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Proac 2.5's-something not quite right- ideas?

Ok Audiogoners I've just recently required a pair of Proac Response 2.5's.
My system is Ayre CX-7,Ayre AX-7-using custom made balanced interconnect (tried Cardas Golden Ref.happy with this)and Vantage Marina Speaker cable(bi-wire)-my old speakers were Proac Studio 150's.
My sound before was excellent-worked with my wide musical tastes,subtle and detailed when required and enough oomph when playing Rock or Electronica.
Typically I though my speakers were the weak link and have always wanted to hear/own 2.5's.

What I am hearing with the 2.5's is a jump in scale of presentation and more air/detail around instruments,on certain recordings it sounds really great on others something is missing,the smoothness and clarity I associate with the Proac sound.
The second problem is the scale of the bass,it may just take adjusting to and whilst it doesn't sound overpowering in terms of the overall recording (vocals/details etc. are still there)it really does seem too much for home listening-more like a gig or club experience.
If I put the 150's back in,the bottom line is they sound more musical overall.

I don't believe it's my room which is large-18 feet wide by some 30 plus feet long-I have 3m high ceiling -whilst speaker placement makes a slight difference (I've been messing about with that)it is not a major influence on the general effects.
I've also tried ceramic tiles on my carpet with the speakers on top-again not a major difference.
Everything in my system has been checked-the speakers are set up per instruction and the replacement effect of the 150's proves nothing is amiss imho.

I have several theories as to what might be wrong-the only previous owner only listened to Jazz and Classical and not at as loud levels as I do-the speakers have not been used in the last two years.
So if run in/break in is a factor (I've only got about 8 hours on them)can I expect the missing resolution to come into focus?
Can I expect the bass driver to change?- since perhaps it has never been fully tested with fast/deep modern bass.
Does my increased listening volume mean more break in was required anyway?

My biggest fear is the scale of the 2.5's is not to my taste and that they are so revealing that I am hearing a grain in some recordings that I didn't hear before.

I've read enough about these speakers to know some how I'm not getting what I should and I instictively know on many of the tracks and CD's I'm playing that I am not getting the enjoyment I was before despite some more space and detail.

Thoughts?
ben_campbell

Showing 5 responses by gunbei

gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Interesting experience, Ben.

I own three different ProAcs [Tab 50 Sig, then Response 1SC, and now Response 2.5] that I've kept as I upgraded.

I've never heard the Studio series, but I suspect what you're hearing could be the difference between the Studio and Response series. I'm not talking better or worse, just different. The three speakers I own, have what I would call a "family" sound. Moving from smallest monitor to current floorstander, the main differences I heard was a slight decrease in speed accompanied by a fuller frequency presentation. I just did a rough comparison of all three a couple weeks ago, and I felt the differences were noticeable but pretty small.

What you're describing seems to be a much greater difference in tonal balance and presentation than anything I've experienced with my ProAcs. Therefore, I think it could be the difference between the two lines because they do use different drivers and crossovers. However, I'm not sure how the cabinet designs compare.

Also, I've found my speakers to respond greatly to different upstream components. I think that the ProAc Response speakers respond more positively to warmer than neutral tube amplification. I think some of this has to do with the tweeter which can be revealing and some of it may be due to the way they're voiced.

It could just be that you've grown accustomed to your Sutdio 150s and love the way they sound. Although more expensive, the Response may just be different from what you're used to.

Unfortuanely, if you know what you like in a sonic presentation, changing speakers might necessitate a change in another area of your system.

Good luck, and let us know what works!
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Ben, I forgot about that, that could definitely be a contributing factor. As difficult as it is, you might not know until after 2-4 weeks of break in..
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I have seen those DIY sites when I was considering building a 2.5 clone and not buying the real thing. It's amazing the areas people saw for possible improvements. Quite a dedicated group of people.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Ben, I've never heard the Studio Series. What you're describing seems to be more a slight difference in flavor rather than a revelatory improvement.

Do you anticipate any tweaks or future component changes to compensate for the new presentation?
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
You're warming up to the 2.5s, that's great news Ben!

Also, be aware that your seating distance will play a big role in the perceived bass response. It could be that the Studio 150s and Response 2.5s require different distances from the listener to produce similar bass response.

My speakers are roughly 2 meters or 6.6 feet apart, and I sit about that far from them. I use a rolling chair and I find that if I back up the bass increases. Too far and it becomes unnatural.

I like the distance I'm currently using which may be considered nearfield. The bass while not as extended seems to have better tone, and the nearfield imaging is intoxicating.

Have fun!
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