PSB Image T6 vs B&W 683 vs used Sonus Faber Toy Towers

[mtal]

Hello,

I'm new on the forums but have been reading and learning a lot from all of your posts.

I would love your opinion on which tower speakers to consider.

It will be in my living room which is open to the kitchen. The "living room" space is about 25' x 22' with the sofa 10' from the TV wall and 12' behind the sofa. The kitchen is approximately 12' x 27' and adjacent to the living room. So the whole space is about 37' by 49'. 10 foot ceilings. The speakers can be placed about 12-14' apart next to the TV. (Or if I were to get bookshelf speakers, they could be closer).

My budget for the towers is maximum $2000. It will most likely be paired with a high end Denon receiver (3313 or 4520). I know the recommendation is separate components but I'm limited in space and funds for components...and it will be used for 50% HT and 50% music). I intend on adding a subwoofer as well...maybe a Rel.

I have auditioned and grown to really like the B&W 683's and PSB Image T6. Several months ago, I auditioned the Sonus Faber Toy Towers in passing and I remember that I was blown away by them. I don't remember the details of the speakers now except that I really liked them.

Priorities include good off-axis listening, clear and pleasant low volume listening when the kids go to sleep, easy to drive, ...and easy to set up center channel and in-ceiling surrounds for a 5.1 system.

I can't find anyone in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that has the Toy Towers to audition again. The store that did have them went out of business.

I can get the Toy Towers used demos for about 1800 online. Used T6 for 800, new for $1300.

I would love to hear some opinions of those with experience with these speakers. I know the final decision rests with me and my ears but please HELP! I'm in analysis paralysis.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[mtal]

Any opinions anyone? I've seen that this post has about 90 views so others may be interested in the answer as well.

Is there something in my post that has deterred the experts from answering? I know I'm a total newbie...that's why I'm asking for help.

Thanks again.

 

[Nomo]

I have not heard the Sonus.
Between the B&W and the PSB, both of which I have heard, I'd go with the PSBs.

 

[PENG]

PSB T6 gets my vote.

 

[bikemig]

I listened to the B&W 683 and the PSB T6 extensively before deciding to buy the T6 towers. I'm really happy with my choice but ymmv. I wouldn't worry about what other people think. I'd go listen to them and pick the ones I liked the best.

 

[mtal]

is there any drawback to buying used on audiogon or elsewhere? should the speakers be less than a year or two old? does it make a difference?

i'm leaning even more towards the psb image t6 and the money i save on buying used can go towards a quality subwoofer. any recommendations? the dealer where i auditioned the T6 suggested a Rel.

thanks for your responses. -mtal

 

[bikemig]

Vanns is liquidating and some of their inventory is being sold at a deep discount. They sell REL subs and I'd check them out. I've been keeping my eye on their website . . .

 

[3db]

+1 for the PSBs.. However, since our hearing is so subjective and personal...


What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about thespeakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooth that made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2 channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what
the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.


Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using them most of the time.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I agree. The PSB has the best on-axis and off-axis measurement of the 3. So on paper, the PSB wins easily.

But hearing and "enjoying" is all very subjective. You should thoroughly compare them as 3db says above.

 

[Docks]

+1 for PSB, also consider paradigm studio series. Avoid the 683s, I've never heard them ever sound good.

 

[mtal]

Thanks for all of your posts. I felt the PSBs were a good choice but as a newbie, just wanted a seal of approval. I'll audition them again in the near future and make a decision.

I'll definitely take 3db's suggestions into account. I did take my own music when I initially auditioned them but did not jot down notes...and now I can't recall what it was I like about them other than that I liked them.

 

[3db]

Thanks for all of your posts. I felt the PSBs were a good choice but as a newbie, just wanted a seal of approval. I'll audition them again in the near future and make a decision.

I'll definitely take 3db's suggestions into account. I did take my own music when I initially auditioned them but did not jot down notes...and now I can't recall what it was I like about them other than that I liked them.

How's the shopping going?

 

[Jeff R.]

is there any drawback to buying used on audiogon or elsewhere? should the speakers be less than a year or two old? does it make a difference?

i'm leaning even more towards the psb image t6 and the money i save on buying used can go towards a quality subwoofer. any recommendations? the dealer where i auditioned the T6 suggested a Rel.

thanks for your responses. -mtal

As long as there is not damage to the speakers, there is not disadvantage.....heck IMO it is an advantage if you can find something that are looking for that is available used. Then if you change your mind and decide to swap for something new you lose less of that hard earned $$$.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

As long as there is not damage to the speakers, there is not disadvantage.....heck IMO it is an advantage if you can find something that are looking for that is available used. Then if you change your mind and decide to swap for something new you lose less of that hard earned $$$.

Yup. I bought my Dynaudio X32 in excellent condition for $1375 delivered; MSRP is about $3K. If I were to sell it tomorrow, I would probably get $1375 for them.

I bought my ATC SCM7 for $500, MSRP is $1K.

I would have bought my Focal 826V on AudiogoN or eBay if I could have gotten them for around $1300, but the best I could find was around $1700. MSRP is $2800. I paid $1800 brand new.

But buying from AudiogoN is great as long as the condition is excellent and the price is great.

 

[mtal]

Once again, thanks for the responses.

I have yet to buy my speakers. I'm looking for a time when I can go and audition the PSB T6's again....but if a good deal pops up on Audiogon, I may just jump on it before auditioning again.

In terms of subwoofer, I've narrowed it down to:
SVS sb-12 NSD (two of them at $650 each), sealed 12 inch front

Hsu VTF3 (the idea of being able to have it ported or sealed is appealing) $650

Hsu VTF-15H for $999.

The dealer recommended the Rel 218, 10 inch, for $1400.

What would you suggest if I were to get the PSB T6 towers?

I had posted links to the above subwoofers but wasn't allowed to post them as I'm a newbie.

 

[ridikas]

Once again, thanks for the responses.

I have yet to buy my speakers. I'm looking for a time when I can go and audition the PSB T6's again....but if a good deal pops up on Audiogon, I may just jump on it before auditioning again.

In terms of subwoofer, I've narrowed it down to:
SVS sb-12 NSD (two of them at $650 each), sealed 12 inch front

Hsu VTF3 (the idea of being able to have it ported or sealed is appealing) $650

Hsu VTF-15H for $999.

The dealer recommended the Rel 218, 10 inch, for $1400.

What would you suggest if I were to get the PSB T6 towers?

I had posted links to the above subwoofers but wasn't allowed to post them as I'm a newbie.

The REL is not even 10% the subwoofers that SVS and HSU are. I would strongly recommend the HSU VTF3 MK4, HSU VTF2 MK4, Outlaw LFM-1 EX (made by HSU, basically a modded VTF3), or the SVS PB12-NSD. These four are practically the best 12 inchers on the market today, at any price. I would also recommend to stay away from sealed subwoofers, as they tend to have significantly more distortion and less output on the low end.

P.S. Good choice on the PSB Image T6s, they are killer speakers for the price.

 

[3db]

I concur with Ridikas on his last post. REL makes nice furniture but as a sub goes, its overpriced for its performance capabilities. Check out the subs mentioned by Ridikas. Those are the best bang for the buck by far.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would also recommend to stay away from sealed subwoofers, as they tend to have significantly more distortion and less output on the low end.

Is there proof of that sealed subs have more distortion than ported subs?

I wouldn't worry about ported vs sealed. A well-designed sub (both sealed and ported) will sound great, have high output on the low end, and have low distortion and great power compression.

 

[ridikas]

Is there proof of that sealed subs have more distortion than ported subs?

I wouldn't worry about ported vs sealed. A well-designed sub (both sealed and ported) will sound great, have high output on the low end, and have low distortion and great power compression.

I disagree with that. Take a look at some tests done by Audioholics, or these: Index to Subwoofer Tests by Manufacturer/Model - Home Theater Forum and Systems - HomeTheaterShack.com

 

[3db]

Question is....is it audable? If not, then why bother worrying about it.