In this review, we will be comparing F55E and Imagine X2T, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Fyne Audio and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio F55E and PSB Imagine X2T first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio F55E | PSB Imagine X2T |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" | 2 x 6.2" Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42-38k Hz | 30-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30 - 120 W watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 11.90kg / 26.2lbs | 23.60kg / 51.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 36.42" x 8.27" x 9.29"
925.1 x 210.1 x 236.0mm | 40-1/8" x 9" x 16-3/4"
1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio F55E and PSB Imagine X2T speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Fyne Audio F55E |
PSB Imagine X2T |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both F55E and Imagine X2T are 3-way speakers.
Fyne Audio F55EPSB Imagine X2T
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Fyne Audio F55E |
PSB Imagine X2T |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
x 5-inch
|
2 x 6.2-inch
|
F55E features a " Tweeter and x 5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 350 Hz, 1800 Hz. On the other hand, the Imagine X2T features a 1" titanium with neodymium magnets Dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.2" Clay/Ceramic/Poly Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
F55E has a frequency range of 42-38k Hz whereas Imagine X2T has a frequency range of 30-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the Imagine X2T can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the F55E's min frequency of 42Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
F55E and Imagine X2T have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. F55E sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Imagine X2T's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the PSB Imagine X2T a more sensitive speaker compared to Fyne Audio F55E, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Imagine X2T can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas F55E has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Imagine X2T.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Imagine X2T features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. F55E has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB Imagine X2T's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Fyne Audio F55E's and PSB Imagine X2T's external dimensions. Fyne Audio F55E has external dimensions of 925.1 x 210.1 x 236.0mm (36.42 x 8.27 x 9.29inch) whereas PSB Imagine X2T has external dimensions of 1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm (40-1/8 x 9 x 16-3/4inch).
PSB Imagine X2T is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 18.9mm wider, 94.9mm taller and 190mm deeper than Fyne Audio F55E.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
PSB Imagine X2T needs about 97% more floor or shelf area. PSB Imagine X2T is 190mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. PSB Imagine X2T is 95mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Fyne Audio F55E is approximately 495.8cm2 / 76.8inch2 and base area of the PSB Imagine X2T is approximately 975.5cm2 / 151.2inch2. The F55E requires 49% less surface area than the Imagine X2T which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Fyne Audio F55E weighs 11.90kg / 26.2lbs and the PSB Imagine X2T weighs 23.60kg / 51.9lbs. This makes the Imagine X2T 98% heavier than the F55E.
Here is a comparison of how F55E and Imagine X2T's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine X2T?
Here are the items that come with the Imagine X2T:
- Floor-standing speaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spiked Feet
- Wrench
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
925mm
vs
1020mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
495cm2
vs
975cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.2 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
42 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
1599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Fyne Audio F55E |
PSB Imagine X2T |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
30 - 120 W watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
42-38k Hz |
30-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
6.2" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
350 Hz, 1800 Hz |
500Hz and 2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
925.1mm (36.4") |
1020.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
210.1mm (8.3") |
229.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
236.0mm (9.3") |
426.0mm (16.8") |
| Weight |
11.90kg (26.2lbs) |
23.60kg (51.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-grain |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: Fyne Audio F55E is the newer design, against a 2013 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | PSB Imagine X2T digs deeper - 30Hz against 42Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | PSB Imagine X2T is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | PSB Imagine X2T takes more power (200W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Fyne Audio F55E is easier to place; PSB Imagine X2T is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | PSB Imagine X2T: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,599 vs $1,500 a pair). |
A Fyne Audio F55E B PSB Imagine X2T
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
PSB Imagine X2T has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 42Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Fyne Audio F55E the better fit for a small room, and PSB Imagine X2T for a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.