ProAc Studio 100 vs. PMC TB2S+?

[Steamy Williams]

I have PMC TB2SM+ monitors driven by a Bryston 3B-SST, and have heard the ProAc Studio 100's several times in my neighbour's studio being driven by a 4B-SST. I tend to prefer the PMC's, as I find the ProAc's a bit harsher and therefore more fatiguing. Like the poster above, I do have quite a big control room. However, although the PMC's sound better in this room than any of the previous rooms in which I've had them set up, I put this down partly to the acoustic treatment, and I didn't really have any noticeable problems using them in smaller rooms beforehand.

[cinealta]

Firstly, the PMC TB2S+ (passive, upgraded tweeter) is different than the TB2SA (active, Bryston power pack). Please verify with PMC. Amplification of the passive version is a significant component of TB2S+ sound and performance. Having said that, I've heard the TB2SA (active, Bryston power pack) and ProAc Studio 100 (with Bryston 4B Stuart Taylor edition) several times.

My impression is that they are very close in performance. IMO, the ProAc's are *slightly* more accurate whereas the PMC are *slightly* more detailed. IMO, the low-end was *slightly* more tight and punchy on the PMC (indeed the woofer excursion is so fast it is imperceptible by the human eye) whereas the low-end was *slightly* less defined on the ProAcs.

Again, these two are very close and both excellent. Room positioning also may be critical consideration as the sound and response of both are significantly influenced by their positioning. AFAIK (please verify) the PMC are rear-ported and should not be positioned close to a wall. Whereas, the ProAc is front-ported and may be positioned closer to a wall.

Please inquire as to the robustness of the ProAc woofer driver as it *may* have been improved upon.

[Mike Caffrey]

I've recently discovered that I blow the woofers in two different ways.

In one way, when you press on the woofer it's all floppy and feels wrong.

There's another where it will buzz and cut in and out and then eventually stop working even though it feels brand new.

When changing one recently, noticed that the wire that goes from the speaker terminals to the speaker itself had cracked at the glue. I checked another one I had replaced and saw that had snapped. In both cases I was able to reconnect them and get them sounding like new.

The connection didn't hold very long, but it seems like they need to be replaced far less frequently if the wire was a little longer than it is.


I'm curious if anyone has ever tried extending them before installing them.

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by cinealta

Again, these two are very close and both excellent. Room positioning also may be critical consideration as the sound and response of both are significantly influenced by their positioning. AFAIK (please verify) the PMC are rear-ported and should not be positioned close to a wall. Whereas, the ProAc is front-ported and may be positioned closer to a wall.

I wouldn't put any of the TB2 variants right up against a wall but they can certainly be close (around 1 ft) without ill effects if that's what the room calls for. As long as the transmission line isn't blocked things will work just fine.

Moving any speaker close to a wall will increase the bass response as it starts to move towards the behavior of a soffit mounted speaker - ie more bass energy radiating forward instead of getting "lost" behind the speaker. Sometimes close to a wall will be boomy and a mess, sometimes it's just the thing to support a weak bottom end - it all depends on the room and speakr combo.

Cheers,
Ruairi
PMC

[edwinhurwitz]

Originally Posted by Steamy Williams

I have PMC TB2SM+ monitors driven by a Bryston 3B-SST, and have heard the ProAc Studio 100's several times in my neighbour's studio being driven by a 4B-SST. I tend to prefer the PMC's, as I find the ProAc's a bit harsher and therefore more fatiguing. Like the poster above, I do have quite a big control room. However, although the PMC's sound better in this room than any of the previous rooms in which I've had them set up, I put this down partly to the acoustic treatment, and I didn't really have any noticeable problems using them in smaller rooms beforehand.

Interesting. I wonder how much the harshness of the ProAc might be due to the Bryston. I use mine with a McIntosh MC2105 and it does not sound harsh at all. I'm susceptible to fatigue and can listen to this combination quite comfortably for a long time.

I have liked the PMCs after hearing them at a local studio, but I've never owned a pair.