PSB T65 or Def Tech BP 10P?

[bdogfish]

I kinda like both, I am lost as to wich would be best for my system. What do you guys think? I will be using a Denon 3805 and running 2.0 until I save some money to get a subwoofer. In the long run I would like to run a 7.1
Give me your experiences, likes and dislikes, good and bad??

 

[Mike JL]

I'm not familiar with the PSB, but I know the BP10B is a great speaker for both music and HT. I used a Def Tech 7.1 system with BP10Bs as mains for about five years and I was very pleased with them.

In a recent 2.0 (towers) blind listening test reported on in a different forum, the BP10Bs stacked up very nicely against Rocket 850s and Salk SongTowers - that's some pretty good company. Although it was a pretty small sample of people rating these speakers, one even had the Def Techs rated first.

 

[bdogfish]

Thanks for that reply, yeah I wish I would have went and did a blind audition on both speakers. I will go in again and ask them to not tell me which one they are running and re audition them both.

 

[GlocksRock]

I vote for the BP10's.

 

[billy p]

The image series are 6-4 ohm normal. I am not sure about the Def tech. I own a 3805 and it's a excellent receiver but a full 7.1 with the t65's as the mains I don't know? Maybe the def tech would be easier to drive, something to think about.

 

[Seth=L]

PSB typically has low efficiency ratings.

 

[3db]

PSB typically has low efficiency ratings.

Partialy true and false depending on how you look at it.

True if your looking at their upper range series such as Stratus (now discontinued), Synchron and Platinum series.

False if you are looking at the Image and Alpha series.

 

[3db]

The image series are 6-4 ohm normal. I am not sure about the Def tech. I own a 3805 and it's a excellent receiver but a full 7.1 with the t65's as the mains I don't know? Maybe the def tech would be easier to drive, something to think about.

The Image series are nominal 6 ohms, not 4 ohms. I have an old Technics SA-940 running a complete HT package consisiing of Image T45s fronts, Image8C Center and Image 1B for surrounds without problems. I have had this for over 2.5 years now and not once did the POS receiver shutdown or sound strained. The Image series is quite efficient and requires very little power to drive them to loud levels. There is no way my Technics is as robust as the Denon.

I havent heard the Def Techs but I can't tell you enough good things about PSB Image series speakers. You'll have to audition for yourself and let your ears decide. Just take material with you that you know intimately when making the comparisons and amke sure the volume is level matched between the 2 speakers as the louder speaker will always sound better. Good luck

 

[GlocksRock]

The def tech BP10 are 8 ohm, with 91 db sensitivity.

 

[3db]

The def tech BP10 are 8 ohm, with 91 db sensitivity.

Here's the sensitivity of the Image T45s. Like I said before, the Denon will have no problems driving them.
Sensitivity
1w (2.83V) @ 1m, IEC-filtered Pink Noise, C-weighted
Anechoic Chamber 90 dB
Typical Listening Room 93 dB

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I really enjoy my BP10Bs. The only negative I can think of is that the bass, while exceptionally deep and powerful, can be a bit muddy at times. Aside from that, they are about as close to "perfect" speakers as I have heard.

 

[GlocksRock]

I really enjoy my BP10Bs. The only negative I can think of is that the bass, while exceptionally deep and powerful, can be a bit muddy at times. Aside from that, they are about as close to "perfect" speakers as I have heard.

But don't you run them full range? I think if a sub is used in conjunction with them, they sound really good and not muddy at all.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

But don't you run them full range? I think if a sub is used in conjunction with them, they sound really good and not muddy at all.

Yes, I run them full range. I think they would do better in a larger room (My HT is 10' sq., my living/dining area where I sometimes use them in stereo is 20' sq. total.) They are intended for full-range use. With a sub, smaller speakers would make a lot more sense (the BP8s, for example, sound identical except for the bass.)

 

[GlocksRock]

Yes, I run them full range. I think they would do better in a larger room (My HT is 10' sq., my living/dining area where I sometimes use them in stereo is 20' sq. total.) They are intended for full-range use. With a sub, smaller speakers would make a lot more sense (the BP8s, for example, sound identical except for the bass.)

I had the BP8s as my mains and then moved them to the rear surround when I got my BP10s, and I can say that even when used with a sub, and crossed over at the same frequency, the BP10s sounded much fuller and definitely better than the BP8s. I know they are full range speakers, but I still think it's best to use a sub with them when their main purpose is HT use.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I had the BP8s as my mains and then moved them to the rear surround when I got my BP10s.

That is what I did, also. I still think that a second set of BP8s would have been a better choice in such a small room. As I said, bass extension/strength is the only difference I have ever heard between them. In fact, I am sufficiently satisfied with the BP8s as mains (and sufficiently convinced that just about anything works for surrounds) that I may even end up selling the 10s if I can find a local buyer.

 

[GlocksRock]

Before I got the BP10s up front, I had BP8s in the front and back, then I got the BP10s up frond and found they sounded better. For your room you may have been better off, but while my room isn't huge, it is very open, and opens up to the kitchen, dining room, and stairway to upstairs. Since the BP8s and 10s use the same tweeter, bass response is the only difference, but for my mains, I wanted the larger woofers.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Before I got the BP10s up front, I had BP8s in the front and back, then I got the BP10s up frond and found they sounded better. For your room you may have been better off, but while my room isn't huge, it is very open, and opens up to the kitchen, dining room, and stairway to upstairs. Since the BP8s and 10s use the same tweeter, bass response is the only difference, but for my mains, I wanted the larger woofers.

That makes sense. My 10s do sound better in the larger stereo room, but seem oversize even there. (My entire apartment is only 600 sq. ft.)

 

[3db]

I kinda like both, I am lost as to wich would be best for my system. What do you guys think? I will be using a Denon 3805 and running 2.0 until I save some money to get a subwoofer. In the long run I would like to run a 7.1
Give me your experiences, likes and dislikes, good and bad??

Have you decided yet as to which route you are going to take?

 

[bdogfish]

Yeah I have I went and auditioned them yesterday. I went in and asked them to switch between the two but to not tell me which ones were playing.
I will go with the BP 10 over the PBS T65. I liked the tight bass of the PSB but the whole sound of the BP 10 were more enjoyable to my ears. I think in time I will setup a 5.1 with just the BP 10's all around. Do you guys feel that a sub would be needed in the future if I go this route?

 

[GlocksRock]

Yes, there is no substitute for a good sub.