Revel Concerta vs. PSB Image

[bluseminole]

Hello! As a few of you may know, I am currently teetering on the brink of pulling the trigger on a new set of speakers. I've been "on the brink" for over a month now.

I have heard the Revel Concerta F12s as a stereo system, and absolutely fell in love with them. IMHO, they beat out the sound of the much more expensive Paradigm Studio 100s.

Yet, I have seen the PSB Image speakers--which retail at prices very similar to the Revels--for much cheaper used, and they receive positive reviews. I would be very hesistant to pull the trigger without hearing them first, but I would like to know some of your opinions on either brand name--epecially the PSBs, and if they are worth pursuing. I can get a pair of T65s with a C60 for under $1000; the Revels are almost as much just for the L/R pair, with the center coming in at an additional $300-$500.

Thanks!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by bluseminole

Hello! As a few of you may know, I am currently teetering on the brink of pulling the trigger on a new set of speakers. I've been "on the brink" for over a month now.

I have heard the Revel Concerta F12s as a stereo system, and absolutely fell in love with them. IMHO, they beat out the sound of the much more expensive Paradigm Studio 100s.

Yet, I have seen the PSB Image speakers--which retail at prices very similar to the Revels--for much cheaper used, and they receive positive reviews. I would be very hesistant to pull the trigger without hearing them first, but I would like to know some of your opinions on either brand name--epecially the PSBs, and if they are worth pursuing. I can get a pair of T65s with a C60 for under $1000; the Revels are almost as much just for the L/R pair, with the center coming in at an additional $300-$500.



Thanks!

Demo them - the Revels are great speakers (Kevin Voecks - formerly of Snell)! You should listen to the PSB's - a great speaker also! And just to dirty up the water - I've been recently smitten by Quad - the 22L's (you can also try the smaller 21L's) - I know how you feel! Are you currently in Florida? What part - I may be able to direct you to some places to hear these speakers (any of them ).

Edit: Opps - I see you are in Virginia - no matter that was my old stomping ground before too!!! Get down to Chesapeake - Go to a place called Domes Audio Video Enviornments - talk to either Lee, Bill, or Adrian, they will treat you like a king! When you are there you can auditon the Totem line and Sonus Faber. In Virgina Beach you can audition the PSB's at Pure Custom Audio and Video. You can demo the Quads at the Blue Oasis in Richmond.

[David Craig]

PSB Image are fine speakers.

I've stayed in the PSB family and moved up to PSB Stratus. Stratus have now been replaced by something else.

Go listen to PSB and if you like them, I'd say buy.

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

I have never heard the Revel's so I cant comment on them...

I do know that I LOVE MY PSB's!! They continue to amaze me with every CD, SACD, and blu ray. I just ordered the Image S50 surrounds. I will let you know how they are but am certain they will blow me away too.

Check out saturday audio...great deals and they ship to your door.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by prerich

Demo them - the Revels are great speakers (Kevin Voecks - formerly of Snell)! You should listen to the PSB's - a great speaker also! And just to dirty up the water - I've been recently smitten by Quad - the 22L's (you can also try the smaller 21L's) - I know how you feel! Are you currently in Florida? What part - I may be able to direct you to some places to hear these speakers (any of them ).

Edit: Opps - I see you are in Virginia - no matter that was my old stomping ground before too!!! Get down to Chesapeake - Go to a place called Domes Audio Video Enviornments - talk to either Lee, Bill, or Adrian, they will treat you like a king! When you are there you can auditon the Totem line and Sonus Faber. In Virgina Beach you can audition the PSB's at Pure Custom Audio and Video. You can demo the Quads at the Blue Oasis in Richmond.

Thanks! Say, have you ever had any interaction with Sound and Image in Richmond?

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by David Craig

PSB Image are fine speakers.

I've stayed in the PSB family and moved up to PSB Stratus. Stratus have now been replaced by something else.

Go listen to PSB and if you like them, I'd say buy.

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

I have never heard the Revel's so I cant comment on them...

I do know that I LOVE MY PSB's!! They continue to amaze me with every CD, SACD, and blu ray. I just ordered the Image S50 surrounds. I will let you know how they are but am certain they will blow me away too.

Check out saturday audio...great deals and they ship to your door.

What characteristics of the PSBs do you find so appealing?
Have you ever compared them to other speakers, and if so, which brands and what were your observations?

Your input is very much appreciated! Unfortunately for me, high-end places are scarce around Lynchburg. Everything is at least 1:30 away.

[rded]

I heard the Revels concerta at one point vs paradigms studio 100s and its not even close. I can't comment on PSBs as I've never auditioned them. If you pick the revels you can't go wrong.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by rded

I heard the Revels concerta at one point vs paradigms studio 100s and its not even close. I can't comment on PSBs as I've never auditioned them. If you pick the revels you can't go wrong.

Meaning the Revels came out on top? That was my impression. I was shocked, considering the $1000 price difference.

I have a sneaking suspicion the PSBs may not be to my taste, because I have seen them described as "forward," whereas the Revels are more laid-back. I prefer the "laid-back" sound a little better (which is why I abhor Klipsch adamantly).

For those of you who own the PSBs, is it true that they have a more "forward" sound?

[Johnny Vinyl]

I`m ashamed to say as a Canadian that I`ve never truly considered PSB, Paradigm, Energy, Mirage and the like, although I did very happily purchase a Totem setup.

I have heard the Revels however, and I do like their sound. They are indeed a little more laid-back (which I why I purchased my Totems in part), but I can`t say in comparison.

John

[prerich]

Originally Posted by bluseminole

Thanks! Say, have you ever had any interaction with Sound and Image in Richmond?

I bought my Fosgate Model 3A processor from them back in the 90's a great place!

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by prerich

I bought my Fosgate Model 3A processor from them back in the 90's a great place!

I've talked to them over the phone, and they do seem very professional and friendly. As young as I am, I generally receive the "nose-in-air" treatment when I walk into a boutique-style shop. The salesman I spoke to, however, informed me that he was treated the same way, and that they are in fact very welcoming to all potential customers. That alone impresses me with that place, and I would be willing to give them my business even if it wasn't the best price.

Now I just have to find a weekday to make the 2 hour trip!

[sokrman14]

I can vouch for what prerich has said about the quads since I own them, they are one hell of a speaker. Revel is fantastic too, I am not too high on PSB, I know they are a good company though (They just didnt make me tingle like other speakers do such as the quads did). Sonus Faber is one of my favorite speakers, listen to them, but be warned they are pricier unless you get a bookshelf. I would also recommend the Monitor Audio RS6. It should be close to your price range.

[bluseminole]

I keep thinking of questions regarding the PSBs. Here's another, and I'll condense all of my previous ones into this post:

1) Do the T65s still utilize the two active powered woofers? If so, how well have these integrated with the subwoofers you have used in your respective systems? With a good sub (mine is SVS), do you find it better to utilize the subs in the speaker or do you end up setting a higher crossover and offloading to the sub anyways?

2) Is it true that the PSBs have a characteristically "forward" sound? In comparison to which speakers? (Let's say on a scale of "Klipsch" to "Revel", Klipsch being ear-bleedingly forward, Revel being as far laid back as I am considering)

3) What characteristics of the PSBs do you find so appealing?
Have you ever compared them to other speakers, and if so, which brands and what were your observations?

Thanks!

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

I can vouch for what prerich has said about the quads since I own them, they are one hell of a speaker. Revel is fantastic too, I am not too high on PSB, I know they are a good company though (They just didnt make me tingle like other speakers do such as the quads did). Sonus Faber is one of my favorite speakers, listen to them, but be warned they are pricier unless you get a bookshelf. I would also recommend the Monitor Audio RS6. It should be close to your price range.

Those RS6's sure do look sexy.....
A quick read on stereophile makes it sound like they have everything I loved about the Revels....
Thanks for the tip

[sokrman14]

You would be better off using the SVS sub. Most of the built in powered subs do not do the great speakers justice. Look at Deftech. Their traditional powered subs are much better than their speakers with built in subs in my opinion. Plus if you want a better sub than is in the speaker, you can (as you already have an SVS which makes darn nice subs.

I found the PSB's to be in the middle compared to klipsch and revel. They are not in your face like Klipsch, but not nearly as laid back as the Revel. As I posted earlier I didnt care much for the PSB, they weren't bad by any means to my ears, but they just didnt do it for me. I still havent been able to quite put my finger on it, I listened to them twice and they just seemed bland/dull to me.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

You would be better off using the SVS sub. Most of the built in powered subs do not do the great speakers justice. Look at Deftech. Their traditional powered subs are much better than their speakers with built in subs in my opinion. Plus if you want a better sub than is in the speaker, you can (as you already have an SVS which makes darn nice subs.

I found the PSB's to be in the middle compared to klipsch and revel. They are not in your face like Klipsch, but not nearly as laid back as the Revel. As I posted earlier I didnt care much for the PSB, they weren't bad by any means to my ears, but they just didnt do it for me. I still havent been able to quite put my finger on it, I listened to them twice and they just seemed bland/dull to me.

Hmmm...thank you. That kind of steers me from the PSBs, seeing as 2/3 of the driver tech in there is dedicated to the active subs. I just don't think I would take advantage of their strengths.

BTW, is there an appreciable difference between the Monitor RS6 and RS8? The addition of the third woofer seems to give it an extra 5 hz bass extension, but aside from that, it's the same speaker as the RS6, correct? For mostly HT duty, is it worth an extra $300 to step up?

[sokrman14]

Keep in mind that whatever you power to your speaker will then be divided into that third, power hungry driver. Your sub will easily handle those extra 5 Hz. A lot of people opt for bookshelves over towers for that reason. The extra bass would be nice if you didnt have a sub, or listen to a lot of two channel without the sub. I would actually opt for the RS6 for that reason.

[rded]

Originally Posted by bluseminole

Meaning the Revels came out on top? That was my impression. I was shocked, considering the $1000 price difference.

I have a sneaking suspicion the PSBs may not be to my taste, because I have seen them described as "forward," whereas the Revels are more laid-back. I prefer the "laid-back" sound a little better (which is why I abhor Klipsch adamantly).

For those of you who own the PSBs, is it true that they have a more "forward" sound?

Yes the revels killed the digms PSBs and paradigm are often compared to each other. I believe they they have a more forward sound just like B$W. If you like a more laid back sound you should be gunning for more neutral and balance speakers. Are you set on revel vs PSBs or you're open to other brands?

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by rded

Yes the revels killed the digms PSBs and paradigm are often compared to each other. I believe they they have a more forward sound just like B$W. If you like a more laid back sound you should be gunning for more neutral and balance speakers. Are you set on revel vs digms or you're open to other brands?

Wide open. I love the Revels, because they're the only brand I've auditioned, vs. the digms. But I'm trying to keep an open mind. Sokrman has me giving the Monitors a very close look.

@ sokrman, I see your point about the third driver. With my stereo 200 wpc Anthem amp, powering it wouldn't be an issue, but if I'm not going to use it, there's no use throwing away the equivalent of a center channel on the third driver.

[sokrman14]

And I still chose the Quad over the Monitor, take a listen to them, they are better looking than the Monitors even. And I obviously preferred the sound. Description of Quad

That link is a description that Prerich did of them just the other day. Their imaging is great, extremely smooth. They won Hi-fi magazine product of the year 3 years in a row. Monitor audio is one of my favorite brands, but in the price range of the silvers, I still even opted for the Quads.