Paradigm S8 vs. PSB Platinum T-8

[Pat D]

I am considering either the Paradigm S8 or the PSB T-8 for both music and HT application. I have auditioned S8, but not been able to find a local PBS dealer in Va. Beach, Va. area. So I haven't been able to audition them. Although both are Canadian manufacured, does anyone know the tonal differences between the two. Is it worth my while to explore further the PSB T-8 to compare the two speakers. I love the appearance of the S-8 in maple or black finish. Any advice. ARJ

I have heard both speakers but unfortunately the PSB Platinum T8's were in the deadest room I've ever been in, large, with padded chairs, walls, ceiling and floor. The PSB's sounded very smooth in that acoustic, but well, dead. They probably sound very good in a more normal set up.

The Paradigm Signature S8 is one of the very finest speakers I have ever heard, natural sound, very easy to listen to, spacious stereo image, and so on. We have the Signature S2 speakers, which cost less, but then we have a big subwoofer and don't listen super loud. We also have a pair of PSB Stratus Minis, now doing a fine job with movie soundtracks in the basement.

I see there seem to be no PSB dealers in your area! If you travel to the big cities (I found the Platinums in Chicago) you might be able to find some PSB Platinums there. The ideal would be to have a home audition or home trial for both speakers but this may prove more difficult with the PSBs.

I haven't seen NRC measurements for the T8 but I have seen measurements for the T6, which can be found on the Soundstage site. They are extraordinarily good, but then so are the measurements for the Signature S8. I imagine that above the bass, the T6 and T8 measure similarly although the woofer and midrange drivers are different. If you want a good index of the quality, look at the extraordinarily flat "Listening Window" measurements for both speakers in Chart 2 of the NRC curves at Soundstage:

http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me...b_platinum_t6/

http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me..._signature_s8/

John Atkinson reviewed the T8 in Stereophile but his system of measurements is somewhat different so they can't be directly compared.

http://stereophile.com/floorloudspea...sb/index4.html

I think the off axis measurements for the Paradigm are slightly better, but really to make a choice, one should hear them both. The PSB speaker probably sounds slightly more forward. There may be some subtleties that don't show up in the measurements. But really, I doubt you could go wrong with either one. Personally, I would go with the one I could actually audition.