Review: PSB Image 1B

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.07.02)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Product Model Year:
2000

Summary:
For the price, these are excellent bookshelf speakers. I’m using them as surrounds in my home theater setup so I can’t really comment on them as mains, but I did audition them solo. I settled on them because they’re matched to my Image 4T fronts and 8C center, which I love (see my other reviews).

They do everything you want your surrounds to do. They provide tremendous ambience, image effects superbly, and give terrific “eveloped” sound feel.

I do think these might indeed be a cut below the PSB Alpha A/Vs if you wanted to use these as mains because the A/V’s have larger bass drivers, but otherwise I really cannot agree with the review below–I don’t think they sound boxy at all.

Yes, the bass response isn’t great. It’s a bookshelf speaker, what else would one expect?

Of the other speakers I auditioned in roughly this price range, I think I liked the Mirage’s second best as surrounds and the Paradigms second best as fronts, but nothing was as good all-around as the PSB setup. Give ’em a listen!

Strengths:
Imaging, flat response, appearance

Weaknesses:
none at this price

Similar Products Used:
KEF, Klipsch, Paradigm, Mirage

Review: PSB Image 8C

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.07.02)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Price Paid:  $230 at Colonel Audio Video

Product Model Year:
2000

Summary:
I bought this to go with the rest of my system which includes Image 4T’s up front and 1B’s in the back. In my review of the 4T’s (which I’ve had a little longer), I noted they were particuarly good at mid-range, especially vocals.

Well, the 8C is even better, which is what you want your center channel to be. This speaker does an outstanding job of reproducing voices in a home theater setup. Different voices are clear and distinct at all volumes, and any effects played through the center sound great as well. For this price, this is a steal. A truly outstanding speaker.

No, they don’t reproduce really low bass very well. And if you’re trying to reproduce really low bass with your center channel, why? This is why you have fronts and a sub…

Strengths:
Outstanding reproduction of voices, appearance.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Listened to similarly-priced Klipsch, KEF, Paradigm, and Mirage

Review: Proton D940

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.03.05)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Price Paid:  $300

Product Model Year:
Pre 1995

Summary:
I’m surprised this old dinosaur is still up here–I’m glad to see that it is.

I bought this as a dealer was going out of business in the summer of 1989, and actually got it pretty cheap. I’d had my eye on it for a while because the sound is AMAZING. As other reviewers have noted, this is like buying separates in one box. This baby can shake the walls blasting rock yet at the same time show the deftness of handling needed for softer classical music. If this thing had a remote, it would be perfect. You can’t adequately replace this receiver for less than a grand.

Mine is pretty much on its last legs, as the preamp is going. If I ever see another one at a garage sale or something, I’m buying it, bridging the two to mono, and using my current reciver just as a preamp. Separates-quality.

Strengths:
Amazing power, separate “listen” and “record” preamp circuits

Weaknesses:
No remote, static-y controls

Review: PSB Image 4T

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2001.03.05)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Product Model Year:
2000

Summary:
These are outstanding speakers. When I was considering what to purchase, I auditioned Paradigm, Mirage, KEF, Klipsch and some others. In this price range, I thought the PSBs were the clear winner. (Incidentally, I was least impressed with the KEFs–much too forward. I’d give second place to the Paradigms.)

The highs on might be a bit bright for some (not as bright at the Mirage at this price point), but suit my taste perfectly. What really made these speakers stand out from the pack, though, were the mids. Incredibly clear and well-imaged. A good test track, I found, is the Art of Noise “Il Pleure” which tests a good dynamic range as well as really stressing the vocals. I tell you, you will swear the singer is standing in the room.

As far as bass (not “base”) response, these speakers deliver clear and tight bass. The frequency response is very flat and if you are used to speakers that thump, then these might sound light on the bass. Be very careful with how you place them, as I’ve found six inches either way closer or futher from the wall makes a big difference. The bass these produce is very tight and moving them a little closer to the wall gives them a bit more umph without making them muddy. I agree that bi-wiring also seems to help. Also, be careful about your upstream components. Don’t use these speakers with consumer-grade low-current amps–the bass *will* sound a bit off. These things want current. Listen to them with something like a NAD or HK (or better) component driving them.

With a good amp, the real problem with these speakers is that they may be a bit too revealing. If you have a CD that is originally from an analog source and a less-than-forgiving DAC, you can hear pops or clicks from the analog source when you really crank these up. If you need a better amp or a better DAC, these speakers will let you know.

Oh, and as others have mentioned, they look great and don’t take up too much floor space, which is always a plus in a real living room.

I like ’em and am planning to do HT with matching Image componts (8C up front, 1B or 2B rears), except maybe the sub. PSB subs seem a bit pricey for what you get. Any recommendations that would match well with these?

Strengths:
Imaging, flat response, appearance, price/performance

Weaknesses:
Nothing major

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm, Mirage, KEF, Klipsch

Review: NAD C740

(originally posted to audioreview.com on 2000.05.27)

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Product Model Year:
1999

Summary:
Do not be misled by the power numbers–this thing blows consumer-grade components (e.g. Sony, JVC) with more than double the power rating completely out of the water. If what you care about is listening to the music the way the music should be heard, this is a steal. Terrific soundstage, great imaging. Maybe a little bright for some.

My old Proton D940 died (a dark day) and I needed a replacement. I auditioned just about everything else in the price range, and nothing really excited me. So I took a chance and bought the NAD without hearing it first. I had some reservations about doing this–until I fired up the C740, and all reservations went out the window.

It may also be hard to find one of these, as there aren’t a lot of NAD dealers in the U.S., so it may be hard to audition it for yourself. But for the money, you can’t go wrong–far, far better than anything you’ll find in a Best Buy or a Circuit City. Well worth the effort.

Strengths:
Sound quality for price

Weaknesses:
No digital input

Similar Products Used:
Proton D940