In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by PSB. PSB Imagine XB is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Imagine X2T is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Imagine XB and PSB Imagine X2T first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Imagine XB | PSB Imagine X2T |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Clay/Ceramic/Poly | 2 x 6.2" Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23k Hz | 30-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.60kg / 12.3lbs | 23.60kg / 51.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12" x 6.75" x 10.75"
302 x 170 x 271mm | 40-1/8" x 9" x 16-3/4"
1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm |
|---|
Imagine XB and Imagine X2T 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 XB 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* |
PSB Imagine XB |
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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Imagine XB is a 2-way design whereas the Imagine X2T is a 3-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.
PSB Imagine XBPSB 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 |
PSB Imagine XB |
PSB Imagine X2T |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 6.2-inch
|
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. 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
Imagine XB has a frequency range of 55-23k 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 Imagine XB's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Imagine XB and Imagine X2T have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Imagine XB sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Imagine X2T's is at 90 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
Bookshelf 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 Imagine XB has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 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. 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 XB has a rear firing port whereas Imagine X2T has a front 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
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 PSB Imagine XB's and PSB Imagine X2T's external dimensions. PSB Imagine XB has external dimensions of 302 x 170 x 271mm (12inch x 6.75inch x 10.75inch) 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 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 XB is approximately 460.0cm2 / 71.3inch2 and base area of the PSB Imagine X2T is approximately 975.5cm2 / 151.2inch2. The Imagine XB requires 53% less surface area than the Imagine X2T which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine XB?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Imagine XB:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
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