So long, my (?) irreplaceable speakers!

R&D must be a significant cost for PMC. Most of the drivers they use are their own in-house designs, and they're as good as it gets.

Oh, an epilogue to my lost PMC saga. I replaced them in my home setup with a pair of Focus Audio FS-788 that became redundant at work. "Audiophile" speakers, highly rated, $5k a pair new. I kid you not, compared to the PMCs, they sound like some cheap tower speakers from Best Buy. It's not even close. And I knew that. I had A/B'd them years ago and it was like the difference between AM and FM radio.
 
They're not free, they're on loan. Basically I offered to "store" them at my place instead of some dusty, overstuffed storage room at work where they quite frankly just get in the way. I think I'll return them though. I really don't like how they sound - I could care less how much they used to cost (they're old now).
 
JTEX said:
They're not free, they're on loan. Basically I offered to "store" them at my place instead of some dusty, overstuffed storage room at work where they quite frankly just get in the way. I think I'll return them though. I really don't like how they sound - I could care less how much they used to cost (they're old now).
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Makes sense. Not everything expensive is good.

I've always been fascinated by audiophile stuff, and it was interesting to read up on those PMCs.

Do you have any experience with inexpensive speakers you liked?
 
What a difference a nice playback system makes!

I have a pair of late 70's Boston Acoustics which are incredibly detailed (efficient) and fairly flat for my home entertainment room. Driven by a nice, but not esoteric Denon surround system.

In my project studio, I have a extremely precise system consisting of (2) TOA 8" three-ways, an AMI 10" dual-coil sub, an AMI active crossover, with everything > 110Hz being driven by a Hafler SL-240 and a Crown D-150 powering the subs. All managed by Sonarworks SoundID speaker correction. Mastering recordings is a snap on this system, when using the Boston Acoustics / Denon system. If it sounds good on those two, it translates well to other playback systems.
 
Erik S said:
I've always been fascinated by audiophile stuff, and it was interesting to read up on those PMCs.

Do you have any experience with inexpensive speakers you liked?
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The cheapest speakers I've liked cost me CAD $7.99 at a thrift store. They're Acoustic Research AR-18s, and I did have to replace the rotten foam surrounds on the woofers at that give-away price. They're a sealed design and don't have any bass to speak of below perhaps 100Hz or so, but they just have a natural, not boxy sound, with a very large sweet spot. I bet they'd combine well with a good subwoofer to take care of the bottom end. Maybe that's one ticket to good sound on a budget: get some decent sealed speakers and add a sealed sub. I just seem to dislike bass reflex designs. They tend to sound loose/boomy/ringy/slow in the bass to me.
 
At the other extreme, here's the lowest bang per buck of any speakers I've seen. Eclipse TD712z mk2. They sound good, have very accurate imaging, single full-range driver, but can't handle even semi-serious volume, so where's the bang? Definitely not party or rock'n roll-approved. Who wants to just listen to solo violin? And where the heck are the propellers?

We only use the sub that came with them. That one's a great unit.

PXL_20240522_150929368.jpg ​

 
JTEX said:
At the other extreme, here's the lowest bang per buck of any speakers I've seen. Eclipse TD712z mk2. They sound good, have very accurate imaging, single full-range driver, but can't handle even semi-serious volume, so where's the bang? Definitely not party or rock'n roll-approved. Who wants to just listen to solo violin? And where the heck are the propellers?

We only use the sub that came with them. That one's a great unit.

View attachment 75559​

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That studer tho 👀
 
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