Can I power PSB imagine speakers

[gambini]

I've auditioned the PSB Imagine T and C speakers using high caliber electronics. Would my Onkyo HT-260 receiver (100wpc, ) be able to power these effectively (20x14x8 room that opens to kitchen)? The 4-ohm impedance is what wories me.

Specs on center:
•frequency response: 52-23,000 Hz (±3dB)
•sensitivity: 89 dB
•4-ohm impedance — suited for high-current amplifiers ***
•recommended power: 20-150 watts
•1" titanium dome tweeter with neodymium magnets
•dual 5-1/4" injection-molded, clay ceramic-filled polypropylene woofers
•bass reflex (ported) design
•hand-selected, real wood veneer finish
•two sets of gold-plated five way binding posts — can be bi-wired
•20-1/2"W x 7-1/2"H x 13-7/8"D

 

[Rightbrained]

I used an Onkyo to power a complete PSB Image set up. The PSB's never posed a problem for it.

 

[zieglj01]

I've auditioned the PSB Imagine T and C speakers using high caliber electronics. Would my Onkyo HT-260 receiver (100wpc, ) be able to power these effectively (20x14x8 room that opens to kitchen)? The 4-ohm impedance is what wories me.

Specs on center:
•frequency response: 52-23,000 Hz (±3dB)
•sensitivity: 89 dB
•4-ohm impedance — suited for high-current amplifiers ***
•recommended power: 20-150 watts
•1" titanium dome tweeter with neodymium magnets
•dual 5-1/4" injection-molded, clay ceramic-filled polypropylene woofers
•bass reflex (ported) design
•hand-selected, real wood veneer finish
•two sets of gold-plated five way binding posts — can be bi-wired
•20-1/2"W x 7-1/2"H x 13-7/8"D

It will drive them - However, you may be limited some what on
the volume level. The Onkyo power decreases as you play more
than 2 channels. The Onkyo has a dynamic power rating of 210
watts at 4 ohms, for 1 channel driven.

 

[3db]

I don't know where you got your specs from but from the PSB website, the Imagine C has the follow specs as shown below. Please note the bolded sections if the nominal impedance. The center channel will not dip below 4ohms so 4 ohms will always be its worst case impedance. The Onkyo will drive it but you will be limited on loudness. If you plan on playing it quite loud, you will likely end up driving this receiver into clipping and risk damaging the tweeters. I would add an external 3 channel amp to drive the left/right mains and the center channel. I would look to Emotiva as they sell decntly powerful amps for more than reasonable prices.

Imagine C Center Specifications
Frequency Range
On Axis @ 0° ±1.5dB 45-20,000Hz
On Axis @ 0° ±3dB 47-23,000Hz
Off Axis @ 30° ±1.5dB 45-10,000Hz
Lf Cutoff -10dB 40Hz
Sensitivity
1w (2.83V) @ 1m, IEC-filtered Pink Noise, C-weighted
Anechoic Chamber 87dB
Typical Listening Room 89dB
Impedence
Nominal 4 Ohms
Minimum 4 Ohms
Input Power
RMS, Clipping < 10% of the Time
Recommended 20-150 Watts
Program 150 Watts
Acoustic Design
Tweeter (Nominal) 1" (25mm)
Titanium Dome with Ferrofluid
Woofer (Nominal) 2 x 5 1/4" (135mm) Woofers
Clay/Ceramic filled Polypropylene Cone,
Rubber Surround
Crossover 1,800HZ, LR4
Internal Volume Design Type .54 cu ft (15.4 liter)
Bass Reflex
Size (W x H x D)
Millimeters 521mm x 191mm x 346mm
Inches 20 1/2" x 7 1/2” x 13 5/8”
Net Weight
Kilograms 2.2 kg/each
Pounds 26.8 lb /each
Shipping Weight
Kilograms 13.9 kg/each
Pounds 30.5 lb /each

 

[KEW]

Input Power
RMS, Clipping < 10% of the Time
Recommended 20-150 Watts
Program 150 Watts

3db,
PSB certainly does an excellent job being thorough with their specifications!
Do you know how to interpret the above?
Does it mean do not allow greater than (or equal to) 10% clipping?
Or 150 Watts RMS would typically result in 10% clipping?
Or something completely different?
Thanks!

 

[walter duque]

I've auditioned the PSB Imagine T and C speakers using high caliber electronics. Would my Onkyo HT-260 receiver (100wpc, ) be able to power these effectively (20x14x8 room that opens to kitchen)? The 4-ohm impedance is what wories me.

Specs on center:
•frequency response: 52-23,000 Hz (±3dB)
•sensitivity: 89 dB
•4-ohm impedance — suited for high-current amplifiers ***
•recommended power: 20-150 watts
•1" titanium dome tweeter with neodymium magnets
•dual 5-1/4" injection-molded, clay ceramic-filled polypropylene woofers
•bass reflex (ported) design
•hand-selected, real wood veneer finish
•two sets of gold-plated five way binding posts — can be bi-wired
•20-1/2"W x 7-1/2"H x 13-7/8"D

You can, but you'll never get full potential out of these speakers with 100 watt AVR. What I have noticed people spend thousands on speakers and hundreds on amplification.

 

[3db]

3db,
PSB certainly does an excellent job being thorough with their specifications!
Do you know how to interpret the above?
Does it mean do not allow greater than (or equal to) 10% clipping?
Or 150 Watts RMS would typically result in 10% clipping?
Or something completely different?
Thanks!

I can fire off an email to PSB and ask them to clarify this. I personally don't know.

 

[3db]

3db,
PSB certainly does an excellent job being thorough with their specifications!
Do you know how to interpret the above?
Does it mean do not allow greater than (or equal to) 10% clipping?
Or 150 Watts RMS would typically result in 10% clipping?
Or something completely different?
Thanks!

I've just emailed PSB and am waiting for a clarification from them.