do all PSBs from the Image line play nice together?

[Sounds Good]

ive been doing a lot of reading and price crunching lately on my theater speaker upgrade.

i like what the PSB Image T line has to offer and ive noticed there are a few options i can choose.

the T5 front mains were my starting point, but i might pay the little extra and go with the T6.

I plan on using the C5 for my center.

the surrounds is were i am stumped...

i can pay a premium and get bipoles (S5) or i can get a bookshelf (B5 or B6) or i can get the micro bookshelf (B4).

i am leaning toward the B4 just because it is smaller and would fit into my room better and would have a higher WAF and also has the lower price of the other options and frees up dollars for the upgrade on the mains.

but i am worried that the smaller speaker wont be able to keep up with its big brothers, especially if i ever decide to amp my fronts.

and i also assume that all the Image speakers are acoustically matched.

 

[zieglj01]

ive been doing a lot of reading and price crunching lately on my theater speaker upgrade.

i like what the PSB Image T line has to offer and ive noticed there are a few options i can choose.

the T5 front mains were my starting point, but i might pay the little extra and go with the T6.

I plan on using the C5 for my center.

the surrounds is were i am stumped...

i can pay a premium and get bipoles (S5) or i can get a bookshelf (B5 or B6) or i can get the micro bookshelf (B4).

i am leaning toward the B4 just because it is smaller and would fit into my room better and would have a higher WAF and also has the lower price of the other options and frees up dollars for the upgrade on the mains.

but i am worried that the smaller speaker wont be able to keep up with its big brothers, especially if i ever decide to amp my fronts.

and i also assume that all the Image speakers are acoustically matched.

They are voiced to play together - For bookshelf surround, I
would choose the B5 to Play with the towers.

 

[InTheIndustry]

ive been doing a lot of reading and price crunching lately on my theater speaker upgrade.

i like what the PSB Image T line has to offer and ive noticed there are a few options i can choose.

the T5 front mains were my starting point, but i might pay the little extra and go with the T6.

I plan on using the C5 for my center.

the surrounds is were i am stumped...

i can pay a premium and get bipoles (S5) or i can get a bookshelf (B5 or B6) or i can get the micro bookshelf (B4).

i am leaning toward the B4 just because it is smaller and would fit into my room better and would have a higher WAF and also has the lower price of the other options and frees up dollars for the upgrade on the mains.

but i am worried that the smaller speaker wont be able to keep up with its big brothers, especially if i ever decide to amp my fronts.

and i also assume that all the Image speakers are acoustically matched.

Without knowing how big your room is....
You should be fine with any of those options. The B5 is an amazing speaker! However, there's a BIG something to be said for the aesthetics of your room. For rear surrounds the B4 or B5 will be excellent in that setup. The B5 is a much better speaker, though. So if you're wanting to go all out to impress, that's the way to go. It's built a lot differently than the B4. Again, not sure it'll matter much - it is what it is.

Let me know how you like them. I'm thinking of picking PSB up for when our new design center opens at the end of Oct. They brand has really stepped up to the plate with their box product (towers, bookshelves, etc.) lately.

 

[Sounds Good]

My room is roughly 30'x15'. My goal is not really for loudness but more for rich room filling sound

 

[InTheIndustry]

My room is roughly 30'x15'. My goal is not really for loudness but more for rich room filling sound

Right, but that would also mean that in a big room you're going to have to turn them up louder and make the system work harder to fill the room. 30' x 15' is a pretty big room. I would go for the larger B5s.

 

[3db]

Right, but that would also mean that in a big room you're going to have to turn them up louder and make the system work harder to fill the room. 30' x 15' is a pretty big room. I would go for the larger B5s.

I agree. The PSBs have been designed to mix and match. However, that is a rather large room so I would push for the larger speaker in that series. BTW, what are you using to drive them?

 

[Sounds Good]

i will be driving them with a Onkyo 876 and possible ill add a amp later down the road.

my budget is around 2000 for 5 speakers.

 

[jostenmeat]

i will be driving them with a Onkyo 876 and possible ill add a amp later down the road.

my budget is around 2000 for 5 speakers.

Nice budget. As far as receivers are concerned, your 876 has a very good amp section and is enough for 99% of the world. Therefore, if you ever do wanna add amplification (if you even need it to begin with), I am led to believe that a 3ch amp, or even just a 2ch amp would be enough.

Bipoles, you will get a different opinion every time. I opted for bipoles, hoping for better coverage over two rows, after reading an AH article, but I was hoping for more (it seems subtle to me).

So, only in my own opinion, I don't think it's worth splurging on bipoles, depending on the price differential. (Mine cost double the matching bookshelf.) And especially if you don't have multiple rows. However, some others even with one row still really do prefer bipoles. Yet, I think significant improvements to the LCR will not be subtle at all, and therefore blow your money there first is what I say.

 

[3db]

Nice budget. As far as receivers are concerned, your 876 has a very good amp section and is enough for 99% of the world. Therefore, if you ever do wanna add amplification (if you even need it to begin with), I am led to believe that a 3ch amp, or even just a 2ch amp would be enough.

Bipoles, you will get a different opinion every time. I opted for bipoles, hoping for better coverage over two rows, after reading an AH article, but I was hoping for more (it seems subtle to me).

So, only in my own opinion, I don't think it's worth splurging on bipoles, depending on the price differential. (Mine cost double the matching bookshelf.) And especially if you don't have multiple rows. However, some others even with one row still really do prefer bipoles. Yet, I think significant improvements to the LCR will not be subtle at all, and therefore blow your money there first is what I say.

I only have a single row but I prefer monopoles. Too each their own.

 

[Sounds Good]

I am led to believe that a 3ch amp, or even just a 2ch amp would be enough.


So, only in my own opinion, I don't think it's worth splurging on bipoles, depending on the price differential. (Mine cost double the matching bookshelf.)

i was thinking maybe, MAYBE a 2ch and a single channel. that way i can have devoted "clean" power for stereo sources, and also match that with a amp for the center during movies and stuff... i am not sure yet.. and i doubt i will even do it, but its just a thought. ive been reading more about using the 2 unused rear channels from the 7.1 setting to bridge the mains, apparently that nets me 215w...


anyhow the price difference between the PSB bipole and the B5 is pretty great..

B5 $399
S5 $799
(as per crutchfield.com)