PSB Synchrony B600 Lets the Good Times Roll!

Steve checks out Paul Barton's new flagship.
Check out the PATREON
/ audiophiliac
----MERCH-------
Audiophiliac T-Shirts and Mugs! teespring.com/stores/audiophi...
0:00 Intro
0:35 Paul Barton
1:44 B600 Details
3:04 SPECS!
3:59 The Review System
5:00 The Music!
7:19 B600 vs KEF LS50 META
10:33 So Steve, what do you really think?
12:07 Audiophiliac Viewer System of the Day!
13:06 Outro
Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan
Instagram and IGTV: / steve.guttenberg
#PSBspeakers #audiophile #speakerreviews
Looking for great sounding FREE UNCOMPRESSED or processed music? Check out these videos about the two MA Recordings samplers:
• FREE Dynamically Uncom...
• FREE Hi-Resolution, Dy...

[@tonykazz2779]

I just spoke with PSB in Canada who reports that EVERYTHING they offer is made in China ! but it's products do not have any label that states Made in China. Is this another deception ? Trust is being eroded !

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I understand, but if it helps it says made in China on the shipping box. So here’s my question to you if they offered this one at $2500 made in China, if they also made the same model in Canada and the price was $4000 a pair how many people were up to pay $4 for the same thing

[@tonykazz2779]

Can you assume that this product would cost more to make here in the States or Canada ? PS Audio, Abyss, Schiit and even TESLA are proving that China isn't any sort of bargain to a Manufacturer. Made in China is a OEM to a Design outfit that does no Manufacturing. The Loudspeaker that You just reviewed may very well perform substantially different than the same Model that comes out of the Box that I purchase from Best Buy, Amazon or Crutchfield. There is no Consistent Quality Control like we would expect from a domestic Manufacturer. The MSRP for PSB seems comparable to any of our Domestic outfits. Put a "Made in USA" sticker on a product and competitive Sales increase 40%. Same thing applies to European Products! Residual Values are also substantial. Products made in China are resold at Goodwill. How much will Dave Wasserman give for a traded-in China item? ( I hope you ask him and offer a reporting analysis ) Congratulation to you and Robin for 200,000. The next big increase will come soon, you two are an important asset to the Audiophile Communities ! Tony in Venice Florida ps. I've been locked into everything you work on since RMAF 2011

[@craigcoughlin1834]

@@tonykazz2779 Correct me if I'm wrong but I think all of the brands you mention are direct to consumer and, unfortunately, the only way they can manufacture in the US and still remain competitive. Distributers and retailers would double their cost. PSA just recently made the switch. Even Tesla is vertical. Come to think of it, Magnepan and Rogue are two good examples of quality brands manufactured in the US and manage to sell through retailers. It can be done.

[@jonathansturm4163]

@@tonykazz2779 PS Audio’s Sprout is made in China I believe. It’s likely more PS Audio products would be made in China, but as Paul has described the situation, cultural differences create a different set of manufacturing issues. My new made in China Tang Band drivers arrived yesterday, via the USA. I couldn’t find a way to buy them direct, but to my amazement they arrived here in Tasmania 7 days after I ordered them!

[@tonykazz2779]

Mr.Craig Coughlin, PSAudio has always maintained an Extensive Global Dealer Network, I was one of their original Dealers. Schiit has Dealers here in the States and Overseas. ( According to their reporting ) Abyss also has extensive Dealer Networks. ( I was in one just recently ) Tesla has a Dealer here in Sarasota County, located next to the Apple Store in our big Mall. All manufacturers would love to enjoy a Loyal Dealer Network but my Experience from Audio Retailing is that there isn't enough business, no matter how many points are on offer. There is only one remaining Audio Dealer in the greater Detroit Area -- the Birmingham Magnepan/Audio Research guy: the wonderful Harry Francis. ( we once had 10 or 11 Audio Dealers ) . So, the Audio Dealer now gets squeezed out by the Apple Store, which is pretty much the only Mall store that has a Male customer base. The Gun Store with a Shooting Range, the Bass Pro Shop with $400 fishing reels and a few others Shops . ( Harley ). Us old timers, afraid of Covid, won't be going Audio Gear shopping any time soon. Even the Greatest RMAF is now a goner.

[@joshmcgowan4]

Great job on hitting 200,000! Thanks for the review. I have always loved PSB speakers have owned a couple sets of Alphas and some of the Image line and still lust after the Stratus Golds after hearing them as a high school student in the early 90s

[@CosmicKnight1]

Woot, 200K!!! So much music and gear. Cool stuff. Steve, I really do so enjoy your videos. Congratulations on your milestone. Please get that booster so you can make it Capital Audio Fest.

[@gtodave6768]

Good day to you! I'm so glad you mentioned Frank Sinatra and his "phrasing ". I've been a fan of his since I was a little guy! My FIRST vinyl record was a Frank Sinatra album with : Jeepers Creepers " on it. My Grandfather gave it to me as a gift and I STILL have it. I also recently purchased a "Best of" CD with 18 different Sinatra hits. Belive me this CD has HEAVY play rotation. Keep on keeping on! 250,000 subscribers coming up!!!

[@bjk6994]

Great recommendation for REM’s Murmur LP. I pulled it out this morning after not playing in years, it is exactly as you described. Put a big smile on my face.

[@MickTimmy]

I was fortunate enough to find a NM Murmur at a flea market for $4. Had never heard it before. I love it.

[@DC-xx4kv]

Steve, loved the inclusion of records in this review. Has a great feel to it when that happens. Thx. Well done. Have a great weekend. ☮️

[@xsamitt]

Just just my B600's today......What a fantastic speaker!!!! I was not disappointed in the least!!

[@MusicLover-01]

Thanks for introducing vinyl and turntables Steve, looking forwards to more content on this topic 👍

[@bigmike5785]

Congratulations, Steve. You make me feel like I felt watching Mister Rodgers when I was a kid.

[@rickmathis8590]

Thanks for another great review, Steve. By the way, my favorite album of Sinatra's is In the Wee Small Hours. Classic!

[@velchuck]

OMG. I just listened to the Frank Sinatra mono 1958 digital and liked it so much I just ordered the vinyl album in the best condition I could get from Discdog. Absolutely beautiful.

[@dalefriesen7812]

Congratulations Steve!

[@ListenWell]

Hey big beautiful thumbs up Looks amazing 🤩 Much love and support this beautiful Saturday ⭕️❤️

[@sandeepmohan5770]

Lovely loudspeaker. My first serious loudspeaker was a PSB Image B15. Looks similar to the Alpha you spoke about. Lovely sound from a such a compact enclosure. Even though I have moved on to something more high end, I still have my PSB's in a box. It's a speaker worth keeping. It's that good.

[@malco49]

i have a approx 2004 era pair of PSB Image B 25 bookshelf speakers . i like them a lot of they work well in my budget audiophile system which includes cambridge audio AZUA amp and CD player. thanks for the review steve.

[@word2RG]

I listened, but no idea how the speakers sound or how they compare. It was interesting to hear about REM, Atol and Billy Eiish, though. Also, a new iteration of the history of PSB is always fun to hear. Congrats on your 200k!

[@williampearson4968]

Thanks Steve for highlighting PSB speakers as they "sound" like a very good review. I know your viewers are not much into "Classical Music" but I wish you would indicate how these speakers handle the Piano ( I own a ton of LP and CD piano recordings) which can be and are very difficult to reproduce accurately and sound "real". For an excellent piano video-check out Yulianna Avdeeva playing Wagner = Tannhauser Overture transcription. I think your viewers would be in for a treat with an exceptional young artist.

[@damianzaninovich4900]

Murmur when it came out was my favorite music at the time. The Chronic Town EP was the first music they made and pretty good as well. You’re right, no one knew what they singing, just a word here and there.

[@dsharp2981]

Excellent review, Steve! Truthfully my eyes and ears perked up when you mentioned R.E.M's Murmur album. One of my favorites of all time. Wondering if you have heard the live recording of one of their shows at Larry's hideaway in Toronto. It's on the 25th anniversary edition. Puts me right in the venue, right up close. Keep up the great work!

[@tritiumglo4699]

Very interested in this speaker. And Steve, the pic you flashed of the Stratus Gold was the Stratus Mini. Stratus Gold is my favorite all time PSB speaker.

[@MS-st1zb]

My brother passed and he had a pair of 7PT's brand new in the box, nice. With the outriggers.

[@glenk0]

Nice review! Another great product from Canada thanks to the National Research Council Canada and their anechoic chamber. Paul Barton and Floyd Toole are just a couple of the brilliant minds enabled by the NRC. I’m sure these speakers wowed the listener/reviewer :)….

[@johnnyhiett]

Congrats on the 200K!! Us widely dispersed audio-nuts need you to web-us together. Animals tour....I was there for more than one show. A milestone.

[@fts81]

Hi Steve, I’m a huge psb fan, they were the perfect match for my NAD amp, easy choice. I have a question: which settings did you use with the mani? I have one connected to a technics as well, just wondering how you set it up

[@travisylvania6730]

Thank you so much for doing what you do! I don't often comment because your analysis is so awesome. I just wanted to let you know that I am loving the new Billie Eilish album so much more than her previous one. But, I'm glad we can choose which album to rock out to!

[@stimpy1226]

System of the day… It’s really nice and neat and I love the violin

[@yungmanong7567]

As a teen in the late 90's selling electronics at the Sony Store in Canada, PSB was at one-time exclusive to the Sony Store. As a Paul Barton disciple I own PSB Stratus mini Bookshelf and a PSB Stratus silver centre speaker and the sound is still elite

[@jp2246]

Good morning!

[@larrywe3320]

Eagerly waiting for the SL-1500C Turntable full review

[@MrStingraybernard]

Favorite shirt

[@jeromewhitmill733]

Cool speakers with tweeters on bottom.

[@FOH3663]

Although the image wasn't the Status Gold, you're right... the PSB Stratus Gold was truly a very successful, superb design. One of the first examples successfully implementing a "mini-monitor, w/built in sub" type of approach. Mini-monitors were all the rage, but Paul Barton developed a 10" 3-way that had killer bass that was tight and tuneful... accompanying a two-way top portion. All that for a reasonable amount of money,... like under $2k or so. Mammoth value; essentially state if the art 3-way, with real quality deep bass, for a modest expense. Unheard of at the time. Paul Barton and Floyd Toole had full use of the Canadian Research facility, and they performed the deep dive ... determining what mattered and what didn't. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I guess the govt. bankrolled the research, PSB and others benefit from it. Win-win!

[@jamesbrotherton5487]

Hope you keep the vinyl rig so you can test mm pre=amps and carts.

[@MrStingraybernard]

Alpha was my first psb ,great for the price

[@stimpy1226]

I like Sinatra’s September of My Years. And, I think Nelson Riddle’s Orchestra complemented so natural like none other. Listen to the track “Once Upon a Time“. It may make you cry Steve.

[@jimcoope7194]

I have loved that album for years! Most of the vinyl pressings have really HOT sounding strings and I just about gave up finding a good sounding version. Then, I stumbled across a prerecorded 7 1/2" reel to reel tape at a flea market so I took a chance and bought it. On my Ampex F44 (restored) it sounds glorious! It's the Best version of that album that exists! I transferred it to CD-R and, although there is some hiss from the tape format, I never tire of listening to it! And yeah, I cry...

[@donalddeorio2237]

Paul learned from Floyd Toole The importance of measurements and double blind testing.another win for NRC of Canada

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Comgrats.on the numbers game Steve, you earned it.Kepp up the good work.5 stars all the way...and to the moon.

[@dennisheadley4408]

Maybe a comparison between the KEF R3 and Buchardt S400 MKll would be interesting.

[@jplandrieux3623]

Change of room's image. Great...

[@fletchermunson6225]

Speaking of Sinatra, There is a story wherein Don Rickles walked into a restaurant with someone and saw Sinatra having dinner. At one point he goes to Sinatra and asked him to come over to his table so he could impress his guest. Sinatra agreed. Later when Sinatra was leaving, he went to Rickles table and Rickles says to him, "Not now Frank, we're eating."

[@FOH3663]

That viewer system... LX-521 Siegfried Linkwitz' life's work, I really want to experience that design in a good setup. I've been experimenting with open baffle and I dig what I hear. I've seen them at a show, I've seen countless in forums etc, but I'd really like to experience them for myself. SEAS drivers top to bottom, in a 4-way active, in a nice elegant design. As long as you have ample space to bring them way out into your room, how could you go wrong!?

[@timothymcteague8437]

Once you experience good open baffle speakers, setup properly, it will be tough to go back to “monkey coffins”.

[@armanddimeo6575]

Thanks for your review of the PSB Synchrony B600. PSB speakers often do not get the attention they deserve and offer better performance and value than many bigger name speaker companies. I also have the LP version of REM's "Murmur." CDs were not widely available back in 1984 when I bought it! I lost interest in REM after the third or fourth album. They lost their edge as they became more commercially successful. (My personal favorite REM album is "Fables of the Reconstruction," their third album from 1985.)

[@EirkenElite]

U got me missing my stratus golds

[@zeppelin2900]

A great Canadian speaker eh 🇨🇦

[@PilotRocker]

Steve, can you do a segment that explains or contrasts ‘stand mount’ speakers vs ‘bookshelf’ speakers.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Well, there is no difference. I can’t think of a speaker that sounds better on a bookshelf than it does on a stand. I don’t think too many of us put small speakers on bookshelves.

[@PilotRocker]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Steve thank you. Just taken delivery of 3 PSB PWM2's to replace 3 in-wall Klipsch PRO-250RPW LCR. If the PWM'2 sound as good as I hope they do I may be a candidate for the B600's also. Currently I use a NAD M10 with an original set of LS50's from KEF. I assume that Lenbook has tested the PSB B600's with their sister company NAD M10. Might be a very nice combination.

[@jonathansturm4163]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Back in the 1970s my flat (apt) had a step in the long brick wall that formed a shelf for my turntable, amp, AR bookshelf speakers, cassette deck and LPs. Being solid brick it worked well. No room for books though. They were all over the floor...

[@PilotRocker]

Steve, seems like the B600 are closer in prices and design to the KEF R3 than the KEF LS50. Got any thoughts on the compression between the R3 and the B600?

[@TheVuchke]

Nice review, but very confused here, why did you borrow a mid fi turntable, when i seem to remember you had a real hi end one in your permanent setup? The sme15 if memory serves?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes, I own a SME 15, but it doesn’t make sense to use it in a review of a $2500 speaker.

[@socratesbsd]

I purchased Murmur and it was the first and last R.E.M. LP I bought, after that - yikes. Been here pre 20K IIRC. keep on truckin =:-)

[@richardsmith2721]

I still have my Amazing Alphas. Btw.. Loved you in Cocoon.

[@gurdyman1]

Steve the actor and Steve the audio reviewer are two different people with the same name.

[@narikaba439]

Lol you must have missed Police Academy

[@gurdyman1]

@@narikaba439 I seen Police Academy. Different Steve Guttenberg. They both have the same name, but they are not the same people. Steve the Audiophiliac was selling stereo's when that movie was being filmed.

[@user-xs1xw3nx2d]

​@@gurdyman1you have zero sense of humor.

[@Shadowban69]

PsB are great speakers for new enthusiests. Never heard a set I didnt like one way or another.

[@m.r.3128]

Get your hands on a/another copy of Monster man - that was a top album and I’ll admit I had to go into iTunes to source the albums name of that track; What’s the frequency Kenneth ✌🏽🇦🇺

[@brunonjezic6208]

I gotta ask though... Why no high end audio reviewer talks about Bang&Olufsen? I mean they are expencive but in comparison to some high end stuff kind of not. Am i missing something?

[@jeffkalina7727]

Steve, Thanks for incorporating the warranty info. If the company won't stand behind it's product why should a person consider it afterall.

[@rabit818]

Every time I encounter PSB speakers I think of Pet Shop Boys.

[@dayfornight88]

PSB is the second best Canadian speaker company next to totem .

[@DrGIzmoBRad]

REM's LP 'Murmer' is a great album, and does sound significantly more spacious and deep than it's digital counterpart.

[@soundknight]

I have the alpha b1 on my tube amp

[@jeremyr722]

Let the good times roll? Shake it up? Sounds like you’ve been listening to the Cars!

[@simonirvine1628]

Good entrance, almost take 17.....

[@dawolyan13]

Steve, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you say LESS about a speaker in a review! 🤷🏻‍♂️ I kept waiting for you to start, to dig in, and you were done! 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@wprimrose]

Steve, what happened to your SME TT?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

I still have it,! But it doesn’t make sense to use it in reviews of products that sell for $2500 a pair. So now I’m going to have this other turntable to use in reviews of affordable products.

[@meshplates]

Billie's Bounce is a Charlie Parker tune!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Good catch!

[@moustachio334]

These a freq rating measured +- 1.5 db which is really flat. For these speakers you need a very good room acoustically.

[@xsamitt]

Wonder why is 4k in canada!!!!!!

[@alessandrociampi1811]

beetwen psb600 klipscha 600 which have more liveness energy better sound?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Klipsch

[@nacarp2000]

Just as well as you don't follow the lyrics of REM, they are generally regarded to be random gibberish.

[@briangc1972]

Since they are sold with a 60 trial, yesterday I ordered the T600 from Crutchfield. I will compare them to the Sonus Faber Olympica III. If they sound as good, I'll keep them, If not, I'll pay the $75 per return fee then suck it up and buy the Sonus Faber Olympica III. Speakers are a lifetime investment IF you buy the best you can afford. My current speakers were bought in 1987. Great speakers last a long time.

[@xsamitt]

what did you decide?

[@briangc1972]

@@xsamitt The pair that I received was not wired properly and had absolutely no bass or lower midrange. The finish on them was a cheap "plastic looks like wood" which was really disappointing. Crutchfield tried to get me to experiment and diagnose the wiring issue, but I was not interested in attempting that and shipped them back. No charge returns because they were defective. I presume Crutchfield did re wire them because a week after I returned them, Crutchfield had the same pair on their open box page. Ironically, the dealer who has the Sonus had them incorrectly connected to the power amps. They connected the + to the 8 ohm and the - to the 4 ohm, not connected to the - on the amp. When I saw that, the salesman fixed it and they sounded really really good (as they should at that price point) Unfortunately, the salesman lost all credibility with me since he could not hear the lack of depth when they were connected wrong, so he obviously wasn't paying attention when he was singing their praises and trying to sell them to me.

[@xsamitt]

@@briangc1972 I am thankful for this.Bless you!!!

[@marquis9007]

Somebody selling a pair of PSB Alpha's for $40. Do you think that's a good buy?

[@REX4340]

'Played more digital than vinyl', why oh why Steve!?

[@jonathansturm4163]

Because he can :-)

[@jamesmackinlay4477]

PSB speakers are very good speakers but a bit on the pricey side they need to release a mid price speaker they would sell well. Something like 1.500.00 a pair or lower t my ears anyway the Heco speakers sound just as good or better in ways and not even near the price of the PSBs.

[@nspfc]

2600 for a speaker that on first hearing did not impress you favorably. I gotta wonder whether a double blind comparison of this speaker with the ELAC 6.2 at 1/10 th the price would have left you still thinking there is anything special about the Synchrony that justifies the extra 2350 in cash spent.

[@bobb.9917]

Steve…can't BELIEVE that I am telling you to listen to some music. Sit down in a quiet moment and cue up the new Billie Eilish Album…Just listen to "Billie Bossa Nova" and "Your Power". Steve…Those two songs are UNBELIEVEABLE!!! ENJOY your weekend.

[@anonymousdonor8084]

imho, The KEF are lacking in presence and impact. I took a pass on them as they are only sufficient for a small room. B600 sound terrific. Wish you would give impressions on classical music as presented by the speakers. That said, Mr. Gutenberg is one of my favorite reviewers.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks

[@greyhound9967]

Don't know about the meta's but the original ls50 were way over rated. I sold mine and I'm not sorry I did.

[@welshrarebit9238]

Pub started using this style woofer in budget P3 and P5 ,a titanium tweeter is nothing new = cheap components. Ok nice looking cabinet and finish and slap a hefty price . This speaker is way over priced ,period Love to see G& R research go inside and show how cheap the wiring and crossover components are. By the way this speaker is $3700 in Canada…….

[@welshrarebit9238]

PSB

[@greyhound9967]

P3 and P5 have polypropylene woofers. B600 is carbon fiber.

[@kaybhee6]

duuuhhhh

[@roytatum9517]

Congrats from rhe Cayman Islands.

[@johnnySMALLpepper]

Boom

[@JEG6919]

Ferrofluid cooling on the tweeter. These are out.

[@briangc1972]

The B600 is not their new flagship model, the T600 is. Your description is misleading.