PMC Speakers


Anyone have any experience listening to the consumer-versions of PMC speakers?

rosami

Showing 10 responses by rosami

Hi Folks — thanks for the feedback so far. 
Milpai’s comment about my not providing enough info regarding what Im looking for Is well taken. I’m looking for a speaker that is able to image well, has pinpoint focus, tight, clean, no bass overhang, full range, floorstanding/reasonably sized, and is priced at/below $10K. I think PMC Twenty series may be appropriate but perhaps their other consumer series are also possibilities. 
I think ATC SCM40s are a prime competitor. 
Distribution is limited but I contacted the distributor and they were actually very responsive and located a custom install dealer about 70 miles from me so I plan to get in touch with them when I have time. 
I’ve heard Vandersteen Quattros and for me they do it all, but price and need for high-pass crossover are problems. 
Any other feedback appreciated. 
I listened to the passive ATC SCM19s and really liked them but want to hear the passive SCM40s but no area dealers stock them. ATC and PCM brands have really limited availability and that may bd a concern. 
Geek101. Did you hear both? Why do you say ATC is a much better alternative?
I also heard and really like the Vandersteen Treos but I’m not sure they’ll have sufficient bass for my room (medium size 14.25x17.5 w/cathedral ceiling. 
There’s also the possibility I’ll just keep my Thiel 3.6s since I have to get the tweeters rebuilt. Decisions!

Milpai
I completely agree that listening to any speaker is a must. I’ve read many opinions in these forums on various speakers and disagree with some and agree with others. There’s no substitute for listening to any speakers of interest. The problem is the differences in the various dealers rooms and electronics, and short “memory” when listening on different days. 
The search continues ...

Twoleftears
I’m driving my Thiel CS3.6s with a Naim NAP300 amp - it drives the difficult load of the Thiels very well. 
I believe the Thiels are the only Speakers on your list that have first order crossovers. Do the B&Ws, ProAcs, or PMCs do as well as the Thiels in focusing singers and instruments within the soundstage - and is this something you look for in a speaker?
Thanks. 
Twoleftears
I’m driving my Thiel CS3.6s with a Naim NAP300. This amp drives the Thiels very well. 
It’s interesting that you switched from Thiels to several other brands - none of which has a first-order crossover.
I like speakers that can accurately locate a singer or instrument in the soundstage, with correct “size” - and I don’t like speakers that make a singer or instrument seem larger than life. Thiels image and, more importantly, focus very well-to a large degree due to their first-order crossovers. I don’t believe B&W, Proac, or PMCs have first-order crossovers. Are they able to also  portray pinpoint imaging - and is that s quality you look for in a speaker?
Thanks. 
...so I guess there’s no substitute for listening to as many speakers as possible - yet we still make the “wrong” decisions too often. It’s pretty much a no-win game - listening to different speakers driven by an almost infinite number of component/cable combinations, in widely differing rooms, and trying to listen-past dealers who will say almost anything to get the customer to buy what they push. 
It’s no wonder there’s such a huge used-components marketplace, as audiophiles continue to search for the holy grail. 
Fun hobby! 

This "hobby"/disease/perversion/OCD/etc. is so dam addictive!
However I've found it's not as much fun now that I'm "over-50" in having to drive long distances to far-away dealers, having to be subjected and get past the BS that many dealers push at you, and trying to arrange a listening session for a specific speaker. Then it's dealing with listening fatigue and the stress of knowing that a wrong decision can be very expensive...the more I think about it, the more I find It's preferable to just hang on to your current equipment and be happy with it. Based on the listening I have done in the last few months, enjoying what you have may be better than striving for what you don't.
Anyone agree?
  
I had my Naim 300 amp updated to the "DR" version several months ago. Major changes in the way the amp sounds, and that has caused lots of problems with my Thiels - I was hearing nasty highs and glassy mids. after the amp update. I initially thought there was a problem with my speakers, but after burning-in the amp 24/7 for over two months now, things are getting better but there are still issues. I still haven't decided how to proceed - new speakers (but the Thiel 3.6s are just so good)  or try different speaker cables and keep cooking the amp.
I'm trying to keep the saying "the fun is in the journey" top-of-mind!