Product Strengths

• The Imagine B50 offers a delightfully neutral midrange response.
• The Imagine B50 has well-controlled directivity.
• The Imagine B50 has a very nice response curve across the listening window.
• The Imagine B50 overall is easy to position.
• The Imagine B50 delivers a delightful soundstage and wonderful image specificity.

Product Considerations

• Cabinet resonance can sneak through the mix at high volumes—around 95dB peaks.
• The variances in linearity occur at different points and over different bandwidths.
• There is a directivity mismatch horizontally where the tweeter balloons out compared to the narrowing midrange around 4kHz.

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Monitor Audio Bronze 50 6G: The reviewer doesn't remember the Bronze 50's bass being as deep, nor as hard-hitting.
• Vs Paradigm Premier 100B: The Imagine B50 horizontal dispersion is very much on par with the Paradigm Premier 100B, but the reviewer doesn't remember the Premier 100B reaching quite so deep as the B50.
• Vs PSB T65 tower: The reviewer found the PSB T65 tower more impressive, and felt that the B50 didn't have the same sound signature.

Takeaway: The PSB Imagine B50 combines good qualities such as dispersion and sound power with a surprising amount of meaningful bass extension. This little overachiever can fill your listening space without needing to be precisely placed, making it a solid choice as a cornerstone for your audio system.

Product Strengths

• Excellent focus and separation, with the speakers 'disappearing' to create a natural soundstage
• Impressive low-end performance, adding authority to the music
• Cohesive driver integration, with no perceivable handover between the AMT tweeter, midrange dome, and woofer
• Remarkable neutrality in the midrange, with a detailed yet smooth treble—avoiding harshness even at higher volumes
• Clear and detailed sound reproduction, extracting nuances and levels of information outstanding for its price

Product Considerations

• Vertical off-axis performance of the AMT tweeter is not good, so correct speaker height and toe-in are important
• Soundstage is not super wide, with the presentation mostly between the speakers
• Some reviewers found the aesthetics or proportions to be awkward or not to suit all tastes
• Bass may be a bit polite for some listeners wanting subwoofer-type rumble
• The midrange can be fatiguing if the listener's ear is at the midrange driver level

Takeaway: The Evo4.2 is a well-rounded speaker that delivers excellent sound quality with impressive imaging, detail, and tonal balance. It is capable of providing an audiophile experience at an affordable price.

Product Strengths

• Attractive design with rounded cabinet edges and multiple finish options (Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood, Holme Oak)
• Good midrange reproduction—clean and uncolored—especially for the price
• Clear and detailed sound with good separation of instruments
• Taut and agile bass performance
• Internal bracing (P2P) stiffens the cabinet, reducing vibrations and improving stereo image
• Connectivity options such as binding posts

Product Considerations

• Can tend towards brightness, potentially causing fatigue during longer listening sessions—especially with the wrong equipment pairing
• Cabinet size is relatively large for a bookshelf speaker
• Bass response is somewhat subdued
• Some reviewers noted imaging issues, with vocals lacking a firm presence in the center
• Grilles muddle the sound

Takeaway: The Q Acoustics 5020 is a great-looking speaker that offers a rich and musical sound, making it a very entertaining listen for the price. With its ability to reveal details from recordings, it's a wise choice for those looking for a well-built and sonically pleasing speaker.

Product Strengths

• Larger horn tweeter and a new Cerametallic woofer, compared to its predecessor
• Upgraded binding posts and crossover plate elevate to Reference Premiere status
• Larger diameter voice coils and aluminum shorting rings on the woofers give the speaker better linearity throughout the bass, decrease distortion while upping power handling resulting in improved speed and accuracy
• Better detail retrieval, more articulate bass, and vastly improved soundstage width and imaging, compared to the RP-600M
• The binding posts are the same that are found on costlier Heritage speakers

Product Considerations

• Finish options did not receive an upgrade over the outgoing model, leaving customers with the same ebony or walnut wraps
• The tweeter may be too bright for some listeners who are sensitive to a more aggressive top end
• Rated sensitivity is 94.5dB, which is a decrease compared to the original's reported sensitivity of 96
• Needs a bit of space behind them and to the sides, or at least positioning on open shelves, if the powerful output from that port isn't to muddy the sound

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Compared to the older RP-600M, the new sounds far more linear
• The new is very easy to listen to for long periods of time, and while it still has a presence, a speed and transparency to the artist or instrument—at least with respect to the midrange—it is not as forward sounding as past designs
• The new proved to be surprisingly flat, but best of all, not the least bit fatiguing
• There was very little difference in tone with respect to the mids between the new and a costlier Revel bookshelf
• These two are actually pretty neck and neck
• As for the Wharfedale Evo 4.1, the Evo is better constructed, not to mention nicer looking

Takeaway: The RP-600M II is a refined speaker with better components, improved sound, and better bass response and imaging. It's a speaker that would be great for someone who likes to listen to a variety of music genres and wants a good-sounding speaker that can last a long time.