New monitors from PMC : the TwoTwo

[Lars Fox]

Hah, I'm confused by the "ugly" comments, they look fine to me!

The shots from IBC are kind of lame since there is no real contrast between them and the wall, but the more official promo shots look quite good, IMHO! As long as you can turn off the lit-up logo... (hopefully that's just a bit of trade-show bling).





Anyway, trying to sift through the marketing jargon, these seem to be DSP driven 2 way speakers, with the usual PMC transmission line.

Ruairi, how does the DSP alter the output--is the crossover being shifted by the current material being played back? Is it listening-level dependent? Is the EQ being actually adjusted somehow to the room?

I guess it's all about taste, so let's forget about the aesthetics (even though they still look to me like those detachable plastic speakers from '90ies-style cheap Kenwood hi-fi sets for teenage girls, you know those that look like confused transformers? Also, I'm really not fond of that elliptical bit around the tweeter, a really tacky design choice, but that's just me)

ANYWAY, I had a feeling these will sound great, so all this talk about "disappearing" crossovers made me start to salivate, a lot, and wonder if this technology will be implemented in other, future products?

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by jetplane666666

So PMC are manufacturing their own drivers now? I thought you guys bought drivers from another company and then integrated them in your own enclosures, like Genelec does?

PMC have been making drivers in house for many years but there are still some drivers that are built by third parties to PMC's spec. Tight driver matching is an important part of why PMCs image the way that they do.

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by mirochandler

Funny, that the edges on the tweeter side not rounded or have 45° edge or similar design.
There are many measurements, which shows that this is very important....

So why they doesn´t do it? Digital correction?

All corners on the twotwos are rounded slightly and there are plenty of great sounding speakers out there with hard edges. I'm not sure if it's possible to compensate for cabinet edge diffraction in DSP - I will ask.

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by Lars Fox

Hah, I'm confused by the "ugly" comments, they look fine to me!

The shots from IBC are kind of lame since there is no real contrast between them and the wall, but the more official promo shots look quite good, IMHO! As long as you can turn off the lit-up logo... (hopefully that's just a bit of trade-show bling)

Anyway, trying to sift through the marketing jargon, these seem to be DSP driven 2 way speakers, with the usual PMC transmission line.

Ruairi, how does the DSP alter the output--is the crossover being shifted by the current material being played back? Is it listening-level dependent? Is the EQ being actually adjusted somehow to the room?

Hi Lars,

That picture is much more accurate! I have a set of each in my studio right now and they look very much like that, the Midnight Blue color is very nice indeed.

The DSP is not doing anything tricky like room correction, this goes very much against the PMC philosophy. It is basically a very high quality digital crossover followed by a pair of very high end Class D amps. The crossover point is absolutely fixed.

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by monad

I had a feeling these will sound great, so all this talk about "disappearing" crossovers made me start to salivate, a lot, and wonder if this technology will be implemented in other, future products?

The R&D team are always working hard on new concepts and designs!

[SPiDERWERKS]

In an expectedly futile attempt to satisfy curiosity about this new twotwo models I'm going to share some of the thoughts I've had while listening and now working with them.

The twotwo.6 is the scion of the TB2+4B combo I'd come to rely on as the standard full-range nearfield rig.

The mention of "DSP" in a monitoring conversation has to date been my cue to seek more productive activities, but the progeny in this case has convinced this purist that digital crossovers can be truer than analog ones.

[SPiDERWERKS]

Cont'd

The possibility of a digital monitoring system that obsoletes the analog path found in even the simplest rig is very appealing to anyone reaching for more of "the truth".

I know, I know. You worked with those built-in-DSP-pieces-of-shit back whenever and they where nothing short of punishing. Insulting.

I'm just sayin' that the reflex DSP-related eye-rolling might be ill-advised.

To reassure you wise-minded skeptics; all the power and scale you've come to trust (or hear about in polite or not-so-polite conversation) portrayed by all of the PMC models are advanced here in the twotwo line. The bass is clearer, the back walls are more apparent and the characters are even more lifelike.

But maybe Ruairi can tell us why these things are so f cking loud?

Whoa.

Some current references.

THE BEATLES - Come Together
MAJOR LAZER - Get Free
MUSE - Madness
JASON MRAZ - Won't Give Up
MNDR - Feed Me Diamonds
SHINY TOY GUNS - Fading Listening
USHER - Climax
DILINJA - Make It Work
NETSKY - Come Alive (Culture Shock Remix)
SKEPTA - Hold On (Jacob Plant Remix)
KNIFE PARTY - Bonfire
YELAWOLF - Daddy's Lambo

[mirochandler]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

All corners on the twotwos are rounded slightly and there are plenty of great sounding speakers out there with hard edges. I'm not sure if it's possible to compensate for cabinet edge diffraction in DSP - I will ask.

As I wrote, there are measurements, which show the different.
The edges on this speakers are not rounded in the view of acoustics -I think. Those are too little.

But a different question is about placing speakers horizontal. Doesn´t this disturb the Stereo-with and Phantom middle? Or is this speaker generally build for horizontal placing?

Vertical build speakers have much better and more natural better stereo-imaging. I think this is physically, does nothing have to do with my personal taste.
So you can move left/right and it is ok, but move up and down isn´t nice and change a lot on the sound (but it´s no problem, I do not move vertical.)
My conclusion is when you mount speakers horizontally you can move up/down and not left/right, which is not very practically.
And I have some professionals heard, which says "Please guys, place your N-10 vertical!"

[Ruairi]

Hi Miro,

I understand what you are saying, in general I prefer speakers in the vertical position too. That said I spent the day mixing with the twotwo.6 in horizontal configuration and they worked wonderfully. I've done some comparisons between both positions and they really do seem relatively immune to the usual issues. In any case the user has the choice!

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by SPiDERWERKS

Cont'd
But maybe Ruairi can tell us why these things are so f cking loud?

Hey Spider,

Well the amps are very serious, I guess it's time to tell the world that PMC are using the Hypex Ncore Class D amps in the twotwo series! Lots of mastering guys are selling their high end monoblocks to replace them with Ncore for good reason, they sound stellar.

I'm really glad you're enjoying the twotwo.5, I spent the day mixes on the twotwo.6 and they translated really well, the mid range clarity is stunning - I found myself eqing less and getting more natural results but of course I am biased!

Cheers,
Ruairi

[SPiDERWERKS]

Digging the twotwo.5's and 6's. The 5's are especially surprising because of how portable they are.

[SPiDERWERKS]

Ruairi.

What is the red indicator in the logo represent when I crank up the twotwo's?

I can't detect any distortion but it's so loud that it's hard to tell exactly if there is anything adverse taking place.

[Ruairi]

I'm guessing that it's the peak limiting indicators! I haven't seen those flash yet, I didn't actually know that they were enabled in the pre-production models.

[Tabnetic]

i finally got to do a mix on the two two-5's last night and thought i'd share my impressions.

first, the size and weight of the speakers themselves are very deceiving in terms of what their performance is.

second—and perhaps most importantly—these speakers have an incredibly fast response. they're quick, at a variety of monitoring levels. i dunno if this is due to the transmission-line design, or some other part of the tech, but they are a pleasure to mix on. the top end sounds very extended, certainly more detail than my TB2's in comparison. i'm not sure what the fatigue factor would be after long sessions with these, but in my first 6-7 hours in the chair with them, my mix translated to other rooms well.

they are certainly punchy little speaks, and there's way more extension in the lows than i expected. even compared to the TB2's, i brought up an "in progress mix" and when i switched to the twotwo's, i immediately heard where an annoying resonance in the bass guitar was and notched it out accordingly. it's not that i didn't hear it on the TB2's, but i was able to get in there with a more narrow-Q on my cut and get rid of that resonance.


still looking forward to getting more use out of them and seeing how other genres translate.

so far so good PMC!

[funtez]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

Hey Spider,

Well the amps are very serious, I guess it's time to tell the world that PMC are using the Hypex Ncore Class D amps in the twotwo series!

This is brilliant news and has certainly perked my interest, although I will be more interested to see a dedicated ncore implementation in a 3way, I think it's a very exciting time for powered monitors, look forward to hearing the twotwo, great to see pMC lead the way.

[Beatworld]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

I guess it's time to tell the world that PMC are using the Hypex Ncore Class D amps in the twotwo series!

Are you able to say if the TwoTwo series is the very first time Ncore technology has been used by PMC ?
Or has some Hypex Ncore technology been used in PMCs DS-001 class D power amps as well ?

cheers

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by Beatworld

Are you able to say if the TwoTwo series is the very first time Ncore technology has been used by PMC ?
Or has some Hypex Ncore technology been used in PMCs DS-001 class D power amps as well ?

Hi Beatworld,

The DS-001 is indeed based on Hypex technology but is not Ncore. PMC's technical partnership with Hypex goes back quite a few years and began with the Digidesign RM1 and RM2 which were built by PMC.

Of course I'm biased but the Ncore amps are stunning!

[Beatworld]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

The DS-001 is indeed based on Hypex technology but is not Ncore. Of course I'm biased but the Ncore amps are stunning!

Very interesting Ruairi, thanks.
As you can tell from my signature, I've certainly got a very good idea of how the DS-001 sounds and it is pretty impressive too

Big PMC fan here

[Ruairi]

The DS-001 modules are fantastic. They effortlessly drive the larger 3 way IB-1 speakers in big rooms, they are practically snoozing with the TB2-SAII, lots of headroom!

[Beatworld]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

The DS-001 modules are fantastic. They effortlessly drive the larger 3 way IB-1 speakers in big rooms, they are practically snoozing with the TB2-SAII, lots of headroom!

...and they must be in suspended animation in the DB1S....

[gaderson]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

Hi guys,

Ruairi here from PMC USA. The first twotwo series arrived her this week, I've already had a listen but I'll be mixing in earnest this weekend.

The photos posted don't really do the design justice IMO, they look very understated and sleek in real life and the logo is nowhere near as bright as it looks in the picture.

I only have U.S. retail prices to hand at the moment -
twotwo.5 - $3,999
twotwo.6 - $4,999

Re the DSP I am obviously biased but I will say that there is some truly remarkable tech in these boxes, more info to follow later.

Cheers,
Ruairi

So, any hints as to what we'll see/hear at AES?

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by gaderson

So, any hints as to what we'll see/hear at AES?

Hi,

We'll have the twotwo.5 and twotwo.6 on on display at our booth and also available to hear in our dedicated demo room - be sure to bring your ref cd or your own mixes. We're also running a pretty comprehensive series of lectures and workshops - more on that soon!

Cheers,
Ruairi

[Lowe]

Can't wait to hear these - got a listening session booked in for January to hear the twotwo8 vs IB1S-Aii. That's gonna be a fun day.

[SPiDERWERKS]

Getting good compliments from our mastering guy on remixes we've done on twotwo.5's and twotwo.6's. Skrillex+Damien Marley, Shiny Toy Guns, and MNDR, all sounding big and tall. Bringing a pair with us next time.

People are really going to like working on these. So revealing of all the saturation we do. Helps us hear if we're overdoing it.

[Myles Eastwood]

Heard the twotwos at AES today and was impressed (though of course the room wasn't treated!).

Can I ask: are these two speakers ultimately replacing the DB1 and TB2 activated models? They seem similarly priced and spec'd (apart from the digital input).

And how does the twotwo.8 compare with the AML2?

[Ruairi]

Originally Posted by Myles Eastwood

Heard the twotwos at AES today and was impressed (though of course the room wasn't treated!).

Can I ask: are these two speakers ultimately replacing the DB1 and TB2 activated models? They seem similarly priced and spec'd (apart from the digital input).

And how does the twotwo.8 compare with the AML2?

Hi Myles,

Yes indeed, trying to create a decent listening space in a conference room is always a challenge. That said I was very happy with how the twotwo.6 surround rig sounded.

For now at least the DB1 and TB2 variants will still be available alongside the twotwo series.

We haven't received a pre-production twotwo.8 yet so I can't offer any opinion vs the AML2 (which is my mix speaker of choice). As soon as we have a set here I'll be back with my thoughts.

Cheers,
Ruairi

[rootsrider]

...would be very interested to compare those new PMC TwoTwo series with the similar priced compact speakers PSI Audio A-17 & A-21.
Anyone done this comparison?

[sonorsnoopy]

are the twotwo speakers still fun to listen to like ATC and barefoots or are they more clinical ? do they still have very solid images / organic / great image density like the passive models ?

[mixerguy]

Originally Posted by Ruairi

Hi guys,

Ruairi here from PMC USA. ......

I only have U.S. retail prices to hand at the moment -
twotwo.5 - $3,999
twotwo.6 - $4,999....

Cheers,
Ruairi

Are those prices per PAIR?