Voices sound real, produces detailed effects, well matched to Image 4Ts, not terribly $$$

I'm not aware of any right now

I use this centre channel speaker as a part of a PSB Image set comprised of (4T, 1B & SubSonic 5). I previously used a Yamaha RX-V620, although a fine value and good for home theatre, really lacks when playing music. Instruments just didn’t sound like they should and the music didn’t come together with any tempo. For movies, I found the system explosive but voices didn’t sound real. Try as I might if I closed my eyes I couldn’t convince myself that someone could be where my TV was and saying what I was hearing (and I have a pretty good imagination;-). So I wasn’t sure if the problem was with the PSB 8C or the receiver. Given I find that I listen to more music on a day-to-day basis than actually sit down and watch movies, I dragged my main speakers and CD player to a stereo shop to do some listening. I ended up walking away with a new receiver… an Arcam AVR200. The AVR200 was a pleasure to listen to with music (WOW). Once home and settled in I was curious to see how voices & centre effects would sound during movies. Again, there was a night and day difference. The PSB 8C now produced natural, authentic voices and detailed effects. I wrote this review to make two points. I’m impressed with PSB Image series (8C, 4T, 1B & SS5) and their ability to respond when matted to higher end components. The other point I wanted to make was that if you aren’t happy with a particular piece of equipment don’t make assumptions as to the cause. Although initially happy I wasn’t thrilled with the PSB 8C. Now, I have to say that I am extremely satisfied.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Mission & Polk Audio (sorry don't remember the model #s)

Clean sound especially dialogue. Not as big as the 9C.

none as of the moment

I bought the PSB 8C center speaker as a christmas gift for myself this year. The difference is amazing! I actually wanted the 9C model but it was too big to fit on top of my television and was too big a speaker for the room. The 8c is a great compromise. Sound is clean and crisp. Try watching the Diana Krall DVD using this speaker and you'll be amazed at the voice quality. Its a great speaker at an affordable price.

Similar Products Used:

NHT, Polk Audio

A tremendous value for HT. I have no idea how anyone can beat the price/performance of this one.

??? I wish it were $100 cheaper; although this would not affect the price/ perfomance ratio that much ;^)

I hate the way folks say "great speaker for the price." This is simply a great speaker at any price. It has a solidly flat sound and a solid feel. The Omaha Beach scence on "Saving Private Ryan" feels like you can hear the whisper of Tom Hanks while flame throwers, howitzers, and machine guns blast away on the subwoofer.

Similar Products Used:

KEH 2005, JBL, Polk, other mid level stuff.

Wide open soundstage, no boxiness in the sound at all; ability to produce even the faintest of sound detail in a movie. Accurate and detailed at any volume level

none found yet, its a big beast

I can't believe the sound I was missing from the previous center channel. I'm hearing things that I've never heard before like C3PE0 walking on the sand dunes in the 1st Star Wars movie; the piercing shriek in Men in Black where J drags the table across the room and back to his chair during the test. Male vocals are clear with no artifical "bass boomines". The sound remains clear and open at all volume levels and it definately anchors the sound to the TV. There is no boxiness or empty sound here as experienced with the previous reviewer. For $195.US, you will not find a better center channel anywhere.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm; CC-170

none except under $300, but if it can't deliver then $1 is too much ....

Having this speaker for almost 2 years now alone with 2B/Alpha in my home theater. 8C is *too* boxy. The voice is like coming out of a big box/empty room. Unbearable! I am thinking upgrade to one of: Stratus C5i, NHT SC1, B&W center speakers ...

Great value and clarity.

None.

I added the 8C to my home theater that I'm rebuilding with the PSB Image speaker line. It's the right size, can handle a lot of watts, clean detailed sound for the voice, and the price is low.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Incredible vocal detail, first class reproduction of different voices

Where's The Bass?!

I purchased these along with a set of Image 3LR's. For a detailed describtion of those (which are essentially the same as these) read the 3LR description.

What I would like to add about this speaker is that is has an uncanny ability to faithfully reproduce a wide variety of voices. Although I listed bass as a weakness above, the 8C handles most voices, even Louis Armstrong, in stride. The ability of the speaker to reproduce what is happening on screen is excellent. Gun shots sound like they are coming from the tv and, most importantly, the speaker still has enough clarity and detail to play all the "little" things go on in the background. Aka background music, cars in the background, birds chirping, ecetera.

PSB has a knack for making excellent speakers at reasonable prices. I think a lot of this comes from the Canadian governments support to the speaker manufacturing market, as well as their knowledge of cross platform integration. The Image line all use similar speakers, xovers, cabinets, etc. etc. The only thing that I don't like about PSB is that their speakers look somewhat cheap, but still sturdy. As long as the cabinet is sturdy and the speakers are good that's all I care about!

Inexpensive given the quality and sound.

Lack the stronger and more natural bass of the 9C

I bought the 8C in an effort to timber match my other PSB speakers. Unfortunately, I should have gone with the 9C instead. The 8C is a great speaker, but its' 5 1/4" speakers are more sonically matched to the other 5 1/4 speakers in the PSB speaker line such as the 1B, 3LR and 4T. I will buy the 9C soon to match my Custom 6's.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Bose, Kenwood, Jamo, Advent, Sony...

Inexpensive given the quality and sound.

Lack the stronger and more natural bass of the 9C

I bought the 8C in an effort to timber match my other PSB speakers. Unfortunately, I should have gone with the 9C instead. The 8C is a great speaker, but its' 5 1/4" speakers are more sonically matched to the other 5 1/4 speakers in the PSB speaker line such as the 1B, 3LR and 4T. I will buy the 9C soon to match my Custom 6's.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Bose, Kenwood, Jamo, Advent, Sony...

Inexpensive given the quality and sound.

Lack the stronger and more natural bass of the 9C

I bought the 8C in an effort to timber match my other PSB speakers. Unfortunately, I should have gone with the 9C instead. The 8C is a great speaker, but its' 5 1/4" speakers are more sonically matched to the other 5 1/4 speakers in the PSB speaker line such as the 1B, 3LR and 4T. I will buy the 9C soon to match my Custom 6's.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Bose, Kenwood, Jamo, Advent, Sony...