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PSB Speakers Imagine XB & Image C4 Surround Speakers A pair of PSB Imagine XB Bookshelf Speakers AND a matching Image C4 Centre Speaker, all in Black Ash Finish. Good sensitivity & easy to drive. All have a threaded insert for wall mounting if required. The XBs were used as stereo speakers in a 2-channel system where space was limited. Performance and bass extension is remarkable for their size and I was really happy with the choice. I had planned to use them as surrounds in the new home, so bought the C4 Centre to match, but the minister of the interior said the XBs are too big to hang on
If this is the Imagine XB rather than the matching center, age isn’t a deal-breaker because it’s an older, discontinued PSB model, but it does sit in a proven sweet spot for small-room stereo or surrounds. At A$375, it’s fair to slightly strong against typical used pricing I’d expect around A$330–A$450 for a clean pair, so this is not a bargain-bin steal, but it is sensible if condition is honest.
The XB is well liked for its smooth, balanced sound, easy placement, and PSB’s generally unfussy tuning, with enough refinement to outperform many budget bookshelves. The real upside is value if the cabinets, grilles, and drivers are clean and it comes as a matched pair with no sagging surrounds or scratchy tweeters. If it’s actually the center rather than the pair, or if accessories are missing, I’d want the price lower.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
PSB Speakers traces its roots to 1972 in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada, where classically trained violinist and self-taught acoustics engineer Paul Barton launched the company with two school friends, pooling savings for a modest factory. Named after Paul and his high-school sweetheart Sue Barton—who later became his wife—the brand embodied Barton's early passion for hi-fi, honed through part-time work building speaker kits at a local shop and studies at the University of Waterloo. A pivotal collaboration with National Research Council psychoacoustician Dr. Floyd Toole in 1974 established PSB's rigorous testing in anechoic chambers and double-blind listening rooms, shaping its signature "Canadian Sound" of truthful, natural reproduction.
The company focuses squarely on loudspeakers, spanning entry-level Alpha models to high-end Platinum series, alongside home theater systems, in-ceiling CustomSound options, and expansions into headphones, portable Bluetooth speakers, and subwoofers. Acquired by the Lenbrook Group in 1985—which also owns NAD Electronics—PSB gained global distribution, now reaching over 70 countries while maintaining Barton as chief designer. This heritage of psychoacoustics research ensures products prioritize flat frequency response and musical accuracy over hype.
PSB holds a strong mid-to-high-end position among discerning audiophiles, revered for value-driven performance that rivals pricier rivals without gimmicks. Its scientific foundation and "true-to-nature" ethos earn consistent praise, cementing a reputation as a Canadian benchmark in a crowded market, distributed through premium dealers worldwide.
See all PSB Speakers listings on RADAR.
