Great Solid Bass, Very Clear Midrange & Treble, Able to play all knids of music well

None so far....

I do not like to go against other subjective reviews, but how anyone can give these speakers 2 stars is UNBELIEVABLE. I have listened to & owned so many "supposed high-end" speakers and these PSB superior models perform so comparably well that I cannot see myself ever parting with them. Their bass is not sloppy at all. The midrange and treble sound to me just like the music is supposed to - as it is recorded on the CD. The bass is rich, deep, and tight. Compared to the Sonus Fabers that I own, the treble is more right on, it is not "tinny" or shrill sounding as in the Sonus Fabers. The true test of a speaker to me is the ability to pull me into the music so that I can listen for hours on end, and enjoy music like I never had before. This speaker does this for me. The soundstage is large, the instruments and vocals are separated as expected, and depth is there. I cannot see myself getting any better overall performance by purchasing higher priced speakers. This speaker has stood the test of time and by the number of favorable reviews it's outstanding performance and value are clearly evident.

Equipment:
Parasound AVC-2500
Bryston 4B-ST
Arcam FMJ CD Player
Harmonic Technology Pro Silway MKII Interconnects
Nordost Superflatline Gold Bi-wired speaker cables

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Studio 100, Sonus Faber Concerto, Sonus Faber Grand Piano, Infinity Sigma, NHT 2.5i, Multiple Totem models

Excellent integration between midrange and tweeter. Bass extension. Excellent for evaluating components and recordings.

Boxey sound.

A great speaker to reveal differences between amps. I compared $2K amps - Parasound, Adcom and Exposure. I purchased the Exposure and the differences were astounding, some might have prefered the Adcom due to the triple power but the Exposure has much tighter focused sound through the Stratus Golds. The big Parasound sounded pretty bad though the bass response was truthfully awesome.

I spent a lot of time getting the highs right. Ended up using Transparent MusicLink Ultra. The high frequencies tuck right into the body of the instruments they eminate from - great the best I've heard! Things upper are very very nice. Bi-wiring is absolutely essential. The bass was loose compared to most 2 way minis that I have heard, but I spiked the speakers and have 30 lb. dumbbells on them when listening to tighten things up a bit. With this setup the bass has great definition and extension plus I could hear more bass information than in many much higher priced systems with multi-driver speakers, though still lacking the crispness of nice two ways. Regardless of setup the lower midrange/upper bass images can't seem to get out of the box.

This speaker can sound pretty bad without bi-wire and with upfront sounding amplification. More analytical than musical in my opinion. Never sounded as good as the Status Minis or the Spica TC-60s at thier best, but never sounded as bad as these at thier worst. Certainly I haven't enjoyed owning (or listening to)them as much as I did the Polk Monitor 10Bs though I am sure they outperform the Polks in every measurable (or listenable) parameter.

Current components
Analog - Rega Planar 3 w Grado Platinum (replaced lame Sota Sapphire).
Digital - Sony ES
Amp/Pre - Exposure seperates w/Transparent MusicLink Ultra

Similar Products Used:

See review summary

I wish I was 13 again, but no such luck. I do admit that it seems funny that I review so many speakers. I currently own the Golds like I stated. I have the option of upgrading speakers as often as I like. All that I have reviewed I have had in my house for sometime, but not always a long time. I also know when to offer good deals in speakers, if I can save anyone money, I will. So if you see my name, dont get upset if you dont need speakers, but if you do, just email me. Any of my reviews are based on my preference, if you notice, I started with what I can afford first, and worked up from the energy exl series to the PSB line, now I want to get the new Veritas line from energy, but very pricy and I will have to compare them to my golds first. As far as the Golds go, I still beleave they are the best speaker for the money. I have them hooked into my Denon 4800 now, and they sound like they should. With the "build", I dont see any plastic trim, or staples, I just dont know what they are talking about. Any Mag. that has reviewed these speakers, will mention on how well put together these speakers are, I mean come on, they are Pauls high end speaker, and yes, with the right ampt, you get high end results. I dont see why everyone in the USA does not purchase Canadian made speakers from Canada, with there dollor worth $1.45 here, you just cant lose, A&B sound gives you the 5 year waranty, even if they didn't, is it worth 45% more because of no waranty? It realy is not hard to change a driver or tweeter if you have to, basicly that is all that could go wrong. So dont be offended, if your interested just email me, if not, just ignore my review, remember, my reviews are reviews, not advertisements, I'm not on anyones payroll, Iam self employed in the resturant business.

Tonal balance, power handling, poise

None

The PSB is out-and-out the best large speaker below $4,000. It can play anything with enormous accuracy. Unlike Paradigm's Reference speakers, it has a civilized but revealing high end that never fatigues.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm 100, Paradigm Active 40, Theil 3.5

It does not make sense that one cannot directly post a response to reviews at this site. Any true PSB owner will know that the Stratus Gold i's do not have any plastic trim in its construction. The black trim that appears at the four corners of the cabinet is solid, black anodized aluminum, not plastic and is bolted internally at the top and bottom of the cabinet to form part of its structural integrity. These speakers are very well manufactured with no shoddy construction. Even the way they are packed, in their extra heavy duty seven-layer walled cartons, each weighing 19 pounds, demonstrates great attention to detail. Clearly this is not a manufacturer that skimps or cuts corners.

Imaging, sound stage and full sound

Tweeters are not as refine as B&W Nautilus so care must be taken to choose matching amplifier.

This review is in response to Ryan review.

I have own the PSB Goldi for about 5 months and in no time did I question the built quality. They are superbly assemble and weight in at >90 lbs each. Are you smoking crack Ryan? You must have gotten a pair of “HIFI from a white van” disguise as PSB speakers. These speakers are excellent and I highly recommend them.

Similar Products Used:

I have demoed B&W 804-802, and paradign Ref 100's

Civilized sound at any level. Tonal balances.

Makes crazies who don't own them attack them on this site.

I agree with Glenn.

There are a number of very fine products reviewed here that get childish and petulant reviews from ignorant and envious blow-hards.

It's always obvious that the reviews are concocted by boys who don't own the products but claim they heard them at their video game store or at their parole officers house.

For some reason the PSB Gold seems to attract more of the nut cases than other speakers do.

Maybe it's because so many people have praised them so much, that the whigged out bubs can't control their envy.

Similar Products Used:

Celestions, KLHs