need opinions on PSB Image line

[david118383]

What are everyone's general opinions on the Image line? Also, is there much difference between the new Images, the T5's and T6's, versus the T55's and T65's? I can save quite a bit a money with the latter but wonder if it's worth it.

 

[XEagleDriver]

David,

I have owned the Image line (T45, C40 and B15) for over two years now and am very pleased.

IMHO they bring strong performance at reasonable cost, and as such are a very good value, which is what I was looking for when outfitting my HT.

I auditioned the new Image line at DMC over the summer, and did not perceive enough of a difference to warrant an upgrade in my case, YMMV.

DMC and Saturday Audio are two good places for Image deals.

I bought PSB speakers from both companies and received superior service in both cases.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[Ares]

I agree with XED I couldn't hear a difference between the old and new lines, there is one thing I don't like about the new Images and that's the color of the drivers but that's me.

 

[david118383]

Thanks for the responses. Between the T45's, T55's, and T65's which is recommended? I'm inclined to go with the T55s. Which center is the best match for the T55s? I'm not sure if I have room for the C60 in my entertainment center and want to make sure the C40 we be okay. Thanks

 

[Ares]

I'm personally in favor of the larger center but if you have space limitations then the C40 will do just fine the Image line are meant to be mixed and matched with each other.
The C40 is 4" smaller in width than the C60 and 2lbs lighter.

 

[jostenmeat]

What are everyone's general opinions on the Image line? Also, is there much difference between the new Images, the T5's and T6's, versus the T55's and T65's? I can save quite a bit a money with the latter but wonder if it's worth it.

I would wonder too. I'm sure many of us do. The new Image has a lot of design changes, and I'm sorry I don't know what they are, but I'm sure they are at least something* more. Toughie, good luck.

edit: oh, I also own the previous gen, but they are a little long in the tooth. Like XED, I have also bought from both DMC and Saturday. I particularly like DMC, but favorable experiences at both places.

 

[3db]

Thanks for the responses. Between the T45's, T55's, and T65's which is recommended? I'm inclined to go with the T55s. Which center is the best match for the T55s? I'm not sure if I have room for the C60 in my entertainment center and want to make sure the C40 we be okay. Thanks

It depends on the room you are puting them in. I have the T45s and used it to fill a 20x13 room with volume well beyond being comfortable. The bass extension between the T45s and T55s in only 3 Hz which isn't alot. I've read on other forums that the T45 is probably the best for small to medium sized rooms and the T65s for larger rooms. I also have the Image 8C, the predecessor of the C40 and that speaker has no problem filiing the room with clear dialogue so I think the point of diminising return stops there. The C40 is a big center channel in itself. As far a timbre matching goes, you interchange between the 5.5" and 6.5" drivers and not notice timbre changes.

 

[david118383]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'd almost go with T65s if I knew they'd work with the C40 as I may be moving to a much bigger place before long. Also, are the Image's supposed to be a good step up from the Alpha's? The reason I'm leaning towards going with PSBs is because I picked up a cheap pair of Alpha B's a couple months ago and really love the sound. I'm assuming the Image's will sound even better. Will the Alpha's work well as surrounds with Image's as the fronts and center?

 

[3db]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'd almost go with T65s if I knew they'd work with the C40 as I may be moving to a much bigger place before long. Also, are the Image's supposed to be a good step up from the Alpha's? The reason I'm leaning towards going with PSBs is because I picked up a cheap pair of Alpha B's a couple months ago and really love the sound. I'm assuming the Image's will sound even better. Will the Alpha's work well as surrounds with Image's as the fronts and center?

Yes to all. Image is a big step up from teh Alphas not that the Alphas are a bad speaker by any stretch of the imagination. The C40 will work the T65s and the Alphs can be used as surrounds.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'd almost go with T65s if I knew they'd work with the C40 as I may be moving to a much bigger place before long. Also, are the Image's supposed to be a good step up from the Alpha's? The reason I'm leaning towards going with PSBs is because I picked up a cheap pair of Alpha B's a couple months ago and really love the sound. I'm assuming the Image's will sound even better. Will the Alpha's work well as surrounds with Image's as the fronts and center?

I have Alpha Bs, and have had a variety of Images. Images >>> Alphas, IMO.

The C40 can "work" with the T65, but I would do everything in my power to get the more commensurate center in the C60. My out of my butt guess is that the C40 will be very disproportionate with power handling. Even the C60 would probably have a hard time keeping up, at least when pushing it so to speak. In fact, if the LP is very centralized, and depending on speaker positions, I wouldn't be completely shocked if it sounded better with one pair of T65s, rather than T65s + C40.

Do like what I will soon do, and get 3x towers for the front stage. I can sell a single (repaired) T55 for cheap, btw, lol. I don't need to sell it, but I like helping people out sometimes.

edit: btw, have you seen the T65s? The depth is very substantial, please be aware.

 

[Ares]

+1 on what Josten said in regards to the size of the T65s here are the measurements of the three.

PSB T45

WxHxD
7 1/16 x 36 7/8 x 14 11/16"


PSB T55

WxHxD
8 5/8 x 36 15/16 x 15 "


PSB T65

WxHxD
8 5/8 x 40 x 20 "

 

[3db]

I have Alpha Bs, and have had a variety of Images. Images >>> Alphas, IMO.

The C40 can "work" with the T65, but I would do everything in my power to get the more commensurate center in the C60. My out of my butt guess is that the C40 will be very disproportionate with power handling. Even the C60 would probably have a hard time keeping up, at least when pushing it so to speak. In fact, if the LP is very centralized, and depending on speaker positions, I wouldn't be completely shocked if it sounded better with one pair of T65s, rather than T65s + C40.

Do like what I will soon do, and get 3x towers for the front stage. I can sell a single (repaired) T55 for cheap, btw, lol. I don't need to sell it, but I like helping people out sometimes.

edit: btw, have you seen the T65s? The depth is very substantial, please be aware.

Actually, they are two close in power handling to make much difference.

Image C40 Center Specifications
Frequency Range
On Axis @ 0° ±1.5dB 65-20,000 Hz
On Axis @ 0° ±3dB 50-23,000 Hz
Off Axis @ 30° ±1.5dB 65-10,000 Hz
Lf Cutoff -10dB 45 Hz
Sensitivity
1w (2.83V) @ 1m, IEC-filtered Pink Noise, C-weighted
Anechoic Chamber 90 dB
Typical Listening Room 92 dB
Impedence
Nominal 6 Ohms
Minimum 4 Ohms
Input Power
RMS, Clipping < 10% of the Time
Recommended 10-150 Watts
Program 120 Watts


Image C60 Center Specifications
Frequency Range
On Axis @ 0° ±1.5dB 50-20,000 Hz
On Axis @ 0° ±3dB 40-23,000 Hz
Off Axis @ 30° ±1.5dB 50-10,000 Hz
Lf Cutoff -10dB 35 Hz
Sensitivity
1w (2.83V) @ 1m, IEC-filtered Pink Noise, C-weighted
Anechoic Chamber 90 dB
Typical Listening Room 92 dB
Impedence
Nominal 8 Ohms
Minimum 6 Ohms
Input Power
RMS, Clipping < 10% of the Time
Recommended 10-175 Watts
Program 150 Watts

 

[jostenmeat]

Actually, they are two close in power handling to make much difference.

Image C40 Center Specifications
Frequency Range
On Axis @ 0° ±1.5dB 65-20,000 Hz
On Axis @ 0° ±3dB 50-23,000 Hz
Off Axis @ 30° ±1.5dB 65-10,000 Hz
Lf Cutoff -10dB 45 Hz
Sensitivity
1w (2.83V) @ 1m, IEC-filtered Pink Noise, C-weighted
Anechoic Chamber 90 dB
Typical Listening Room 92 dB
Impedence
Nominal 6 Ohms
Minimum 4 Ohms
Input Power
RMS, Clipping < 10% of the Time
Recommended 10-150 Watts
Program 120 Watts


Image C60 Center Specifications
Frequency Range
On Axis @ 0° ±1.5dB 50-20,000 Hz
On Axis @ 0° ±3dB 40-23,000 Hz
Off Axis @ 30° ±1.5dB 50-10,000 Hz
Lf Cutoff -10dB 35 Hz
Sensitivity
1w (2.83V) @ 1m, IEC-filtered Pink Noise, C-weighted
Anechoic Chamber 90 dB
Typical Listening Room 92 dB
Impedence
Nominal 8 Ohms
Minimum 6 Ohms
Input Power
RMS, Clipping < 10% of the Time
Recommended 10-175 Watts
Program 150 Watts

Do you honestly believe the C40 can keep up with the T65s? I don't. I sometimes wonder if my C60 can't quite keep up with my T55s. And the C60 is a lot bigger than the C40, and the T55s are a lot smaller than the T65s. The T65s are probably more than a 2/3 increase in size compared to your T45s.

Like I said, it will "work", but I would do everything I could do to mate it with the C60. Otherwise, either the 65s aren't stretching their legs, or I'd suspect that the C40 gets overwhelmed, or maybe I'd try a higher than normal xover on the C40 for an in-between compromise (if I was ever pushing the system, and in my HT, I would be). I dunno, whatever, I sure wouldn't do it, to each their own. I'm already looking forward to the increased capability of the T55 over the C60 as center speaker.

In any case, those power handling specs don't mean much to me.

 

[3db]

Do you honestly believe the C40 can keep up with the T65s? I don't. I sometimes wonder if my C60 can't quite keep up with my T55s. And the C60 is a lot bigger than the C40, and the T55s are a lot smaller than the T65s. The T65s are probably more than a 2/3 increase in size compared to your T45s.

Like I said, it will "work", but I would do everything I could do to mate it with the C60. Otherwise, either the 65s aren't stretching their legs, or I'd suspect that the C40 gets overwhelmed, or maybe I'd try a higher than normal xover on the C40 for an in-between compromise (if I was ever pushing the system, and in my HT, I would be). I dunno, whatever, I sure wouldn't do it, to each their own. I'm already looking forward to the increased capability of the T55 over the C60 as center speaker.

In any case, those power handling specs don't mean much to me.

Well the specs speak for themselves. I was pushing my system into the low 90s and my older image 8C which is essentially a C40 had no problems keeping up. So yes, I honestly think they could keep up in all but the biggest rooms.

 

[3db]

Thanks for the responses. Between the T45's, T55's, and T65's which is recommended? I'm inclined to go with the T55s. Which center is the best match for the T55s? I'm not sure if I have room for the C60 in my entertainment center and want to make sure the C40 we be okay. Thanks

In all of this argueing with everyone, I forgot to ask how large the room is?

 

[jinjuku]

All I know is for a friends home theater we used the T45's and opted for the larger C60 center channel after comparing to the C40.

 

[david118383]

I emailed PSB yesterday, and they said that the C40 would work well with the T65's. Is there any reason not to trust them?

I've also notice someone here saying that the C40 works well with his T65s.

http://forum.digitalhow.com/psb-image-c40-vs-image-c60-center-channel-260536-2.html

It just seems to me that if the Image C5 works with the T6's then the C40 should work with the T65s.

Also, I'm using a Pioneer VSX 1018AH-K. Will that be enough to power any of these Image speakers?

 

[jinjuku]

I emailed PSB yesterday, and they said that the C40 would work well with the T65's. Is there any reason not to trust them?

I've also notice someone here saying that the C40 works well with his T65s.

http://forum.digitalhow.com/psb-image-c40-vs-image-c60-center-channel-260536-2.html

It just seems to me that if the Image C5 works with the T6's then the C40 should work with the T65s.

Also, I'm using a Pioneer VSX 1018AH-K. Will that be enough to power any of these Image speakers?

The Pioneer will be fine. The PSB are efficient speakers. The T45+C60 setup is being driven with an Onkyo 805 no problems.

 

[jostenmeat]

I emailed PSB yesterday, and they said that the C40 would work well with the T65's. Is there any reason not to trust them?

I've also notice someone here saying that the C40 works well with his T65s.

http://forum.digitalhow.com/psb-image-c40-vs-image-c60-center-channel-260536-2.html

It just seems to me that if the Image C5 works with the T6's then the C40 should work with the T65s.

Also, I'm using a Pioneer VSX 1018AH-K. Will that be enough to power any of these Image speakers?

No, there isn't reason not to trust them, but honestly, what did you expect them to say? Even I, the most enthusiastic supporter of getting the C60, have already said the C40 will "work".

The best center speaker choice for the T65s is actually another T65. The best horizontal center speaker choice for the T65s is the C60. Even a B15 bookshelf will "work" as a center speaker, but it doesn't mean it's the best choice.

I am totally unfamiliar with the Pio, but the aforementioned 805, which I own, is sort of a beast of an amp at its price point. That said, I do think most receivers in most rooms can handle most Images. I don't know about the T65s in particular, or your room, and/or habits.

I have to ask you, have you seen any of these speakers in person? IMO, a C40 mated to T65s will look nearly comical.

 

[zieglj01]

I emailed PSB yesterday, and they said that the C40 would work well with the T65's. Is there any reason not to trust them?

I've also notice someone here saying that the C40 works well with his T65s.

http://forum.digitalhow.com/psb-image-c40-vs-image-c60-center-channel-260536-2.html

It just seems to me that if the Image C5 works with the T6's then the C40 should work with the T65s.

Also, I'm using a Pioneer VSX 1018AH-K. Will that be enough to power any of these Image speakers?

The 1018 will be OK, If you can't decide on the center - then pull
out a quarter and do a coin toss. You can trust PSB.