PSB Speakers Century Subsonic 2i Floorstanding Speakers

PSB Speakers Century Subsonic 2i Floorstanding Speakers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 12  
[Jul 03, 2009]
Graeme Woodhouse
Casual Listener

While this was a nice sounding sub while it lasted, after 5 years of occational used the amp died. Since PSB wanted over $400 for a new plate amp I had it repaired at a local electronics shop. After replacing the mosfets and power transistors the amp worked for another two months then died again.
I will bring the sub back to life using an aftermarket plate amp from Parts Express that will give me a more powerful, more reliable amp at a fraction of the cost since the only support that PSB offered was to sell me a new expensive plate amp.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Aug 14, 2003]
gfult
Casual Listener

Strength:

Great punch and depth.

Weakness:

Weak amp, poor reliability, bad warranty.

I've had this sub for just over 3 years now. Just last week it stopped working, so I replaced the blown fuse and plugged it back in and it blew that fuse. Turns out that the amp in the sub is hooped. So it's either replace the amp for a considerable amount of money, or buy another sub from a different company. I think I'll take the latter as PSB's 1 year warranty is a joke. When your paying this much for a piece of equipment, it should last at least 5 years. Sounds like the reviewer below me had the same problem, so this isn't just a isolated problem. Check out other manufactures first. Although this was a great speaker, they do not last. Last time i ever buy a PSB product.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 23, 2003]
Raymond
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Decent bass for the price. Adjustable crossover.

Weakness:

WEAK electronics reliability.

I purchased this subwoofer back in 1997 to complete my HT setup, which consists of all PSB speakers. While the sub performed reasonably well for about a year, it went dead shortly after that, conveniently after my warranty expired. The sub was not used heavily at all. The crossover was set at 80 and the volume was calibrated using Video Essential, so I know I wasn't playing it too loud. Tried replacing the fuse, didn't work. Fixing it seems to involve replacing the AMP which is around $400. So I decided to forget it and just use my PSB 500. While it worked, the sound was decent. If it didn't break, I would've given it a 4. Right now it is a $500 coffee table, and an ugly one at that. :) PSB may know how to make decent speakers, but they have NO clue on how to make reliable electronics.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
[May 09, 2000]
Robert
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Price, control options, sound quality

Weakness:

Other than being heavy, nothing I have found

Purchased this PSB sub as part of a complete, and very expensive, pro-logic system upgrade into Dolby Digital. My system consists of PSB 800i for mains and a 200ci center. I use Definitive Tech Bi-Polar surrounds.

This is a very good sub. It features a lot of hook-up options, probably more than you will ever need. It takes some time to get it adjusted, as one has to iterate on crossover frequency, phase, and sub volume as well as the sub's position. I use my receiver's pre-outs to connect to the sub. I was able to get the sub, just barely, into my entertainment center. That way I have as clean of looking room as I can have. So it took me some extra time to get it setup, as this isn't its ideal location.

Once I dialed it in with Video Essentials and the iterations explained above, it blends in quite well with my other speakers. I just watched "End of Days" on DVD in 5.1. Man did it give my sub a workout...and it sounded excellent. Well defined and quite able to keep up with the explosions on screen.

I was able to get this sub for $299 plus shipping in a closeout deal. Nothing in that price range comes close. To bad the Century line of PSB's are closed out, although you can still find the 2i's on sale at a few places on the web. An excellent sub at any price.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 21, 2000]
Ray
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound clarity, *controls*, Price

Weakness:

Color, slow turn on time (up to 30 seconds)

Only sub I've seen that provides a high-level /
high pass filter. Taking the lows out of the
signal to my main speakers really lets them shine.

Phase/level/crossover adjustments were simple. I
like the fact that it can be mounted in multiple
configurations. Very smooth crossover to my
Cambridge Soundworks main speakers.

If only it came in some other color than black...
I'll probably cover it in cherry veneer or some
such.

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 27, 1997]
Minh
an Audiophile

I brought this sub last week because my Yamaha wasn't cutting it anymore. The Yamaha sounded really weak in Lost World, so I decided to buy a new sub that had a bigger woofer (12 compared to 8) and amp size (130 peaks at 300 to 80. When playing Lost world chapter 40, the dinosaur stomps shakes the house! Where the Yamaha distorted in these levels. This sub follows most soundtracks with grace, making in so impressing. This sub sending tremors in the house is reason why I'm not returning it!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Jul 16, 1998]
BML
an Audio Enthusiast

Wow what a sub. PSB's whole line is unbelievable for the price. The combination of the 600i's,200ci,Sub2i,and 400i's in the rear cannot be beaten for the money. You can find many dealers that sell their products under reatail,you just need to look around. I was considering spending the extra on the 3i but the 2i is quite sufficient. It fills my whole living room with ease. I recommend PSB to anyone who enjoys A/V with a lower budget but high expectations on perfromance.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Jan 31, 1999]
Scott Brettell
a Casual Listener

YorkvilleYSM-1 studio monitors

I find it hard to believe there is not any Yorkville products reviewed here. A friend of mine owns a recoring studio and and he bought a set of Jamo speakers, $2000(Can.) for the studio. They sounded great, then he came across Yorkville's YSM-1 Studio Monitors 70 watts program 6 ohms nominal 4 ohms minimal, $280(Can.) and they sounded just as good as the Jamo's. So I went and bought a pair for my home theater and I love them. The best $300 speakers you will ever find.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Jul 02, 1999]
Patrick
an Audio Enthusiast

Purchased the PSB sub as part of a complete PSB speaker system. My system consists of PSb 600i for mains, 200ci center, alpha mites for surrounds and the subsonic 2i for bass. I have a Denon AVR2700 rec, NAD 523 CD, Toshiba SD3109 DVD player.
This is a very good sub. It features a lot of hook-up options, more than you will ever need. If you take your time and experiment with room placement testing various locations it will be well worth your time. I took about four hours to get the placement correct so the sub blends with the mains and does not sound boomy. (boomy bass is for kids) It took me about another hour to adjust the level of the bass. This is done with a rotary knob on the back panel of the sub. Again, try out different settings for your tastes.

Once dialed in it was time to give a listen. Chapter 27 on the Mask of Zorro DVD (explosion) ripped through my room. This sub can displace your knick-knacks fairly easily and unlevel any pictures on the walls. It can also sound excellent. Well defined and quick. very unusual for a sub in this price range.
I tried subs by energy, klipsch, boston, velodyne, paradigm, definitive tech, and infinity. In the same price range nothing tops the PSB. An excellent sub at an excellent price.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Sep 03, 1999]
Mike Cuff
an Audio Enthusiast

I bought the subsonic 2i to go along with my recently purchased Stratus Bronzes. These are a great match. I only listen to music on these speakers no movies. The subsonic 2i has many various controls on the back to taste you need perfectly. Low frequency 25hz, 135 watts RMS, this baby pumps no need to get anything else.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 1-10 of 12  

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