5.1 to 7.1 upgrade - psb alpha B1

[skads_187]

I can finally add 2 more speakers to my setup. my setup is as follows: pioneer sc-25 receiver, psb image t45, c40 and b15. someone in another forum suggested I get the alpha b1's for the sides (due to budget constraints).

I will be going to the store this afternoon to look for prices and stock.

As far as I can tell, theres one store that has them on sale for 200$ (im in Canada)

I also saw Kef C1's on sale for 150$

I wanted to keep PSB's all around. is it bad to mix and match? also, are the alpha's a clearly superior to the c1's?

Reason I ask, is chances are I wont be able to listen and compare both, so I would definitely need some advice.

thanks

 

[3db]

Its not critical to to timber match the surrounds with the rest of the system if doing movies only. It gets more important though when listening to multichannel music. As far as the Alphas being better/worse than the C1s, only your ears can decide that. So if you use them strictly for movies, save yourself $50 and get the KEFs.

 

[skads_187]

i will pass by the store during my lunch hour, hopefully i will be able to compare both, but I highly doubt it, sometimes they rarely have all model speakers hooked up on display.

 

[skads_187]

ok went to the store, the manager told me that he thinks the alphas would be too overpowering. i listened to the c1's they were ok.
he also suggested the b4's and maybe can get me a discount on it.
is it worth a little extra? maybe 50-75$ extra (compared to the alphas at 200)

 

[zieglj01]

For surround duty - I would stick to the Alpha - do not fear the overpowering thing.

 

[3db]

ok went to the store, the manager told me that he thinks the alphas would be too overpowering. i listened to the c1's they were ok.
he also suggested the b4's and maybe can get me a discount on it.
is it worth a little extra? maybe 50-75$ extra (compared to the alphas at 200)

Don't listen to the manager. How can a speaker that will be level matched via the AVR's onboard room correction facility be overpowering? That's just BS. I'm using PSB's Image 1Bs which are the next model line up from the Alpha. They are a serious performer and can play fairly loud on their own but they are level matched through my AVR's room correction facility. No over powering there. My impression is that you weren't impressed by the KEFS's. Get the Alphas, ignore the KEFs and ignore the manager.

 

[skads_187]

i think im gonna stick with psb. now, last thing, what do you think about the b4's? the alphas were a bit bulky.
the B4's from what im reading are very similar to the alphas, except for the woofer size.
but im assuming they are very similar in sound. the b4's are smaller , lighter and look nicer, what do you think ? if i can get a good deal on them? they worth it over the alphas?
sorry for all the questions, i need to make the purchase tonight, as the alphas, will no longer be on sale tomorrow.

 

[zieglj01]

i think im gonna stick with psb. now, last thing, what do you think about the b4's? the alphas were a bit bulky.
the B4's from what im reading are very similar to the alphas, except for the woofer size.

While the Alpha is nice - it is entry level for PSB - the Image is higher level

Buy what will make you happy.

 

[3db]

i think im gonna stick with psb. now, last thing, what do you think about the b4's? the alphas were a bit bulky.
the B4's from what im reading are very similar to the alphas, except for the woofer size.
but im assuming they are very similar in sound. the b4's are smaller , lighter and look nicer, what do you think ? if i can get a good deal on them? they worth it over the alphas?
sorry for all the questions, i need to make the purchase tonight, as the alphas, will no longer be on sale tomorrow.

For surround use, I don't think it will make much difference. You would be impressed by either. However, the Alpha's being the bulkier may give you more headaches in mounting them then the smaller B4s. Also, if there is any chance that the you may use these surrounds as main speakers in a 2nd system, bet the B4s .

 

[psbfan9]

Hi Skads,

I used a pair of PSB Alpha B1's as surrounds for a almost two years and they worked fine. Actually, they worked great as surrounds. Not over powering at all. I would recommend them. Check the return policy and if you feel they are insufficient in any way, you can take them back. They worked well for me as mains and then as surrounds.

Good luck

 

[zieglj01]

One way to mount the Alpha
Amazon.com: VideoSecu One Pair of Side Clamping Speaker Mounting Bracket with Tilt and Swivel for Large Surrounding Sound Speakers MS56B 3LH: Computers & Accessories

 

[skads_187]

One way to mount the Alpha
Amazon.com: VideoSecu One Pair of Side Clamping Speaker Mounting Bracket with Tilt and Swivel for Large Surrounding Sound Speakers MS56B 3LH: Computers & Accessories

no screws in the speaker necessary correct?
i googled the back of the b4 and cant find any pics, will it need a wall mount? if it doesnt, then im saving money there as well.

 

[psbfan9]

I'm trying to remember if the Alphas came with mounting brackets, and I'm pretty sure they didn't. They did have a pre drilled keyhole slot.

 

[skads_187]

so with the keyhole slot i can just hang them on a screw i guess but cant tilt them. they also have 2 screw holes. usually there is only one, thats a bit odd.

i also found these: Pinpoint AM20 (Black) Wall- and ceiling-mount speaker bracket at Crutchfield.com
Everik Audio Stands EM-102B (Speaker Wall Mount) from Centre Hi-Fi

 

[skads_187]

finally found the back of a b4, so im guessing gotta leave some space to let it breathe in the back

http://www.conice.co.th/images/catalog_images/1308293189.jpg

 

[3db]

finally found the back of a b4, so im guessing gotta leave some space to let it breathe in the back

PSB Image B4 Mint Condition Photo #449534 - Canuck Audio Mart

With the port located in the rear, you should hang them as far from the wall as possible. Btech also makes a very similar product to what zielg mentioned in post 11 which is sold in Futurshop and maybe Best Buy,

 

[zieglj01]

finally found the back of a b4, so im guessing gotta leave some space to let it breathe in the back

I would leave some space, to keep Dr Mushy Boom away.

 

[skads_187]

With the port located in the rear, you should hang them as far from the wall as possible. Btech also makes a very similar product to what zielg mentioned in post 11 which is sold in Futurshop and maybe Best Buy,

yeah i found them , 80$, quite pricey, but no choice, will be going after work, i hope it goes well.

 

[3db]

They work well. I use them for my PSB Image 1Bs for the left and right. The center is a custom job I came up with.

 

[skads_187]

thanks, found this as well, that doesnt look too bad either:
http://www.amazon.ca/Heavy-Mount-Brackets-BookShelf-Speakers/dp/tech-data/B0059TP3BS/ref=de_a_smtd