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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
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Artk-I think you are potentially right on most of the factors except the Ayre/Proac relationship (it has worked for me very well for a couple of years and on a lot of things the 2.5's totally sing)and the 2.5's filling my room-no problem there either.

I think the other three are very possible in any given combination.
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
(5)I believe that the size of your room is a factor.

"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."

Get an SPL meter or better yet get ETF 5.0 and see what the problem is before you spend a small fortune on guessing and stressing.

Once you have the facts you'll be able to make a better decision about how you can tune the system in. And you can share those facts with the rest of us...so you can help us help you.
ben_campbell OP
1,169 posts
 
Cinematic Systems-I don't think I need a meter.
I understand the level I need to play my music to enjoy it and I don't think a meter can help with that.

Maybe the louder you play the Proacs the worse they get but it's not a factor that I can relate to at the moment.

At this still very early stage I would go with this factor at the moment.
A different presentation with certain music due to increased detail and layers in the mix which perhaps I am mistaking or have mistaken for grain-the more I listen the more I am convinced the holographic presentation of these speakers is leading to the confusion on what I expect to hear based on listening to one system for nigh on two years without change.
I have also tended to worry about a small number of recordings that have bugged me rather than enjoying the obvious improvements on the vast majority I have played.

I keep an open mind with any of the others factors but have to say over the last two nights only picking recordings that I consider impressive I have been delighted with the 2.5's presentation.

I have no intention at this stage of changing anything else until I am sure I have lived with these speakers and given them some hours being pushed.
When I am at that stage I may consider other options and hopefully then any money spent or changes made will be made out of greed for more improvement rather than believing change of cables etc. is going to fix a fundamental problem for me.Although at this stage I'm hoping there won't be one and I'm optimistic I'm in the early stages of a long happy relationship.
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
"Cinematic Systems-I don't think I need a meter.
I understand the level I need to play my music to enjoy it and I don't think a meter can help with that."

Is that your final answer?

Clearly you don't understand what the meter is for, but hey I was just trying to help you with your issue.

But it looks like you're breaking nicely. :)
charliee's avatar
charliee
182 posts
 
Hello Ben
I have been following this thread with interest as a former
owner of Proac 2.5's, I usually dont get involved, but here goes.

I bought my pair brand new in 03 from a bay area dealer, and was able to follow them thru the break-in process, they were very good right out of the cartons, and gradually
"matured" over time,and of course, the overall presentation improved as well. The only way to break them in of course is to play them, especially if you can get them up from a cantor to a gallop for a while, while staying within your amps limitations of course, dont push them hard tho.

I have listened to them in three differant sized rooms, the largest being simular to yours except 18'x18'. They
work well in a large room, except the low end of course
loses it's stature as the square footage increases.

The 2.5's also like to be out in the room, away from the
rear wall, they even sound great well away from the rear
wall. I also suggest, that you "toe up" the front end by
adjusting the spikes to where the front of the speakers
is about 1/2-3/4" higher than the back. That will improve the overall presentation,imaging, soudstaging, etc....

What I find interesting is your comment about the scale of
bass, givin the size of your room, the bass output should be more on the inadiquate side, and not the "club experiance" Haveing owned them myself and knowing how they
sound, it sounds like you prefer a lean sound to your music.

Have you tried useing the port bungs? That's one thing that
might bring you closer to the response you like. The 2.5's
are a fuller sounding speaker than the studio, and the bungs will dampen the bass output. These should have come
with the speakers.

One last thing I wanted to add, the 2.5's do have a slight
grain to them. It's more apparent with well recorded music.
I especcially noticed this when I purchased a pair of Totem
Mani II's and compared the two speakers.

For what it's worth, the Mani's embarresed my beloved Proacs. No grain, beautifully open and clear, well defined bass, the bass response from the 2.5' is anything but well defined. The Proacs sound great untill they are compared to a more refined speaker, thats why I am now a former owner.


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