Tight well extended bass for a bookshelf (not boomy just nice), Nice top range but not overly bright, Excellent Imaging and soundstage, Front firing port for easy placement.

Not bi-wireable.

Auditioned all of the above speakers and chose the PSB. I think that says alot already. The imaging and overall sound of the PSB's just made them overall a better choice for me. The bass is tight and fairly deep for bookshelf (this just gets better as they break in with about 100hrs play). The highs are crisp without being brash or tinny. Mid's and vocals are tight, clear and precise. All of this plus when you upgrade these fellows will fit nicely as rear's for a good home theartre setup. Overall I find them to be very musical and well suited to home thearter too. What more can you ask of a bookshelf in this price range? Lastly anyone considering these should bear in mind that with all due respect the rating on these would be even higher here if not for an underserved sole one star rating given below.

Similar Products Used:

Kef Q15, Kef Cresta, B&W 302, B&W 602, various Klipsch bookshelfs, Paradigm Titans , Paradigm Atoms.

price

build quality

I really wanted to like this product, but there was a vibration in the cabinet that nearly drove me out of the room. Until I listened to "Ghost of a Dog" (Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians), I heard nothing that I couldn't live with. Maybe if I only wanted home theatre these would be good enough, but for music...The search continues. Tried B&W and a number of others. So far, the Acoustic Energy Aegis One is about the only thing I could take home.

Similar Products Used:

Linn Index +

Great imaging and transparency. Beautiful smooth treble and midrange with descent bass for a bookshelf speaker

none so far

I am a mid high-end audiophile and was looking for a bookshelf speaker that would sing in my current system. After demoing just about every bookshelf from Paradigm, Dynaudio, JM Lab and B&W I chose the PSB 2B's. After each demo I just kept coming back to the PSB's. As far as overall sound quality the only speaker to beat the PSB's hands down were the Dynaudio Countour but I wasn't ready to fork over $3,000 for a bookshelf speaker. These speakers are a great value at $1,000, at $299, they are a steal!

My current system consists of:
Audio Research LS 9
Rotel RB 991
Audio Research DAC 2
Rotel RCD-971
Audioquest Viper Interconnects
Audioquest Midnight Speaker cable

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Studio 20's and 40's, B&W DM 603,
JM Lab Tantal 509, Dynaudio Audience and Countour series bookshelves

Very detailed, smooth, and open sound. Bass is good for a bookshelf. Price!!

None for the Price

I am using the 2b's as rears in my home theater system. They are matched with PSB 7PTS up front and 9C for the center.

I like how smooth the Image series sounds as compared to the Klipsch. They are very detailed and create an amazing sound stage when listening to five channel stereo.

For home theater they are excellent also, probably one of the best balanced speakers for both music and HT. I find my friends looking to see who is standing behind them during some scenes due to the realistic sound staging.

Best bang for the buck!!

Similar Products Used:

Compared to Polk R40, Ar 15, Klipsch rb's

Natural and musical; very detailed; surprisingly good bass

None for the money.

I've been shopping for speakers for a while and listened lots of speakers at local electronics/hifi stores. Image 2B stands out with its sound quality and value. I've listened them for 1 year so far splited 50/50 between audio and home theater and it is a little over kill for my small apartment, since I have Subsonic 6 subwoofer and it rocks!

Wholehearedly recommand 2B to everybody who are looking for bookshelf speakers.

Open and airy high frequencies.

Very, very boxy sounding.

A huge disappointment from PSB.

Sounds very boxy, very colored. The use of plastic baffles is likely the cause.

The less expensive PSB Alpha (~$200) and PSB Alpha Mini (~$150) produce much higher quality sound, at less cost.

It's not even funny how much better the Alphas sound.

Same comments apply to the PSB Image 1B (didn't listen to the whole Image series, but with those plastic baffles, they likely all sound similarly boxy).

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Mini-monitor, PSB Alpha A/V, PSB Alpha A/V Mini

surprising bass extension for size,cabinet,price

highs can get "edgy" due to aluminum tweeter which becomes more apparent over time

These little marvels actually throw out a fair amount of quality bass which is their greatest asset. However, they due sound a bit "shrilly" on the high frequencies which is unfortunate. I prefer the tweeter sound of the century line which is now discontinued. However, for home theatre applications they would perform nicely. Tube equipment may smooth out the highs but as this price that probably isn't an option. All in all, for a $300 "bookie" you could do alot worse. Monitors are better but cost twice as much.
4t's have much more bass but same tweeter configuration.
Listen for a fair amount of time and decide for yourself...
some people like the added detail of aluminum despite the drawbacks. A solid four stars for performance and five for value considering the price range. if paired with a sub one would have decent full range that would obliterate anything at the chain stores.

Similar Products Used:

monitor,b&w,etc.

full sounding, easy placement,smooth

none considering size and cost

sold my maggies to build reasonable cost surround system.Iwas able to find a stupendous deal on line closeout at chelsea audio in portland,Or. i am using these for rears but would be satisfied to use them for fronts. excellent! I am using a harmon kardon 500 to drive them. good combo.

Similar Products Used:

large advents,DQ10's,vandersteen 2C,magnaplaner 3.3

Big sound

A little big, but not as big as a 3LR!

I purchased the Image 5T's and a 9c and thought I could get away with the 1B's. I was wrong. I hooked it all up, and although it sounded great, it lacked in bass and was swallowed up by the 6-6 1/2" woofers I had up front. So, after about 5 days, back to the store they went for an upgrade. Don't get me wrong, these are great speakers, but they just didn't fit my HT puzzle. So I picked up the matching 2B's with the 6 1/2" woofers and with a complete matching set I am 100% happy. I love to brag about these speakers. They produce very defined responses from my receiver and make some of the most "ugly" digital formats seem beautiful. A great speaker!

Very good sound for the cabinet size. Fantastic value.

None really, except if you want to bi-wire, look elsewhere, not supported on these units.

Let's face it, the 2B is a B&W copy without the ridiculous use of kevlar. So basically, without the flak jacket, you save real money for the same level of sound quality. Why pay 30% more for B&W. I listened to both and could not hear a noticable difference. They look great. They are perfect for a second system in the office or bedroom or if your primary system is in somewhat small room. Not that the speaker can't handle a bigger sound space, it is just that ANY speaker this size would be challenged by a large room at high volumes.

Similar Products Used:

JBL, NAD, Sony and Carver