PSB Image VS Paradigm Monitor

[skads_187]

Ok, I have decided to spend a little more than I wanted to on speakers to get something better. So far, from the reviews I have read (and within the price range I want to spend) I found that these two are pretty decent choices.
I have a pioneer 1016 receiver, with a dps-12 velodyne. The speakers will be mostly for movies.

Keep in mind, I live in Canada (Montreal), I dont have access to all brands, off the top of my head Dumoulin offers Klipsch and Paradigm. Centre HiFi offers jbl, Kef, psb and a few others. Future Shop offers Polk audio and Energy.
I am not sure if I want to order anything online...

I am considering either the Paradigm Monitor series
Monitor7 v5, cc190 and adp190
I heard these and they sounded pretty good

Then there are the psb Image series
Image T45 Tower, c40 center and b15 surround
unfortunately, I havent seen these in store at centre hifi, but I am sure they can order them. The only problem is I dont think I will be able to audition them.

Lastly, there is also the Kef Q series, but I believe these are mostly musical? I might be wrong about this, but this might also be an option as well.

Does anyone own these models? What are your thoughts?

 

[John Bailey]

Keep in mind that your ears are the best judge as we all hear a bit different. When auditioning, I found that PSB Image were much better than the Monitor series from Paradigm. Also, I think you'll find that most would tell you if a speaker does well with music, it will also be good for home theater. So don't let that stop you from considering the Kef Q.

John

 

[3db]

Keep in mind that your ears are the best judge as we all hear a bit different. When auditioning, I found that PSB Image were much better than the Monitor series from Paradigm. Also, I think you'll find that most would tell you if a speaker does well with music, it will also be good for home theater. So don't let that stop you from considering the Kef Q.

John

I agree. I never carred for the Monitor line from Paradigm. I think in the price bracket you are looking at, the PSB is a better performer.

Skads,
Enter your postal code in this link and it will bring up PSB dealers closest to you.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/dealers/canada

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The PSBs are likely better than the Paradigms, Paradigms start shining t the Studio series.

 

[rnatalli]

Having heard both, I'd go with PSB as well. But let your own ears decide.

 

[farscaper]

I agree with the previous posts. I bought the PSB Image B25 after listening to a few Paradigms. I didn't like the Paradigm Monitor series but I did like the Studio 40. The huge price difference also helped make my decision and go with PSB Image.

 

[skads_187]

thanks for the advice, damn I just called the regular price on the paradigms are $1550 CAD ( I think I can get a 400$ discount) and the psb's are 1800$ (I'll have to pass by the store to see what discount I can get).

So we're looking at 300$ more for the psb's. The main difference was the T45, the msrp on the psb site is 799, centre hifi has them at 1000$ but everything else (b15 and c40) are pretty similar in price (50$ more)

is it worth the extra $300 for the psb's? I might be able to audition them. Are they b-15's good surround speakers? also at 6ohm, will my pioneer 1016 be okay to handle it, it recommends 8ohm but it handles 6 ohm as well.

 

[3db]

thanks for the advice, damn I just called the regular price on the paradigms are $1550 CAD ( I think I can get a 400$ discount) and the psb's are 1800$ (I'll have to pass by the store to see what discount I can get).

So we're looking at 300$ more for the psb's. The main difference was the T45, the msrp on the psb site is 799, centre hifi has them at 1000$ but everything else (b15 and c40) are pretty similar in price (50$ more)

is it worth the extra $300 for the psb's? I might be able to audition them. Are they b-15's good surround speakers? also at 6ohm, will my pioneer 1016 be okay to handle it, it recommends 8ohm but it handles 6 ohm as well.

If you go to an authorized dealer, (PSB in Canada deals exclusively thru authorized dealers, not on-line) he should discount you $300 off the T45s as the US and Cdn dollar are euivalent. Its time to dicker with the sales person. As far as 6 0hms go, I have a cheapy Technics receiver that is driving the whole lot without a hitch. Your Pioneer shouldn't have a problem.

 

[billy p]

thanks for the advice, damn I just called the regular price on the paradigms are $1550 CAD ( I think I can get a 400$ discount) and the psb's are 1800$ (I'll have to pass by the store to see what discount I can get).

So we're looking at 300$ more for the psb's. The main difference was the T45, the msrp on the psb site is 799, centre hifi has them at 1000$ but everything else (b15 and c40) are pretty similar in price (50$ more)

is it worth the extra $300 for the psb's? I might be able to audition them. Are they b-15's good surround speakers? also at 6ohm, will my pioneer 1016 be okay to handle it, it recommends 8ohm but it handles 6 ohm as well.

Wow the PSB Image that you seek, retail here for $1550.00 IMO your dealer must do better than that! Check out 2001 audiovideo's web page( http://www.2001audiovideo.com/category.php?category_id=75&clr=in ) for some leverage!

 

[skads_187]

nice, its too bad they dont have any here in Quebec. That wouldve been nice

 

[3db]

nice, its too bad they dont have any here in Quebec. That wouldve been nice

Whats your postal code?

 

[skads_187]

Whats your postal code?

my postal code is h7n 1r8

 

[skads_187]

also are the b15's good enough for back surrounds? am I better off getting the b25's for 100$ more?

 

[3db]

also are the b15's good enough for back surrounds? am I better off getting the b25's for 100$ more?

PSB dealers within 40 miles of your postal code; The B15s work just fine. I have the older 1Bs. The B25s is too much speaker to be wasted on surround duty. They would make an awesome pair for a 2nd audio only setup.


1 miles
Google Maps

Studio 1006
1394 rue Sauve Est
Montreal QC H2C 2A2
Canada 514-384-2215
514-384-2215 (fax)
2 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Carrefour Du Nord
3956 Autoroute 440
Chomeday QC H7T 2H6
Canada 450-688-0561
450688-0491 (fax)
2 miles
Google Maps

Audiotronic Laval
1880, boul. St-Martin Ouest
Laval QC H7S 1M9
Canada 450-681-7133
3 miles
Google Maps

Centre D'Achats Rockland
Cen. HiFi 2305 Chemin Rockland
Ville Mont-royal QC H3P 2L9
Canada 514-343-0646
514343-0642 (fax)
3 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi
3500 Cote Vertu Ouest
Ville St- Laurent QC H4R 2X7
Canada 514-856-4030
514-856-4032 (fax)
4 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Place Bourassa
6000 Boul. Henri-Bourassa Est.
Montreal-nord QC H1G 2T6
Canada 514-322-5172
514-322-2428 (fax)
4 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Plaza St-Hubert
7140 Rue St-Hubert
Montreal QC H2S 2M9
Canada 514-273-0655
514-273-9545 (fax)
5 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Galaries Joliette
1563 Ave. Mont- Royal Est.
Montreal QC H2J 1Z3
Canada 514-523-0055
514-523-0144 (fax)
7 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Place Rosemere
401 Boul. Cure Labelle
Rosemere QC J7A 3T2
Canada 450-419-4602
450-419-6258 (fax)
7 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi- Place Versailles
7275 Rue Sherbrooke
Montreal-nord QC H1N 1E9
Canada 514-353-2174
514-353-4359 (fax)
8 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Carrefour Angrig.
7077 Boul. Newman
Lasalle QC H8N 1X1
Canada 514-366-9922
514-366-4405 (fax)
9 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Place Longueuil
825 Boul. St- Laurent
Longueuil QC J4K 2V1
Canada 450-646-1846
450-646-3673 (fax)
9 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Place St-Eustache
367 Boul. Arthur Sauve
St- Eustache QC J7P 2B1
Canada 450-472-2231
450-472-2291 (fax)
11 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Galeries Terrebon
1185 Boul. Moody
Terrebonne QC J6W 3Z5
Canada 450-492-5520
450-492-1883 (fax)
15 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Galeries Rive-Nor
100 Boul. Brien
Repentigny QC J6A 5N4
Canada 450-654-5997
450-654-4736 (fax)
25 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Cent. Valleyfield
50 Rue Dufferin
Valleyfield QC J6S 4W4
Canada 450-371-3500
450-371-6469 (fax)
27 miles
Google Maps

Le Palais de la Musique et de
484 boul. S_minaire
St. Jean-sur-richeli QC J3B 5L3
Canada 450-348-3002
27 miles
Google Maps

Cen.HiFi-Carrefour Richelieu
600 Boul Pierre Caisse
St- Jean- Richelieu QC J3A 1M1
Canada 450-348-1018
450-348-1783 (fax)
37 miles
Google Maps

Centre Hi Fi-Galeries St-Hyac.
3200 Boul. Laframboise
St- Hyacinthe QC J2S 4Z5
Canada

 

[skads_187]

thanks, yeah I might try maybe passing by Audiotronic Laval. Other than that, their mostly centre hifi's. Which is not that bad I guess, cause I know that you can always bargain with them.

 

[joe68]

Atten 3db

I'm in the same boat, I have a pair of paradigm v3 atoms for fronts mainly for surround but I want to do a slight upgrade more for music while staying with a small pair would you recomend the PSBs I,m close to vallyfield.
Hey Skads if you try them out please reply.

 

[3db]

I'm in the same boat, I have a pair of paradigm v3 atoms for fronts mainly for surround but I want to do a slight upgrade more for music while staying with a small pair would you recomend the PSBs I,m close to vallyfield.
Hey Skads if you try them out please reply.

Everyone's taste is different in a loudspeaker. I would recommend you audition these, to see what you think of them. I would take with you, music that you are very familiar when auditioning and don't forget to take notes about how they sound to you. If your lucky, you may find a place that sells both and then you can hear them side by side. That would be the 2nd best way. The best method of comparing is to talk a dealer into an in home demo, allowing you to take them for a night or 2 to your home and listening to them in your environment.

I never cared for the Monitor series from Paradigm but that doesnt mean anything. You may like them better than the PSB Image series.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-B25-Monitor

 

[jostenmeat]

PSB dealers within 40 miles of your postal code; The B15s work just fine. I have the older 1Bs. The B25s is too much speaker to be wasted on surround duty. They would make an awesome pair for a 2nd audio only setup.

I disagree. As long as the very large size for a bookshelf does not bother you. At least in the US, I think of it as a crime to not spend $50 more for it. I've auditioned the B15 side by side with other brands, like Monitor Audio, etc, and the departure in performance doesn't really become as clear until you shove in its big fat brother.

The msrp difference is nearly double, but the street difference is not so much; I think it's worth it.

Also, DD and DTS send out full-range surround. Sure it will be summed with the LFE after applying x-over. But whatever, even at a similar x-over point, you probably will achieve better mid-bass response and/or less compression. Also, the new formats of TrueHD and MA are said to provide even greater dynamic range.

That's just my take. I remember that 3db thinks the smallest of the Image towers and the smallest of the Image bookshelves are plenty sufficient. I do think it depends on the particular consumer's setup. my 2 cents.

 

[3db]

I disagree. As long as the very large size for a bookshelf does not bother you. At least in the US, I think of it as a crime to not spend $50 more for it. I've auditioned the B15 side by side with other brands, like Monitor Audio, etc, and the departure in performance doesn't really become as clear until you shove in its big fat brother.

The msrp difference is nearly double, but the street difference is not so much; I think it's worth it.

Also, DD and DTS send out full-range surround. Sure it will be summed with the LFE after applying x-over. But whatever, even at a similar x-over point, you probably will achieve better mid-bass response and/or less compression. Also, the new formats of TrueHD and MA are said to provide even greater dynamic range.

That's just my take. I remember that 3db thinks the smallest of the Image towers and the smallest of the Image bookshelves are plenty sufficient. I do think it depends on the particular consumer's setup. my 2 cents.

a.) The size of the surrounds only becomes an issue if a) the room that there in is large(ish) and you plan on doing multichannel audio. For HT purposes, I doubt that compression will ever come into play. If the surrounds start compressing, you'll be going deaf as the mains will be playing even louder than the surrounds.

b.) The OP lives in Canada and it will be more than $50 dollars difference. If its not, yeah go for the bigger.

c.) I've quite often recommended the larger brothers but you weren't paying attention is all . Shame on you.

The rooms I've had my system in ranges from 12wx16l and currently 10wx18" and my setup can play exceesively loud without compression. The mains begin compressing above 95+db which has my ears ringing. Needless to say I don't do that too often.

 

[joe68]

well I need to keep them smallish maybe in the PSBs GDI monitors or Image B25s or mayby the (Synchrony Two's If I wait till fall), but I'm off to the boat show in Ottawa this weekend so I'll have to find a dealer for those, otherwise Cornwall is my other option for paradigm studios.
I'm matching them with a Denon AVR3300