PSB Image T6 or Synchrony Bookshelf?

[Sylar]

What would you guys think of the Synchrony Bookshelf (The less expensive one - I think Synchrony two B) over the PSB T6? BS was a little more expensive than the T6.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

On paper, they both seem to have extremely similar and excellent frequency responses of +/- 2dB from 100Hz to 10kHz on Soudstage measurements.

The Image T6 will have a lower frequency response since it is a tower ~ 40Hz @ -3dB.

I think the Synchrony looks much more elegant aesthetically.

 

[jostenmeat]

Perhaps luckily for you, the Two B was measured at the most famous facility of all, the NRC. Hopefully a couple of experts can chime in if they get around to checking out the graphs.

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/psb_synchrony_twob/

http://www.soundstageav.com/onhifi/20080201.htm

Top curve: on-axis response
Middle curve: 15 degrees off-axis response
Bottom curve: 30 degrees off-axis response

Top curve: 45 degrees off-axis response
Middle curve: 60 degrees off-axis response
Bottom curve: 75 degrees off-axis response

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Seems like Josten and I posted at the exact same time.

I believe both speakers are measured on Soundstage's NRC.

Of course, measurements are one thing, but how they sound is another matter.

There is at least one speaker that measures extremely well on NRC, Home Theater Mag, etc., but yet sounds very disappointing to both InTheIndustry and to myself. And it wasn't about lack of bass either.

 

[jostenmeat]

As for the graphs, I really wish I remember better what a bump at "xxxx" hertz is supposed to sound like. Depending on where the bump is, it may sound forward, or chesty, or something else perhaps. The two spots where it looks like it is least linear to me are somewhere between 800-900hz, and 4000-5000hz. I wonder what that is "supposed" to sound like.

I'm sure everybody exaggerates the specs, but the NRC test put the sensitivity at a low 84 db m/2.83v. That along with its 4 ohm rating might mean that you're going to want more than average power.

If it was me, I'd go with the T6 if this was an HT system, and the Two B if this was a music based system. If its 50/50, I'd probably still go with the Two B.

 

[Sylar]

Thought i'd consider this over the T6. But I am unable to get hold of this for audition in my city.

 

[3db]

What would you guys think of the Synchrony Bookshelf (The less expensive one - I think Synchrony two B) over the PSB T6? BS was a little more expensive than the T6.

The Synchronoy is PSB's top line and the Image is their 3rd line out of 4 linesthat PSB makes. he bookshelves will most likely image better than teh towers not that the towers image badly. They image very well as a matter of fact.

How big is your listning area? I guess it boils down to what you are going to be using them for, (HT or 2 channel) and if you have a sub. Without a sub, the Image T6s will soundmuch fuller than the Synchrony bookshelves having the bass advantage. Their bass will be deep enough for most music genres except for rap and pipe organ music. For HT, they won't go deep enough and you would need to augment both the tower and the bookshelves with a sub.

I have the older ImageT45 series and I run mine full range for music. They produce good bass for all my music listening tastes. When I watch a movie on BluRay, I switch my towers to teh samm setting on my recevier and let the sub handle the bass.

It hard to reach a decision whne you can't audition one fo your selections. I probably just added to your confusion.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would go with the Synchrony for 3 reasons:

1) They look more elegant.
2) They are the flagship line.
3) You will need a subwoofer anyway.

 

[3db]

I would go with the Synchrony for 3 reasons:

1) They look more elegant.
2) They are the flagship line.
3) You will need a subwoofer anyway.

1.) true but the T6s aren't fugly like my T45s
2.) its not that simple. may other factors to weigh in here.
3.) Not true. The T6s will do great for almost all genres of music except for rap (is that really music? scream talkin??) and pipe organ music. For HT definately, I will agree

 

[Sylar]

The Synchronoy is PSB's top line and the Image is their 3rd line out of 4 linesthat PSB makes. he bookshelves will most likely image better than teh towers not that the towers image badly. They image very well as a matter of fact.
......
It hard to reach a decision whne you can't audition one fo your selections. I probably just added to your confusion.

This helps in fact, since I have heard only one

How big is your listning area? I guess it boils down to what you are going to be using them for, (HT or 2 channel) and if you have a sub. Without a sub, the Image T6s will soundmuch fuller than the Synchrony bookshelves having the bass advantage. Their bass will be deep enough for most music genres except for rap and pipe organ music.

It is about 12x14. I have the liberty of constructing a new room at a later date and go up to 20x14.
Currently it looks like it is going to be 2 channel for quite a while. Only fronts and amp, sub much later. 2 problems here, am spending considerable money here..and More importantly, source for HT is not going to be easy to get hold of. They are priced crazy. So internet will be my only choice (or friends who have stuf)...and broadband speeds are still not so great. Could take upto a week or two to download a 15/20 GB HiDef movie.

So going 2 channel may not be a bad idea. I will be auditioning at one place tomorrow who promised me to show me the difference in quality when it comes to dedicated 2 channel amp vs 5 channel one.

I would go with the Synchrony for 3 reasons:

1) They look more elegant.
2) They are the flagship line.
3) You will need a subwoofer anyway.

I have to agree, but the T6 look good themselves. I think towers look way better when compared to BS.
But the Sync towers makes me want to weep when I lookk at the T6

 

[3db]

So going 2 channel may not be a bad idea. I will be auditioning at one place tomorrow who promised me to show me the difference in quality when it comes to dedicated 2 channel amp vs 5 channel one.

If you want that test to be valid, the 2 channel and tehe channel have to be in the same room played thru the same speakers and the volume levels matched measure from a SPL meter.

The other thing that you should be aware of is that the amps in both cases need to be played well within their power band. If one is being played close to its limits, it may sound compressed and be at the disadvantage.

I have a Yamaha based 5.1 surround system that doubles as my two channel system as well. People who heard my system as a 2 channel were very impressed with the sound quality.

 

[zieglj01]

Lay a foundation and build from there - most of my music is done
in 2 channel mode. As long as the speakers will throw a big sound
stage, and the imaging is realistic - then I am fine.

"So going 2 channel may not be a bad idea. I will be auditioning at one place tomorrow who promised me to show me the difference in quality when it comes to dedicated 2 channel amp vs 5 channel one."