Pros and Cons of built-in amps?

Ryder, I never compared the AML-1's to any other PMC speaker. I would like to add two reviews if any of you are interested in the PMC AML-1's. The 6 Moons website did a very detailed review with a complete description of the construction and circuitry. It is in their archives and was posted in August, 2005. The other is in Audio Ideas Guide, a quarterly Canadian publication. They have a website and an archive section. The speaker was reviewed in Fall, 2001 and it has measurements. These reviews together should answer many questions. Check out Audio Circle under "Bryston" for even more information. There was a thread running there for these speakers with some pictures as well, it is about 4 or 5 pages in.

Thanks for the tip Usarrn. Actually, I have toyed around the idea of transforming my PMC LB1 Signatures into active speakers a while back as one of the forummers in Audiocircle suggested that it might work by removing the passive crossover in the speakers and getting the Bryston 10B into the mix. The use of ETF software and balanced mic are needed to measure post installation. I figured out this move is not viable as a pro is needed to perform this task. Furthermore, James Tanner of Bryston has advised against this move due to careful considerations that need to be taken into account in taking a passive design and turning it into an active system. Hence, I have scrapped the whole idea.

Since you have replaced the formidable full-range Avalon Eidolon's ($20,000 retail) with these small little actives, that shows a lot. Just out of curiousity, are you using any subwoofer with the AML-1's?

Hi Ryder: No subwoofer, not necessary. I am hearing all i need to without complicating the system. Frankly, the bass is equivalent in depth to the Eidolon's, minus about 2db. I have a dedicated listening room conducive to lower frequencies. Perfect bass integration with dissimilar cabinets and drivers can be quite illusive! I must note I listen primarily to Classical & Jazz.

Hello again Ryder! I should qualify the previous post. I measure to 30 Hz in my room at about 2 db down. The Eidolons ($25,000 with the Walnut Burl upgrade) measured 1 db down and 3 db down at 28 Hz in the same room. Now, you know the size of the AML-1's. They use a flat piston instead of a cone for the low frequencies. The motor assembly is about the size of the piston. This is feeding into a 5 1/2 foot transmission line from the rear of the piston. You cannot visually detect the piston moving at loud listening levels! The Eidolons weighed 150 lbs, were a 3 way with an 11" woofer and a vertical port with a very complex passive crossover network and a costly cabinet. I think the AML-1's are now about $10,000 due to the falling dollar. In this context however, they are still a bargain considering you get the amplifiers, electronic crossovers, equalizers and do not need to pay for the glorified fixed frequency tone controls called speaker cable. Plus, I feel the overall performance is improved. As a bonus, my friends need not fear a hernia whenever I decide to re-arrange the listening room where I now have more square footage left over!

Hi Usarrn, I concur in that the AML-1's can be considered as a bargain for their price in that we are getting so many things in one box and still able to save money on exotic speaker cables. This can be said for other good active speakers such as ATC. The only thing that amazes me is the 6.5" flat piston woofer constructed from carbon fibre/Nomex honeycomb that enables large linear excursions down to 33Hz from those rather small boxes. And I'm surprised you managed to get 30Hz-2db! James Tanner had previously measured the response of two units of his TLE1 subwoofer in his room and he also got about 30Hz. Considering each TLE1's have dual 6.5" woofers, I think there is something special going on in that flat piston woofer of the AML-1.

Anyhow, there is the SB100 subwoofer to match the AML-1 for surround monitoring. I am using the TLE1 subwoofer for my LB1's with great effect. It's good to note that you are getting excellent bass response from the AML-1 without the employment of a subwoofer.