PSB Imagine XC 2-Way Centre Channel Speaker at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Imagine XC is a two-way passive centre channel speaker from PSB Speakers (Pickering, Ontario, Canada), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Designed as the anchor of PSB's Imagine X series, the XC pairs a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter with ferrofluid cooling, neodymium magnet, and phase plug with dual 5.25-inch clay and ceramic reinforced polypropylene cone woofers in a rear-ported MDF bass reflex enclosure. It delivers a frequency response of 50 Hz to 23,000 Hz (±3 dB) at 8 ohms nominal, with anechoic sensitivity of 88 dB and LF extension to 45 Hz (-10 dB). A 1,800 Hz crossover and timbre-matched voicing with the Imagine X1T and X2T towers, XB bookshelf, and XA elevation speakers make the XC the natural centre channel for any Imagine X home theatre system. Available in Black Ash vinyl finish, sold individually.

Dual-Woofer Design and Clay Ceramic Reinforced Polypropylene Drivers

The Imagine XC uses the standard horizontal dual-woofer configuration established in PSB's centre channel designs, placing two 5.25-inch woofers on either side of the central tweeter. The woofer cones are injection-moulded from polypropylene reinforced with clay and ceramic particles, a compound that delivers high stiffness and internal damping in a low-mass structure. This combination allows PSB to reduce crossover complexity while maintaining accurate midrange and bass reproduction — the stiffness of the clay and ceramic fill controls cone breakup modes that would otherwise require additional notch filtering, and the low mass enables the woofers to track transients cleanly in the critical midrange frequencies where dialogue intelligibility is determined. The rear-facing port is tuned to extend usable bass output to 45 Hz (-10 dB), allowing the XC to operate below the standard 80 Hz home theatre crossover point without relying entirely on the subwoofer for lower-midrange content.

Titanium Dome Tweeter with Phase Plug and Imagine X Timbre Matching

The Imagine XC's 1-inch titanium dome tweeter uses the same driver technology developed across the Imagine X series, featuring ferrofluid cooling for thermal protection at sustained output levels, a neodymium magnet for compact motor structure, and a phase plug that suppresses the tweeter dome's self-resonance and prevents high-frequency phase cancellation in the uppermost musical octave. The 1,800 Hz crossover hands off cleanly from the dual woofers to this tweeter, maintaining consistent tonal character across the full operating bandwidth. PSB voices every speaker in the Imagine X family to identical tonal targets at Canada's National Research Council, ensuring that the XC matches the Imagine X1T and X2T towers and XB bookshelf speakers in timbre and balance when all are driven from the same AV receiver in a multi-channel system.

Key Features

• Dual 5.25-Inch Clay and Ceramic Reinforced Polypropylene Cone Woofers: Injection-moulded cones with clay and ceramic particle reinforcement deliver high stiffness, low mass, and controlled internal damping for accurate midrange and extended bass without complex crossover correction.
• 1-Inch Titanium Dome Tweeter with Ferrofluid, Neodymium Magnet, and Phase Plug: A thermally protected, high-output titanium dome tweeter with a phase plug extends high-frequency response cleanly to 23,000 Hz with low distortion at elevated listening levels.
• 1,800 Hz Crossover: A critically designed crossover frequency provides seamless driver integration in the midrange region most critical for dialogue intelligibility and vocal reproduction.
• Frequency Response 50 Hz to 23,000 Hz (±3 dB): Full centre channel bandwidth with LF extension to 45 Hz (-10 dB) for operation below the standard 80 Hz home theatre crossover point.
• Sensitivity 88 dB Anechoic / 90 dB Listening Room: High sensitivity ensures the XC reaches satisfying output levels with mid-power AV receivers without the need for high-powered amplification.
• 8 Ohm Nominal Impedance (4 Ohm Minimum): Compatible with any AV receiver rated for 8 ohm loads; the 4 ohm minimum is within the stable operating range of all modern home theatre receivers.
• Rear-Facing Bass Reflex Port: A critically tuned rear port extends bass response and improves sensitivity in the low-frequency range for a compact centre channel cabinet.
• Timbre-Matched to PSB Imagine X Series: Voicing and driver selection are matched to the Imagine X1T and X2T towers, XB bookshelf, and XA Dolby Atmos elevation speakers for a seamless, cohesive front soundstage in any Imagine X system configuration.
• Gold-Plated 5-Way Binding Posts: A single set of gold-plated binding posts accepts bare wire, pin connectors, and single or dual banana plugs for AV receiver connection.
• MDF Bass Reflex Cabinet in Black Ash Vinyl: A critically tuned MDF enclosure with a Black Ash vinyl finish provides acoustic rigidity and visual compatibility with modern flat-panel television setups.
• Detachable Cloth Grille Included: A removable cloth grille protects the drivers without affecting acoustic performance.
• 150W Input Power Handling: Handles up to 150 watts of continuous power with a recommended amplifier range of 20 to 150 watts.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PSB Imagine XC?

The PSB Imagine XC is a two-way passive centre channel speaker from PSB Speakers, designed and voiced in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. It features dual 5.25-inch clay and ceramic reinforced polypropylene cone woofers, a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter with ferrofluid cooling and a phase plug, and a rear-ported MDF bass reflex cabinet. The XC delivers a frequency response of 50 Hz to 23,000 Hz (±3 dB) at 8 ohms nominal, with 88 dB anechoic sensitivity and 150 watts power handling, and is timbre-matched to the full PSB Imagine X speaker family.

How does the PSB Imagine XC compare to the Klipsch RP-404C and Polk Audio ES30?

The PSB Imagine XC, Klipsch RP-404C, and Polk Audio ES30 are all dual-woofer centre channel speakers targeting serious home theatre listeners. The Klipsch RP-404C uses Klipsch's Tractrix horn-loaded tweeter and Cerametallic cone woofers, prioritising high sensitivity and horn-controlled dispersion. The Polk Audio ES30 is a compact dual-woofer design at a lower price point. The Imagine XC differentiates through its clay and ceramic reinforced polypropylene cone technology, titanium dome tweeter with phase plug, 50 Hz lower frequency extension, and careful timbre matching to the Imagine X tower and bookshelf speakers at the National Research Council. For listeners building a complete Imagine X system, or combining the XC with Imagine X towers as front left and right speakers, the tonal consistency that NRC-voiced matching provides is a practical advantage that neither the Klipsch nor the Polk can offer within the same speaker family.

What does the clay and ceramic reinforcement in the woofer cones do?

The polypropylene cone woofers in the Imagine XC are injection-moulded with clay and ceramic particles mixed into the material. This reinforcement significantly increases the stiffness of the cone without adding meaningful mass, which is the key trade-off in woofer cone design. Stiffer cones maintain controlled pistonic motion further up into the midrange before the cone begins to flex and break up, allowing PSB to push the crossover frequency higher and reduce the complexity of the crossover network required to manage the transition to the tweeter. In practical terms, this means the Imagine XC's woofers are producing cleaner, more accurate midrange — including dialogue frequencies — with fewer crossover-related phase and frequency response anomalies than simpler cone designs at comparable price points.

Can the PSB Imagine XC be used with speakers other than the Imagine X series?

Yes. The Imagine XC functions as a centre channel speaker in any home theatre system where it can be connected to an AV receiver's centre channel output. It does not require Imagine X series main speakers to perform correctly. However, listeners pairing the XC with Imagine X towers or bookshelf speakers benefit from PSB's deliberate timbre matching across the Imagine X family, which ensures consistent tonal character across the front soundstage. When combining the XC with speakers from other brands such as Klipsch, Wharfedale, or Polk Audio, careful level and crossover matching via the AV receiver is recommended to achieve a cohesive front soundstage.

What amplifier power does the PSB Imagine XC need?

The Imagine XC is recommended for use with amplifiers delivering 20 to 150 watts per channel into its 8 ohm nominal load. Its 88 dB anechoic sensitivity (90 dB in-room) means it reaches satisfying output levels with mid-power AV receivers without requiring high-powered amplification. The 4 ohm minimum impedance is within the stable operating range of all modern home theatre receivers rated for 8 ohm loads, and does not represent an unusual amplification challenge for any current AV receiver at the corresponding price tier.

Does the PSB Imagine XC need a subwoofer?

For home theatre use, a subwoofer is strongly recommended. While the Imagine XC's rear port extends usable bass to 45 Hz (-10 dB) and 50 Hz (±3 dB) — well below typical centre channel performance at this cabinet size — frequencies below 80 Hz carry significant cinematic bass content that the XC's 5.25-inch woofers cannot reproduce at realistic cinema output levels. Setting the AV receiver's centre channel crossover to 80 Hz and routing bass to a subwoofer such as the PSB Alpha S10 or SubSeries 250 is the intended operating configuration and delivers the best combination of clarity and deep bass impact.

Where can I buy the PSB Imagine XC in Toronto or Canada?

The PSB Imagine XC 2-Way Centre Channel Speaker is available individually in Toronto, Canada at Vinyl Sound, an authorised PSB Speakers dealer. Vinyl Sound carries the Imagine XC alongside other Imagine X series speakers and can advise on system matching, AV receiver pairing, and subwoofer integration. Customers across Canada are welcome to contact Vinyl Sound for purchasing and shipping inquiries.