! I'm using a pair as surround speakers, and another pair as the main speakers on my downstairs stereo system. They make the 10-year old Mission bookshelf speakers I have sound pathetic in comparison (and I paid just as much for the Missions ten years ago!). Highly recommended!

Strengths:
Great sound, small size

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Mission bookshelf speakers