Anyone listened to PSB Synchrony Ones?

I listened to these last year, in the local retail outlet twice, in different rooms and with different store gear. They sounded excellent with top flight definition, separation, no listening fatigue and easy on the eyes.

I also managed to get them home for a week, to audition with my own gear and while I was impressed, they didn't beat my older Infinity R90's so, they didn't make the cut.

At the time, I was also looking the Paradigm Signature V2 series which looked to be just as good but with better top end (wider dispersion). Long story short, I now own the S6 V2's and, still have my R90's.

The Synchrony One's are worth the audition but 'you' have to hear them to decide if they work for you.

Jgwilson (and anyone else), what can you say about the differences between PSB and Paradigm? They seem so evenly matched but I'm sure they have different family sounds.

Drubin,

it's been almost a year since I last heard the PSB SO's so take this with a grain but, I recall them both as sounding similar except for more airy and wider off axis dispersion of the S6 V2's. These pure-beryllium dome tweeters provide a sound that just opens up into the room and reminds me of electrostatic tweeters. That was the 'close' for me - then it just a question of sourcing them at a good price (used, of course).

The PSB SO's are very good speakers - don't get me wrong, it's just that the S6 V2's offer that much extra (to my ears and - on any gear I auditioned them with) that, makes them preferable, to me.

Let me close by saying that I really LOVE the sound of my Infinty R90's, hooked up to my 'A' system but, I recently put the S6's into my 'B' system (that is also against the short wall in my 22 x 12 ft room) and was simply blown away at how excellent they sounded being driven by - get this - my 10 year old Japanese receiver !! They sound so good, I've just recently sunk some $ into that receiver (upgrading the PS section and the 'A' binding posts) to audition them again. If I hear a noticeable improvement, it may be curtains for my 'A' system.

It's probably more information than the focus of your question but, as I started off, it's been awhile and I don't want offer a poor characterisation based on decayed memory. My feeling is, better to offer my experience and actions.

If you are really serious about either of these fine speakers (at least, at their price points), you really have to get out and hear them for yourself. I've given up on following the recommendations of reviewers or other audiophile owners because it's all so individually taste driven. If 100 reviews give the thumbs up but you give them the thumbs down - it's your vote that count - not theirs cause, you have to live with the sound that isn't magic to your ears.

the thoughts above relate well to the Soundstage review from Aug 08 on the PSB SO which is also cmopared to the S series Paradigms. The notes here about the top end diffs are as well said in that review... the new Tweeter in the S series Paradigms being the better of the two speaker lines... and the sole shortcoming of the Syncrony Ones... and again, by comparison to one another. The PSB in that account was said to be better in other areas though than the Paradigm S series.

Similarly omparisons have to be made if the compared items are similarly priced, otherwise it either shadows or spotlights one of the two units under inspection.

True too, as said above, there are some areas of the sonic reproduction one may not wish to compromise or forgoe in selecting a new set of speakers. For myself, I wish to gain more prominence in a good way throughout the mid band, and I'd not want to sacrifice the top end quality I experience now, nor the bass response that is presently on duty in my current affair.

No doubt from all I've read to date on the PSB lineup, and what I've heard from others, the PSB speakers are both great performers and fine values. I do not feel they are in my own future however as my perception of them says they are a step back for me.

The measurements in that account also point to the possibility that a bit more power than I presently have may well be needed to drive them properly... as the tested impedance drops well under the 4 ohm low indicated by the manufacturer.

Thanks very much, jgwilson.

Blindjim, are you looking at the two P brands as possible replacements for your Sonatas?