In this review, we will be comparing Premier 720 v2 and Imagine X2T, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Paradigm and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 720 v2 and PSB Imagine X2T first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 720 v2 | PSB Imagine X2T |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" | 2 x 6.2" Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23k Hz | 30-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-220 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 25.99kg / 57.2lbs | 23.60kg / 51.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 39-3/4" x 12-1/2" x 17"
1009.7 x 317.5 x 431.8mm | 40-1/8" x 9" x 16-3/4"
1020.0 x 229.0 x 426.0mm |
|---|
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 Premier 720 v2 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.
Paradigm Premier 720 v2PSB 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 |
Paradigm Premier 720 v2 |
PSB Imagine X2T |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 6.2-inch
|
Premier 720 v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 1300Hz. 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
Premier 720 v2 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 Premier 720 v2'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 Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Premier 720 v2 and Imagine X2T have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 720 v2 sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Imagine X2T's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 720 v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to PSB Imagine X2T, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Premier 720 v2 can handle a max power of 220 watts RMS, whereas Imagine X2T has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Premier 720 v2.
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. Premier 720 v2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
PSB Imagine X2T's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or 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 Paradigm Premier 720 v2's and PSB Imagine X2T's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 720 v2 has external dimensions of 1009.7 x 317.5 x 431.8mm () 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 88.5mm narrower and 5.8mm less deeper than Paradigm Premier 720 v2 but it is also 10.3mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Paradigm Premier 720 v2 needs about 41% more floor or shelf area.
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 Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is approximately 1371.0cm2 / 212.5inch2 and base area of the PSB Imagine X2T is approximately 975.5cm2 / 151.2inch2. The Premier 720 v2 requires 41% more surface area than the Imagine X2T 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 Paradigm Premier 720 v2 weighs 25.99kg / 57.2lbs and the PSB Imagine X2T weighs 23.60kg / 51.9lbs. This makes the Premier 720 v2 10% heavier than the Imagine X2T.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 720 v2 and Imagine X2T's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
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
 Max Input Power |
220 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
1009mm
vs
1020mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.2 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
975cm2
vs
1371cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
2000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 720 v2 |
PSB Imagine X2T |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
15-220 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-23k Hz |
30-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.2" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Clay/Ceramic/Poly |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
500Hz and 1300Hz |
500Hz and 2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1009.7mm (39.8") |
1020.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
317.5mm (12.5") |
229.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
431.8mm (17") |
426.0mm (16.8") |
| Weight |
25.99kg (57.2lbs) |
23.60kg (51.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Paradigm Premier 720 v2 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 | B | PSB Imagine X2T digs deeper - 30Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is more sensitive (92dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (220W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | PSB Imagine X2T is easier to place; Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | PSB Imagine X2T: bi-amping. Paradigm Premier 720 v2 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | PSB Imagine X2T is cheaper - $1,500 against $2,000, about 25% less. |
A Paradigm Premier 720 v2 B PSB Imagine X2T
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.