Unbelievable bargain. PSB has underpriced these jewels

would love to have a real-wood option. I'd pay extra. Black ash looks decent but the feaux cherry is chincy

I traveled an hour to an audio shop that carries all the Canadian speakers. They had everything in stock but the Mirage towers. I called in advance and asked the salesman to setup the demo with the Yamaha 995 receiver because it's the unit that's in the price range of units I'm considering (likely going with the Sony 777es)
I brought my own music and the DTS DVD "Roy Orbison Black and White Night" The music included Fleetwood Mac's the Dance, Jon Fogerty's Premonition and Van Halen's greatest hits.

First go round was the PSB 5T's vs. the Monitor 7's. I kept going back and forth between those two for several songs on all three music C.D's in two channel stereo. I thought they both sounded good but I preferred the sound of the PSB's. My ears liked PSB's highs and mids.

Next set of speakers hooked up were the Paradigm Reference 40's that were ontop of the Paradigm stands. I kept going back and forth with the Fleetwood Mac C.D. I couldnt believe the 40's. I dont think they sounded as good as the Monitor 7's . They were really bright and airy but lacked bass. I left thinking that the difference in price was a kevlar lined driver and some fancy cabinets. I thought the Studio 40's were the worst of the group.

The salesman had to take a call and I kept listening to the PSB's. I was using the switchbox amongst the three while moving around the room listening from all angles. I then took a break and walked next door to the other sound room. Inside was the Paradigm Reference 60's. The first floor stander in the Reference series. These retail at almost double the PSB Image 5T's. I asked the sales guy if he wouldn't mind carrying those into the other room to put those head to head against the PSB's. He said sure...

He hooked them up to the 995 and we began listening to several tracks from the Fogerty disc and Fleetwood Mac. The reference series could not hang with the PSB's either. I couldnt believe it. They were muddy and lacked the highs of the PSB's. By the way..those aluminum tweeters in the PSB's are not harsh in anyway. There was no fatigue.

The salesman had told me before that his favorite speakers in the Paradigm line was the Reference 40's and I thought they paled in comparison to the 5T's. I then told him that he was going to have a hard time selling Paradigm to anyone that really came in and did some critical listening. He then admitted that the PSB's are out selling much the Paradigms. Which is amazing because they just added the line a few months ago.

He said that when the PSB rep came by to give them a demo to see if they would pickup the line he said they only listened for 10 minutes and gave an order. He also added that the PSB rep said that Paradigm gets nervous whenever one of their dealers brings PSB into the same showroom. What I heard yesterday explains why. I regret that the dealer did not have the larger 6T's in stock so I could compare them to the 5T's.


I will be purchasing the PSB's...either the 5t's or 6t's for mains....9C center and the 10S bipole surround when they begin shipping next month.

I did listen to the complete PSB hometheater system. 5t's, 8c center and 1B in the rear. The Roy Orbison disc was great and I loved the PSB system. I'd love to see an all wood option in this line but I understand PSB price point strategy. The speakers are still striking in the black ash. The vinyl cherry is not a looker.

p.s. I did not care for the Subsonic 6 sub. I'm definitely going with the HSU TN1220 with the 250 watt amp. Another plus with the PSB Image series is that they are front ported. My front right corner has to house the main and the HSU sub in a 30X30 inch space.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Monitor 7, Paradigm Reference 40's and 60's. Have also listened to Krix, Definitive, M&K, NHT and B&W

High-value, high performance, imaging, dynamic range

none so far

Hardly a speaker I would "fairly" compare or review after listening to the Dynaudio line as some reviewers have. They are in different "zip codes" I am using the 2B's, 9C and the 5T's and the system for the money is unmatched. I got a very good deal purchased the whole package for under $1,000.00.

The imaging, detail and mixing and matching capabilities is great. The performance per dollar is the best I have listened to "lately".

The precise imaging provides very good detail, reproduction for both music and home theatre.

They are sounding better everyday I listen to them. I also bi-wired them and they sounded even better.

For someone on a budget who wants to get the most for his/her money...the Image series ROCKS.

B&K AVR 202 receiver
Toshiba SD 2200 DVD player
Atlantic Technology 172 BPM Sub
Audioquest Super Flatline Bi-wire silver plated cables
Lovan center stand
Lovan speaker stands

Similar Products Used:

Dynaudio audience series, Stratus Series, NHT, ARcoustic Research

clean mids/highs; good price/performance ratio; looks cool

smooth but FLAT sound; bass a bit weak

This is a nice speaker, especially if you're just putting together a home theatre system. For music, I think you'd be wise to consider paying the extra money to climb into the Stratus-sphere; any member of PSB's Stratus family, including the Bronze (which I chose), will noticeably outclass the Image series on music. I agree with a previous reviewer that the best word to describe the sound is FLAT.
(See my review of the Stratus Bronze a while back, where I believe I also used this word to describe the Image 5T's.) While smooth and still far superior to anything in Circuit City (for the same money, in other words), e.g., these speakers are not nearly as *lively* as the Stratus Bronze --which is truly excellent. For use as rear surround speakers, the Image series is quite a good choice, on the other hand; indeed, I chose the Image 1B's for my rears, since I wanted something small that could still blend fairly well with the Stratus series up front. All things considered, this is a great speaker for the money; but for a bit more money, you can find a great speaker, period.

Similar Products Used:

PSB Stratus Bronze, Paradigm Reference Studio 60, NHT SuperTwo, Klipsch Reference RF-3

Looks, bass, imaging, punch for price

break in period 100 hours

I bought these a long with the 2b's for the rears, and the 9c center.

PSB speaker are by far the best sounding, best looking for the money.

I have listened to music and they sound very nice but they shine in home theater, they image so well, you could shut your eyes, and still be in the movie.

I got all 5 speakers for $1030 from Jea Wong at this email DIAMONDNO1@aol.com He can make you a good deal on any PSB speaker system.

Soundstage, Bass, Vocals

Spikes could be larger for carpeting.

I've been using Realistic Optimus mains (yes, from the 80s) and Minimus 7s for the Center and Surrounds. I upgraded my receiver from a Sony Pro-Logic to a Yamaha RX-V2095 and of course, needed new speakers. I auditioned many "retail-type" speakers (Bostons, Polks, etc.), but wasn't impressed with imaging and overall tonal quality. I considered the Paradigm Reference 60s and the B & W CDM7s. I really "wanted" to like the Paradigms, but they just did not reproduce with the detail of the B & Ws. Vocals sounded not-so-bright, not very present. The B & Ws, not surprisingly, looked and sounded wonderful. They were accompanied by a wonderful price tag also ($1850 a pair, I believe). If my primary listening was music, I might have splurged, but my listening is about 60% music, 40% HT. I was impressed by the PSB reviews and price, but more so by their very very nice reproduction of vocals (both male and female) and their incredible bass reproduction. For the most part, I think Home Theater should include a subwoofer (that's what the ".1" is for, right), but for music a speaker should reproduce mid-bass and moderately low bass well without sounding "boomy". The Image 5Ts are outstanding at doing this. I got the Cherry finish (fiance had *some* say in the matter :-). They look fine to me .... obviously nowhere near as nice as the B & Ws ... but at less than half the price, I can live with 'em. I'm still using the Optimuses for the surrounds and I bought the 9T for the center. It's a monster of a center, but isn't too overbearing for the 5Ts.

Yamaha RX-V2095
Sony DVPS-550D DVD Player
Sony 5-disc CD changer
JVC 4-head VCR
Realistic Laser Disk player (yup)
Image 5Ts main
Image 9T center
Optimus surrounds
Will be purchasing Alpha 5 Subsonic Sub. this week
Radio Shack HT Gold speaker cables
JVC 32" TV .... to be replaced ASAP ! :-)

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm, B & W, Realistic (don't laugh)

Great bargain, good bass, overall nice sound and good looking.

None at this price.

I went through my audiophile stage ealier in my life and have Thiel speakers and Levinson amps to prove it. At this point (with kids), I was looking for a great bargain for a new family room and believe I've found it with these speakers. I wanted to get the fronts and center for under $1000. The 5T's and the 8C seem to do a great job -- especially after a little breakin.

Considered various arrangements, but decided a floor standing arrangement might standup better to young children. To my ear, the 5T's sounded clearer and less boomy than the 4T's and much better than the Monitor 7's. Even listened to the PSB Stratus Bronze and preferred the 5T's. I like to audition speakers with some very nice pieces from Ricki Lee Jones and Lyle Lovett that do a good job of smoking out speakers that don't handle vocals and musical instruments very well. Even though these speakers are ending up in a home theater, I think that music is the best way to listen to speakers critically.

There are better speakers out there, but you'd have to pay 2-3 times the money (or more). These were perfect for me.

Similar Products Used:

Listened to B&W 305's and 602's, Paradigm Monitor 7's, PSB 4T, and PSB Alphas with a subwoofer