The B&W 801 killer at half the price , as FI magazine said its a $10,000 loudspeaker in a $2500 body, listen to the silvers as well

Thanks for all the advices from all the "Tech Talk" contributors.I bought the Goldi and it makes me feel so good! Incredible! I am extremely happy with this pair of speaker. A cousin of mine brougth over a pair of B&W 801 matrix for comparison, he is thinking about selling the 801 and buying a pair of Stratus Goldi too. Try them out with TELARC CD samples #3 - Good Vibration (the last track on the CD). Killer bass! Focus sound image! Deep sound Stage! Absolutely no listening fatigue!

The Gold i speakers have been in my home system since early July. They were rather stiff at first and took considerable time to open up. My muscial tastes are very eclectic. I listen to jazz, classical, (chamber to full orchestra, including massive choral works)rock, folk, blue grass, etc. Spend more time with jazz than anything else.
I had a pair of B&W 805s and was well pleased with high resolution of detail and the fact that they had a highly musical quality. I listen to live music often and I can readily distinguish between true high fidelity and mid-fi to no-fi products.

Listening to the Goldi speakers one hears the following.

Natural and open symbols that begin the Keith Jarrett Bye Bye Blackbird CD.

Full brass, all the strings and percussion, and the full presence of the kettle drum in Mahlers 5th Symphony recorded by Chicago Symphony--George Solti conducting.

The true vibrato of Ray Brown's bow across the strings of his upright bass on cut 9 "Con Alma" on the "Don't Get Sassy" CD.

Bottom line, if you listen to live music, you will get as close to the real thing as is possible through the Gold i speakers. That is, if the recording is good. If not, the junk on the recording will be faithfully reproduced by these speakers.

I have auditioned everything, and I do mean everything, out there under $5,000. Most speakers that sound anywhere close to the Gold i are compromised in some respect -- ie. require too much power, can't handle much power, favor certain kinds of music, etc.

If you know how live music is supposed to sound, are looking for as close as you can get to the real thing, and real value, put the Gold i on your audition list. There certainly are other musically faithful loudspeakers out there. However, the Gold i has earned its reputation among audio enthusiasts around the world (as one of the best audio buys on the planet) for good reason.

Two of my muscician friends, one a classical pianist and the other who plays classical and jazz clarinet have recently purchased Gold i speakers. Enough said.

All of you PSB reviewers should do yourselves a favor and audition a pair ofLegacy Audio "CLASSICS" they cost about the same but the return on your investment will be no less than twofold. Build quality and sonic performance are
not even in the same hemisphere. But I guess that's the difference between mass market and built to order. Two stars only because I did here sound it wasn't
music but I did here something.

Jeff from Seattle - I can't understnad how you consider this speaker to be a "mass market" product. First of all, this speaker is not in the "mass market" price range. Second of all, it isn't junk. Obviously, the majority agrees with me, including Stereophile's (Stereophile Class B) and other Hi-Fi magazines' reviewers. Lastly, I don't know where you get the idea that this speaker has no resale value. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. In any case, I don't know anyone who was trying to sell this great speaker in stores or on the web. If you cannot support your statements from a full review of any audio component, then I suggest you don't post a review.
When I first auditioned this speaker, I was very surprised at how much the speaker improved from the original. Highs are clearer and the midrange has become even more colorless. Bass is tight as before, maybe even tighter. I think the narrower cabinet, new port and improved crossover attribute to much of the improvements. I highly recommend anyone considering new speakers in the $2000-5000 to seriously audition the Goldis. I know of several people who have replaced their B&W Matrix 801 for the Goldis. It's not surprising, considering how good the Goldis are. Also, I (and many others) believe that this is one of the great-buys in hi-fi audio.

Great midrange, good bass extension, neutral sound

Can be too big for smaller rooms

Great speakers!
They outclassed everything I compared them with (although they were the most expensive). These speakers have a very sweet sound. The vocals are very natural and have a slightly forward presentation.
I bought these simply because they sounded great on many types of music; rock, classical, jazz, etc. There aren't many "full-range" speakers to consider in this price range. Most higher-end speakers won't give you the bass that is present in these speakers. They have incredible dynamics and can handle loads of power (500W max).
They are consistently named to Stereophile's Class B rating for full range speakers. Definitely give them a listen before you buy anything in the $1000 to $5,000 price range.

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Compared them with Paradigm Studio 80 & 100, B&W 604's, Mirage OM6, Klipsch, Infinity, etc

When I first bought these speakers, I had them matched to an @85wpc amp that had to work hard to drive them. They like power! I then upgraded to 200wpc; results were noticably better, but still, the amp ran hot trying to provide live sound levels. Finally driving them with a McIntosh 352 and it all has come together.
These speakers don't want low powered, wimpy amps. They don't sound very good at low volumes. But turn the volume up and get ready for stunning, full range performance. Clear and acurate detail without any speaker distortion. Try driving them really low with some pipe organ; your fillings will fall out before this speaker comes apart!
These speakers are one of the most impressive components on the market today. Use them for a block party to light up the neighborhood,or put on tight shoes and a smoking jacket for an intimate audition. Whatever- they'll do a good job at anything.
Thank you PSB for excellence and value. Never a moments regret spent listening to the Gold i.

None for this Price range

After listening to all the above speakers for a good year I decided on the PSB Goldi's.
My decision was made from recommendations from friends who know there stuff and people who have these speakers, reviews, and more importantly to my ears.
I was worried that my room my be too small... 16x20 3/4 walled, opened to 2 more rooms...and my receiver to weak..Denon 3600...looking at the 5800... from reading other reviews..
I set these speakers up and I didn't have any problems with placement.... they sounded fantastic in both movies and music.
As far as break in period for speaker and wires..I bought MIT 4's. If they get better with use it a plus because they soung great now.
The Cantons were great for bright music but bad with heavy bass.
The Silvers were good but I wanted more bass
The paradigm was the closest to the golds and a little bit cheaper but I went for the Gold and glad I did.
The Definitive Techs were great for movies but music not to good. You could fiddle with them for music but I wanted a speaker that sounds good doing both music and movies without any adjusting.
It seems that people who don't like these speakers compare them to speakers 2 to 3 times the price. To me if you can afford those types of speakers why are you bothering with these speakers. I only listen to speakers in the 1000 to 2000 range.
So if your in this price range I definitly recommend them as one speaker you should seriously listen to before making you decision.

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Listen to Canton Ergo 92dc, PSB Silvers, B&W CMD7 & 9's, Paradigm Reference Studio 100, Definitive Tech 2006

Accurate Full Range, Tremendous Base, and Midrange. Great All-Around Performance. Casts full soundstage.

None so far

Incredible speakers. Best price/performance ratio I have seen. Best all around performer at this price point, and for several thousand dollars above. It has played all the music that I listen to equally well. It can do justice to rock, and hard driving, dynamic pieces. It can play orchestral pieces accurately, and do wonderful justice to piano, violin, and vocals.

Only down side I can see is you need a good sized room to let these speakers extend and breath, otherwise your bass may sound a litle boomy. Otherwise, give these a listen, I have been using them 4-6 hours a day for 2 years without a hiccup. They will perform admirably well on my music and DVDs.

If you do not have unlimited funds as most of us do, give these a listen, you will be suprised at what you will hear, for a speaker at this price.

Amp: Bryston 4B ST
Preamp: Parasound AVC-2500u
Valve Amplification Company LE Standard Preamplifier
Cables: Nordost Super Flatline Gold (bi-wired)
Source: Denon DCM5000
Inteconnects: Harmonic Technology Pro-Silway MK II

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Paradigm Reference Studio 100s, Mission 775s,

Fantastic sound, great lows, natural mids and non ear pearcing highs. Great imaging and spaciousness. They are warm sounding

none

No sub needed when listening to music. Im running a
Marantz SR-19 120 watts 8 ohms rated. The Marantz runs these speakers just fine. Very well constructed and the drivers are quality built. Yes they are 90 pound each so what. When the house is shaking they dont move. I've listened to more expensive speakers, like $2000 more and these speakers give them the run for the money. You just need a good clean power source to run the 4 ohn load.
Even when listening to movies on DVD (Marantz DV18-mk2) The bass response is incredible. I have Bi-Wired these speakers and the sound is even better than with the gold bars in place. You won't be dissapointed.

System: Marantz SR-19 receiver
Marantz DV-18-mk2 dvd player
PSB Golds
Definitive center and Definitive bipolar surrounds

No sub yet I am looking and in no hurry since these Golds produce great bass.

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Definitive