thoughts and views on PMC OB1's

continuing my series of posts on views/opinions of different speakers this weeks candidate is the PMC OB1

as before would appreciate views and opinions please.....

G

 

well done for bringing this speaker to the attention of the great unwashed.

it is too cool for words- they absolutely play with anything and are spectacularly musical. refined, neutral, exciting, and dramatic.

PMC are clearly one of the hot-properties of the new millenium!(pity you can't buy shares when you discover great companies like this...)

they match beautifully with naim as they share the same sonic attitude but their neutrality and effortlessness makes them an absolute joy to use.

the transmission line means they are largely non-room dependent so they can go up against the wall.
if the sign of a truly great product is that everybody likes it then here you have your first classic of the new millenium.

 

sorry, but i'd have to throw up a contrary opinion (but that's what makes life interesting isn't it?) i heard a pair with a naim system (202, hi, 250, cdx2) last year when i was cd player auditioning. as it was a 'foreign' system so to speak i could be wrong but although they gave a lot of detail they had a forward mid that didn't agree with my ears and they didn't seem to be that lively either. like anything in hi-fi these things are very much down to personal preference so get a demo, preferably in your own home with your kit over a few days.
cheers


julian.

 

If this sound floats your boat, then try Meadowlark, its just done better

 

hmmm, funnily enough i did just that - out went the fb1's, and in came the shearwaters. much better.
though the new owner of the fb1's is very happy with them, using them with the possibly perfect match of bryston amplification.

 

Every PMC speaker I've heard has had flubby bass and a congested midrange.

-- Ian

 

I think they need Bryston power not Naim power.

 

That was with Bryston power...

-- Ian

 

Hmmm... never expected to hear someone say PMC has 'flubby' bass! Could have been the room? What ones did you hear? The ones I have heard had the tightest bass I have ever heard! AML1, LB1, AB2 and BB5. I have never heard the FB1 or really any of the commercial Hi-Fi stuff all pro models, but the pro and Hi-Fi lines do cross over quite a bit so I wouldn't think they were that different.

 

Ian, be reassured that they sound even worse with Naim amps. BTW is one either an ATC or a PMC person?

 

I too, have not been over impressed with PMC speakers. Nice open sound and deep bass but rather uninvolving and with seemingly compressed dynamics. I have a theory that this is due to the rather complex, multi-element crossovers PMC seem to like using.

 

I've only heard these at the Bristol show, two years ago, with Byrston amps naturally and IIRC a Pink Triangle DAC. It was probably my favourite system on the day. I heard mainly some Dire Straits stuff played, which I certainly enjoyed. A totally non-fatiguing listen I thought, and remember being particularly impressed with the sound of a piano played through them. I'd be auditioning these if I was after some speakers at this price point anyway.

 

I thought the DB1+ and GB1 models quite impressive on cursory listening at shows. I've not heard any of the bigger models in such a way as to pass judgement on them. I'm interested in a pair of DB1s for a second-system project I have underway, but for my main speakers I will stick with the american take on the theme...

 

To be fair to PMC, it's always been at shows. Couldn't tell you the models, don't know the range well enough. But I've heard them 4 or 5 times and always wanted to leave the room ASAP.

-- Ian

 

Brotzman & Sun Ra have the effect on me too Ian

 

I have similar feelings to Ian- heard them but wanted to be elsewhere. Just not my cup of tea.

 

I heard OB1s with a Bryston BP25/4BSST and their placement can be critical. Too close to corners and walls and you do get a congested midband and flabby bass (as you would a lot of speakers I guess).

The OB1s don't sound as free or as lively as the FB1s, but they do have a better mid-range and top-end and go appreciably deeper.

The OB1s also need a big room with at least a 2.5 to 3m listening distance. The smaller PMCs do better with smaller rooms.

Brystons really do bring out the best in PMCs though. I personally haven't heard better amplification SPECIFICALLY for PMCs, and I've tried a range of amps with them including Cyrus, Arcam, Simaudio, Krell, AVI and MF.

(I own FB1s and shortly some Brystons, so I am biased )

 

My experience with PMC is limited - they always seem to sound good at shows.

But, some years ago I listened at a dealer showroom to the PMC IB1 (I think that was the model - smallish standmount with a slightly irregular cabinet shape). It mangled rhythms quite shockingly - not what I expected either from the brand or my preconceptions, It was laughable - I only sat it out for a minute to show some politeness - the salesperson shared my opinion. Similarly-priced ATCs (same room, same time, same track, same electronics) were fine. This was with Bryston amps.

I think I've seen a magazine review which picked up on this PMC effect with another model.

Something to look out for when auditioning.

 

Dick, this is the IB1 Not really a 'small' stand-mount.

 

Sorry, LB1.