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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
wrm57

Showing 5 responses by ryder

ryder
1,742 posts
 
I feel it's a huge risk not being able to listen to the speakers first hand and bringing them home based on recommendations on the forum. Having said that, judging from your description the Thiel CS3.7 may be a better choice than the PMC EB1i. I have listened to the EB1i couple of times and although they sound very full and controlled with exceptionally deep bass, they are not the last word in micro-dynamics, nuance and tonal purity. The PMCs have good macro-dynamics, impressive scale and can go loud though. As Shadorne mentioned, the IB2i is at another level with higher degree of transparency probably due to the quality soft dome midrange driver. Unfortunately it is out of your price range and may not be optimally driven by the Mac amps.

The Thiel CS3.7s are on the analytical side with a lot of high-end detail. A friend who's ears I trust felt that the 3.7s presentation is too forward and bright. It's probably due to the room and electronics though. Your Macintosh amps which lean more towards warmth and smoothness may combine well with the Thiels.

At the sort of price range you're looking at I urge you to consider all your options carefully. Apart from Sophia III you might want to look at the Magico as well.

Good luck.
ryder
1,742 posts
 
I do not own the EB1i but have listened to it couple of times. Similarly I find the bass to be too much, feels a bit bloated. The bass on the IB2i should be more controlled and at a higher level.
ryder
1,742 posts
 
Sashav, may I ask how do you compare the active PMCs with active ATCs in their respective classes? The passive IB2i sounded pretty incredible to me. I can't imagine how much more the active models(PMC or ATC) would bring to the table when compared to the passive IB2i. Do you find the active PMCs or ATCs to be overall better speakers than the Wilson Sasha and Revel Salon2? A friend of mine owns both these speakers -Salon2 in his main system and Sashas in his bedroom.

I am also familiar with the Harbeth M40.1s. As good as this top of the range Harbeth can be, the philosophy in the design of this speaker is different from the equivalent range from PMC and ATC. The bigger PMC and ATC passives or actives are made from robust heavy duty drivers built in heavy cabinets whereas the cabinet of the 40.1s are made from "thin-wall" panels. I believe the bigger PMC and ATCs possess a much larger scale with higher SPL capabilities than the 40.1s(or any other speaker for that matter). The result is a highly controlled and composed sound with high degree of transparency and the ability to play at crazy volume levels(probably in the excess of 120dB in a large space) without losing control.
ryder
1,742 posts
 
Sashav, you have a good pair of ears and we probably share the same listening preference. I have listened to the Revel Salon2 couple of times last year. They were driven by Mark Levinson monoblocks and Wyred4Sound amps later through the year when my friend upgraded the electronics. Similarly I find the Salon2 to exhibit a hard and metallic sound especially in the high frequency region. Of course my benchmark is the Harbeth which possesses an organic, rounded and natural sound that sounded totally different from the Revels. In contrast, people may argue that the Harbeth lacks the transparency of the Revels and are rolled off in the highs. After becoming accustomed to the sound of the Harbeth, I find the presentation of the Salon2 to be artificial and unnatural.

In my mind the better PMCs and ATCs offer the most neutral sound without the artifact contributed by the *presumably* exotic materials in the tweeters and woofers.

To each his own.

I would be interested to hear your impressions on the active PMCs vs ATCs.
ryder
1,742 posts
 
Congratulations on the new speakers. The IB2i will most likely last you a lifetime. Great accomplished speakers.

Enjoy~

ps. similarly I am intimidated by the scary looking drivers of the MB2i.
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