In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by PSB. PSB Imagine XB is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Imagine XC is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Imagine XB and PSB Imagine XC first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Imagine XB | PSB Imagine XC |
|---|
| Brand | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Clay/Ceramic/Poly | 2 x 5.25" clay ceramic-filled polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23k Hz | 50-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 watts | 20-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.60kg / 12.3lbs | 9.00kg / 19.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12" x 6.75" x 10.75"
302 x 170 x 271mm | 6-3/4" x 19-1/8" x 11-1/16"
172.0 x 486.0 x 281.0mm |
|---|
Imagine XB and Imagine XC 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 XC 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 XC |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Imagine XB and Imagine XC are 2-way speakers.
PSB Imagine XBPSB Imagine XC
TweeterWoofer
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 XC |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-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 XC features a 1" titanium with neodymium magnet dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" clay ceramic-filled polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Imagine XB has a frequency range of 55-23k Hz whereas Imagine XC has a frequency range of 50-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Imagine XC 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 XC 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 XC's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the PSB Imagine XC 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 XB and Imagine XC have the same power range of 20-150 watts.
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 XB features 5-Way post type posts and Imagine XC has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/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 PSB Imagine XB's and PSB Imagine XC'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 XC has external dimensions of 172.0 x 486.0 x 281.0mm (6-3/4 x 19-1/8 x 11-1/16inch).
PSB Imagine XB is 316mm narrower and 10mm less deeper than PSB Imagine XC but it is also 130mm 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 PSB Imagine XB is approximately 460.0cm2 / 71.3inch2 and base area of the PSB Imagine XC is approximately 1365.7cm2 / 211.7inch2. The Imagine XB requires 66% less surface area than the Imagine XC 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 XC?
Here are the items that come with the Imagine XC:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card