Sonus Faber Elipsa, PSB Synchrony Two, Vandersteen Treo

audiocr381ve

First and foremost, let me just say that this isn't a formal review. I was able to spend a good amount of time with each of these speakers at a local HiFi shop just 30 minutes ago and wanted to post my impressions and hopefully open up some good ol' fashion conversation. I didn't write down the electronics they were running through but their wasn't a piece of gear in the place that was cheap. All really expensive (to me) hi-fi gear, in nice medium/large and treated rooms (some more than others).

First up was the Vandersteen Treo's. I thought these were a pleasant speaker. Non-fatiguing, laid back, smooth, and overall enjoyable. Nothing jumped out at me. They aren't as "weighty" as I'd like them to be but for their size they were nice. Detail was fine but separation and depth was very nice. I didn't find them to be a speaker that I would take home, but on the same token I certainly wouldn't hate them in the house.

Next was the Sonus Faber Elipsa's. It's always fun auditioning speakers that I know I'd never be able to afford. These speakers are in the 20K+ category. I had them spin some familiar tunes on vinyl on an even more expensive turntable. We put on some Diana Krall - Live in Paris and they employee left me in their to finish off one side of the record. It was more than enough to form some opinions. These speakers were definitely more forward than the Vandy's. I picked up a slight harshness in the upper-mid range. They did a wonderful job of making a grand piano sound very grand and huge. These speakers carried some major weight sonically, which I liked a lot. For me, they weren't as engaging as I was hoping they'd be. Did I have some expectation bias? Perhaps. Maybe they were to forward for me but these were definitely not my cup of tea. Didn't hate them, but I didn't love them.

Now, last but certainly not least, the PSB Synchrony Two's. These tiny towers pretty much blew my mind. They had a way of being insanely crisp but not forward at all. The highs were incredibly impressive. The mid bass detail was all there. Phenomenal imaging and separation. They didn't hit the low register nearly as much as I'd like a speaker to, but what was there was very nice. It was a really basic setup they were running too. They had them hooked up to a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum integrated and an Electrocompaniet CD player. My only cons would be the bass region and the weightiness of the music. I just need more there personally. The small towers delivered some incredible sound but it wasn't "big" enough for me. I think the Synchrony One's may have provided that extra weight but I didn't get a chance to hear them.

I wonder if my thoughts on these speakers line up with some of yours. All in all I had a great time and left the place wanting to hear more from PSB.

ShadesPG

i have a pair of psb's i totally stole off of craigslist and i REALLY like them. while they are not the speakers i listen to most, every time i do, i find myself asking myself why i dont listen to them more.

audiocr381ve

ShadesPG wrote: »

i have a pair of psb's i totally stole off of craigslist and i REALLY like them. while they are not the speakers i listen to most, every time i do, i find myself asking myself why i dont listen to them more.

I'm looking for something in their line with a smaller price tag but similar sound. I couldn't believe how much the tiny Synchrony Two's cost ($3,500!). The price of the Synchrony One's were obviously more but I need the extra low end. At least I found a speaker that really blew me away that I could see myself saving for.

AsSiMiLaTeD

PSB does a very good job of trickling technology down to their lower lines. They're obviously not as good, but you'd be shocked at how good the Imagine and Image series each sound.

deronb1

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

PSB does a very good job of trickling technology down to their lower lines. They're obviously not as good, but you'd be shocked at how good the Imagine and Image series each sound.

Hell, I'm shocked at how good the Alpha series sound.

BlueFox

I have been using the PSB Synchrony One in my two-channel system for 3-4 years. The replaced my SDA-2s. Anyway, I can not believe how good they sound. For me, there is plenty of bass, especially since I listen to classical (string quartets) 99% of the time. However, when Lady Gaga, Emimem, or whoever on, they can handle them with no problem.

I have been especially impressed with how all the cable upgrades I have done over the last 2 years has bought out more detail in the music. The PSBs have had no problem revealing all the new music the cables are exposing.

dorokusai

The PSB Synchrony series does not stand out in any way for me. However, they are perfect for HT and the pricing of all the lines cover a lot of consumer market. They are compared to Polk Audio from time to time and the same goes for them in regards to the TSi lineup for example.

As far as the Vandersteen Treo, it's the most versatile and fun to listen to with solid bass response, lush midrange and just enough top end to make you very happy. The build quality of both the higher end speakers is really top notch and not very appreciated until you get your hands on them. There's not a bad Sonus Faber on the planet, so not much point to expound upon it that much.

audiocr381ve

BlueFox wrote: »

I have been using the PSB Synchrony One in my two-channel system for 3-4 years. The replaced my SDA-2s. Anyway, I can not believe how good they sound. For me, there is plenty of bass, especially since I listen to classical (string quartets) 99% of the time. However, when Lady Gaga, Emimem, or whoever on, they can handle them with no problem.

I have been especially impressed with how all the cable upgrades I have done over the last 2 years has bought out more detail in the music. The PSBs have had no problem revealing all the new music the cables are exposing.

What a system. I was also blown away when I heard a few songs with string instruments present on the Synchrony Two's. Just incredible.

Tony M

I too, am a PSB sound output witness. I wish I never sold those century 600's(?) for 80.00 including spikes. Man what was I thinking!!!

I keep a lookout still for a future bargain in the PSB line up.

I did pass up a Polk audio deal for 200.00 last night on craigs list and a flipper from my past snatched them up this morning and has them on Ebay already. I hooked him up with a deal for personal use and he had them listed in 25 hrs.Lied to my face , he did! . He didn't even call this morn. to say he was in town today, maybe he could have said how much he made off of my generosity to his unfortunate experience a couple of months ago.sorry, back to PSB.

Those tweeters are sweet! The imaging they produce is oh soooo nice!

D_M

dorokusai wrote: »

The PSB Synchrony series does not stand out in any way for me. However, they are perfect for HT and the pricing of all the lines cover a lot of consumer market. They are compared to Polk Audio from time to time and the same goes for them in regards to the TSi lineup for example.

As far as the Vandersteen Treo, it's the most versatile and fun to listen to with solid bass response, lush midrange and just enough top end to make you very happy. The build quality of both the higher end speakers is really top notch and not very appreciated until you get your hands on them. There's not a bad Sonus Faber on the planet, so not much point to expound upon it that much.

Could you expand on what you feel was missing from the Synchronys? Was it a full set of ones that you reviewed? What polk line is comparable or surpasses the ones? I believe you indicated in an older thread, that LSIM line was better.

dorokusai

I believe that the RTiA is an equal with them and the LSiM is significantly better. The Synchrony line is just not good enough for critical listening for me, nor is the RTiA for that matter. Neither of them have that last bit of....nuance that would set them apart from the next guy. Are they better than some other equally priced counterparts, absolutely and they excel in more areas when matched up with many other manufacturers. I'm not quite sure how to explain it honestly without using a handful of douchey adjectives that I've rarely used in my adult life.

tonyb

Haven't heard those exact models, but my take on the lines are

PSB- Pretty good speaker, all around. About on par with the RTIA line, does some things better, some things not.

Vandy's- never cared for the lower lines, the magic is in their big boys, VR5 and up. Great presentation on the bigger models.

Sonus Faber- a sound that takes getting used to, but a complete sound it is. Great on classical,jazz, but not my pick for a rock speaker. Great workmanship, and their magic also comes out in the bigger models. One could easily live with these for along time.

The bigger Vandy's and Sonus Faber respond nicely to upgraded electronics and once you guys hear what they can do, you'd probably **** your flat hate....as Russ would say. But real world speaking, most of us will never own them unless you have condo kind off money to spend.

Some of the really good speaker makers out there are trickling down some parts and tech into their mid lines, to me, thats where the bargains are at these days.