PSB 5.1 System Help.

Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
Hi gang, when I thought it was a done deal I knew the speakers I was going to get, PSB starts having a sale. I was thinking of picking these up for a 5.1 setup

Fronts: T45 $529/pr
Center: C40 $269/pr
Rears: B15 $259/pr
or
Fronts: T55 $629/pr
Center: C60 $279
Rears: B15 $259/pr

SUB PB10-NSD

I was going to get a complete 5.1 set from SVS but now I'm not sure since these went on sale. also for the rears instead of using the B15's could I use the Alpha LR1's instead. So guys let me know what you think? Thank you
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
IMO:

1. Get the larger C60, if it can be accommodated, and/or if you have space/volume to fill, no matter if you go T45 or T55.

2. Stick with Image for surrounds if you can. Oh, you're talking LR1? I honestly wonder which is larger between Bose cubes and the LR1. Anyways, even with the larger B1, do I vote Image.

In fact, I have B1 monitors for the rear speakers for ease of ceiling mount, but think if I did it all over again, I would have just got B15s, and screwed directly into the cabinets, resale value be damned. I mean, they work fine, but I think with the better of a timbral match you hear/get-accustomed-to, the more picky you get about that.

The T45s have the reputation of being clearer than the T55s in the midbass. I have the T55s, as I wanted the best output capability in the lineup, but with the slightest restriction in size (no T65, particularly for depth) and perhaps price.


hmm... the C60 looks to be a good/decent price, but I feel like the others can be improved upon, actually. Perhaps it's been too long since I've looked. Tell me where you're finding these prices. Check out both Saturday Audio and DMC Electronics.
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
Found these prices from Saturday Audio, the T55 comes down in price if you buy this month to $569/pr but for this month only.
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
Well, ok then. I've never heard any SVS.

It would be one thing if you lived in northern South Dakota, but you are in Chicago, and therefore have absolutely no excuse to not go check these out in person at Saturday, this Saturday.

OTOH, the best value you can probably get is actually with well chosen bookshelves coupled to respective subwoofers. Well, at least when one is considering full range output in the mix, and perhaps cabinet resonances as has been hammered in my brain by WmAx.

After significantly treating the space, and applying MultEQ XT, do most think it's the greatest thing ever.

I think, if you don't ever listen to classical music, then you will be 100% happy. Honestly. OK, lemme think, the offaxis response isn't as good as Ascend I find. The transparency doesn't touch my electrostats, but then not only are there a host of other compromises, you only really get that with fully acoustical music to begin with. In my honest opinion. Jimi, Matthews, Rolling Stones, The Band, etc, have all played through the PSBs, and I believe you will be very happy with them.

Otherwise, what can I or we say? Throw up a poll for a popularity contest?

Go listen to them this weekend, with your very best recordings that you are familiar with, and give us the skinny. Thanks.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Hi gang, when I thought it was a done deal I knew the speakers I was going to get, PSB starts having a sale. I was thinking of picking these up for a 5.1 setup

Fronts: T45 $529/pr
Center: C40 $269/pr
Rears: B15 $259/pr
or
Fronts: T55 $629/pr
Center: C60 $279
Rears: B15 $259/pr

SUB PB10-NSD

I was going to get a complete 5.1 set from SVS but now I'm not sure since these went on sale. also for the rears instead of using the B15's could I use the Alpha LR1's instead. So guys let me know what you think? Thank you
I have the first setup in your list except that my center and rear channels are the older Image 8C and 1B. I'm totally satisified with my system and many a vistor to my home love my system for both music (ranging from classical to blues, to old rock and new wave) and movies. The T45s image as well as any bookshelf I've ever heard and disappear into the background. Unless you have a large room, the first system will do you quite nicely.
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
I have the first setup in your list except that my center and rear channels are the older Image 8C and 1B. I'm totally satisified with my system and many a vistor to my home love my system for both music (ranging from classical to blues, to old rock and new wave) and movies. The T45s image as well as any bookshelf I've ever heard and disappear into the background. Unless you have a large room, the first system will do you quite nicely.
First, Thank you for your insight. Now I know that the 1st set is rated @6ohms will this be problematic for a Pioneer Elite 21, 2nd question I like the ideal of using the C60 with the 1st setup would this cause a problem since it's rated @8ohms. Now for my last question what would be the max room size these could be used in.
 
jinjuku

jinjuku

Moderator
The first system you listed with the exception of using the larger center in your second system listed is what I put in for my business partner(along with some Dayton inwalls for the surrounds).

The C60 is an impressive center channel for the $$.
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
I have a question would 2 PSB subsonic 5i be better than 1 subsonic 6i?
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
First, Thank you for your insight. Now I know that the 1st set is rated @6ohms will this be problematic for a Pioneer Elite 21, 2nd question I like the ideal of using the C60 with the 1st setup would this cause a problem since it's rated @8ohms. Now for my last question what would be the max room size these could be used in.
answer to 1st question is "no problem" I had an older Technics SA-DX940 driving my PSBs and it was no power house. It was able to drive them to more than loud enough in a 12x18 ft room. I've moved to a Yamaha because of Blu Ray and high def TV.

answer to 2nd question is also "no problem"

answer to 3rd question ..well how big is your room? The T55 would be able to play louder and therefore be more capable of filling a large room better than the smaller T45s
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
I have a question would 2 PSB subsonic 5i be better than 1 subsonic 6i?
Two subsonic 5i would give you a more even bass response in the room but the 6i will play deeper over all . Thats a personal choice you'll have to make.
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
answer to 1st question is "no problem" I had an older Technics SA-DX940 driving my PSBs and it was no power house. It was able to drive them to more than loud enough in a 12x18 ft room. I've moved to a Yamaha because of Blu Ray and high def TV.

answer to 2nd question is also "no problem"

answer to 3rd question ..well how big is your room? The T55 would be able to play louder and therefore be more capable of filling a large room better than the smaller T45s
The current room will be 300^3 and the future room will be about 1500^3 also on the sub issue I talked to someone over at Saturday Audio and he told me that 2 5i's would rattle my brain in the current room. I found a piece that Tom Nousaine wrote on sub tests that he performed and the 5i was 98db in the 25Hz-62Hz range and the 6i was 108db in the 25Hz-62Hz range. So would that mean that 2 5i's would out perform the 6i in that range? I believe that the 6i was 98db in the 20Hz range but I could be wrong.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
The current room will be 300^3 and the future room will be about 1500^3 also on the sub issue I talked to someone over at Saturday Audio and he told me that 2 5i's would rattle my brain in the current room. I found a piece that Tom Nousaine wrote on sub tests that he performed and the 5i was 98db in the 25Hz-62Hz range and the 6i was 108db in the 25Hz-62Hz range. So would that mean that 2 5i's would out perform the 6i in that range? I believe that the 6i was 98db in the 20Hz range but I could be wrong.
The T45s should be able to fill your larger room as well.

What do you mean by out perform? Two Sub5i won't go as low as one 6i but two 5i will give you a more even bass response in the room over one 6i. Understand what I'm saying?
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
I got it two 5is even bass just won't go low, one 6i won't be even like the 5is but will go. I went over to Saturday Audio to audition every thing,I will be a happy man I might just forget the two 5is and do two 6is instead:eek::D.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
I got it two 5is even bass just won't go low, one 6i won't be even like the 5is but will go. I went over to Saturday Audio to audition every thing,I will be a happy man I might just forget the two 5is and do two 6is instead:eek::D.
Noww we're talkin :D Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
Well the refund is here and I will be going to Sat.Audio on Sunday.:D:D Will be updating with pics soon.
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
Well it's SUNDAY!:D and I will be off to Sat.Audio they just don't open early enough So I'll hang out here for awhile then head off before open at noon.
 
3db

3db

Audioholic Slumlord
Well it's SUNDAY!:D and I will be off to Sat.Audio they just don't open early enough So I'll hang out here for awhile then head off before open at noon.
Well!!!!!! Is it set up yet? C'mon tell us!!! :D Oh and don't forget the pics
 
J

jasoncorrie

Audioholic Intern
Sounds great! and Help!

Sounds like a great system. I have been running a PSB set-up for the last few years and have been extremely pleased. I have the B2s in the front with a 9c center channel. These all have the 6.5 " drivers. The B1s act as the surrounds. I went with the SVS PB-10 and was blown away. It is by far my most favorite piece of my set-up. I would highly recommend it.
I am interested to hear what you think about the PSB towers.

Hey guys, if you get a chance, take a look at a thread I started 2 days ago entitled "What made my tweeters go bad?" and give me some suggestions. I have been running the B2s with an Onkyo 601 (not really a wimpy receiver) for 3 years and not at "really" loud levels. I mean rarely at 80db and usually a bit less. but now the tweeters are not putting out good sound and definitely not all of the frequencies. I found out the problem by exchanging the tweeters from the B1s (they both use the same model tweeter) and the difference was night and day. Let me know what you think regarding what made them go bad, and if upgrading the receiver will make a big difference.

BTW, I was leaning toward the Pioneer Elite - 21. What do you think? Would this fry the new tweeters?
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
I was unable to make it there on time yesterday, so I will try to make it this Thursday if everything goes according to plan, if not I will shoot for Sunday again. I will post pics and some thoughts as soon as I can get them home.
 
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