In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by PSB. PSB Imagine X2T is a Floor-standing speaker whereas the Imagine XB is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Imagine X2T and PSB Imagine XB first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
PSB Imagine X2T Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Midrange
- 2 x 6.2" Clay/Ceramic/Poly Woofer
- 30-23k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-200watts
- Weight:23.60kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1020.0" x 9" x 16-3/4"( 1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm )
PSB Imagine XB Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Clay/Ceramic/Poly Woofer
- 55-23k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:20-150watts
- Weight:5.60kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 302.0" x 6.75" x 10.75"( 302 x 170 x 271mm )
Imagine X2T and Imagine XB are members of PSB's Imagine series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
PSB Imagine Series History
What size room are the PSB Imagine X2T and PSB Imagine XB 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* |
PSB Imagine X2T |
PSB Imagine XB |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the PSB Imagine X2T and PSB Imagine XB compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Imagine X2T is a 3-way design whereas the Imagine XB is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
PSB Imagine X2T |
PSB Imagine XB |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.2-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the Imagine XB features a 1" Titanium Dome with Ferrofluid Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Clay/Ceramic/Poly Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
Imagine X2T has a frequency range of 30-23k Hz whereas Imagine XB has a frequency range of 55-23k 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 Imagine XB's min frequency of 55Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Imagine X2T and Imagine XB have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Imagine X2T sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Imagine XB's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the PSB Imagine X2T a more sensitive speaker compared to PSB Imagine XB, 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Imagine X2T can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Imagine XB has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Imagine X2T.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Imagine X2T features 5-Way post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Imagine XB has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB Imagine X2T's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Imagine X2T has a front firing port whereas Imagine XB has a rear firing ports. PSB Imagine X2T's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to PSB Imagine XB with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare PSB Imagine X2T's and PSB Imagine XB's external dimensions. PSB Imagine X2T has external dimensions of 1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm ( 40-1/8 x 9 x 16-3/4inch) whereas PSB Imagine XB has external dimensions of 302 x 170 x 271mm ( 12inch x 6.75inch x 10.75inch ) .
PSB Imagine X2T is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 59mm wider, 718mm taller and 155mm deeper than PSB Imagine XB.
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 PSB Imagine X2T is approximately 975.5cm2 / 151.2inch2 and base area of the PSB Imagine XB is approximately 460.0cm2 / 71.3inch2. The Imagine X2T requires 112% more surface area than the Imagine XB which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine X2T?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Imagine X2T:
Floor-standing speakerGrille4 Rubber feet4 Spiked FeetWrenchQuick Start GuideWarranty Card
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine XB?
Here are the items that come with the Imagine XB:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feetQuick Start GuideWarranty Card
Max Input Power 
Driver Setup 
Sensitivity 
Woofer Size 
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring 
Port Position 
Height 
Base Surface Area 
Price per pair*