In this review, we will be comparing Imagine XC and Alpha C10, two Passive Center Channel speakers by PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Imagine XC and PSB Alpha C10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | PSB Imagine XC | PSB Alpha C10 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 3/4" dome with front waveguide |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" clay ceramic-filled polypropylene | 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-23k Hz | 55-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 watts | 15-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.00kg / 19.8lbs | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 6-3/4" x 17-3/4" x 10"
172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the PSB Imagine XC and PSB Alpha C10 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 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
| 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 Alpha C10 are 2-way speakers.
PSB Imagine XCPSB Alpha C10
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 |
PSB Alpha C10 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
3/4-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 Alpha C10 features a 3/4" anodized aluminum dome with front waveguide Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" textured polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Imagine XC has a frequency range of 50-23k Hz whereas Alpha C10 has a frequency range of 55-21k 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 Alpha C10'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 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 Alpha C10 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.
Imagine XC can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Alpha C10 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Imagine XC.
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 Alpha C10 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB Alpha C10's 5-Way post terminals
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 PSB Alpha C10'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 PSB Alpha C10 has external dimensions of 172.0 x 451.0 x 254.0mm (6-3/4 x 17-3/4 x 10inch).
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 PSB Alpha C10 is approximately 1145.5cm2 / 177.6inch2. The Imagine XC requires 19% more surface area than the Alpha C10 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 PSB Alpha C10 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Imagine XC 16% heavier than the Alpha C10.
Here is a comparison of how Imagine XC and Alpha C10'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 PSB Alpha C10?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha C10:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
23k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
1145cm2
vs
1365cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
449USD
vs
549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
PSB Imagine XC |
PSB Alpha C10 |
| Brand |
PSB |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-150 watts |
15-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-23k Hz |
55-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
clay ceramic-filled polypropylene |
textured polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
3/4" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome |
dome with front waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
172.0mm (6.8") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Width |
486.0mm (19.1") |
451.0mm (17.8") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: PSB Alpha C10 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 |
A |
PSB Imagine XC digs deeper - 50Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
A |
PSB Imagine XC takes more power (150W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. PSB Alpha C10 sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
B |
PSB Alpha C10 is cheaper - $449 against $549, about 18% less. |
A PSB Imagine XC
B PSB Alpha C10
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: PSB Imagine XC measures better, PSB Alpha C10 costs about 18% 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 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper PSB Alpha C10 much easier to justify.
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.