PMC FB1s; Good Reviews; Good Speakers?

I have read mostly good reviews with one dissenter, I think it was Alvin Gould from hfn/rr. Please forgive me if I have spelt his name incorrectly. He basically complained of a slow ponderous bass - naim fans will not like this quality. There are some good deals on Sbl's at the moment?

Thanks

Its Alvin Gold, and I don't mind at all how you spell it. I enjoy his colourful prose but would not dream of believing a word he says.

I'm auditioning them tomorrow I hope. Met thought they might be good for me - he knows I want fast, tuneful bass.

I also want bags of round earth stuff I'm afraid so the SBLs are not really my thing. I'm better off with speakers well into the room, although I liked the Allaes (with CDS2/52/500 - I may have liked anything).

Alex

A friend, whose opinion I respect, has recently gone from SBLs to the PMCs. He'd decided that the PMCs excelled on a wider range of material than the SBLs on the end of his naim system. I use Intros and TB2s and while both sound very different, they both have qualities I enjoy on the end of a Naim system.

Regards

Stephen

Heard these at a Bristol show -- can't remember which (recent) year. Sounded very "hifi" and flubby.

IIRC, PMC used to use Naim as their "preferred" amps before they got into bed with Bryston. At a Penta show ages ago, I heard a pair of their LB1s perform superbly with Roksan CDP, 52/SC(?)/135s. This was a very small room though, and apparently the LB1s can shut down 135s quite quickly (not that it happened!). In that context though, the LB1s seemed vastly better than the FB1s did more recently. I was reminded of the LB1 experience when hearing the Allaes at Bristol this year (also with 52/SC/135s). Something was very "right". Front end/amps? Possibly.

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

I think the SBL can do round earth stuff, it basically reveals what the source is saying. They do have this reputation for being fierce and bright etc but having enjoyed a pair for the last 6-months I honestly don't konw where this predjudice stems from.

Mark.....

You have heard the allea & not told me what you thought .....shame on you!

Question : Do you think my 180 will drive them ok? Or am I better to spend money of diff speakers.... poss credo??

Cheers Mad boy Matt

To Davey,

Hey.....You also looking for speakers! what are you using in the rest of your set up.

From Mad boy Matt (I work in Bristol)

Alex

Bub is correct Alex. These are good speakers placed well out from the back wall in a large room driven by a 250. Could be worth a listen.

Bri

Thanks. Will do. Over and out - Bedtime stories for the kids - 'Cat in the Hat' - Best Author there is.

Later,

Alex

b. P.S. Fake, I believe, difficult to tell from this range: pffffsssspt is my riposte.

Had a listen this morning. I liked them but not enough to consider throwing out the N805s. Given their affiliation, they probably work best with Bryston amps. Thanks for the replies.

Alex

For:
Deep, solid bass; accurate pitch and tonal balance.

Against:
Slow as f*ck.

Verdict:
No.

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve

PMC FB1 slow as f*ck? Don't think so. Fast enuff to be only marginally beaten to the punch by a pair of Shahinian Arcs which are quick as..
Maybe the guy who swapped his SBLs for the PMC was on to something. Mind you, SBL always been horribly overated

Redeye

Punch in the bass, maybe, but punch in the rest, I think not...
FB1s really mess up the timing of music in general, IMHO.I'm more concerned with leading edges of guitar and piano strings, as well as those of light percusive instruments, that FB1s just can't manage as cleanly as the likes of Naos, or even Ruark CL20s - which are the same price as the FB1s, for example.

I agree with you on SBLs, though. They just seem sooo difficult to set up, IMHO, and they don't do deep bass at all.

It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.

Alex S,
Don't believe half the stuff you've heard. PMC FB1s are NOT slow, do NOT have a soggy bottom end and can certainly carry a tune. Well worth considering if like me you find the whole Naim speaker thing slightly funny. If you are a musician or attend loads of live music you will 'get' these speakers immediately. They do nowt wrong

Cheers

Redeye

They are Professional Monitor Company (PMC) and they do not make coloured speakers. That is why some of us do not like them (laughs). All they need is a good (clean 400VA transient amp. to be with). That is why they go to bed with Bryston amp. Those pure muscle amplifiers (but not the Naim sounding character and I admit that I like the Naim sound!) amplifiers.