Bookshelves: Jamo C803, PSB GB1, or PSB Image B6

[jsr]

I'm considering picking up a pair of nice speakers for music only. I'm mainly looking at bookshelves as I figure I can get a "better" speaker with "better" parts for the money than an equivalent tower. Budget would be about $500 for the pair, but the lower the better. If anyone has any experience or insights with the following, please share. I will try to audition them as time permits (all except the discontinued one). I'm looking at B-stocks because, like bookshelves, I figure more for the money.

Jamo C803 - $400 - B-stock
PSB GB1 - $500 - New, but several years discontinued (no auditioning)
PSB Image B6 - $400 - B-stock

Or might consider the PSB Imagine B for $650 (B-stock) if it's that much better than the others, but that's stretching it a bit far on budget.

I've not heard any PSBs, but have heard a Jamo S426.

Thanks.

[callas01]

The gb1s were replaced by the imagine b, so they will still be a step up over the image b6. however the b6 do have trickle down technology from the imagine and Synchrony lines, so there may be advantages to the b6

[callas01]

Honestly getting the imagine b would be your best option. Save up and go for that one

[jsr]

Is the Jamo C803 not a contender against the PSBs?

[callas01]

Like I said, I don't have much experience with the jamo 800 line, but I do like the image over the jamo 600

[prerich]

Originally Posted by callas01

Like I said, I don't have much experience with the jamo 800 line, but I do like the image over the jamo 600

I want to throw Wharfedale into the mix, the Evo-8's are on closeout sale at music direct.com. Here's the link
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15523-w...peaker-pr.aspx

Very nice speakers and the out perform the Jamo's! PBS is a solid brand -definitely in the same class as Wharfedale!

[jsr]

Will definitely check out the Wharfedale Evo2-8s also. Thanks for the find!

I'll have to look at the Paradigm Mini and Titan Monitors also as you suggested callas since they may be going on sale with the V.7 out.

Thanks for the list of dealers also. I found one in OC that carries both PSB and Jamo, so hoping to swing by there when I have some time. Too bad he doesn't carry Paradigm. Paradigm dealers seem to be hard to find near me without having to drive 2+hrs in traffic to get there.

I'm also considering modifying an existing bookshelf with better drivers and make a crossover myself.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by jsr

Will definitely check out the Wharfedale Evo2-8s also. Thanks for the find!

I'll have to look at the Paradigm Mini and Titan Monitors also as you suggested callas since they may be going on sale with the V.7 out.

Thanks for the list of dealers also. I found one in OC that carries both PSB and Jamo, so hoping to swing by there when I have some time. Too bad he doesn't carry Paradigm. Paradigm dealers seem to be hard to find near me without having to drive 2+hrs in traffic to get there.

I'm also considering modifying an existing bookshelf with better drivers and make a crossover myself.

have you gone to the paradigm website and looked for local dealers in your area? there should be several.

[jsr]

Yeah, went on paradigm's site. No place really close...closest is probably Westminster.

Can't find any Wharfedale dealers either since their main site only lists distributors and I can't access the US disty's site from work.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

Like I said, I don't have much experience with the jamo 800 line, but I do like the image over the jamo 600

While I've yet to demo anything from PSB, I have had the opportunity to demo the Jamo 603 and 803 side by side and the 803 was easily better than the 603.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by jsr

Yeah, went on paradigm's site. No place really close...closest is probably Westminster.

Can't find any Wharfedale dealers either since their main site only lists distributors and I can't access the US disty's site from work.

if youre traveling to the OC, Westminster is right there, might as well swing in and check them out.

The last thing you want to do is second guess if you bought the right speakers, plus auditioning is the fun part of buying speakers.

[jsr]

Yeah, if I go to the PSB/Jamo dealer in OC, I'll stop by the Westminster Paradigm dealer. The thing is, PSB has dealers in Pasadena which is much closer to me and I hate driving in traffic. Shelley's out in woodland hills has a good selection from what I recall from going there about 12 years ago, but that's really far now (close when I used to live there).

One thing that's catching my eye is the piano finish of the GB1. I love piano finishes. I wish I could find a speaker with rounded lines (top and sides/back) like the Paradigm Studios or PSB Imagines in piano black finish at a lower price.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by jsr

Yeah, if I go to the PSB/Jamo dealer in OC, I'll stop by the Westminster Paradigm dealer. The thing is, PSB has dealers in Pasadena which is much closer to me and I hate driving in traffic. Shelley's out in woodland hills has a good selection from what I recall from going there about 12 years ago, but that's really far now (close when I used to live there).

One thing that's catching my eye is the piano finish of the GB1. I love piano finishes. I wish I could find a speaker with rounded lines (top and sides/back) like the Paradigm Studios or PSB Imagines in piano black finish at a lower price.

Shelly's has Paradigm.
Pacific Sales has PSB, also in Woodland Hills. Pacific Sales 6100 Variel Avenue Woodland Hills CA 91367 818-737-2900

Jamo Dealer
HOME TECH SECURITY
7661 Densmore Ave
Van Nuys, CA 91406
United States 818-782-4428 (p)

[kiwi2]

Originally Posted by jsr

Or might consider the PSB Imagine B for $650 (B-stock) if it's that much better than the others, but that's stretching it a bit far on budget.

I own Image T5's and B5's and a set of Imagine B's and can vouch for the Imagine B's.

The top end is a bit more cleaner and they have a slightly more natural warmer sound. I run them as fronts and the T5's as sides and the B5's as rears.

[jsr]

kiwi2 - thanks for the info. It's great to hear from an owner of both Image and Imagines.
So the Imagines are well worth the additional cost over the Image?
How does the midrange clarity compare between the 2?

[kiwi2]

Originally Posted by jsr

So the Imagines are well worth the additional cost over the Image?

I certainly think so. Been very pleased with PSB Image series in my room so-much-so that I considered going up in the PSB food chain. I auditioned a set of Synchrony Two towers but then had a listen to the Imagine B's when I was in the shop at the same time and preferred the sound of the Imagine B's better..!

To me they have just as much detail as the Images but in a more organic natural way. Vocals and piano and such sound that bit more real, I feel. The Images sound slightly tinny in the treble in comparison.