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ProAc sound with SS vs tubes

Folks

I am close to buying a Proac D20R. I listened to them at the dealership yesterday, driven by a low power PrimaLuna tube amp, and was totally gobsmacked by the glorious midrange. When I get them, I will be driving them with something very similar - an EL34 powered 40w/ch tube amp. So I have a feeling they will perform close to how they sounded at the dealership!

The one caveat was that at the demo, when I played a bass-heavy electronic track and pulled the volume up, the bass started to get flabby and the port started "huffing". I don’t know if that is the technical term, but it felt like the speaker was losing grip on the bass and starting to lose control of the lowest frequencies with the synthesized bass jabs losing their timing. The track was Algae & Fungi, Part I - by Biosphere from the album Cirque, in case anyone is interested.

Based on that, my question is: is this something that is inherent to the speaker? I plan to switch my tube amp to a SS of significantly higher wattage soon. I am thinking either Ayre-V5xe, or the Hegel H-20 or one maybe even a Plinius-SA102 or SA-103 if I can find one at a reasonable price.

Can any Proac owners tell me if the bass response will tighten up with more power and a SS amp behind the speakers? Or is this a limitation of the D20R’s design that it’s bass response will not be well controlled with tracks that are bass heavy and highly rhythmic?

Thank you so much!
badri
badri OP
69 posts
 
@sbrownnw Thank you for sharing your experience. It is certainly bittersweet to hear that!

I am so glad you ended up finding that the Studio 148 worked for you. The D20R has a downward firing port as well - but there was just not the degree of control I would have expected. I am worried that the 20R is going to behave badly in my room - and I will potentially have to move up to the 30R or the 148s such as yourself. Or perhaps - look at the ATC line a lot more seriously seeing as ProAc sometimes use ATC drivers - especially for the midrange - but the ATC are a sealed design known for being "rock music friendly" - whatever the hell that might mean. :) 

I really really really hope the 20R behave better with the power of the Plinius behind them.

*fingers crossed*
sbrownnw
686 posts
 
@badri, I think you will really like the Studio 148s. Strings, violin through double bass have great tonality and presence. Plus I was listening to a CBS Talking Heads demo LP and The Crystal Method’s latest LP last night and both just rocked going quite low with great control and lot of air being moved.
badri OP
69 posts
 
@sbrownnw I was hoping you wouldn't say that - hahahahaha :) I was rather hoping to live with the 20R for a while instead of switching immediately. :)

But- thanks for letting me know that the 148 did work with more bass heavy stuff.

I think at the end of the day, it is going to be hard to get something working in a 13x13 room, without a sub, that has a full & beautiful midrange, is extended in treble but not overly bright, has a tight, deep and well-controlled bass response but does not have bass boom, is fast and fits within a reasonable budget. I know I am asking for a lot. :)
sbrownnw
686 posts
 
I also home demoed a pair of Ascend Sierra Towers with the RAAL ribbons.  Didn't like them even though a lot of people seem to rave about them.  Did not have the punch, liveliness and lower end that the ProAc Studio 148s have.  I think there is something said about lively equipment stands, speakers like ProAcs and turntables like Regas.  Overly reinforced speaker cabinets plus the enclosed midrange driver like the Sierra Towers in bamboo sounded like they had no energy, PRAT / punch or bass.
carmenc
293 posts
 
@badri .......I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised/relieved with the ProAc d20r in your room.  As the saying goes, "you can't have it all".  This particularly goes for speakers.  Just the midrange and ribbon tweeter alone is worth the price of admission to the Proacs.  They've got the best mids I've ever heard.  That's saying a lot.  The bass player s not bad either.  If your music requires that much base and fullness, better start thinking a sub.  Keep me posted and enjoy.

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