Updated ProAc Response D30DS and D30RS Speakers

Didn't know the D30R had too warm of a bass response, I just auditioned some and they sounded excellent.

Not a fan of ribbon tweeters on the current Proac's, so I am looking forward to hearing the new speakers. Who knows, maybe a pair will come home with me.

They also discontinued the Studio 148's, even though they are still on the website. The D18's have also been discontinued. Some new speakers are in the works, hopefully they can be auditioned at this years Axpona in April.

that is very interesting, always keen to audition a new proac speaker..... 

Chag, any advice on paring of the D20 with 282/250DR? I love my Dynaudio F260, but too big  for my small audio room.

analogmusic posted:

any advice on paring of the D20 with 282/250DR? I love my Dynaudio F260, but too big  for my small audio room.

Realize you asked about the 282/250 DR, but .... I demo'd the Proac D20R recently. Too big for my 14' x 16'  room with the SN2/HCDR combo. Excellent with the bare SN2. I've demo'd a half dozen speakers the past year and D20R is easily tops on my list. Well controlled by the SN2 and the ribbon tweeter works very well in my room.

badlands posted:

Some new speakers are in the works, hopefully they can be auditioned at this years Axpona in April.

I read in December about the update to the D30R that Chag mentioned which I understood would also include a change to the crossover. My question to my dealer was whether the D20R will soon get the same treatment. He doesn't know. Any one here heard anything?

Didn't know the D30R had too warm of a bass response, I just auditioned some and they sounded excellent.

I'd like to get the D30R home for an audition except that they are 1) above my budget and 2) likely too big for my room. What I've read about the D30R is that the bass is overall better controlled than the D20R, but there is a noticeable boost in the mid bass. Many forum writers were put off by this mid bass elevation. I didn't notice it when I listened at the dealers, but that was for about 10 minutes.

They run out of carbon fiber cones.

Hi Chag

i took delivery of one of the very first D30RS in November, and am delighted with them, just about run in now. They replaced a pair of D28s I had for 5 years. I was fond of the D28s but the bass was just well enough controlled when we moved house back to the UK. The D30RS are much better controlled, and to my ears at least have improved dynamics. Sensitivity is about the same as the D28s, possibly the 30s are slightly more efficient when driven by my SN1. I've since upgraded the amp to a 250DR and am thrilled with the result. Room size is about 10m by 4m.

Very happy indeed...

Paul

PBENNY1066, have you ever compared the new D30RS with the old D30R and what do you think is different/better in the sound of the new model?

Would you please post some pictures of your system?

Thank you!

I have a pair of D40R driven by a 500DR.  Love the sound of the speaker.    The bottom firing woofer is problematic.  I tamed it with a set of Herbies Fat Gliders.   These are cheap and excellent.  They perform the opposite of spikes to eliminate the floor driven room resonance.   They allow you to slide the speakers on your hardwood floor to perfect the  layout.   At the price, I recommend these to everybody.    They have changed my system for the better at under $200 altogether.   

Oh no. I have just ordered a pair of D30R two hours ago. I am serious.

Skip posted:

I have a pair of D40R driven by a 500DR.  Love the sound of the speaker.    The bottom firing woofer is problematic.  I tamed it with a set of Herbies Fat Gliders.   These are cheap and excellent.  They perform the opposite of spikes to eliminate the floor driven room resonance.   They allow you to slide the speakers on your hardwood floor to perfect the  layout.   At the price, I recommend these to everybody.    They have changed my system for the better at under $200 altogether.   

Skip

Did you go for the ones into which spikes sit, or the ones that dispense with spikes altogether? Standard size or Giant for the D40s? I'm likely going for K6 this year, and would be interested in giving these a try. Thanks.

Evlampi, I didn't get the chance to hear the D30 vs the D30S side by side. If I could work out how to post an image, I would do so......

Skip - I too am interested to hear about the feet for the speakers. Especially did you go for "cups" which the spikes sit on, or the screw-in feet ?

With the number of folks these days who have wooden floors rather than carpet, I'm surprised there isn't more discussion of speaker feet/cups. Views welcome as ever....

Paul

Latte posted:

Oh no. I have just ordered a pair of D30R two hours ago. I am serious.

I don't think you can get them anymore, as they have been discontinued, if you had to order them, I would guess you will receive the newer speaker D30RS.

badlands posted:

I don't think you can get them anymore, as they have been discontinued, if you had to order them, I would guess you will receive the newer speaker D30RS.

It was a display item. I believe D30RS has not started selling in my country but the dealer want to clear the old models ASAP beforehand. 

Well I hope you got a good price latte

PBenny1066 posted:

Hi Chag

i took delivery of one of the very first D30RS in November, and am delighted with them, just about run in now. They replaced a pair of D28s I had for 5 years. I was fond of the D28s but the bass was just well enough controlled when we moved house back to the UK. The D30RS are much better controlled, and to my ears at least have improved dynamics. Sensitivity is about the same as the D28s, possibly the 30s are slightly more efficient when driven by my SN1. I've since upgraded the amp to a 250DR and am thrilled with the result. Room size is about 10m by 4m.

Very happy indeed...

Paul

Hi Paul;

Thank you so much for this feedback. As you may have understood, I indeed had been contemplating replacing my D28s by D30Rs. 

Best wishes,

Chag -

badlands posted:

They also discontinued the Studio 148's, even though they are still on the website. The D18's have also been discontinued. Some new speakers are in the works, hopefully they can be auditioned at this years Axpona in April.

Really? They didn't last long. I think the studio 140s mk1 and mkII got 5 years each? Poor sales or something else? Be interesting to see what (if) they replace them with. 

yes they didn't last very long ( very strange) , if it is true. Is there a link somewhere, that confirms that information ?

Stringerbell posted:

yes they didn't last very long ( very strange) , if it is true. Is there a link somewhere, that confirms that information ?

The info came straight from the US distributor, who got it straight from Proac. The Studio 148 and D18 have been confirmed discontinued.

They cannot order either speaker any longer. None are being manufactured, I was told it is a cabinet supply problem,.

The D20R has then completely succeeded the D18. Is it really for the better? It is not offered with a dome tweeter option.  

Chag -

The D20 actually is offered with a dome tweeter. They have to be ordered, but it's an option if you prefer the dome over the ribbon tweeter.

Thanks Badlands. Good to know, staying with domes may sometimes be the conservative but still the wise decision.  

Chag -

I have a rather rare speaker then. Having S148 that is. 

Same here, my studio 148 serial suggests around the 300th pair made

Don't ever upgrade. It's a collector.

Chag -