Original ProAc Response 2 vs. Gibbon Super 8

the ProAc's are classic speakers ... have not heard both but the ProAcs are still very good even by todays standards

the response 2's are indeed 'classics'. the gibbon is a great speaker, but imo this is a change for the sake of change.

floor standing vs. monitors, all else equal? no contest.

Before you replace the Response 2s, check to see if the woofer/midrange is tightly attached to the cabinet. Both my Response 2 and Response 3 suffered from a gradual loosening of the bolts, and re-tightening them made a world of difference.

Have your Response 2 had any maintenance? ProAc speakers of that age are all coming due for woofer replacement. For some reason refoaming is not good enough and woofer replacement is recommended at $300 each.

It is my opinion these foam surrounds are not going bad overnight rather they are slowing becoming weaker with age and gradually changing the sound. I have a feeling the aged sound is preferred by most users because it is common to see ProAc speakers with recent woofer replacement for sale. It obviously takes a lot more power to get the same bass with the new tighter surrounds.

Because of woofer foam rot and this potential for ever changing sound I have decided to stay away from speakers using this type of driver.

I have owned both and IMO, hands-down the Super 8s are better speaker in all aspects. However, they are very different "sounding" speakers, I would try and give the 8s a listen before buying as you may not like the DeVore "house sound".

Enjoy the Journey!

Hi, I'm for the ProAcs myself--don't like the "House Sound " of the DeVores -as poster above put it.

D

Thanks for varying responses. I think I will stick with the original Response 2. Until I find a local auditioning spot, why gamble. - Thanks

I had my Response 2 woofers re-foamed by Millersound and have been VERY pleased with the results. I've had 4 prs of ProAcs over the years so I suspect I would have heard any degradation in performance.

I have a pair of Response 2s that need re-foaming, could you tell me how to contact Millersound? I just can't swallow the $500 apiece replacement fee for new ProAc woofers.

Just in case you never found this info...215-412-7700

I will have to disagree that the Response 2 and the Devores are very different-sounding speakers. I owned the Response 2, twice, and even had the woofers replaced at one point due to the deterioration as mentioned above. Later, I owned the Devore 9, which is probably very similar to the 8. And many, many speakers in between (I now have the Devore 0/96). Yes, one is a monitor, one is a floor stander. But they have in common: very quick with great "momentum and flow," they are both very "musical" as opposed to ruthlessly revealing, but can still tell you about your associated components; well-controlled, tuneful bass that goes down just far enough to provide some impact. Both have clarity and image "out of the box" very nicely, although the 8s should have a little more scale and impact. The Response 2 has a bit of a "midbass bump" whereas the Devore 9 (and I believe the 8) was more flat in the bass, so this could result in a difference in how they are perceived. So yes, it may be more of a lateral move, but if you enjoy the Proac 2 "sound," I bet you would also enjoy the Devore "sound." You might want to consider picking up a pair of used 9s, I found them enjoyable in much the same way as the Proac 2, but with greater sense of scale and impact. Also, they both have friendly impedance curves for use with a wide range of amplifiers.