I have owned both PB1i's and EB1i's but thanks to the advice from Sashav and others on earlier Audiogon discussions I took the leap over 1 year ago to the IB2i's. It was the best decision I have made. The real test for me was an Alison Krauss track. At one point in the song she really lets it out. With every other speaker I have owned I feel like turning down the volume with that passage. The IB2i with the PMC mid made the difference. It is just so overbuilt. Absolutley magnificant. I also purchased (since sold) a pair of PMC AML1 active monitors to experience an active design. I was impressed and can only imagine that the active version of the IB2i is equally impressive. PMC is a true believer in active designs. There is an interesting write up in HIFI Critic VOL 3 NUM 4 by PMC's Peter Thomas on the benefits of active speaker designs. Sashav, could you please elaborate on the IB2S active as compared to the passive IB2i? I might be interested in selling my IB2i's if someone is interested....
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
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
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- 41 posts total
- 41 posts total