The TRUE COST of GREAT SOUND? PSB Speakers Synchrony T600 Review

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

★ *GET IT HERE: **bit.ly/3nECMCe* ★ *QOTD: How much are you willing to invest (be it time or money) in high end audio? Does the same apply to budget gear?* ★ *CLICK ⌄ “SHOW MORE” in the description for answers to many of your questions* ★ *RULES: Please be respectful. NO OUTSIDE LINKS, URLs, email addresses, etc.*

[@zachariahadams]

Sounds like y'all been listening to cheap audio guy. I completely agree. Pairing shouldn't be a crap shoot. *Man

[@zardoz2627]

I think the "audiophiles" kinda enjoy the abuse

[@greatpix]

I reached it back in the late '70s - early '80s with a PS Audio Elite Plus integrated amp, Qysonic tower speakers, AR The Turntable with an Ortofon, or Grado, cartridge, and a NAD tuner attached to a dedicated FM roof antenna.

[@isaacsykes3]

@Andrew Robinson based on your review and the cost of the speakers themselves, would it be safe to say that the PSB speakers are aimed at a more "discerning" listener? Someone who pretty much knows the sound they are going for? And also, based on this review, I think that your audience would greatly benefit from you explaining how all "watts", in terms of amplification are not created equal, and ultimately explain the benefits of a high current amplification. Thank you and your wife for all that you do....I still would love to see some GOLDENEAR speakers pass through your space, but alas 😢 you deny me this...lol! Anyway be safe and I look forward to seeing your next video.

[@SeanVedell]

As you’ve discussed before, there are so many really good options for audio gear thousands of dollars lower than this price point. While it’s been a long time since I listened to a $15,000 system I do remember it being amazing and jaw dropping but I can get pretty close to that shimmer for less than a third of the price these days. As for the tweaking you had to do? Man, you have a variety of amps in your house and you still had to hunt for one that unlocked these speakers. One, I don’t understand how an amp can make that much difference (a lesson for another day) but how many buyers are going to have that kind of “inventory” on hand to experiment? What was it that was special about that last amp, because that nugget should be on the box these speakers came in. At $8,000 a pair these should be as easy to setup as a pair of Paradigm Micros and the only variable should be physical placement.

[@veritas932]

I love Kristi. She is so honest and straight forward. Most reviewers will sugar coat the negatives. She just lay it out as it is.

[@TheStarflight41]

The whole point of PSB speakers has always been to be listenable with a wide variety of music without melting your ears.

[@mocomike01]

Thank you Kristi, for expressing exactly how a lot of us feel with the stress of not knowing how things will pair up with each other.

[@mattromano4998]

For $8000 I don't want anything other than pure joy. All those great amps and one finally worked?

[@funkyfurballs1078]

I'd rather buy Tekton Double Impact SEs... easy to drive and play all musical genres.

[@LarsonChristopher]

KEF R11 likely sound better for a couple grand less

[@dandiehm8414]

@@LarsonChristopher How can you possibly say that without actually HEARING both? (I have heard neither)

[@funkyfurballs1078]

@@LarsonChristopher Actually, KEF R11s are $6K vs $4.2K for the Tektons.

[@billritman9028]

Don't hold your breath waiting for Paradigm speakers: Went into a dealer here in Southern California to buy some Triangle speakers on August 12th. When my wife saw the size of the Triangles and the fact that they could not be placed close to the wall, she was having none of that. The (very good) sales person then put out a pair of Paradigm Founder 80F (downward ported) speakers, which sounded just wonderful in the albeit perfect listening room. Moreover, my wife liked the much smaller size and the the fact that they could be closer to the wall. Covid and Canadian restrictions are the reasons given for the delay. Hope you have better luck!

[@rndm4642]

Great review and it gives these speakers the attention they deserve! I lusted after PSB Stratus Gold i’s in my younger years. Got them second hand a few years back. Recently sold and shipped them to a gentleman in Alaska. He paid as much for shipping as the speakers. They’re worth it. But to come to life they needed A LOT of power (like 300+ watts of Krell, Bryson, etc.) and definitely, proper setup. Had my fun and moved on to La Scala’s. Paul Barton knows what he’s doing but the market has probably closed the gap a lot over the decades. Still, gotta respect what he’s done for the industry.

[@josephchamberlain3681]

The only tinkering I actually enjoy is speaker placement and positioning. I think if I had received those speakers I probably would have sent them back before getting to where you ended up. There are some excellent options in that price category. I'd 100% look elsewhere.

[@j.j.h.atemycereal]

Man, Andrew, you really hit the nail on the head saying that, when you spend more, there's an expectation of things being "easier". One of the thing that turns me off of a lot of high end "stuff" (electronics, watches, cars, etc.) is the feeling that you have to tweak it or baby it to get the best out of it. You can't just GO. I wish someone would have explained that to 25 year old me.

[@akdomun]

And that's why Bose is such a success lol - they understood convenience and make people pay for it, and people are happy to - fortunately or unfortunately.

[@scott001music]

Great Review you Two!! Always love Kristi's input!!! Per your discussion, it would SO welcome if companies were able to suggest components (amps -especially) that pair well with their speakers. That's one reason I am missing the ever dwindling free-standing audio stores. The service you could get with the knowledgeable sales people is very surely missed. Years ago, I purchased a pair of B&W 805 D2 (second hand from a local audio store in the Chicagoland area). The salesman asked what I was going to use to drive them. I had simply planned on using an old stereo receiver I had. I knew very little about audio at the time but knew I loved the sound of the speakers in the shop there. He was great on educating me on the proper pairing of a 'higher-end' speaker with appropriate power needed to get the most out of the speaker. He told me: Take the speaker home, try your receiver and see what you think. I did... it was ok. Sounded decent... I could have probably lived with it. He then had me come back and let me take home to audition a Rotel Pre amp and amp separate with the speakers in my living space. What a difference!!! Definitely night and day sound!!! With the ever disappearing audio stores (with knowledgeable sales folk)..I too agree it would be great if companies did start recommending or suggesting proper components to go along with their various products!! Keep up the great work!!! Always enjoy your vids/reviews!!!

[@boballen3055]

Paul Barton Simply the best Speaker Designer in Canada🇨🇦 Value for money is undeniable Fact: proper amplification is Critical 🇨🇦😎

[@MH-rl9ep]

Andrew….you may want to look at the T600’s little brother, the B600, a stand-mount/bookshelf that reportedly sounds more like a floor-stander. May have suited your room better and been easier to position. Interesting that the rather modest Audiolab drove the T600 so well. Thanks for the thorough review.

[@duranarts]

Kristi's take is something I always look forward to.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

So glad to hear that.

[@KristiWright]

❤️

[@Bigromeo43]

@@KristiWright Agreed!

[@MatthewMcGowan]

💯

[@eduardwagner8190]

Always looking forward to Kristi's part - thanks for sharing!

[@bphilbac]

I love your wife’s perspective. Thanks for including her, very nice.

[@ufarkingicehole]

They make it weird 😕

[@williamdevereaux7484]

Excellent review! I recently heard the T600s hooked up to a Mcintosh MA8900 200W integrated amp and they sounded magnificent. Keep in mind that after taxes etc the MA8900 is a 8 thousand dollar amp. Great synergy and the midrange was superb. The base was under control. All int all a fantastic combination. Thanks again for the review.

[@ferdi9554]

A big thank you Kristi and Andrew and also to all the passionate audiophiles out there in youtube. My dad and brother are audiophiles and I never really understood what was the hype behind it until recently, when I wanted to buy my first active speakers. Now I am addicted to it and I just set up my first Hi-Fi system and thank you for all the tips! :-)

[@starwarsskyline]

Do we all us subscribers need to start a petition aimed at Anthem/Paradigm to get them to send you guys their equipment??

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Go for it!

[@jstoli996c4s]

Yes 🙌

[@S.L.1211]

I heard these in store, even compared with much more expensive speakers and was blown away by these. They sounded incredible to me.

[@lamecasuelas2]

Kristi always says what the majority of us Is thinking, she's the people's champ

[@johnpereira6934]

With no intended disrespect to Kristi I suspect some of her bias pertains to hearing loss issues. I noted what I perceive as her preference for a brighter sound and less punch in the bass as a indication of what is required for enjoyment of music and movies within her hearing limitations. As someone with mild hearing loss, but sufficient to warrant the use of hearing aids (not absolutely needed) I do feel that a slightly rising trend from the midrange to the highs helps with the "clarity" of vocals and instruments . So I don't necessarily believe she represents the majority of us, but she provides valuable input for those with hearing issues, myself included. I think Andrew with better hearing may have a viewpoint that better addresses people with good to "normal" hearing. My two cents worth.

[@lamecasuelas2]

@@johnpereira6934 i see, i was refering More to the financial and More practical aspects of the hobby, i think that her input Is quite welcome. You are free to disagree.

[@johnpereira6934]

@@lamecasuelas2 I do also as someone who also has a degree of hearing loss. She brings a fresh perspective.

[@bphilbac]

I agree

[@davidrivera2165]

Kristie, I just love your no nonsense no bs opinion on gear. If by some miracle you could get your hands on Paradigm Persona 3f or better yet 5f, I believe you would love them (price a side). They're neutral to forward, slightly bright, but utterly transparent, and more importantly not humongous with over 20 color choices. Thank you both

[@KristiWright]

Would love to give them a listen! I'm not above begging ;-).

[@oevereng]

🤩🤩 wow ! My experience with previous psb models is that I prefer them toed in and tilted upwards a bit. In my opinion one should be prepared to spend at least the same amount of money on gear as the speakers. Dont mind tinkering a bit setting up speakers , experimenting with different types of cables, software, dacs room treatment and such. The joy of hearing the difference and "getting the sound just right" is part of the journey and satisfaction in this hobby for me at least. If you want a little bit of a shortcut in my opinion, there is both affordable and very expensive active speakers on the market , for example kef lsx for under 1000$ and the crazy expensive beolab 90. Thank you so much for your reviews I apriciate you guys perspective on home audio. Maybe speakers should come with more spesified recomendatios for gear matching or setup , I'm not sure 🤷‍♂️ but for the time being it seems you have to both spend and walk the extra mile. I would love seeing more reviews of mid/ high-end gear, maybe whole systems. Again thank you so much. Love all things audio! Peace!

[@dandiehm8414]

Don't rule out Meridian for world class active speakers.

[@argent81]

I have to be honest, I jump up to kristi's opinion, and then listen to the rest, I like his sincerity. Nice channel.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

That's cool. No harm in that.

[@svtcontour]

This is not a 5 way speaker, but only a 3 way.

[@chadmorris946]

His "reviews" are about as useful as reading the brochure that came with the speakers.

[@gizzy2403]

Great review, both of you guys. Kristy made very valid points about expectations, especially in a world where a lot of people are forced to order products w/o hearing them 1st🍻

[@alm5693]

I'm sure Kristi will cringe at the comparison, but her rant about the hassles of setting up this speaker bookends well with Randy's "Audiophiles are full of crap" rant from earlier in the week. Even Andrew's patient discussion of this speaker described a process that most of us are not positioned to replicate. I feel like a hoarder for having 3 integrated amps in my house.

[@no-man_baugh]

Heck! that kind of stuff (and relative price-to-preformance) is probably one of the reasons headphones are still relevant in hifi the only positioning you gotta do with Grado or Beyerdynamics is maybe slide it around you head a bit

[@Pitbull0669]

LOVE PSB Stuff Paul was a incredible speaker maker!

[@dougg1075]

Nothing goes as far in this hobby as knowledge of the hobby. Period Great review

[@WhiteBubblySoup]

High end audio is always more difficult to perfect the sound. What you are paying for is a more specific sound. Whereas with budget gear, the price, and the sound, is designed to appeal to a larger audience.

[@richm4402]

Given the PSB and Nad partnership, I would think Nad’s higher end offerings would be a good match? I used to own PSB T2’s but never warmed up to them, they sounded dull regardless of multiple amp pairings. Also owned PSB Imagine B’s , they sounded incredible with my PrimaLuna tube amp. In my experience, the amplifier and speaker synergy plays a huge role in achieving great sound. Thanks for the excellent videos!

[@S.L.1211]

I heard these with a NAD amp and it sounded just so good

[@krupkake1]

Good discussion at the end and I agree. High end companies need to provide more guidance. It shouldn’t be up to the consumer to figure everything out.

[@Csnumber1]

I mean just how much guidance should you need in 2021? Not being smart, but this speaker just looks like, a bad design....the driver placement and cavity volume of the speaker just seem mismatched. A speaker like this should work fine with about a 6-8 feet spacing 2 feet from the back walls, and a three point pitch. But what Andy is going through with them is ridiculous!

[@krupkake1]

@@Csnumber1 If your speaker doesn't work right without (blank) component in the signal chain, that information should be provided! AND you're paying 8k!? Ta heck with that!

[@garyfred88]

Very interested to see what you thought of these PSB T600s because I’ve come to love a recent acquisition of some 25 year old PSB Stratus Minis. A couple months prior I had just purchased a pair of Klipsch The Fives to replace a 20 year old pair of Mission bookshelf speakers and my failing Pioneer receiver then paired the Fives with my existing Klipsch subwoofer. Based on your reviews as well as others I bought the Klipsch Fives and also a Fluance RT85 turntable with the very lovely sounding Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. (As a sidenote, the phono amp on the Fives was very nice to have but was very rolled off on the top end with no adjustment for the DSP in the Fives. I purchased a Schiit Mani phono amp which is the perfect companion to the RT85 turntable and cartridge.) I was in heaven and needed a good set of speaker stands which I found someone selling used for $50 including the PSB Stratus Minis. It soon became apparent that is satisfied as I was with the Klipsch fives, they couldn’t quite keep their own compared to the 25-year-old PSB‘s. They actually sounded great with my old 100 watt Pioneer receiver but it’s still need a replacement. I ended up with a Denon amplifier that brought out the very best in them. The Klipsch Fives and the Klipsch subwoofer are now doing duty in a different room and the PSB‘s with the Denon amplifier and a 10” Jamo subwoofer are constantly giving me goosebumps! I’ve always loved my brother’s Magnepan speakers powered by his Hegel amp but these PSB‘s in my room are so awesome for me that I have no jealousy over his system anymore. I cannot see myself ever having another system that does not have a subwoofer or two. Even speakers that have a great extended bass seem much more difficult to place ideally than 2.1 systems, and a powered subwoofer also relieves the main amplifier of a lot of its load which I think improves dynamics and clarity. I think you have expressed your fondness for 2.1 systems, and I agree! Leaving everything below 80 Hz to the subwoofer cleans up the bass from the main speakers as well as the mid range. I also find that when a subwoofer produces deep, controlled extended bass, that I don’t require as high of decibel levels to achieve satisfying volume. I think what you described in your review of the T600s with the correct amplifier reminds me very much of what I’m experiencing with my PSB‘s. I would be very interested in reviews of additional PSB models. Other speakers that I am extremely interested in because of their bass characteristics and ease of room set up are the Spatial Audio Labs models. I’m in Utah and it turns out I’m only 6 miles from their facility. Sorry for the long winded comment but thanks for your channel and for the information that you and Kristi provide!

[@mikejames-drummerreginacan1386]

THE PRICE IS INSANE......I would be a pair of KLIPSCH Heritage in a heartbeat....I'm Canadian and PSB is a Canadian Company but I would not touch these expensive loudspeakers.

[@dhardyg1451]

With so many comments I'm not sure this one will see the light of day, but after watching the review I had to share my similar experience with another very expensive high end loudspeaker, the Joseph Audio Perspective 2's. But before I do, I want to point out that there are two things that will always influence the performance of any loudspeaker, and they are system synergy and room compatibility. In my room, the latter has always been a challenge with rear ported floor standing loudspeakers, with some being more challenging than others, and unfortunately, that's was the case with the Joseph Audio's. I purchased these as "end game" loudspeakers, at least for me. I have literally gone through dozens and dozens and dozens of speakers during my adult life, starting with a pair of Dahlquist DQ10's back in the mid 70's, so I have quite a bit of first hand at home experience to base my findings upon. In the case of the Joseph Audio Perspective2's, a loudspeaker that retails for $15K, it better be pretty darn good, in fact, it better be awesome, and for the most part it was (or is). The one caveat, at least in my room, was the low bass. Right after I initially set them up I noticed a very distracting low bass node effect that distracted from what otherwise was a superb musical presentation in every way. I have never heard a loudspeaker that presented a recording in the manner these do, definitely to my taste with respect to clarity, naturalness, and sound stage providing essentially a clear window, no, an open window into the performance. For about 90% of the music I listen to, they would be my end game speaker, but for that 10% where the low bass simply stood out too much and was ill defined, I simply could not get passed it, especially at the price. I spent days repositioning them, moving them further out into the room and then back, spacing them differently and playing with the toe in. I tried everything including plugging the ports, which unfortunately diminished some of their magic. It got to the point that I began wonder what is the point, to keep up the tweaking regiment hoping to find that magic sweet spot, or to accept the fact that it wasn't meant to be, at least in my room? I'm sure if you have gotten this far, some are wondering, what amplifier was he using, and did it provide the right amount of low end control for the speaker, which is a 4 ohm speaker with lowish efficiency...Maybe that was the problem rather than the room? To answer that, the amp is the Bel Canto E1X integrated amp that puts out around 250 class D wpc into 4 ohms. I can assure you, the amp was NOT the problem. In the end I was able to resell the speakers for a slight loss, but fortunately did not take a hair cut, and I have moved on to a more modest replacement, a pair of Dynaudio Contour 20's, a 4 ohm, lowish sensitivity rear ported stand mount loudspeaker which are working quite well in my room. So that's my story, for what it's worth. For me, I do love trying different gear and searching out that special synergy, but the real joy is enjoying the music, and isn't that what it's really all about?

[@TylerStout]

I agree, personally I'm in the camp where I want a speaker to sound great off a decent AVR and then providing a bit better amp just gives you a bit more of good thing. I guess an easier way to put it would be a speaker shouldn't go from 30% to 100% with different amps it should be 80% to 100%. Also I guess these speakers aren't the kind you care about running off an AVR since there's no center channel so you're probably not pairing with an AVR anyway. Founders series really interest me, definitely looking to go demo some soon along with a bunch of other stuff.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Funny you should mention AVRs. I actually liked this speaker driven by our Onkyo RZ50 receiver, but didn't mention it in this review. But I hear you otherwise. Thanks for sharing!

[@TylerStout]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews that's interesting. There's rumors that the rz70 will have Dirac Live bass control so I'm hoping it's true as that I think will be my end game AVR as your rz50 review definitely instilled confidence that Onkyo isn't going to be a buggy mess as my Denon has been rock solid so far.

[@scottmeyer6005]

I agree with Kristi - Some speakers can be amplifiied specific. Some speakers are more forgiving.

[@jim010109]

QOTD, For me , at this point in my life, about a thousand to two thousand is my max for a peice of equipment. As I've said before, after 24 years working in a very loud factory, I honestly don't know if I could even tell the difference between a 2000 set of speakers vs 8000 set of speakers. But thats just me. And if my hearing has been damaged that much, I don't think I could appreciate a 8000 set of speakers. The speakers that you reviewed from Germany has definitely peaked my interest . Great review!

[@tommccarthy3385]

Randy (Cheapaudioman) called overly fussy speakers like these "snowflake speakers." Although, considering the price, "diva speakers" might be more fitting. Either way, they exceed my fussiness threshold (also my wallet threshold).

[@frostycanada6404]

Hello Tom, I wouldn’t put much weight into Robinson’s review of this speaker. He’s a great guy as an influencer but terrible when it comes to reviews. Andrew generally seems overly fussy, probably had a sore tummy when recording this review.

[@tommccarthy3385]

@@frostycanada6404 At $8k, these would never have been on my list! (Also, I try to reserve judgment until I hear something for myself....)

[@frostycanada6404]

@@tommccarthy3385 Hello Tom, same with me, I’ll never get to that level speaker. PSB is quite competent when it comes to speaker design and when compared to say Focal I think the PSB offers lots for the dollar spent. My gut feeling is that Andrew just winged it with this review. He never mentioned it in his review but you can effectively short (or turn off) the lower bass driver to further dial in that perfect in-room bass response for difficult or smaller rooms.

[@tommccarthy3385]

@@frostycanada6404 Not having heard the speakers, I can't comment on Andrew's review. I only wish there were more places to hear the gear for ourselves. In many locales, there are no stores that carry good audio gear. Here in Boise we're fortunate to have one, but their inventory is quite limited.

[@xsamitt]

and B&W and Focal are among the worst given your statement!!

[@fts81]

I bought my psb speakers because I had bought an NAD amp before. Took me some time to find the perfect tone, but I got where I wanted. I like their sound for old jazz records, vocals. Just enough bright, mid ranges are amazing

[@petedetraglia4776]

I had a pair of The PSB Image T2 speakers for $1,200 years ago and they sounded absolutely amazing. Paul Barton designed, tested in anechoic chamber, excellent crossovers, and a smooth silky sound that was never harsh on the ears. These speakers never sounded recessed or lacking mid range. In fact their sound was amazing and one of the best speakers I ever own but were too big in the new home that I bought shortly after. I own Axiom, Martin Logan, and a SVS sub now so I know a good set of speakers when I hear them... P.S. I would never spend $8,000.00 on any pair of speakers. Just saying...

[@Rockhurst22]

I’m very much looking forward to the Polk Reserve tower review! Do me a favor an don’t keep me waiting. I’m an American so I don’t have any patience. 😀

[@armanddimeo6575]

Thanks for your review. PSB is one of the best bang for the buck speaker brands out there. A neutral loudspeaker may not sound that impressive at first but it will be more satisfying over the long haul. I thought the comparison with the Bowers and Wilkins 800 D series is appropriate. In fact, some may even prefer the PSBs, since they are not as colored. At a fraction of the price of the B and Ws, the PSBs are one of the best values out there.

[@stuartsdrucker7345]

Couldn't agree more. I think of the better PSB floor standers like the T2, T3, and T600 as a kind of value version of what you get from, say, Revel Salons. You've got similar pedigree with Paul Barton's refinement of his designs at Canada's NRC and his time working with Floyd Toole. Not quite the same thing, but I once demoed my T3s against JBL M2s and the much more regarded JBL speakers just barely beat out the T3s on two channel listening for detail and soundstage (and course, for high performance SPL). The T3 had better bass response, though.

[@jstoli996c4s]

For the $8,000 price range, I would definitely go for the active Paradigm 120H with 1,000 watts powering the low end down to 18hz. Plus a gorgeous design.

[@LarsonChristopher]

You could have Martin Logan Classics for less money.

[@michaelnickens8793]

Kristie is a god send. She speaks for and represents such an important demo. Thanks for looking out for the non audiophile. Still sophisticated and with a budget, just not endless time or resources. You 2 really have something special here and are a dynamic duo! I always look fwd to your reviews and just listening to you even if I'm not going to buy that specific item. It still informs. Oh and thank you for telling us what TV's you pair with. And the demo movies, tracks, and artists you use and love. You could have separate videos just on that! You guys are so great. Thank You 💯🧨🎆

[@Eric-xx3mb]

You should do a video of Kristi's favorite speakers and electronics.

[@glung20]

Love what Kristie said about the high end component, totally agreed!

[@AsadNazif]

I haven’t finish watching. But can I just say I’m excited to see the audiolab!! Can’t wait for that review. Amazing stuff Kristi and Andrew! 😄😄

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Stay tuned for that review. Now keep watching 😉

[@AnotherAnonymousMan]

Kristi's take is spot on regarding high end matching. I'm an LS50w owner and the idea of upgrading to towers is appealing but the separates matching isn't... (Please review Buchardt A700s 😉) Personally, I'd love to see ALL speaker manufacturers offer amp recommendations but I understand there would be complications in doing so. It's why I hope more manufacturers explore powered and active products. For those concerned with obsolescence or electronics failure in active speakers: Kef were happy to repair my speakers (out of warrantee) and were honestly some of the kindest and most helpful people you could hope to meet.

[@tywoodruff8578]

Once again, great review! Love the channel and love hearing each of your observations. I’ve said it before…even though I’m not in the market for speakers (or possibly whatever the review focuses on), I still watch because by and large I find I learn something from every video and am better educated coming out than I was going in. Thank you both for that. As for your question, with budget gear I’m afraid I have a somewhat preconceived notion that “it is what it is”, and it’s going to sound somewhat the same regardless of what it’s paired with…also probably that I’m not likely to pair $500 speakers with a $5000 amp, so there’s maybe less trial and error involved. I’m going to hook those $500 speakers up to my $500 receiver and run with it. When the price tag gets into 4+ figures, I don’t feel like I should have to know the secret handshake that unlocks the magic of my $8,000 speakers. Not many people have the means or ability to experiment and throw the kitchen sink at a pair of speakers in the hopes of finding that combination that results in audio nirvana. THAT is where folks like you and Kristi come in. One other person thanked you both for all the effort you go through with each of your reviews. I think a lot of that goes unnoticed because in the vast majority of cases you don’t have to do this kind of calisthenics to find a combination that works, so you only casually mention some of the combinations you tried. It was fun, not effort. Which is where “want to” vs. “have to” comes in. When I get to this price level, I shouldn’t have to jump through so many hoops to find a good combination. The speakers should sound good with my existing amp, which probably wasn’t cheap if I’m buying $8,000 speakers. HOWEVER…I may WANT TO jump through hoops to coax said speakers to that next level or to see what they might be capable of. In this case, the effort becomes part of the fun. On a way different level, I’m playing with different cartridges on a Technics SL-1210. Started with the Nagaoka MP-110 that was previously on my Yamaha table. Currently toying with setup and sound of a Hana SH I can get at a great deal from an AWESOME place I found in San Antonio. The question mark comes with how would that sound compare to the Ortofon 2M Bronze or Black. I don’t have the means to buy them all, so will form my best guess based on reviewers and help from the place in SA and call it good. Anyway, thank you again for all you both go through to bring us these wonderful and informative reviews. The effort…and fun…does not go unnoticed.

[@isaacsykes3]

While I don't disagree with your assessment, that at a certain price point you'd hope that audio gear would be less fussy, however I doubt that's really the case in any market, and @Andrew Robinson knows this. Usually what you'll find in high-end "anything" the higher the price point, the more tailored to specific tastes things become and the more discerning retailers expect you to be. I'd liken it to something Bespoke vs. Off the Rack; both will fit, but the former will fit YOU just right.

[@MrKenn1230]

Another great review, Andrew and Kristi, THANK YOU. Kristi, gets a virtual "high five" for her comments and feedback! If I had spent this kind of money on a speaker set, I do not expect to have to tinker with amplification to get the optimal sound. It's scary to think of how many amps you went through to get those speakers not just to sound "$8,000" worth, but plain good. Again, to Kristi's point, how many people have a couple of thousand dollars left over to amp shop after this purchase...and not just any amp either....ridiculous.

[@raffiequler7510]

It seems like the PSB team are lying about the specs. They list 4 Ohms as both minimum and nominal impedance on their website. That never happens in real life. The minimum impedance is usually in the bass region and significantly lower. If the NAD M33 can't drive this speaker properly, I am definitely not interested. This speaker will be a huge flop for PSB and now I am even more encouraged to consider something like the SVS Prime Pinnacle towers for $1600 a pair. They are happy with any low-budget NAD that I already have in my arsenal.

[@larryh9525]

I agree with Kristi that things should be easier. Over the years I've had numerous higher-end systems that failed to deliver the type of sound I was looking for. In my case, it turns out that my room's acoustics were the deciding factor, and not until using Yamaha's YAPO room correction software did my system lock-in. By YAPO removing an enormous mid-bass hump did my Paradigm Studio 20s come alive. (BTW, a Paradigm dealer told me recently that due to the situation in Canada, Paradigm isn't really even answering the phone, so don't take their lack of response personal.) Back to agreeing with Kristi, I believe there's a point of diminishing return for time and money that I'm willing to invest to get "perfect sound".

[@davidbastow9319]

I'm with Kristi...I don't want to mess around forever at trying to get good sound. Buying all the toys can be enjoyable, but I want to get to the music in the end. In a short end.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

100% agree @David Bastow.

[@francisesguerra]

Andrew I absolutely love the channel! I haven’t been involved in HiFi audio for a while but I know what I like. for me any system is got to be dynamic in the range of music I like to listen which depends on my mood from classical to old school freestyle. I don’t mind paying good money but it has to perform out of the box. I would search for help and advice from people like you that are vendor neutral and not in a sales role but have a passion for sound in general. Thank you for what you do!

[@j.kearney8058]

I spent a minor fortune in the last 3 weeks and I really wish I knew what I bought will work well together, here's hoping.

[@tron1974]

Thank you for your opinions. I think Kristy's taste and mine are similar. BTW, I don't consider her opinion "bonus content" as I like both impressions equally. I love Klipsch and a review of the RF7 III's would be great.

[@craighoffman6876]

"But, we put so many different amplifiers on this thing to coax something special out of it, and it just wasn't happening, but the audio gods must have been looking down on the PSB because guess what, an amp showed up, one that I have been waiting on for months, and saved these speaker's glossy little lives" - Kristi Now that is some classic feedback. It all sounds like entirely too much work though. For 8 grand, these outta be more forgiving.

[@edgardorivera617]

I think when your paying 8 grands things should work out the box with minor adjustments. The manufacture should be the ones testing which Amp works well and informing it's customers. I have a pair of Wharfdales 11.5 which I recently took the chance and spent 1,100 on a pair of speakers. Only because they were marked down I took the plunge and bought what is to me expensive speakers. They are heavy and well built. Didn't have much trouble getting them to work of my Sony receiver that I bought less than a year ago with 145 watts, yes I know that doesn't mean everything. They sound decent and the bass is not overwhelming but rich sounding without a sub. I do run a sub now which fills in the lower octave better. If I had a bunch of amps to try I'm sure I will hear different sonic signatures with each amp.

[@dandiehm8414]

For those wishing the speaker manufacturers would list recommendations: Just how would the speaker manufacturers do that? None of them advertise themselves as "warm, cool, analytical, etc...". They advertise as being able to work with any amps - because they don't want to limit the consumer who is not also buying a new amp. And do you expect the speaker manufacturer to buy a bunch of different amplifiers and test them all with their speakers? They will just tell you the speakers sounded great with all of the amps.

[@michaelwehner1738]

I think buyers in that space are either attracted to the cachet, or are working with a consultant who also recommends other components. Simply ordering online poses a big risk. That said, hobbyists do have their quirks. I stayed home one day just to try bi-wiring based on something I read in a hi-fi mag. That’s one Aspect of the hobby. I know people who have two tone arms on their turntables. One for stereo and one mono. That said, some buyers just want good sound. As a musician/engineer I get asked that a lot. “What does good sound sound like?” My recording studio mentor used to respond “just clap your hands, That’s what hand claps sound like. Just listen to the word around you. That’s as hi-fi as you get”.

[@ricksiow2953]

Some people say audio system components matching are one of the holy grails in reaching audio haven. Therein lies the complexities of hifi equipment: how does the industry in general allows beginners to appreciate hifi audio without the steep learning curves that we had to go through? At time allowing the hardcore audiophiles enjoy mixing and matching different grades of equipment, from entry level to high end -- that's the beauty of this hobby, because more $$$ doesn't always translate to higher audio quality. One of the ways of leaning for me ( I considered myself beginner to intermediate level ) is by reading more and exploring more options for system components matching - what are their individual pros and cons? From the source, DAC, pre-amps, amplifier, to the speakers itself, audio system matching is an entirely different subject to be learnt and mastered at the same time. When we buy a pair of speakers, it's like buying our first car, does the car match our needs and budgets? We need to take in account that different cars had their pros and cons. We test drive the car so that we know whether we like it or not. And after getting the car, how do we keep training ourselves to be good at driving it, so that we can maximized its full potential...

[@notoymotor4me64]

Just because most people that have two ears, hear the same sound (note), does not mean it is perceived as the same note. An example of my theory is in a comment below. How can a 35 y/o Jamo sound better than the relatively new Synchrony One? The best speaker is the one that not only sounds good to you, but is also fits your budget. I will readily admit that PSB's are not the greatest speaker ever made, however, I own 14 of them. I use the same design amp to run the two systems and I think they sound great. If someone else heard my system, they may or may not agree with me.

[@richardwestmoreland4796]

Well said notomotor4me. I feel the same way about the Mission brand of speakers. Not really a brand that is known for hi-fidelity but nonetheless they make speakers that I usually enjoy.

[@tobytaylor9036]

The grille reminds me of the KEF R-series offering. They look okay, but they're so damn floppy and crappy feeling. Any plans on reviewing the R series, or any other KEF? I'm really interested to hear your take on more KEF.

[@gb3496]

R3!

[@Youevl]

Thanks for the review Guys… Got a pair of PSB X2T Towers ($1,400/pair) paired with an Emotiva A2 and very happy. Believe me they don’t need a sub and the Highs are Awesome!!! Judging by that, I would have guessed the T600 were awesome speakers and could be compared to much much higher priced towers.

[@HeyWaj10]

I had the X2T’s previously, and this review hit home hard on the journey required with placement tinkering. The degree of toe-in, and actually speaker tilting, that it took was considerable. But they definitely snapped into focus and were a great speaker once I dialed it all in!

[@radamesd81]

I'm with Kristi on that one. If I'm paying thousands for a pair of speakers I expect them to perform well with mostly anything you feed it with. It's fine to do a tweak here and there to make it shine, but having to switch between countless amps to get it to sing... nope, not for me. In my future upgrade (cause my current speakers are really bad) I'm thinking about Monitor Audio pl300 or the Wharfedale Elysian 4. Let's see if I can make it lol

[@MattCoykendall1]

I have a Audiolab 6000a paired with a pair of KLH Model 5's, It really is a nice sounding integrated.

[@KristiWright]

We haven't paired those two together just yet but that's good to know!

[@roccobruno8027]

I hope you're able to compare it to other Canadian companies like Paradigm and Totem one day. Great review as always. I would definitely love to hear what this speaker would sound like with the Technics SU-R1000. On another note, given that Paul Barton often voices his speakers with Bryston gear that would definitely be another amplifier range to match the PSB with.

[@HoracioPz]

Kristi's take is so true, anyone can get a budget speakers and put a lot of money on amps, dacs, cables to try to make it sound the way we want, and the idea of going for more expensive products would also mean we expect "easier" pairings and no the need to work as hard on tuning the setup to achieve that goal

[@joshdekubber3631]

I enjoy investing almost endless time into resurch and dialing in my systems. As far as money, I don't like to put a dollar amount on it but everything has to prove its worth to me. Simplicity and esthetics are just as important as sound quality and capability. I can honestly say that I wouldn't trade any piece of my system for anything costing twice as much or more and that tells me I made great choices for me and my taste.

[@ilyalyudmirsky]

Love to see a review of Zu Audio speakers.

[@JP-ko8jj]

Would love a review of Spatial Audio M3 Sapphires.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

We have another open baffle in house. I think the Sapphires have been reviewed to death or talked about to death at this point.

[@JP-ko8jj]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews Oh, sorry I did not know. I have been looking at Martin Logan's Montis, M3, and Magnapan's and just wanted to know your thoughts on the M3.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

@@JP-ko8jj No apologies necessary. Please don't think I was criticizing you or your request. We haven't reviewed the Sapphires, but I know that speaker has been making the rounds on KZbin with a lot of positive results. It's just that because of all the hype/praise for that speaker at this point, I feel it's perhaps better for us to go in a different direction...which we have done. I sincerely apologize if my initial reply came off as too forward. Thanks for watching!

[@Johnnytrades101]

Good day! I was soo close to getting the previous model of the PSB, I chose Legacy Classic HD's. I am of the same camp as Kristy. The Legacy's are very forgiving with placement and amplification. I've had them for about 6 weeks now. They are the magic I have been looking for! It took a lot of research, and having a wonderful HiFi company to help, is key to choosing equipment that suits (my) a persons lifestyle, and expectations.

[@timleelim9930]

High end audio was a less complicated pursuit in my younger days simply because there were good enthusiastic dealers around who knew how to get the best from the gear they chose to stock. Some of these were mom and pop type set ups with friends sitting around on weekends in the shop like little clubs. Yes, there were downsides to this kind of business set up too, but if you could get into a relationship with a dealer whom you could trust to have more than an interest of just getting into your wallet, the journey from the first system over several upgrades to the more expensive/'higher hi end' stuff is usually an enjoyable one. Maybe it's just a case of too many options which cause the anxiety when choosing gear. When you hit the higher echelons, you expect the dealer to be more involved in getting you satisfied in the matching with your system. Speakers at this price level should not be sold just on a "I'll help you get them into the back of your station wagon" basis after the dealer has taken your cash. Ok, sub out 'station wagon' with 'SUV/MPV' and 'taken your cash' with 'swiped your credit card' for a more twenty-first century context.

[@jstoli996c4s]

I would guess that the snooty audiophile types don’t follow your channel... or they just come here to troll lol. They aren’t your target audience though. I appreciate your common sense approach to explaining products and not getting hung up on esoteric details that only audio nerds care about. Enjoy your system and the music, that’s what truly matters 🔊 🎸🪘 🎶

[@markevers3494]

Hi Andrew and Kristi!!! I have a chance to pick up a pair of these for a fantastic price and am concerned about your review on the amps used. I have a Accuphase E-202 and a Mcintosh 6100, what are our thoughts regarding running these speakers with one of these amps? I understand you may not have any idea but thought I'd reach out and ask.

[@markfischer3626]

The true cost of great sound is true knowledge. That is something in very short supply in this industry. What kind of knowledge? Science and engineering. Is that expensive? You bet it is. It not only takes a lot of money and time to acquire it from an engineering school and learning to apply it in a career, it takes enormous effort. The reward is the ability to understand, figure things out by analyzing the physics and electronics, and the ability to define and solve problems. If you know how, a lot of older equipment that is inexpensive by today's audiophile standards can be restored and modified at low cost to equal or better what you can buy today at ginormous prices. What are the people in this industry doing that some of them have the audacity to call themselves engineers doing? In fact they are tinkering with mostly old ideas trying everything they can think of until they find something they like better than what they had. And the have the nerve to call that research. As an engineer I threw my audiophile hands up in total disgust 47 years ago. I knew then that nothing anyone sold would make me happy. So I had to invent my own. My approach was entirely different. I studied sound and acoustics using the powerful analytical tools I had acquired during four grueling years of schooling. Understanding that was the hard part. The electronics was the easy part. The real true problem is to design systems that can produce sound fields you want to hear. It's not an easy problem. I've met nobody in this industry in person or on line whom I judged up to the task. Many are well meaning, all of them are enthusiastic (I'm not, to me it was a challenging problem to solve, one of many and I trained my mind not to react emotionally to things and stimuli including music, fiction, the news, anything that does not affect me personally), some are pleasant to talk to and some of them are among the most detestable people I've ever met. I learned early on it is pointless to argue with them. They know it all and anyone who doesn't agree with them is just stupid. I patented my idea applying my new found knowledge but there was no interest in it. It doesn't bother me. All that's left for me to do is to enjoy what I built. It's exactly what I wanted. And BTW the newest piece of equipment in it is an amplifier I built from a kit in 1993 and the total cost of equipment was about $3000. The cost of my education in today's money $500,000 and worth every penny of it. (At the time it was only $16,000 including tuition, books dorm, food, everything.) Was it a struggle? That would be an understatement.

[@gb3496]

So "cheat-sheet" - great sounding speakers IF you can find the right amp to pair with them...?

[@veritas932]

technically, an investment is where you buy something and you sell it off at a profit. Hifi is never an investment, it is a luxury expense. The term is typically used to make people feel better that spending that much money for sound is a worthwhile expense. But, strictly speaking, it is not an investment.

[@craigaust3306]

I wish Andrew would do a review of a Legacy Audio speaker.

[@JEG6919]

A lot of speakers today are looking very similar. Buy the one that appears most on Ebay it looks like. That way, when you sell them, and you will want to sell them, there will be someone willing to take them off your hands outside of a garage sale.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

If I may, I think most speakers have looked the same for a while. Thanks for tuning in E L.

[@KristiWright]

I agree.

[@JEG6919]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews and sounding similar.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

@@JEG6919 Oh audiophiles have been splitting hairs over similar sound for a while now. But I hear you.

[@JEG6919]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews Only because it is true.

[@RyanMann911]

I absolutely agree with Kristie. It’s so frustrating to buy something so expensive, and then realize I don’t have the right components to get the most out of my speakers. I don’t have all the money in the world, so at least some advice on what works well with what would be awesome.

[@RalfWiggam]

You just described the role of brick and mortar stores.

[@jp93309]

I would think you’d get concierge-level service and support commensurate with what you spend, not unlike what you’d expect when you buy a Lamborghini or Bentley. Maybe audio dealers are already deploying trained customer experience staff to help with set up and recommendations on pairings. I wouldn’t know since this is clearly out of my price range.

[@rattdog60]

I feel at the price point of these and other high end audio products, the manufacturers need to supply at the very least a list of compatible amplifiers, and reference material (ie how to, why, and additional purchases, and adjustments that could be reasonably expected to get the speakers up and running to an acceptable level.. Not everyone has the means to drop a lot of money experimenting with amps etc... I personally would likely have to return this purchase had I saved my money only to be dissatisfied with my purchase.

[@aussierob7177]

All loudspeakers have their own "sound" (colouration) added to the reproduced sound. It just depends what colouration you prefer. As regard to soundstage, you will never get a true three dimensional image because of crosstalk. There seems to be a trend regarding expensive speakers which is you have to do a lot of experimentation regarding where you put them.. And, by the way, i don't care what a loudspeaker looks like. If it sounds good to me, i listen to the music. I do not look at the speakers.

[@roobvids]

I think this is where a specialist hifi store would help in that the expertise and experience of staff would help people in choosing a speaker/amp symbiosis , unfortunately the never-ceasing move to online retail precludes this

[@willburren1957]

Great review! I find myself expecting things to take less effort the more I spend and that goes for things outside of audio. Mo' money should not mean mo' problems.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

@Will Burren, 100% agree!

[@sdemosi]

Have you guys ever been disappointed by Klipsch Heritage series? Generally I've found Klipsch doesn't disappoint at the price level. Same with Focal. Pay more and quality, detail & performance increase. It seems that these PSBs are super fussy speakers and I'm not sure I'd put in the time to make them work. They didn't even play well with the NAD M33, right? Weren't a hit with Musical Fidelity? Those are great amps so what do you think is up with these speakers?

[@westcoast708]

Well done my friends excellent review 👏.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you tuning in!

[@tommcclure8727]

Agree completely that speaker companies should be supplying a list of 'recommended' power amplifiers to shorten or eliminate the time spent optimizing the overall sound. And why can't speaker companies include setup tips, INCLUDING FLOOR PLACEMENT DIAGRAMS and port plugging tips to get the types of sound you want out of the speaker in question, particularly with high end speakers.

[@tonyraynor3202]

I do enjoy this hobby....but I don't enjoy the disappointment when cost $$ does not equal performance and simplicity. Andrew & Kristi thanks for SAVING me and helping me navigate this pitfall during my quasi-audiophile journey.

[@DCfocal]

My eureka moment was when I took care of the electronics and then the speakers I plugged in seem to all be more forgiving. I too discovered how a new speaker can be very frustrating in your room years ago after I moved to a new home. New home and new room were a disaster. When I decided to go higher end, I started from the preamp. Solid state. Then picked up some tube amps. Lastly I picked up two Rel subs. Now every pair of speakers I plugged in work. From a simple bookshelf speakers, vintage 30+ year olds, desktop speakers and finally to much higher end small towers, I have tamed brighter recorded pop tracks but can now pick speakers that have my preferred sound preference. I ended up with Spendor which I don’t believe you have reviewed any. Their mid range magic is worth acquiring subs to help out.

[@milescomeau5084]

Thank you Andrew and Kristi! I appreciate the amount of time and effort you spent to make such a particular speaker work and not ever throwing in the towel. Obviously some setups aren't going to work for some listeners. But it was nice to see you make it work with what you had, just like the BW 700 from last year. Kudos. Any KEF towers in the mix?

[@KristiWright]

No KEF speakers on the schedule but that could always change. :)

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

@Miles Comeau I appreciate it. I think we're often criticized for NOT going to great lengths (when we always do). Appreciate you noticing! No KEF towers on the schedule in the immediate future but that isn't to say they won't make an appearance.

[@milescomeau5084]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews Thanks again to the both of you. If you do get a chance to play with some KEF towers; I'm really curious about the R700s. Wink Wink. I always look forward to Thursday morning coffee and HIFI reviews from you two. Cheers!

[@milescomeau5084]

@@KristiWright Fingers crossed. Thanks!

[@KiterSuperfly]

I agree with your comments. It makes me wonder if active speakers, factory tuned with internal amplification, is something we will see more of in the future. Especially considering the growing market of stand alone DAC’s to provide content. Thanks for the review!

[@Prerich45]

I believe active speakers with DSP like the Genlecs or the Dutch & Dutch are the future.

[@KiterSuperfly]

@@Prerich45 as an afterthought, and ironically as it is mentioned in the video, the Paradigm Founder 120 is active with DSP as well.

[@blunderingknifereviews1028]

Andrew Robinson you gave a glowing review to the revel F52 speakers back in the day, which have a somewhat similar driver set up. A pair of those in good shape can be acquired for around 2k these days. They are hard to drive, but maybe a much much better bargain than the 8k PSB speakers? Thoughts?

[@adamp88]

Great review! QOTD: I think the high end market expects people to be more fussy the more they spend, but, honestly, my interest in fussiness only extends as far as finding the optimal speaker placement and some minor room treatment. Granted, I'm not really an active consumer in the high end market, as I've had my speakers (Axiom M60s) for well over a decade, and have in the mean time spent much more on headphones than speakers - and thankfully headphones are a lot less fussy - beyond maybe having a couple different amps, they either sound good on your head or they don't. But even if I had the money, I don't think I'd have the time or inclination to have multiple amps in the wings to see which one ekes the most performance out of a speaker, or to really go all out in treating my room to make it the most optimal space for speakers to perform. If I'm going to shell out a lot of money for a speaker, I expect it to hear that money once I've found the best placement for it, and am providing it sufficient power. It shouldn't require access to a multitude of amps/sources to find the one that actually makes me like the speaker. That's just silly, imo - I'm with Kristi on this. It shouldn't be a long, convoluted process to figure out whether I like a piece of gear or not. Really curious to hear your full review of the Audiolab, though! I revived my speaker setup earlier this year after having my speakers sitting in a closet for years for lack of space and have them running off a Sony STRDH-190. I've had the itch to upgrade the amp, and the Audiolab seems like it could be a great option.

[@andreasglende4952]

Thanks for another great review. Would be interesting to know how these speakers would pair with a Hegel amplifier.

[@adriannorenberg3246]

While Hegel has lots of grip, they might lack the transient speed the Audiolab has to pair well with a very laid back speaker like these. The H120 would probably be the best of their amps for them. The rest might require that you give these speakers a lot more space to accommodate a fair bit of bass output. But having tried Hegel with Raidho speakers (which is almost too bass heavy and laid back) they might actually make for a great pairing. Hegel rarely presents an issue with speaker pairings. But still, you'd have to like that the speakers are less lively if that's how the speakers just are.

[@wizardmix]

I believe we should always know what we're paying for when we pay a premium and that should be made very clear via sales and the manufacturer. In anything, sometimes you're paying for ease of use and other times you're paying for precision that's takes a master and/or other masterful gear to wield correctly. I could spend 200K on a car that rides like a cloud and drives itself while massaging muscles I didn't know I had (or) I could spend 200K on a track monster with stiff seats, stiff suspension and no creature comforts whatsoever. If I'm sold the expectation of turn key experience and get a puzzle piece, that's frustration. If I'm eyes wide open buying something that I know is going to require more to get more, that's realistic.

[@robh9079]

How much 'should' you spend? Attempt at fun equation! Marks out of 10 for each Q (truthfully consider in all cases): How long/regularly do you sit down to critical listening, OR value your critical listening time. What is your experience and knowledge in listening. What is the quality of the actual music you listen to. What is the quality of recordings you listen to. How good is your room/listening environment. Add up disposable income for 5 years max. Allocate how much of that could be for Hifi. Divide by your score. (e.g. you score 25/50 - divide by 1/2) That's your ceiling! I do like to see high end products focus on the music rather than the furniture aspect!

[@andrewforsythe7240]

I agree with Kristi again, I like forwardness. I'll take the Klipsch. Very informative review again, thanks.