Pimsleur is not so much a specific product as it is a method of learning languages originally developed by Dr. Paul Pimsleur.  This particular method is used by several different foreign language-learning programs.  I was initially introduced to the Pimsleur method by Sybervision which used the Pimsleur method for their foreign language tapes and later CDs. 

Prior to being introduced to the Pimsleur method, I had studies both French and Spanish through the traditional classroom lecture method with language labs.  I had also tried furthering my knowledge of both languages by studying a variety of books and other self-study language-learning programs including, Living Language and Berlitz.  However, I did not feel that these methods had really helped me to lean to actually speak the languages. 

While I was able to read French and Spanish at a basic level, I had never really progressed to conversational speech.  Then sometime in the mid 1980's I discovered the Sybervision Pimsleur language program and ordered their Spanish Level 1.  I found it to be excellent and that my retention of the language and ability to confidently speak the language was significantly improved.  I then ordered Levels 2 and eventually Level 3.  I was very satisfied with all three levels in the Spanish series.

Assuming that the same quality could be found in their other languages, I then ordered the French level 1 program.  I was very satisfied with the Sybervision French Level 1, but when I advanced to Level 2, I was disappointed.  The quality of the recording was much lower.  There was no life in the voices and it was very dull and boring.  I am not sure how the new French language Pimsleur series is from Simon & Schuster (the current producer of the Pimsleur foreign language series) as I have not tried that version.  However, I have ordered the Pimsleur Italian Level one from Simon & Schuster and I am satisfied with that version, although it is not as interesting and I do not believe that it covers as much vocabulary as did the Sybervision Italian level one that I also used previously.