Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: PMC FB1+ Speakers by MICHAELMICKJ7@aol.com

Model:	FB1+
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	approx $3200
Description:	transmission line loudspeaker
Manufacturer URL:	PMC
Manufacturer URL:	PMC

Review by MICHAELMICKJ7@aol.com ( A ) on December 05, 2004 at 12:20:04
IP Address: 195.93.34.7

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for the FB1+

I have recently had the FB1 upgrade done about 6 weeks ago.
This cost me £300 UKP and It's been worth every penny.

I listen to mainly vinyl, but since the upgrade my Cd collection has been played more.The sound is more relaxed and CD with a hard edge and a lot smoother.This especially true of electronic music such as New Order.
I had a problem with sibilance on some albums and this has been almost totally elimanted now, although some CD's still possess this unwanted effect.

I listen to qutie a bit of reggae amongst other things and some dub records were overly bright on some recordings.Dub for anyone who deosn't know is essentially jsut drum and bass with the odd sound effect thrown in, such as horns and keyboards.On some recordings these effects could be a little too forward and abrasive, taking the shine off the basslines and drum playing.
The essentail character or tone of the speaker has not changed, it is still essentially very neutral, not warm in the slightest, but I have found the greatest improvement resulting from the upgrade has been a more pronounced bass.Whether this is because the HF and mids are smoother or because the new damping has created more baas I don't know but I'm very pleased with this.The bass has improved to such a degree that I have adjusted the springs on my gyrodec to reduce the bass response.Previously I had the springs loosened quite a bit in order to provide a better bass response.
Vocals are a lot smoother, and the overall presentation of the music is more relaxed.In fact I have found myself nodding off a couple of times, which I always find is a good sign.
I have not found the soundstage or imaging to have improved but it was very good in my opinion anyway.

I'm sorry this review is not very technical and I've not compared them to other speakers as I have only owned a couple of cheaper speakers in the past, but I wanted to share my experience with other FB1 owners who were maybe considering this upgarde.
I am glad I did it, and consider the price to be reasonable considering the added enjoyment I've experienced.

All I need now is some really good speaker cable for them.
Any suggestions?

Product Weakness: looks,doesn't compensate for poor recordings,or source.

Product Strengths: great bass, good soundstage, good dynamics,easy speaker placement.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity A3cr
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Musical Fidelity A3cr
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Michell Gyrodec, Marantz CD63se CDP.
Speakers:	PMC FB1+
Cables/Interconnects:	superconductor Fx i/c's,LAT SS800 bi-wire,Musical Fidlity Nu-vista i/c,Eccosse Condcutor(on CDP)
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Reggae,Soul,Pop,Jazz,Rock.
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 10 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	none, but have canvas paintings on wall, and some soft furnishings.solid concrete floor with vinyl covering, and large patio window covered by vertiacl blinds.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Graham Slee Era Gold V phono stage.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	looks,doesn't compensate for poor recordings,or source.
Product Strengths:	great bass, good soundstage, good dynamics,easy speaker placement.