If I had to pick one of the three, I would say go for the Alpha B1s - this model picked up quite a number of awards in the overseas publications (including Speaker of the Year in the entry or small speaker categories if I remember correctly). And they were being evaluated as front speakers!

I hv a pair of them as surrounds in my own setup and hv no complaints so far.

I suppose the issue of voice-matching them to your Wharfy fronts and center is less of a concern since they will be used as surrounds where this issue is less of a concern.

This thread has been very quiet of late. Are there any more PSB owners out there?

My trusty old Image T45 fronts, Alpha C1 center and Alpha B1 surrounds are still serving me well after all these years but now feel the need to upgrade!

My first choice obviously is to consider the new range of PSBs but unfortunately A & L (where I bought my original speakers and had good customer experience from) are no longer authorised PSB dealers. Anyone have any experience dealing with the new distro/dealer, D & A Analogue Hi-Fi? And where I can audition the Imagine T or X1T/X2T?

You can call Danny of D & A at +60 12 721 3983. They are the distributor for PSB in Malaysia. He has arranged for an audition of the Image X2T and T over at Perfect HiFi this weekend. Meeting up with him then.

OK, so I spent over 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon at Perfect HiFi in IOI Mall Puchong listening to both the X2Ts and Ts.

Danny was there to greet me when I arrived and was very friendly and patient with all my questions and comments throughout. Also on hand to assist was Scott from Perfect HiFi.

They already had the X2Ts set up in the listening room and these were what I started off with, followed after about an hour with the Ts.

Danny had already cautioned beforehand that both pairs of speakers were brand new and hadn't been broken in yet, and I took this into consideration during my listening (although to be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what effect this would have on the speakers' sound!).

For both tests, I listened to the same material that I had brought with me (mainly selections of my favourite jazz, vocal (male and female), orchestral (organ), a bit of classical (predominantly violins), acoustic (piano) and one rock n roll track).

The Imagine Ts were clearly superior to the X2Ts in almost every respect, with excellent imaging and (I think) a wider soundstage. The mid-range also sounded more natural compared to the X2Ts. The Ts even surprised me with their low end – though there was not as much as the X2Ts, there was still plenty enough as far as I was concerned, and it was tighter and more well-defined than the X2Ts.

To sum it all up, I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon listening to both PSBs, and the Imagine Ts are definitely on my shortlist of candidates for upgrade from my PSB Image T45s.

I've had my PSB Image T45 fronts, Alpha C1 center and Alpha B1 surrounds for I guess 9 years now. Have had countless hours of enjoyment out of them. Also bought from A & L Audio. Only reason I'm looking at new speakers is because of 'the itch'. Needs to be scratched.

Wow, Synchronys!

Funny you should mention NAD - I am thinking of getting the NAD C 326BEE Integrated Amp + C 516BEE CD Player combo. D & A Analogue (the new PSB distributor) also handles NAD as well. I guess they took both over from A & L...

What has your experience been with your NAD receiver (which model do you own)?

Thanks for the feedback.

Actually I have already 'pulled the trigger', so to speak . There are currently 5 unopened boxes waiting for me in my back room.

Got myself the Imagine Ts, Bs and C (to replace my current 5.1 setup). Not quite in the same league as yours, of course!

Looks like I have got myself a ‘project’ to look forward to this weekend!

I’ve been happy with the service from Danny of D & A so far. Friendly and patient. Went over to Perfect HiFi at IOI Mall Puchong to audition the Imagines over the course of two weekends. Spending several hours there each time. Attended to by Danny both times (assisted by Scott from Perfect HiFi).

I auditioned the NADs on my second visit (paired with the Imagine Ts) and I must say I was fairly impressed with the sound from the NAD 326, 516 and PSB combo. Very clean and detailed. But I have deferred a decision on the NADs for now. Planning to evaluate my new Imagines to see what sort of improvement they bring to my existing system first.

Fully agree with you on the PSB - not just the design (which in the case of the Imagine line is undoubtedly nice!) but also the sound.

Although my experience with other loudspeaker brands have admittedly been rather limited (I have auditioned Monitor Audio (most recently their excellent sounding (and very nice looking) Silver 8s), KEF, Mordaunt Short and Jamo, and also listened (less critically) to other brands, I have always found myself drawn back to the PSB sound (if there is such a thing).

Good suggestion on the home audition. To be honest, the idea did cross my mind, but I figured I would only do it if I were seriously considering further stretching my already stretched budget to accommodate this additional bit of self-indulgence!

Thanks, tbcheese. I'm sure I will!

You are absolutely right. I too am just trying to enjoy my HT/HiFi experience based on a (more or less ) set budget.

My setup is nothing extraordinary or expensive. Back when I first dove into this 'hobby' in 2008, I more or less upgraded from a Sony HTIB to my current (and soon to be replaced) system, which consists of an Onkyo TX-SR805 AVR and the aforementioned 5.1 speaker setup (PSB Image T45 fronts, Alpha C1 center and Alpha B1 surrounds). I originally had the Velodyne Impact 12 subwoofer as the .1 (bought from A & L) but traded up for the Velodyne CHT-12Q after 2-3 months.

This is the setup I've been using these past 8+ years and although I've been tempted many times in the past I've managed to resist the upgrade-itis that seems to afflict so many on these esteemed forums. At least that is, until recently.

Back in January, I upgraded my Onkyo AVR to a Marantz SR7010. And will (very) soon be replacing my 5.0 speakers with my new Imagines.

That's about it, really.

Heheh, I remember auditioning Jamos back in 2008 in Harvey Norman. Still remember they were my first experience listening to front speakers with built-in passive woofers out the side...

Yup, the CHT-12Qs will be the only one to survive from the original setup.

My 12Q also died some time last year. Some Googling and a couple of SMSes/phone calls led me to a gentleman named Chan who specialises in HiFi equipment repairs and especially Velodyne subwoofers. The repair cost me about RM400 but now my sub is back in business and sounding better than ever. While I was over at his workshop there was a DD-18 there that he had just repaired for another customer. All I can say is 'wow'...

So if your Velo is ever in need of repair again let me know and I will be happy to put you in touch with him.

As I posted over on the Marantz Club forum, there is a new Malaysian distributor - Dynamic Acoustics Sdn Bhd - whose contact I found on the Marantz AP website (link here). You might want to try contacting them on current availability and pricing.

I ordered mine from B & H Photo in the US (one of the few US AV electronics e-commerce sites that would ship to MY). This was when the local distributorship situation here was still in limbo.

From what I was quoted (RRP before discount) I think you will be able to get better pricing buying local than what I paid (esp. after discount).

Good luck!

FWIW: The 7010 is a fine AVR and I have been very pleased with it. After replacing my 805, I can honestly say that it has given me a whole new level of enjoyment from my music (and also movies). Have often read about the 'Marantz sound' and how their AVRs supposedly have more 'musicality' than other brands. I don't know if this is the reason but there it is...

Oh, and I wouldn't consider my setup as anywhere near high-end lol. Now, your Synchronys are another matter entirely - that's high-end for you right there

Maybe if I had those (or perhaps the latest T3s)...

Let me know how it goes with the Marantz inquiry.

Oh, and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for pics - I don't think my setup is worthy!

Agreed! Very very nice indeed!

They must sound even nicer!

He is being modest. Those are top-of the-line PSB Synchronys.

Yeah, I too am curious to find out. Just for the fun of it, I had asked D & A (PSB Malaysia distributor) about the price of the Imagine T3 (PSB's successor to the Synchrony line and their current flagship model) and the answer was, well,

PSB has discontinued the Synchrony line for some time now. Replaced by the Imagine line, although I don't think there is a direct successor to the One Bs (it might be the Imagine B bookshelf, but I'm not sure...).

A & L Audio lists a (last) pair of Synchrony Two Bs for sale on their e-shop page - here.

Or you might try contacting the current PSB distributor in Malaysia - Danny of D & A Analogue at 012-7213983 to see if he can help. I recently purchased a pair of Imagine Bs from him.

Good luck!

I only recently took delivery of the Bs and literally just set them up over the weekend. So it may be too early to give a proper evaluation.

I did have them set up briefly as my fronts (L & R) in a 2-channel and 2.1 channel configuration and listened to them for a couple of hours on Saturday. Not serious critical listening mind you. For one, their placement was not ideal and I did not really experiment (just plonked them on top of my TV console/cabinet, no speaker stands). Just put on some of my favourite discs and enjoyed the music...

My initial impressions: What I heard was very good - if I recall correctly, they were clean and articulate in the mid-range, with pretty decent low-end for bookshelves (compared to my old PSB Alpha B1s). A bit bright on the treble (but maybe because they were brand new and hadn't been properly broken in yet - I don't know).

If you are seriously considering getting a pair, I would highly recommend an audition. Listen to them for yourself and see if you like what you hear.

The Alpha B1s were part of my first purchase of 'Hi Fi' speakers many years ago. I have been using them as my surrounds in a 5.1 system since the beginning and so haven't really properly evaluated them as main speakers. From experience, would agree with you on them being 'clean and neutral, without colour'.

Noticed that you own Wharfedales (have read good things about them, btw). If by 'special character' you are thinking of the signature warm British sound, then I would also agree that they don't have that as well. I have not heard Wharfedales but have auditioned KEF, Mordaunt Short and Monitor Audio before. I have always been taken by how these sound at first blush and part of me likes the character that they impart to my music, but ultimately I find that I much prefer my music to be more neutral, accurate. They are all very nice speakers, just not to my taste I guess.