Expanding My Horizons: PSB Image B/Revel M12/Gallo Nucleus/Paradigm Mini Bookies

[JJ]

In my continuing quest for a small bedroom set-up, I've set up appointments this weekend to go have listens to the aforementioned bookshelves, and while they are from lesser known brands here (I think, anyway) - perhaps there are a few who have them or similar products from the same line who can offer me insights?

I've previously wandered into the the same line Concerta F12 towers before I settled on my 683s, but I know very little about PSB, so I'm looking forward to hearing them and the Gallo's for the first time! The Paradigms are the wild-card of the bunch, I know some about the larger Monitor lines, but nothing about the Atom/Mini monitors...just what I've read on spec sheets, but that means very little...

And the little Gallo spheres seem highly praised, despite their unorthodox form...there's a great-looking pair of red ones on audiogon I might have to spring for if they impress me, given their small size.

[Big Daddy]

I am glad you finally decided to go for higher-end speakers. I love PSB speakers. They are designed by Paul Barton. Read about him here:

http://www.soundstagelive.com/factorytours/psbnrc/
http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/231/

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I am glad you finally decided to go for higher-end speakers. I love PSB speakers. They are designed by Paul Barton. Read about him here:

http://www.soundstagelive.com/factorytours/psbnrc/
http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/231/

Silly B&W, being so middle-end (what, guys? You want me to say low-end? Kiss my kevlar drivers, ) with their 600 series,

Thanks for the reads, Daddyo. I just spent a bit of time on each of the 4 websites for the respective brands. Knowing, after all, is half the battle.

[JJ]

Check - here's a VERY interesting viewpoint in this article that I've never considered, perhaps falling into the realm of psychoacoustics:

Finally, and perhaps most controversially, Barton talks about the supposed break-in effect of components that has become so popular in audio today. Break-in refers to running components for a long time (sometimes hundreds of hours) to the point where their components "settle" into their proper operating mode. Barton doesn’t doubt that some components do change subtly, but he thinks that the major improvements people think they’re hearing aren’t in the components at all. Barton doesn’t doubt that people are hearing these changes, but thinks that what they’re hearing is actually brain break-in.

Barton has examined his own speakers to test this. He has taken a Stratus Gold loudspeaker, built and measured some ten years ago, and re-measured it today. The deviation is slight, perhaps 1/4dB at most. Although that deviation can possibly be heard, it is certainly not a huge difference that one may attest to hearing. Instead, Barton surmises that the difference in sound that people are hearing over time is conditioning of the brain. He cites experiments done with sight that indicate the brain can accommodate for enormous changes fairly quickly and certainly within the hundreds of hours that audiophiles claim changes occur in. Could this apply to hearing, too? Barton thinks that more often than not, what happens is that the changes in perceived sound that are attributed to component break-in are simply the brain becoming accustomed to the sound. He warns listeners not to fool themselves.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Silly B&W, being so middle-end (what, guys? You want me to say low-end? Kiss my kevlar drivers, ) with their 600 series,

We don't mean your current speakers are low-end. We mean that you finally decided to go for higher-end speakers for your bedroom.

I don't like to kiss kevlar drivers. I prefer to kiss a beautiful girl in your bedroom while we are listening to your new speakers.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

We don't mean your current speakers are low-end. We mean that you finally decided to go for higher-end speakers for your bedroom.

I don't like to kiss kevlar drivers. I prefer to kiss a beautiful girl in your bedroom while we are listening to your new speakers.

Not you, but a few out there who have been...shall I say...detractors? Look at you, though! A mod for a few days and already referring to yourself in the first person plural, But I must admit, I really did want to sort of veer-off from the regular path of the Polk/Klipsch/etc route. And the only person doing ANYTHING in my bedroom is...well, me. Go into the living room.

[jcs913]

The PSB's are a can't miss. I have a shop about 7 miles from the house that has the Synchronies and they sound fantastic. When I bought my NHT's about 10 years ago, PSB was my second choice and a little more than I wanted to spend. Don't regret it, but it would have been nice. Good Luck..

[CrabbyAzz]

I've auditioned Paradigm Atoms, Mini Monitors and the Gallo's. I was very impressed with both Paradigms. You should have a sub with the Atoms. For bedroom use, you can get by without a sub using the Mini Monitors. Both speakers have great bang for the buck.

edit note: I removed my comments concerning the Gallo system above. I auditioned the Satelite system not the Nucleus system. I found the Satelite system unimpressive.

[Big Daddy]

If you decide to buy PSB speakers, this Ebay dealer is factory authorized and sells them at substantial discount. They are all new in original factory boxes. I bought my PSB surround speakers from them.

PSB Alpha B1: $209 + $20 S/H , List: $299
http://cgi.ebay.com/PSB-Alpha-B1-Boo...1%7C240%3A1318

PSB IMAGE B15: $304 + Free S/H, List: $379
http://cgi.ebay.com/PSB-IMAGE-B15-BL...1%7C240%3A1318

PSB Image B25: $329 + $25 S/H, List: $479
http://cgi.ebay.com/PSB-IMAGE-B25-BO...1%7C240%3A1318

PSB Platinum M2 (Black or Cherry): $1,195 + Free S/H, List: $1,999
http://cgi.ebay.com/PSB-Platinum-M2-...1%7C240%3A1318


This is a good sub for your friend. PSB speakers have high WAF.
PSB Sub Series 1: $299 + Free S/H, List: $349
http://cgi.ebay.com/PSB-Sub-Series-1...1%7C240%3A1318

[JJ]

Originally Posted by CrabbyAzz

I've auditioned Paradigm Atoms, Mini Monitors and the Gallo's. I was very impressed with both Paradigms. You should have a sub with the Atoms. For bedroom use, you can get by without a sub using the Mini Monitors. Both speakers have great bang for the buck.

edit note: I removed my comments concerning the Gallo system above. I auditioned the Satelite system not the Nucleus system. I found the Satelite system unimpressive.

I read the original comments. I was afraid of that, it being more of a designer system. Isn't the satellite system basically a collection of five Nucleus? Hmm. Well, I'll have to see. The PSBs are what I am most excited about, Paradigms second.

[ozzman]

PSB"s you real can't go wrong .I belive in there price range there some of the best speakers in the world.Buy PSB thats my suggestion

I owned those Paradigm atoms about 6 months back I grabbed them for 275+tax Canadian.They were good speakers but lacked in watts .I gave them up with another pair a cheap front speakers(Kenwood) and some cash to get my Mirage M-5si's .But as i remember very clean accurate sound.

The PSB's iam useing for rears are 9 years old and they are awesome .Honestly, i personally didn't realize how good they real were until i put them in my system

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/psb-s...0_1594crx.aspx

Don't be fooled by their age and looks,awesome speakers
And thats 9 years ago. the speakers that there putting out now,Well all i can say is WOW,they just keep getting better!

Go PSB Brother

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

Paul Barton is a Genius!

My first budget audiophile purchase was the atoms and I used them as fronts, initially having the idea to move them to surround duty when I saved up enough for mini monitors. The atoms are INCREDIBLE for the price.

Then along comes PSB...I now prefer PSB over Paradigm, and wish I originally got Alpha B1s instead of the Atoms. You cant go wrong with either but I give PSB the nod.

I auditioned the mini monitors and B25's. The mini monitors just sounded like bigger atoms (read: not worth the price increase) but the B25s Sounded Wonderfully different!

Bottom line:

2 channel: PSB B25
5 channel: PSB B25 fronts, C60 center, and B15 surrounds. (Surrounds: Alpha B1 if budget is tight, S50 if you're rich)

Warning: the C60 is GINOURMOUS make sure you have space or step down to the c40 with little SQ degradation.

HSU subs are a great match...go to the website and look at subs according to your room size...my STF-1 is worth EVERY PENNY.

Thinking of upgrading to B15 surrounds (don't really need to but want things to match). I will consider selling my atoms if anyone is in need of a pair for cheap.

[ozzman]

About two weeks ago my friend bought these speakers ,they blew me away.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...magine-T-Tower

All i could say was Oh my god,I love the sound of the tweeters as well they remided me of older mirage speakers.

If i wasn't so bent on Mirage(not new Mirage speakers,Older models when the company shook the audio world) ,It would be PSB all the way .THen 3rd for me would be Paradigm.

Really when you look at my system i have my 3 favorite companies in there

[JJ]

I'm excited to give them all a listen. Still thinking about sub/receiver, but Im thinking the smaller PSB SubSeries 1 will do, and as far a receiver, either another Marantz, maybe in the 5000 or 6000 line or a Yamaha 663.

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

HSU STF-1 > PSB Subseries 1

Cheaper too

[JJ]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

HSU STF-1 > PSB Subseries 1

Cheaper too

It's not so much that, it's the relatively quaint size of the SubSeries, as well.

[Beta Man]

a lot of Gallo Accoustic Mini reviews.... (54 to be exact)

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/gallo...8_1594crx.aspx

[CosmoKid]

(Glowing) Stereophile review of the Atom v.5

The review includes a direct comparison to the PSB Alphas

[CrabbyAzz]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

HSU STF-1 > PSB Subseries 1

Cheaper too

+1

The HSU Stf-1 with either the PSB's or the Atom V.5's would be excellent. I wouldn't even consider Gallo's. However, if your looking for a compact home theater system similiar to the Gallo's but great sounding check out the Focal Sib's

http://www.tweeter.com/product/SIBSYSB.asp

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

I will consider selling my atoms if anyone is in need of a pair for cheap.

I want them! How much?