Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

PSB Synchrony One loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xe, Pioneer DV-578A universal players; Mark Levinson No.30.6, Benchmark DAC 1 USB, Bel Canto e.one DAC 3 D/A converters; Prima Luna Prologue Eight CD player; Logitech (Slim Devices) Transporter WiFi music player with Apple Mac mini running OSX for media storage.
Preamplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 2, Ayre K-5xe, Mark Levinson No.380S.
Power Amplifiers: Parasound Halo JC 1, Musical Fidelity 550k Supercharger, Mark Levinson No.33H monoblocks; Boulder 860.
Loudspeakers: Sonus Faber Cremona Elipsa, KEF Reference 207/2, Magico V3.
Cables: Digital: Kimber Illuminations Orchid AES/EBU, AudioQuest OptiLink-5 S/PDIF. Interconnect (balanced): AudioQuest Cheetah, Ayre Signature Series. Speaker: AudioQuest Kilimanjaro. AC: PS Audio Lab, Shunyata Research Anaconda Helix Alpha, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Target TT-5 equipment racks; Ayre Myrtle Blocks; ASC Tube Traps, RPG Abffusor panels; PS Audio Power Plant 300 at 90Hz (sources only), Audio Power Industries 116 Mk.II & PE-1, APC S-15 AC line conditioners (not power amps). AC power comes from two dedicated 20A circuits, each just 6' from the breaker box, a power amplifier plugged into each.—John Atkinson

COMPANY INFO
PSB Speakers International
633 Granite Court
Pickering, Ontario L1W 3K1, Canada
(905) 831-6555
www.psbspeakers.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Staxguy's picture
Submitted by Staxguy on November 17, 2012 - 6:52pm

What are the benefits above visual presentation that the Synchrony One offers above the Gold? Could anyone who has heard both describe the difference(s) in sound between the PSB Synchrony One and the PSB Stratus Gold speakers?

Again and again, I'm finding the Synchrony Ones well regarded, by dealers and reviewers, alike. At the $4500 price point, perhaps it offers an attractive proposition?

Could anyone compare the sound to the Totem Element Earth speakers ($9000/pr), good and obtuse? The Focal Electra 1038be ($12,500)? The 1028be ($8500/pr)?

All are what I would call afforable, class B or C loudspearkers, perhaps, if recommened.

Notably, the PSB Synchrony One falls into 2012 Stereophile's Class A - R/E LF, loosing only low-frequencies to competing with the well-regarded B&W 800 diamond ($24,000/pr), or Revel Ultima's ($22,000 Salon/pr, $16,000 Studio/pr), which would be considered value-leaders, if one reads their respective reviews.

So, I am asking is the PSB Syncrhony One a huge advance over the PSB Stratus Gold, is it better than the Totem Elements and the Focal Electras, etc., and is it sonically competive with the B&W 800 series and Revel Ultima Series, with the exception of SPL and bass-extension cabability?

Does it have the same resolution, or would one only hear 75% of the detail say of an 800 or 802 diamond on the PSB's, like one would with a Totem Element speaker?

What are the various trade-offs, or is it just a spectacularly good (compared to the competive offerings) price?

Regards,

John
 

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