In this review, we will be comparing Imagine XC and SuperCenter X, two Passive Center Channel speakers from PSB and GoldenEar.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Imagine XC and GoldenEar SuperCenter X first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Imagine XC | GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" clay ceramic-filled polypropylene | 2 x 5.25" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-23k Hz | 45-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.00kg / 19.8lbs | 6.82kg / 15lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-3/4" x 19-1/8" x 11-1/16"
172.0 x 486.0 x 281.0mm | 5-7/8" x 20-1/16" x 11-1/8"
150.0 x 510.0 x 283.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the PSB Imagine XC and GoldenEar SuperCenter X 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 XC |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both Imagine XC and SuperCenter X are 2-way speakers.
PSB Imagine XCGoldenEar SuperCenter X
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 XC |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Imagine XC features a 1" titanium with neodymium magnet dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" clay ceramic-filled polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the SuperCenter X features a " HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Imagine XC has a frequency range of 50-23k Hz whereas SuperCenter X has a frequency range of 45-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the SuperCenter X can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Imagine XC's min frequency of 50Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 XC and SuperCenter X have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 90 dB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
SuperCenter X can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Imagine XC has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the SuperCenter X.
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 XC features 5-Way post type posts and SuperCenter X 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 XC's and GoldenEar SuperCenter X's external dimensions. 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) whereas GoldenEar SuperCenter X has external dimensions of 150.0 x 510.0 x 283.0mm (5-7/8 x 20-1/16 x 11-1/8inch).
PSB Imagine XC is 24mm narrower and 2mm less deeper than GoldenEar SuperCenter X but it is also 22mm 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 XC is approximately 1365.7cm2 / 211.7inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar SuperCenter X is approximately 1443.3cm2 / 223.7inch2. The Imagine XC requires 5% less surface area than the SuperCenter X 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 PSB Imagine XC weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the GoldenEar SuperCenter X weighs 6.82kg / 15lbs. This makes the Imagine XC 32% heavier than the SuperCenter X.
Here is a comparison of how Imagine XC and SuperCenter X's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of PSB Imagine XC?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Imagine XC:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
What's in the Box of GoldenEar SuperCenter X?
Here are the items that come with the SuperCenter X:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 3 Leveling feet
- 3 Threaded-inserts
- Owners Manual
 Base Surface Area |
1365cm2
vs
1443cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
549USD
vs
749USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
7-inch x 10-inch quadratic planar bass
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
150mm
vs
172mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
PSB Imagine XC |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X |
| Brand |
PSB |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-150 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-23k Hz |
45-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
clay ceramic-filled polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
172.0mm (6.8") |
150.0mm (5.9") |
| Width |
486.0mm (19.1") |
510.0mm (20.1") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
283.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
6.82kg (15lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X digs deeper - 45Hz against 50Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
B |
GoldenEar SuperCenter X takes more power (200W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Price |
A |
PSB Imagine XC is cheaper - $549 against $749, about 27% less. |
A PSB Imagine XC
B GoldenEar SuperCenter X
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
The usual trade-off: GoldenEar SuperCenter X measures better, PSB Imagine XC costs about 27% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 50Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper PSB Imagine XC much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $200 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.