Vandersteen 1C or PSB Image T6

[rbf1138]

So I found someone on Craigslist selling both of these speakers locally, used at a good price. I'm going to be running them with just a Peachtree Nova for the foreseeable future, using them for music and HT in a 2 channel setup. Turntable, Macbook Pro (optical out) and a PS3/Xbox 360 will be the main sources.

Having heard both of these, I'm leaning towards the Vandersteens. They seemed to have a warmth and detail to them that was missing from the PSBs.
The PSB seemed a bit less refined, and certainly more neutral.

The reason for my post is that I still have some nagging feeling that the PSBs are the better speaker, with more room for growth, especially if I decided to add a subwoofer, go full 5.1, add an amp to my system,etc. Admittedly this is my first purchase of "real" speakers, so I'm just looking for some guidance and experience.

 

[Seth=L]

Vandersteen's design goal is to be as neutral as possible at any given budget so I would likely conclude the Vandersteen 1c to be the most accurate of the two. It will also provide you with a better experience for music needs with excellent imaging and immersive soundstage. The PSBs will likely be more dynamic and provide more extension at the sacrifice of a quick roll off.

Your statement stating that the Vandersteens seem more refined yet the PSBs are more neutral seems a bit contradictory.

 

[walter duque]

So I found someone on Craigslist selling both of these speakers locally, used at a good price. I'm going to be running them with just a Peachtree Nova for the foreseeable future, using them for music and HT in a 2 channel setup. Turntable, Macbook Pro (optical out) and a PS3/Xbox 360 will be the main sources.

Having heard both of these, I'm leaning towards the Vandersteens. They seemed to have a warmth and detail to them that was missing from the PSBs.
The PSB seemed a bit less refined, and certainly more neutral.

The reason for my post is that I still have some nagging feeling that the PSBs are the better speaker, with more room for growth, especially if I decided to add a subwoofer, go full 5.1, add an amp to my system,etc. Admittedly this is my first purchase of "real" speakers, so I'm just looking for some guidance and experience.

Vandersteens are great speakers. I am sure PSBs a great too, to some. Besides, build in plastic spikes on the PSBs to me is an instant turnoff. It also depends on you listening habits. The only PSB I have auditioned was the Synch Ones and to me they start crapping out just when I start to get going.

 

[zieglj01]

I have not listened to the Vandersteens - however with the PSB Image series,
I find them somewhat lacking in midrange detail and definition - and I find the
overall soundstage somewhat lacking. They are still nice speakers.

While measurements do not tell how a speaker sounds - the PSB do measurse
better with a tighter tolerance from 200 to 10khz, compared to the Vandersteen.

Vandersteen 1C
The 1C's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.20/–4.19 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 49 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 41 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.14 ohms at 9.6 kHz and a phase angle of –49.28 degrees at 69 Hz.

Image T6
The Image T6’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.88/–1.74 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 48 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 41 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.92 ohms at 413 Hz and a phase angle of –59.85 degrees at 69 Hz.

 

[Seth=L]

So far that's 2 for Vandersteen, 3 against PSB either comparitive or personal evaluative and 1 pro for the PSBs for looking better on paper.

 

[rbf1138]

And in the meantime I started reading about the Walsh Micro Talls and they sound like they may be just what I'm looking for. I'm going to call OHM tomorrow and get a pair sent out ASAP.

 

[walter duque]

And in the meantime I started reading about the Walsh Micro Talls and they sound like they may be just what I'm looking for. I'm going to call OHM tomorrow and get a pair sent out ASAP.

Good choice. The next time you upgrade you can use them for rear surrounds.

 

[cornelius]

And in the meantime I started reading about the Walsh Micro Talls and they sound like they may be just what I'm looking for. I'm going to call OHM tomorrow and get a pair sent out ASAP.

Nice! If you liked Vandys, you'll definitely like the MicroTalls. They both have smooth, open, natural sound - but the Ohms are much easier to position. Both speakers are a cut above psb's - IMO (I've owned all of them).

Have fun with 'em!

 

[riker1384]

I had the 1C's and I didn't like them, I found them too dark sounding. Also the sound changes radically as you move your head vertically, due to the 1st-order crossover. I haven't heard the PSB T6, but I liked the previous PSB Image series (B25, etc) much more than the Vandy 1C.