PSB or stick with vintage ADS

About the in-wall speaker idea -- I currently have an entertainment center/cutout over my fireplace, which is situated diagonally in the corner of the family room. There is wall space on both sides of the entertainment area in which I could install speakers. Of course, the height isn't ideal (it would be above ear-level), but it's at least a consideration for my small living room.

I do have good floor stands for my speakers but I've just run out of room. It would be a challenge to find space for the stands with smaller speakers as well, but I might be able to make something work. But I like the "idea" of utilizing that unused wall space -- though if the sound tanks as a result I just couldn't do it. If I decide to keep the ADS, they'll probably be stuck *inside* that entertainment center area for awhile. Surprisingly, the actually sound good there, too, as bad as that placement is.

****I've read where some speakers (like PSB, Wharfedale and others) claim to have high-end sound at a low cost and that speaker tech has come a long way since the 80s****

Don't put too much stock in printed comments like that. As always, trust your own ears (what you like); "high-end sound" is a relative thing. Good luck.

Agree with Frogman, don't be fooled by advertising hype. You indicated you could get an in-home audition, that is the best way to go if you'd like to see what the PSBs have to offer.

Interesting... 15 years ago I listened to many speakers that I felt could best my trusty ADS's. I finally found the PSB Stratus Golds kicked everything to a whole new level. Obviously this was many years ago, but from a value perspective, PSB is still a way to go. I had been an ADS proponent since 1978.
Since you're looking at used, the Stratus Mini is probably available at a great price. I know you said space constraints are a consideration, but if that is temporary, the Stratus Silver, Bronze, or Gold can be had at great prices, most likely.
I still wish I had held on to my various ADS speakers- they certainly were special... Good luck.

Well, I brought the PSB Alpha B1s home this evening, and I'm playing them now. Without getting into sonic detail, my "bottom-line, first impression" summary is this: They sound like they are a little smaller with similar quality, and, well, that's what they are. Ha. They sound about as good as I would expect smaller, less expensive ADS speakers to sound (different, but as good). So I wouldn't consider it a lateral move, but still a good move for downsizing.

They do sound better than I expected, notwithstanding all of the good reviews and my curiosity. I wasn't expecting quite the presence of the bass that they have (I do run a sub, so perhaps it's not as noticeable). It's not quite as tight (probably for being ported), and they don't seem to push quite the same volume before breaking down. But in this small room they don't sound anemic in the low end.

I generally listen with the tone defeat on (that's just a personal requirement I have for speakers, that they sound good enough on their own). The sound isn't quite as full or bright as the ADS, but they seem to produce more tonal accuracy in the mid-range, with more subtle, yet very clear highs. So they have more of a warm sound with a little less overall presence. An overall very pleasing sound that I could live with, I think. The size is really perfect.

That said, I have 4 days to decide, and the speakers have not been broken in as yet.