Support Head-Fi.org by
starting all of your
Amazon.com shopping by
clicking here.
____________________________________________________________________
Today's Featured Head-Fi Blog: Jude's Blog
____________________________________________________________________
Please help
support Head-Fi by becoming a Contributing Member
CLICK
HERE -- Contributing Members, thank you
for your generous support! --
It may provide better imaging, but what about the other aspects of the sound? The B25 should be superior to the B15 in more ways than just the lower end, should it not? Such as increased sound stage and whatnot.
It's hard to say if the B25 would sound superior overall, but it looks like they use the same tweeter, so the treble should sound the same. The only difference is that they put the crossover point lower for the B15 which lowers the power handling slightly. It all depends on how well the drivers blend at the crossover point...that's the art in making speakers. Knowing past PSB speakers, I'm sure they both sound great.
It may provide better imaging, but what about the other aspects of the sound? The B25 should be superior to the B15 in more ways than just the lower end, should it not? Such as increased sound stage and whatnot.
Assuming all things being equal between the 5.25" and 6.5" drivers the only (significant) difference would be low-end extension and distortion in the lower frequency ranges (cleaner bass). But since you are going to be integrating a sub into the system those points are more or less moot.
The rest of the speaker is probably nearly identical. The 5" woofer would probably have cleaner upper mid-range so the crossover point might be pushed up (as mentioned above) which would take some of the load off the tweeter (another advantage).
I've read that the B25 is very different from B15, much more balanced, neutral, same details and mids, and tight bass. This makes me think spending the $70 might be worth it over the B15. What do you think?
You might be able to find some used Era Design 4s on audiogon or the like, the pair it with an HK 3480 or similar to keep within budget. Hard to beat the Design 4 for desktop use. I have mine paired with a Musical Fidelity X-DACv8 and A5 integrated + a REL sub. Though I used an HK 3480 while waiting for my MF gear to come in. I was really impressed with the sound for the budget.
Thank you for all the replies. I just have one quick question regarding recievers.
Does the Onkyo SR505 include a DAC that will work when hooked directly to my computer? They say is has a 192/24 digital-to-analog converters, but is that the same thing, as say, my Zero DAC/Amp has?
Edit: And it has a Sub Woofer out right? So I can hook up a sub as well.
I've read that the B25 is very different from B15, much more balanced, neutral, same details and mids, and tight bass. This makes me think spending the $70 might be worth it over the B15. What do you think?
They shouldn't be that different. They share the same tweeter and the woofer is from the same line so it should be of similar quality. Unless they didn't put the same effort into the crossover they should sound pretty similar.
Keep in mind the application makes a big difference. If you are trying to fill a decently sized room there the experience could very well be described as "very different". The B25 has a 20% bigger woofer and a bigger cabinet after all, one is just going to sound "bigger".
Since you using them in nearfield & paired with a sub the bigger woofer of the B25 will be of little if any benefit and will probably just a hindererance due to the larger baffle.
Originally Posted by [S]uds
Thank you for all the replies. I just have one quick question regarding recievers.
Does the Onkyo SR505 include a DAC that will work when hooked directly to my computer? They say is has a 192/24 digital-to-analog converters, but is that the same thing, as say, my Zero DAC/Amp has?
Edit: And it has a Sub Woofer out right? So I can hook up a sub as well.
Yeah, any receiver that has digital optical/coax inputs will function as DAC. It wouldn't be on par with a dedicated DAC but it will work.
If I were you though I'd look for a good integrated amp that has subwoofer outputs and pair that with a dedicated DAC. Good 2 channel receivers don't really exist and 5.1+ channel receivers are big/bulky and you end up paying for features you'll never use.
Most subs will work fine with an integrated amp Very integrated have bass management, but most subs have how level inputs, so you run your speaker wire to the sub, then to the speaker. Using a REL sub was very easy to integrate.
Thanks for the response Operandi. Do you have a specific Integrated Amp w/ a Sub Woofer out that you could recommend?
No, I don't really have a specific amp recommendation in mind (that has good sub outs). I know they exist but most of them are actually pretty spendy come to think of it.
Iostream has a good point in that most mid-range and up subs will take high level and low level inputs and take care of crossing over to your main speakers. So that would have you covered no matter what amp you go with.
As far as amp recommendations I would suggest the Trends TA-10. It handled itself very well in this shootout.
Linear Mode
