Did anybody else notice this about PSB Speakers?

PSB (along with Pardigm, Energy et. al.) is a big beneficiary of Canda's National Research Council, which finances R&D; because of the government's largesse, the Canadian manufacturers can sell great products at much lower cost. If our government re-directed to the audio industry a fraction of the money they're pissing away on Chrysler or Citicorp, we'd still have a competitive industry.

I agree that the Syncrony is an outstanding speaker and a very good value; I feel the same about the Paradigm Signature. I like that the PSBs are unfussy about electronics; they sound great with just about anything they're connected to. If the Syncrony has any flaw, it's that it errs on the side of extreme neutrality. All things considered, I could live happily with these; I doubt I'd find a $15k speaker which is that much better.

"If the Syncrony has any flaw, it's that it errs on the side of extreme neutrality. "

I can't regard "neutrality" as a flaw. And yes, I agree the Synchronies sounded most neutral when I heard them, which was a major aspect of their good sound at their price point.

I neutral sounding speaker may not sound best in every system out there, but that indicates a flaw elsewhere most likely, not in the speaker itself.

unlike many of the new speakers out there, the synchrony one is a throwback to the days of making speakers to be neutral and uncolored (as balanced as they come)across the board.

Mapman & Jaybo

Should squeakers be entirely without character always?

Personally, I see that going either way. With a great front end or even a very good one, as transparent and unbiased as a squeaeker can be should be a pretty good thing, all in all.

I can't help but feel I'm in for some disappointment in comparing them to my current refs.... BUT... with any luck in the next few weeks I'll see.

If however the system needs something to ease things up, or provide a more resolute and stark perspective, having some which deter from 'zero gravity' could well be a very good thing. It's all a mixture anyhow. Right?

AS I've been perusing and considering a change with my own squeaker system, I'm being more than cautious as to which way to go from here.

I've seen some slam dunk bargains here and there, but on ones whose 'perspective' on the event seems on paper at least not to suit some needs & desires.

IMO... acquiring the right speaker is more formidable a proposition than it would appear when you think it all out... driveability, room dimensions, esthetic, presentation, size, price, and color.

I did find a PSB dealer which has the Sync Ones on display about an hour & a half away. they sell Dyn Audio too. No Platinum series though.

Dynaudio and PSB are both lines that I could live with (I've lived with a pair of Dynaudio monitors for about 3 years now and still always enjoy them when I listen).

I would not equate neutrality with lack of character. The PSBs had as much character as anything I have listened to in recent years. The "toe tapping" factor was as high as I have heard, perhaps even greater than what I heard with Magico and mbl, though I liked those very much as well. Those also happen to cost 5-6 times as much I believe so I consider the PSBs to be a fantastic bargain.

The "character" of the PSBs (Synchrony floorstanders)was more like the OHM Walsh floorstanders in my system than the Dynaudio monitors. I did not discern a major difference however. The Dynaudios do bass very well for a small monitor but perhaps not as robustly as the PSBs. The Dyns may also be just a bit "tighter" and hotter sounding in my system whereas the PSBs had flow to the nth degree. The PSBs were being sourced from a Cambridge 840c player and my own Linn turntable. Pre-amp was an ARC sp-17 and the amp was a good sized Rogue tube amp, so the electronics feeding them were quite good but neither inexpensive nor the nth degree in cost. Nevertheless, the sound was in the same league as the best I have heard, though certainly not identical. PErsonal preference and fit to room and the rest of the system more than anything else would be the
prime factors in deciding which way to go (also budget of course). But the PSBs left me believing that they are most competitive with some of the best systems out there at much higher cost, if they turn out to be your cup of tea.

There were also a pair of large Maggie 20.1s also at significantly higher cost to compare to. I preferred listening to the PSBs and found I did not want to stop listening, always a good sign! I did listen to some classical music for comparison as well, but my focus was on more popular, swinging music that particular day. Steely Dan sounded really good on those PSBs!

I also have a pair of tiny Triangle Titus monitors in my second system. These may be one of the best values new or used in all audio. They also have that "don't want to stop listening" factor, but their sound is totally different from the PSBs. The little Triangles are perhaps still one of the fastest and most transparent and detailed speakers I have heard. They have convinced me to let go of both very well regarded speakers by B&W and Magnepan that I 've had in my system in past years. They are Stereophile class B rated and their only flaw I hear is that they do not do the lowest octave of bass. They definitley offer an alternate sound to the likes of PSB I would say. WHich is better? Who know. They are both very very good, but much different at least in the systems I have heard them in. YMMV.