PSB Speakers? Should I take the plunge?

[kcrossley]

I'm debating whether or not to shell out some extra money for in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. I'm trying to build an home theatre system on a budget, but this may be worth the extra investment. Basically, my home theatre company is offering me the following 5.1 setup for $1398 installed:

(2) PSB M6x6.1 front wall speakers
(1) PSB center speaker (model unknown)
(2) PSB M6.1R ceiling speakers
(1) PSB Subsonic 8 subwoofer

Should I take the deal or buy some external speakers? Are PSBs any good? What do these speakers compare with quality wise?

Thanks,
Kelly

 

[kcrossley]

Any advice?

 

[mfabien]

Could you take a picture of your room and link that picture here? Make it so we can see the layout.

And what are the dimensions of your room.

Where is the sitting position to listen? If that position not at a 30º angle for the Fronts, what would be the angle if placed where you intend to put the Fronts?

What is the make and model of your receiver?
What is the make and model of your TV?

PS: Are you after quality listening or quality display of your equipment? Which comes first?

As for your "home [theater] company", is this an electronic boutique or one of the big network of stores (such as BB)?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I liked the PSB speakers I have heard, though they were towers rather than in-walls. Ceiling speakers are generally a bad choice for surround, as they always sound like they are above you and don't blend well with the mains. (Actually, ceiling speakers were developed for background music, and IMO that is all they are good for.)

 

[davidtwotrees]

I'm not sure where you live, but $1400 installed all materials included would be a good price here in Chicago for anything like that. I can't comment on the brand of speakers, but I'm a stereo as furniture kind of guy so tyring to "hide" the speakers doesn't really do it for me. Frankly, I think it's for the wives so they don't have to look at "those ugly speakers"........

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Frankly, I think it's for the wives so they don't have to look at "those ugly speakers"........

I find that attitude bizarre. To me, nicely designed speakers are an attractive addition to any room. My B&Ws are as beautiful as any modern sculpture I have seen.

 

[tomd51]

I find that attitude bizarre. To me, nicely designed speakers are an attractive addition to any room. My B&Ws are as beautiful as any modern sculpture I have seen.

I think that's what davidtwotrees is saying, that wives or S/O's don't quite find speakers, well crafted or not, as attractive as most guys do... -TD

 

[davidtwotrees]

I'm a professional bachelor, so I find the whole waf thing interesting. I think my rig is beautiful, and my living room is finely decorated with oil paintings and prints. I agree 100% on the B&W's looking like scuplture. I auditioned the 703's and they were just gorgeous. I wanted to hug them........

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I think that's what davidtwotrees is saying, that wives or S/O's don't quite find speakers, well crafted or not, as attractive as most guys do... -TD

I have been told that women have good taste in decoration. If they really think that pretty speakers are ugly, then that "good taste" theory must be wrong. Maybe they just need training.

 

[tomd51]

I have been told that women have good taste in decoration.

I'm thinking that may be a bit of a fabrication perpetuated by the masses (e.g. women). I've seen first hand that not all women have good decorating taste, in fact it's more like a small percentage of them.

There's no shortage of the rest telling you how good of a decorator they are, though... -TD

 

[Joe Schmoe]

You can probably tell that I am a confirmed bachelor!

 

[davidtwotrees]

Yep.
I've been through the Confirmation Process, too.
Here's to Confirmed Bachelors!
<-------raises glass
(of course if any of you have some single sisters in chicago looking to date...)

 

[buzzy]

You might want to look at some of the meanings of confirmed bachelor before you post that too many more times. NTTAWWT.

 

[emorphien]

That seems like a great deal for a set of PSBs, although admittedly I don't know those exact models. I like PSB better than Paradigm and for the most part better than B&W. They make a great product IMO.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

You might want to look at some of the meanings of confirmed bachelor before you post that too many more times. NTTAWWT.

Confirmed bachelor=never married and never will be=no "compromises" (translation: no obedience)=freedom.