PMC advice sought

[edham]

Which PMC models should I be considering for a small mix room ??
and how do the Tb2's compare to other well known monitors (ie adam, gen etc)

Last question is what changes were made in the line going from TB2 to TB2+ ???

thanks!

[James Lehmann]

I owned and reviewed the PMC TB2's here for the Sound On Sound Forum. Other folks have chipped in replies and more useful comment. Hope thats a good start for you!

[gem]

i am using lb1 with bryston2b with good cable(forgot name).
i must say they are great speaker.
if you have a critical room pmc is probably not
the way to go.
but if you will do some acoustical treatment to your room
go for them.
i have not listened to tb1.

get different speaker for your room to test out.
this is most important.your room and your situation(reflections) will tell you which will work.

gem

[DrDeltaM]

TB2+ has the tweeter of of the higher PMC range (now all PMC's use the same tweeter as the big mastering speakers). Also the crossover was updated and it's frequency was lowered. Third, the TB2+ has improved acoustic materials inside. Full info in this press-release: http://www.pmcloudspeaker.com/press/plus_upgrade.html

IMO, the TB2S+ (I use the active version of the new plus model, called TB2S-A) simply smokes the competition at its price point. Of course, monitors will always be a matter of taste, so I'd still say you should try them all. But I'm sure the PMC's won't dissapoint

[edham]

Thanks for the replies gents.

James - I did read your review a long time ago when I was a subscriber. Very helpful.

I think what I am really asking is - "is the TB2 REALLY the model I should be looking at" ????

I own Gen 1031's and Adam S3a's.

So which PMC model is meant to compete with those?


And last - I have seen TB's for sale with both byrston power amps and flying mole amps. Any preferences ?????

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[DrDeltaM]

Yes, the TB2S+/TB2S-A is the model you should be looking at. They're physically smaller then 1031's or Adam S3A's tho, but they don't sound smaller
There also is the AML-1, which are only slightly bigger then TB2S+, and come with build in Bryston amps (no passive version of the AML-1 is available). There aren't cheap monitors tho, but are very impressive and go deeeep.
If you really want bigger, there's the LB1 next, tho that's not really a nearfield monitor anymore.

The newer TB2S-A's all come with Flying Mole amp, tho you can still buy a TB2S+ and add Bryston amp if you really like to. The Flying Mole amp however is cost effective, has high output power and simply sounds great.

[Adebar]

The LB1 isn´t available anymore. don´t know why, maybe it was to cheap for its quality. For me the best small PMC. Absolutely balanced frequency responce and no resonances in the high bass range at about 200 Hz the TB2S shows a little.

The TB2S is a great speaker, but the LB1 was a little better …

The S3A is different as it is a 3 way speaker. The TB2S and especially the LB1 have great imaging and depth - always a strength of 2-way concepts. The S3A seems to be a little more accurate. But compared with the AML1 it is different again. A great speaker, very fast and detailed - but expensive. Sometimes you think both, the S3A and the LB1 is more relaxed. Both´s cabinetts have more volume and sometimes you think one can hear it.
Nothing replaces volume, except volume - no high power like in the AML1, no transmission line or loaded concept compared to real volume ind a cloesd cabinett.

Regarding the price and comparing the all over qualities of the TB2, AML1, S3A and LB1 I would say the LB1 is the winner - what a pitty PMC canceled this.

[Riccardo]

Whole different league.

Bass in the old gennies are hyped, mids in the new series plasticy (fake).

TB2S+ active are very good. If you apir them with a Bryston 3B or better a 4B then I don't think there's a comparison to be made with the other you mentioned at all.

The LB1 abd LB1 signature are still being produced and yes they are a step up from the TB2 as Adebar mentioned. Well worth if budged and space/positioning allows.

For alternatives you'll have to navigate into the same level of performance.........i.e. ATC...

[edham]

OK - I'm in.
I've been on the fence about PMC's for a long time. There is room on the credit card ........

Now the question is - who's the best source?
Where did you buy your PMC's ???

LB1's seem to be discontinued but I bet there are still a few out there to be had.

The quest begins!

Thanks for the help!

[Riccardo]

I ight well be wrong but it would appear to me that both LB1 and LB1 signature are still part of the PMC line. They are in their catalogue and on the website............

As for the dealer question it depends on where are you located.

[edham]

NYC.

but any stateside dealer would work. Just don't want to get full listed if you know what I mean.

and the LB1 clearly says "discontinued product" on their web sit.
I am hoping there are some dealers still sitting on stock.

Any tips on where to land a pair would be greatly appreciated!

Who's the PMC PIMP!!!!

[DrDeltaM]

I believe PMC distribution in US is handled by Bryston, so a Bryston dealer should carry PMC as well.

[edham]

In the US both Bryston and PMC seem to have a dealer network aimed at the audiophile market. My experience with those typese of stores has been disappointing at best.

Does anyone know of a pro audio dealer who does good volume one Bryston/PMC ???

thanks!

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by DrDeltaM

I believe PMC distribution in US is handled by Bryston, so a Bryston dealer should carry PMC as well.

Exactly...send them an e-mail or call them and you'll find out, maybe they are planning a new model, who knows....

[C/G]

Originally Posted by edham

In the US both Bryston and PMC seem to have a dealer network aimed at the audiophile market. My experience with those typese of stores has been disappointing at best.

Does anyone know of a pro audio dealer who does good volume one Bryston/PMC ???

thanks!

Vintage King sells PMC. I tried to get a price on the TB2S-A up here from a Bryston dealer which was a hi fi shop. There pricing was insane. I could buy the active TB2's from the USA and still save money over buying the passive up here in Canada. What a joke.

[edham]

Gents - thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

Vintage King looks like the only option for PMC here in the US.

So - who is THE guy to talk to at Vintage King.

In a past life I was the GM at a really cool "A line" retailer so I have a huge aversion to getting full listed.
10 up is the cult I belong to.
Is Vintage King good with deals? And who's the guy to really talk to.

Unfortunately for me they seem to carry all the things that I am currently addicted to. I may need a 12 step program if they are cool to deal with.

thanks again for the tips.

Ed

[edham]

No luck yet finding the LB1's but after thinking about the dimensions of the box -

are they too tall to sit on the meter bridge of an argosy??
They seem pretty tall with the speakers in the top half of the box.

??????

[kidtexas]

This is kind of late, but you can get PMC's from macmidimusic.com