psb Speakers Synchrony B600 - Bookshelf

For a 6.5-inch two-way stand-mount, bass reach, punch and control drew extraordinary praise. SoundStage measured a 25Hz in-room -3dB point and described visceral, articulate bass, while Audioholics, ecoustics and Audiophilia all found the B600 capable of a satisfyingly full-range sound without a subwoofer for much material. At the highest volumes it cannot supply the lowest octave with the physical force of a subwoofer, and its generous rear-port output benefits from space behind it.

Vocals and instruments are widely praised as natural, detailed and well layered. Reviewers heard realistic woodwinds, nuanced vocal inflection, coherent violin tone through the crossover region, and a pleasing sense of body and warmth. One reviewer wanted a little more vocal body, while another measured minor response irregularities that were not judged to cause serious coloration.

The titanium tweeter is generally regarded as airy, refined and easy to listen to rather than metallic or hard. SoundStage praised its delicate shimmer and convincing string bite without hardness, while Audiophiliac found it resolving yet soft-dome-like in ease. Some listeners found the highs initially a little hot or preferred a slightly softer partnering amplifier, and the Revel comparison revealed marginally more cymbal microdetail.

The B600 repeatedly earned praise for staging well beyond its compact cabinets, with strong height, width, depth and image specificity. HomeTheaterHifi heard a stage extending beyond the room boundaries, while SoundStage reported laser-like separation and stable, naturally placed voices. Toe-in changes the balance between center-image focus and maximum width, so placement remains important.

Reviewers found the B600 unusually capable of maintaining impact, control and musical momentum at high output. SoundStage reported clean 95-100dB peaks without strain, and ecoustics found it kept pounding with authority rather than bottoming out. It is not especially difficult to drive, but several reviews indicate that a genuinely capable amplifier, around 100 watts per channel, brings greater bass control and liveliness.

The cabinet, finish and hardware receive near-unanimous praise. Reviewers highlight the heavily braced, inert enclosure, rigid aluminum baffle, substantial 23-pound construction, excellent magnetic grilles and first-rate fit and finish. The integrated IsoAcoustics feet are a thoughtful inclusion, although one reviewer found their shape inconvenient on many stands.

At the reviewed $2,499-$2,799 per-pair pricing, reviewers repeatedly considered the B600 unusually strong value among premium stand-mount speakers. ecoustics called it a “downright steal,” Audiophilia found it a ton of speaker for the money, and SoundStage judged it significantly better value than the closely compared Revel. It remains a premium-priced compact speaker and benefits from a quality amplifier and suitable stands, but reviewers consistently felt its performance and construction justified the outlay.