PMC EB1i v. Thiel CS3.7 v. Pioneer S1-EX v. ???


I'm starting to look at speakers in the $10-16K range, new. These three are high on the list, along with used Vandie 5As. Tyler D20s and the new AZ Crescendos also interest me. Anyone have the chance to compare some or all of these fine speakers?

They'll be driven by Mac MC501 amps + C2300 pre. I listen mostly to '50s &'60s jazz, with some classic rock, bluegrass, and folk. 90% of the time I listen to vinyl on this rig. The room is 28x17x8, opening into hallways at both corners along the long wall behind the speakers (so no real bass issues in those corners). It's a hard room softened with 9 acoustic panels and two bass traps.

My listening priorities for this system are macro- and micro-dynamics, nuance, tonal purity, and realistic scale. I'd like the speakers to disappear while projecting a 3D soundstage and solid low frequency pressure into the room. (The Thiels would likely need a sub.) They'll also have to serve the 60-inch plasma TV on the wall 4 feet behind them in a 2-channel, pseudo-home theater set up. Not much to ask, I know.... :)

I can get a great local price on EB1is but I don't want the deal to make the call. Of course, I'll audition all of them eventually but it's impossible to find them all in one place--or even more than one. So I'd like to draw on the experience of this knowledgeable group as I make my way.

Thanks,
Bill
wrm57

Showing 1 response by mclsound

hi Bill
First off,good luck with your speaker hunt and have fun.
Going by your room size,17x28,you would have no problems with MB2 or IB2.And depending on your average maximum volumes(110-120db??)the midrange would play a big part.If your max. volume does not "ever" exceed 110-112db,the vifa mid will work.Dont get to caught up in the "i" tweeter as it is not worth the extra thousands of dollars they ask for it.You can find a good used pair of non "i" MB2/IB2 for the $7-$8000 range with stands.