PSB Image B25 vs. Monitor Audio Bronze BR2

[rnatalli]

Has anyone out there compared these two speakers directly? If so, what were the differences you heard and/or how were they similar? I've heard the BR2 myself recently, but the local PSB dealer doesn't have the B25. Thanks!

 

[billy p]

Has anyone out there compared these two speakers directly? If so, what were the differences you heard and/or how were they similar? I've heard the BR2 myself recently, but the local PSB dealer doesn't have the B25. Thanks!

Read some of the excerpts in this thread and you'll see a direct comparison by another AH member in relation to your question? http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38243

I am sure he'll see this thread and post his thoughts or you can direct your questions to him via PM.

 

[Guangui]

I heavily auditioned PSB B25, and most of the Bronze and Silver MA speakers.

IMO, dollar for dollar the PSB B25 is a better value with better performance that MA's BR2. Found the B25 to be more in the area of MA silvers, which are more expensive.

After auditioning and comparing them I found PSB to be a better value. So much, that I had MA's RS6 on order, and I cancelled to get a full set of PSB Image.

Bought T45/C40/B15, but B15 was out of stock, so was able to get B25's for the same price. When the HT room is finished, the T45's will stay in the living room for music, and T65's will be purchased for HT room.

 

[jostenmeat]

Has anyone out there compared these two speakers directly? If so, what were the differences you heard and/or how were they similar? I've heard the BR2 myself recently, but the local PSB dealer doesn't have the B25. Thanks!

rnatlli,

I was at first a bit surprised that you didn't get to compare them in a shoot em up, because I remember you had done an exhaustive one a little while ago!

I said this here once:
Between Bronze and PSB. I found the BRs to have a slightly more pleasing coloration. The PSBs however will outcrank them for HT, no problem. (Much harder to compress).

Soft levels or nearfield music listening, I might go MA. Larger/louder works, or HT, its a no-brainer to me, the B25. I A/B'd br1 br2 b15 b25 with an entry level NAD cdp and integrated. I was searching gifts and bought BR2s because they would be precisely for nearfield, low-level music listening. However, I own B25s for surrounds, and I think they friggin rock (for the money ).

 

[rnatalli]

rnatlli,

I was at first a bit surprised that you didn't get to compare them in a shoot em up, because I remember you had done an exhaustive one a little while ago!

I said this here once:
Between Bronze and PSB. I found the BRs to have a slightly more pleasing coloration. The PSBs however will outcrank them for HT, no problem. (Much harder to compress).

Soft levels or nearfield music listening, I might go MA. Larger/louder works, or HT, its a no-brainer to me, the B25. I A/B'd br1 br2 b15 b25 with an entry level NAD cdp and integrated. I was searching gifts and bought BR2s because they would be precisely for nearfield, low-level music listening. However, I own B25s for surrounds, and I think they friggin rock (for the money ).

Shootouts are exhaustive, but you know what, I did one just the same with these two! I figured that's the only way to get a solid impression. The PSB's vocals were slightly more forward than the MA's and I felt the soundstage was a bit more confined. The MA's were a bit more refined and detailed that sounded a touch on the light side which some may not like. The PSB's could as someone put it "out-crank" the MA's, but the MA's weren't slouches either. Both went fairly low for bookshelf speakers. Both excellent speakers, both respectable brands. These differences weren't huge. I can't see anyone going wrong with either speaker. I liked the MA's as I felt they had a better overall balance, but that's just my ears.

 

[Warpdrv]

May I ask how much those PSB B25's are?...

I know someone unloading a pair for cheap... I have no idea what retail is..

Thanks warp

 

[rnatalli]

May I ask how much those PSB B25's are?...

I know someone unloading a pair for cheap... I have no idea what retail is..

Thanks warp

Saturday Audio is selling them for $299/pair brand-new which is a great price IMO.

 

[Warpdrv]

Well then the deal I was looking at doesn't seem all that great...

Someone is offering me them for the same price...

Also offering a set of Dana 930's for $1000.
and 3 Ascend Seirra's for $1000. (yes 3) If anyone thinks this is attractive and would like them, please let me know, I can make it happen...


I was just thinking aboout trying the B25's up against the Dana 630's... Which I find to be great speakers already... Just didin't know how much of a difference there was between them..

 

[Guangui]

Saturday Audio is selling them for $299/pair brand-new which is a great price IMO.

Better price than Saturday Audio, who is an authorized dealer and only sells A-Stock, you will not find anywhere. Price listed on their website is only for maple color, I purchased black from them, and I paid little more, but still at a great price.

If you like MA, they are also an authorized MA dealer, also MA's official clearance center for USA, so you might want to check with them their MA pricing.

 

[jostenmeat]

Shootouts are exhaustive, but you know what, I did one just the same with these two! I figured that's the only way to get a solid impression. The PSB's vocals were slightly more forward than the MA's and I felt the soundstage was a bit more confined. The MA's were a bit more refined and detailed that sounded a touch on the light side which some may not like. The PSB's could as someone put it "out-crank" the MA's, but the MA's weren't slouches either. Both went fairly low for bookshelf speakers. Both excellent speakers, both respectable brands. These differences weren't huge. I can't see anyone going wrong with either speaker. I liked the MA's as I felt they had a better overall balance, but that's just my ears.

Hey, congrats! I also agree that the one thing that the Images could do better is throw a wider stage. I've posted that before at least once a while ago. And it was probably me who spoke of "out-cranking" And I also think I was the first one here to list the Saturday prices, even though someone else put them under the Deals forum, perhaps that was you.

I know what you mean by lighter, refined, but being rather similar. Yes, I thought the MA's were less unforgiving in the mid-range to upper mids, which was quite nice, but yet they were lacking that extra detail (not implying that the PSB's had it in spades or anything; any/all speakers at this price point will suffer to a degree).

At $150 each for an A-stock B25... that's just so much speaker for that little money its ridiculous, IMHO.

Cheers everybody.

 

[Guangui]

Hey, congrats! I also agree that the one thing that the Images could do better is throw a wider stage. I've posted that before at least once a while ago. And it was probably me who spoke of "out-cranking" And I also think I was the first one here to list the Saturday prices, even though someone else put them under the Deals forum, perhaps that was you.

I know what you mean by lighter, refined, but being rather similar. Yes, I thought the MA's were less unforgiving in the mid-range to upper mids, which was quite nice, but yet they were lacking that extra detail (not implying that the PSB's had it in spades or anything; any/all speakers at this price point will suffer to a degree).

At $150 each for an A-stock B25... that's just so much speaker for that little money its ridiculous, IMHO.

Cheers everybody.

Having compared both, prior to buying (PSB T45/C40/B25) I agree with Josten's perception of the B25. IMO, the B25 outperformed to a certain degree, not much, the BR's. The fact that PSB B2'5's were a little more forward than MA BR's, and at the same time able to keep some neutrality (a Monitor Audio signature characteristic), to me, made them a better choice in their price range.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I'd vote for the MA Bronze B2's, but I'm the resident MA Fanboy! I have a pair of B2's and really love them. I used them at my computer for PC audio til a few months ago...for space reasons I've temporarily taken my Monitor Audio Gold Ref 10's out of my HT rig and have them hooked up to my PC at the moment (PC feeding an Audio-Link USB DAC, running to an NAD C320-BEE, driving my GR10's).

For my money the MA's are a bit more open and neutral than the PSBs, which strike me as a bit dark and slighly veiled. Some will scoff at the idea of 'synergy,' but perhaps NAD electronics don't "like" PSB that well. Or perhaps I heard them improperly set up. YMMV, of course.

 

[3db]

I'd vote for the MA Bronze B2's, but I'm the resident MA Fanboy! I have a pair of B2's and really love them. I used them at my computer for PC audio til a few months ago...for space reasons I've temporarily taken my Monitor Audio Gold Ref 10's out of my HT rig and have them hooked up to my PC at the moment (PC feeding an Audio-Link USB DAC, running to an NAD C320-BEE, driving my GR10's).

For my money the MA's are a bit more open and neutral than the PSBs, which strike me as a bit dark and slighly veiled. Some will scoff at the idea of 'synergy,' but perhaps NAD electronics don't "like" PSB that well. Or perhaps I heard them improperly set up. YMMV, of course.

NAD with PSB is like Peanut Butter & Jam Lots of Synergry!!

Maybe the acoustics weren't setp up properly or the source of music/movie was poorly recorded. The Image series reveal flaws with recordings as I've found out going thru my entire collection. I will agree with you that they are on the warmer side and are so unliek Axiom in their presentation. The details are there but you have to listen for them. They don't throw it in your face like Axiom.

 

[billy p]

Fyi

NAD & PSB are owned by the same company the Lenbrook group! So there must be some SYNERGY.
http://www.lenbrook.com/

 

[Pilk]

Well then the deal I was looking at doesn't seem all that great...

Someone is offering me them for the same price...

Also offering a set of Dana 930's for $1000.
and 3 Ascend Seirra's for $1000. (yes 3) If anyone thinks this is attractive and would like them, please let me know, I can make it happen...


I was just thinking aboout trying the B25's up against the Dana 630's... Which I find to be great speakers already... Just didin't know how much of a difference there was between them..

I couldn't pm you cause I haven't posted enough. Are the Ascends still available? Black or Bamboo. Thanks.