PSB Speakers Image 4T Floorstanding Speakers

PSB Speakers Image 4T Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

This imaginatively designed product combines two 5-1/4" rubber-surround woofers with the new Image tweeter. Its 2-1/2-way design provides bass impact equivalent to a substantially larger driver, in a much slimmer cabinet, than a larger driver would allow, and with smoother response. This small, highly affordable tower is a large performer.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 41-50 of 50  
[Apr 01, 2000]
Erick
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Design and Performance

Weakness:

None in relation to comparable speakers in the price range

This is a great set of speakers. I listened to these in the store and I was sold immediately. For those who say there is not enough bass, try bi-wiring. I listened to these speakers for the first week without bi-wiring. As soon as I bi-wired them I was astonished. It made a great set of speakers even better and significantly increased the bass response (I even turned off the bass extension on my receiver, it was too much bass with it on for my tastes). If you don't have these speakers bi-wired you're missing out. You can't go wrong here at this price.

Similar Products Used:

Image 3LR

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 08, 2000]
Greg FitzGerrell
Casual Listener

Strength:

Slim design
Appearance

Weakness:

None found

This speaker simply sounds great. I listeded to several models from Paradigm and Mirage lines. Luckily I found one dealer here in Houston that had the Image series on the floor. It was the model 5T, but the sound was just great. The 4T fit the decor of my living room better than the 5T, and it sounded just the same. Purchased from Sound City and paid around $450 for the pair delivered.

Can't go wrong with the Image line from what I can see and hear. Black finish is nice, and the units look great with the speaker grilles removed!

Similar Products Used:

Mirage & Paradigm

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 17, 2000]
Gene
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Bass, Mid, High, Size, Value

Weakness:

NONE

Smooth, accurate reproduction with great imaging. After extensive comparison and auditioning between the Image 1b's and Energy and Paradigm I ordered the 1B's. When I went to pick them up, I listened to the 4T's again and was totally blown away and ended buying them instead for the front instead of going 1B's all the way around. Amazing clarity playing anything from Classical to Santana. Solid, warm and rich bass response on both music and DVD's. Judging by some of the other reviews, they must be really accurate in indicating how bad cheap and poor receivers are, and bad room acoustics!

Similar Products Used:

Energy e:xl, Paradigm

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 30, 2000]
Kevin Kroger
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Delivers great sound for such a small speaker. Very tight bass. Very surprised at how well performs for the money.

Weakness:

none

These speakers can definetly be had fir a great buy. They sound great and the dealer I bought them from was definetly well knowledged. As every enthusiast does though would now liked to have bought 6to or 7t due to the fact that their bigger and better yet. But at the time the budget was tight.

Similar Products Used:

Bose

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 29, 2000]
Pavandeep Dhuga
Audiophile

Strength:

Very Stylish looks, great value, dynamic sound & great imaging, natural and warm highs, bi-amp/bi-amp compatable

Weakness:

Lacks some bass; however, this is due to cabinet design and relatively small woofers 5 1/4. If more bass is required try the Image 5T, 6T, or the awesome Image 7T

The best speaker in it's price range. I tested various speakers in this price line and the Image 4T's come out on top. They are ideally suited for home theatre applications. As for music, they do project a high quality sound feild; however, for those people who are seeking more bass a subwoofer is required. I have been extremely happy with my PSB's and I intend to purchase the matching 1b's shortly.

Similar Products Used:

Energy E:XL series, Mission, Bose, NHT, Polk Audio, and Nuance

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 14, 2000]
jason
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

capable of room-filling majesty, disciplined bass, comforting and non-threatening sound, revealing but also accomodating, presents music in its natural wonder. somewhat laid-back sound but this is another aspect to appreciate better as time goes on. these speakers disappear when you get used to them.

Weakness:

emits a slight hissing when the power is on but sound is turned off, but this could be a problem with other components. also a bit bright and directional at first, but this is resolved after adjusting to their character.

like most so-called audiophile grade speakers, the sound doesn't grab you by the throat (or ears) and beat you into submission right away like say a bose or polk system might do at your local electronics supermarket.

a good point in this regard is that the PSB 4T's sound pleasant enough at first, then they really grow on you. I turned in my bose 301's on the final day of the 30-day trial, but only after taking home a pair of PSB Image towers and a/b switching them for comparison. well, as if there really were much of a comparison! my ears, and those of my girlfriend's, underwent an accelerated evolution with each comparative listen. an try-out of bose 701's, as well as b&w and even the renowned acoustic energy aegis series rendered a decision in favor of the 4T. unfortunately we weren't able to try paradigm as the only dealer in town never returns phone calls. perhaps further evolution is required to fully appreciate the aegis; however, the psb's more than satisfy in the meantime.

as for weaknesses, the aforementioned hiss is not a major concern, just a small annoyance. I've been accustomed to much worse, and the payoff I'm enjoying is well worth any troubles my otherwise inferior stereo/home theater setup reveals through these fantastic speakers. another small problem is that the towers show no mercy for my old degraded vhs movies, and dictate a move to DVD is coming sooner than I planned!

a modest bass response has been mentioned, but as I have maintained, these are competent speakers in every regard, especially considering their price. they will grow with you, and you will grow with them. akin to fine wine, if you were able to taste it as it aged, you may better be able to appreciate its subtle and blossoming qualities. apparently a true musical bass often takes some time to discern. this was the case with me, and the quality/quantity perception of bass is an interesting subject.

bottom line: great for movies, music, your budget, your conscience, your relationship. good looks, "female-friendly" design and easy to blend into the room decor. the last part is often overlooked when shopping for our powerful dream setups, but trust me on this one. take your wife along with you to the audio stores, and have her bring her favorite music along to audition, and after the final decision your house will know peace and joy.

Similar Products Used:

bose, jbl, acoustic energy, b&w, klh

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 31, 2000]
John Rendall
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

clear punchy mid bass, realistic highs (leaning toward bright), Bass was pleanty. Overall a flat frequency response!

Weakness:

Can be too bright if other bright products are upstream.

I have enjoyed these speakers for 5 months and can give a hearty recomendation to those of you wanting to break out of the Polk, Infinity, Bose, ect. bracket.

I bought these after looking long and hard for bookshelf speakers. I just wasn't satisfied with the choices out there for a music only system. I stumbled into them when checking out the 3LRs. After listening to them, I decided to completely re-arrange the furniture so I could fit these floor standing speakers into my 10x14 listening room/office.

The sound just floored me (after listening to bookshelves). What I heard was a flat frequency response (an integrated mix between all the sounds). The bass wasn't too much, the highs wern't all I heard, and the punchy mid-bass was perfect! It was the best blend I have heard (especially for the price). By the way, the imaging was easily the best I have heard in the price range. Also, keep in mind that imaging is significantly affected by the positions of you and the speakers (basically try to form an equateral triangle).

Concerning the bass, in my 10x14 room the bass is outstanding! In my 20x20 living room, the bass is enjoyable, but I would like slightly more. If you are looking at this speaker for a large room, either consider the 5T, 6T, or get the PSB Sub-sonic6 to complement the 4T.

Seriously, this is a must listen to for the price.

Denon DCM-370
Harmon Kardon - AVR25 II
DH Labs Silver Sonic Interconnects (Great Product!)
DH Labs T-14 10ft Bi-wire.
PSB Image 4T

Similar Products Used:

PSB Image 3LR, Energy, NHT 1.5., Tannoy R3

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 06, 2000]
einis
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

treble gives warm and colorfull feelings, design, dual binding posts, spikes, heavy build.

Weakness:

...the treble seem to dimm the voices a bit...anoying in movies. lack of bass. but the bass that is there is of quality.

PSB image is the best speakers around. theyr awesome design, build, speaker terminals n rubber feet makes this the moust well done speaker series out there, at this price class ofcourse. even came with spikes and screwdrivers!!!
i wondered if i was gonne get image4t or 5t. but belive me, get 4t and use the rest of the money on a good sub instead! cause they all have the same treble..and the 4ts looks better and takes less space.
doesnt fit as much with movies as with music. lacks power in treble, seems a bit soft spoken, dimms voices in movies that make it hard to hear them with louder music around.

but otherwize, GET THEM!!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 20, 2000]
JC
Audiophile

Strength:

Imaging,Mids,Treble,Deep Bass
Attractive Design

Weakness:

A wee bit forward,but this can provide a "palpable" sound

A wonderful surprise for the money. I wanted smaller speakers for my living room,inexpensive speakers and speakers that could eventually be used for home theatre. I got all three of my wishes plus a speaker that is audiophile quality.

These speakers are incredibly attractive. They make my system look great!

Regarding their perceived lack of bass - These speakers simply reveal all upstream electronics and your source. They don't add anything that wasn't there originally. In my system the bass is great.

At a local dealer I heard these speakers through a receiver. They sounded ok and I actually preferred the 5T's. The 5T's were more forgiving of the receivers's faults.

Your upstream components on these speakers are crucial. I have 6.5K in upstream components. These speakers sound terrific on everything - jazz,rock,rap,classical...

If reviewed in STEREOPHILE the 4T's would be at the top of the Image series towers for audiophile qualities. For home theatre they still might be fantastic depending on your other electronics.

Similar Products Used:

Replaced Vandersteen 3A's

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 41-50 of 50  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com