Best Bookshelfs for Under $300

[Big_I]

It's a done deal!

I purchased the PSB B-25s from Saturday Audio in Chicago for $324.00 shipped and insured. I chose them because of the bass output several reviewers noted that they have (hense their possible use as mains). I was very intrigued by the X-ls encore, but there is very little information on them since they aren't released yet. Maybe I will try them side-by-side when they come out?

Special thanks to John Bailey for posting that great deal!!!!!

 

[3db]

I purchased the PSB B-25s from Saturday Audio in Chicago for $324.00 shipped and insured. I chose them because of the bass output several reviewers noted that they have (hense their possible use as mains). I was very intrigued by the X-ls encore, but there is very little information on them since they aren't released yet. Maybe I will try them side-by-side when they come out?

Special thanks to John Bailey for posting that great deal!!!!!

Let us know what you think once you get them and you had a chance to listen to them.

 

[billy p]

Let us know what you think once you get them and you had a chance to listen to them.

I'll go out on the limb and state the obvious. Another satisfied once he hooks them up and gives them a listen.

 

[Big_I]

PSB B25s

Let us know what you think once you get them and you had a chance to listen to them.

Will do, but like Billy said, I'll be very happy. I'm switching from some cheezy particle board fishers from the early 90s (gotta love free speakers).

 

[thisonekidmongo]

My brother was in the market for a $200 pair of bookshelves last week, but I convinced him to pull the trigger on the $299 PSB B25s at Saturday Audio. Terrible return policy (store credit only, 15% restocking fee) but shipped fast -- ordered on Sunday, arrived Wednesday.

I didn't get a chance for any extensive listening with them yet, but the characterstic about them that I immediately noticed was how forward they sounded in terms of soundstage. I own Rockets, and my other brother owns XLS Classics, and with both of those the sound appears to be emanating right from the speaker. Playing music with the B25s, however, I felt like the singer was standing less than a foot in front of me. I'm not sure if I find that to be a positive, negative or neither yet (my brother likes it), but I was wondering, is this a known characteristic of the PSB Image series, or was it more likely the product of the particular combination of the B25s and his eight-year-old Yamaha receiver?

 

[mazersteven]

Sounds like you where standing in the sweet spot and just don't have your rig properly positioned or calibrated. With any good speaker the sound should disappear from the speaker, and not bring attention to it.

 

[j_garcia]

How is listening to different speaker systems with different materials going to give you an accurate indicator of any type of general performance of such a narrow parameter? There are too many variables present in such comparisons for one to make such an assumption based on these conditions. For example, you could take a perfectly transparent driver 'X' and place it in a cabinet with specific resonance behaviour, and the driver's transparency would be lost. This would be a function of the cabinet. The same can be said of the crossover, if not designed optimally. Or the same can be said if a driver is used in a non optimal pass band, where it starts to become severely directional, causing off axis non linearities that contaminate the room ambiance sound vs. on axis direct sound. Or what about the driver motor? Perhaps one has very poor design, lending to very high distortion, and another does not, but one assumes the difference that is heard is due to some other factor(cone material?).
-Chris

What I am saying is, yes, of the many, many speakers I have listened to, I have found that plastic cones tend to sound like plastic cones; metal ones typically impart a metalic or brighter sound to the midrange and paper often has a smooth clean sound. That is a generalization though, as it is obvious are many factors that influence a speaker's sound. Percentage wise though, more often than not, the speakers I've heard have not often surprised me by sounding completely different than expected based on the driver's materials (a few have...).

 

[Guangui]

Mongo,

I own PSB B25's and T45's. Didn't care for SA return policy 'cause I knew what I was getting, and they are more a b&m store, rather than an online only reseller.

Yes, being somewhat forward and totally disappearing are PSB characteristics, and ones that, like your brother, I enjoy. I would say that in the B25 forward is more noticeable than in the T45 (tower); on the other hand the T45's disappear much better than the B25's. I wouldn't go as far as saying that the artist is only a couple of feet away, but that depends on settings, room acoustics, and personal appreciation. Receiver/Amp also plays a part, a small one, but sometimes noticeable.

In my case I have a Marantz, and IMO it gives the B25's better soundstage and image characteristics than with other popular receivers (ie. Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon).

There is an excellent pro review somewhere about the Alpha B1's, also great for less than $300.00, actually more like $225.00/pr. Anyways, the reviewer talks about PSB's general sound characteristics they give all their speakers, and how they incorporate them in their Alpha B1. It is for the B1, but will give you a general idea for the B25 and other PSB. If I find it, I will post the link.

 

[Guangui]

Here is that link of the review:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/reviews/GS-Review-Alpha-B1

Want to thank Billy P for pointing me in the right direction.

 

[thisonekidmongo]

Thanks for the read. I was originally pushing my bro towards the Alpha series, actually, until I saw the B25 sale at the last minute. With the B25 only $20+shipping more than the cheapest I could find the Alphas, it seemed like a no-brainer. He wanted a full-sounding speaker that can really crank, so so far it seems like it was the right choice.

 

[John Bailey]

I had the PSB 2B's, which were the forerunner to the 25B's. I powered them with a NAD 320Bee. Sound was terrific, but I did find them to be too forward for my liking. I ended up towing them in so their line of site would cross about 2 feet in front of my listening position. That solved my problem, and they ended up being the best speakers I've had to date. (I'm kind of a lo/mid-fi fanatic.) I like to try different things and I changed the power to a Yamaha RX-596 stereo receiver. Very good, but not as good as the NAD.

Hope you enjoy them. Let us know how they work for you.

John

 

[Guangui]

Thanks for the read. I was originally pushing my bro towards the Alpha series, actually, until I saw the B25 sale at the last minute. With the B25 only $20+shipping more than the cheapest I could find the Alphas, it seemed like a no-brainer. He wanted a full-sounding speaker that can really crank, so so far it seems like it was the right choice.

I agree...It was a no brainer, but not everyone likes maple color, and besides when that color is finished the PSB Image special from Sat Audio is over.

 

[Sheep]

I agree...It was a no brainer, but not everyone likes maple color, and besides when that color is finished the PSB Image special from Sat Audio is over.

Is that some sort of knock against us Canadians, because I will E-kick your ***.

SheepStar

 

[mazersteven]

Is that some sort of knock against us Canadians, because I will E-kick your ***.

SheepStar

I'm your Huckleberry.

 

[oldgringo]

I concur whole heartedly with Joe Bailey's recommendations. They are proably the best ones out of the ones recommended so far

1. Sorry to be picky - we have "John" Bailey and "Joe" Schmoe. I assumed you meant "John" - is that right?

2. My real question: As a newb, may I ask if Paradigm shows up on anybodies radar?

 

[Davemcc]

2. My real question: As a newb, may I ask if Paradigm shows up on anybodies radar?

Seems to be a love it or hate kind of proposition. I didn't like the Studio series for my main system, especially for the price, but I put a full set of Cinemas in my bedroom system. Paradigm does have its fanboys, though.

 

[mazersteven]

2. My real question: As a newb, may I ask if Paradigm shows up on anybodies radar?

Not under $300 bucks.

Over $900 yes.

 

[oldgringo]

I'm your Huckleberry.

'Easy, boyz!

 

[Guangui]

Is that some sort of knock against us Canadians, because I will E-kick your ***.

SheepStar

Not really, but then why is it that PSB is facing out maple color??? Last time I checked PSB was a Canadian company...

You want so bad for me to say yes, so you can come here to try and kick my... The only reason you want me to say yes, is because where I live the temp right now is 82 Deg. F, actually I'm going fishing tomorrow morning. Going for Mahi-Mahi, so will save one for you, if you decide to come here and kick my...

Then we can sit and compare the T45's vs. the B25's, while eating fresh Ceviche, lobster bites, and having rum and cokes, mojitos, and extremely cold beers. Maybe we can smoke some ribs also.

What's the temp in you neck of the woods????

 

[mazersteven]

You want so bad for me to say yes, so you can come here to try and kick my... The only reason you want me to say yes, is because where I live the temp right now is 82 Deg. F, actually I'm going fishing tomorrow morning. Going for Mahi-Mahi, so will save one for you, if you decide to come here and kick my...

What's the temp in you neck of the woods????

81* in "my neck of the woods". Where are you?