Hello friends, before anything else, let me give my thanks to Sir Rex aka otep_32 of Watt Hifi for giving me the chance to audition a PSB+ NAD setup yesterday 11am. The setup was the entry level PSB Alpha B1, NAD C326BEE amplifier + NAD CD Player as source. My own impressions are: The sound is very similar to my Grado SR60 headphones, in fact I could call it as Grado SR60 version of speakers but with a few slightly differences namely: (1) The highs are more tamed on the PSB speakers (2) the midrange is more forward on Grado SR60 but not that much, making the PSB more balanced sounding
If I could bring home the setup I've audition then I could be able to share already the sound of music I am listening daily on my Grado SR60 with my family.
You may ask, what is Grado sound? Grado is an American headphone which is considered by some headphone audiophiles as the gateway drug to audiophile sound. It has a forward midrange, sparkling highs, has right amount of bass. Its negative to some headfiers is the highs sometimes could be piercing which lead to a fatiguing sound. Sometimes I only have short listening sessions on my Grado because sometimes my ears get easily fatigued.
When I auditioned, I was surprised and ask the assistant of otep_32 to verify if the center speaker is having sound. He answered only the bookshelf speakers are creating the sound. This is where the magic of speakers positioning. My headphones could deliver to me the sound through left and right ears, not in front. I was really really amazed when the music was playing over the pair of bookshelf speakers, the singer was simply located in the middle where the center speaker was placed. The singer really came alive out of these speakers. This is what speakers can do that headphones can't.
Through headphones I am only listening but with speakers, I am not only listening but I am also experiencing. This is the magic of speakers!O Holy Night by Celine Dion is smoother on PSB speakers. Though Sir Rex said that the speakers were played for a few hours only and so with the NAD amp. In fact I was satisfied already, hence more satisfaction after full burning. Really it pays to have a room meant for music listening. The equilateral triangle position is very important. The combo sounded better with male singers. Jed Madela and Barry Manilow voices are really fantastic.
They can tell the story of the music. Wow! Deeper impressions will follow after I've own a setup already at our home. Please watch out for it guys.
Thanks otep_32 for accommodating me and so with your assistant.
