2. speakers
  3. 1109615082

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
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!
curbach
84 posts
 
Nothing helpful to add, Ben, but I'll be following this thread with interest since I am running Studio 150s and plan on someday moving to Responses as well (other upgrades to make first). Light the way!
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Neither of you guys think the fact my speakers have been lying cold for two years (the seller obviously checked them before shipping them)has any effect?
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..
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
No, sitting around has not hurt them.

The response 2.5 is not a flat power or amplitude response speaker and the minimal crossover makes the 2.5 subject to a highly variable playback by not addressing the break up mode of the Carbon Fibre woofer as you have discovered. The harder you push the worse they get. Proacs are very incomplete speakers that require you to be very careful about placement and wall reflections.

It is the reason why so many people have to resort to low powered tube amplification to try to take the power response hump out of the midrange. I would look at the tremendous amount of
information on the DIY 2.5's to fix what is wrong with your 2.5's.

Proac completely under-utilized the potential of these drivers. Carefully picking from the DIY 2.5 info will substantially upgrade your speakers sound and make them more flexible.
More to discover