TB2+ Speaker:



PMC's continued development program has facilitated the launch of the TB2+. The new 2-way nearfield monitor boasts a frequency range of 40Hz - 25kHz with a drive unit complement of: 170mm cast chassis bass driver and 25mm Ferrofluid cooled alloy HF unit. Developments in transmission line technology, cabinet design and build increase the performance way beyond the original TB1S, which this model replaces.

The scale of presentation and depth of bass belies the meagre size of the cabinet. Steel fittings at the rear of the TB2+ allow for the addition of the Bryston PowerPac modules. These mono-block power amps make the TB2+ a potent and dynamic tool, outperforming many products at twice the cost. So as to keep pace with 5.1 surround mixes there is, as with all the PMC range, a shielded low-profile centre channel (TB2SM-C+) and dedicated sub (XB1-A)for the .1 effects channel.

Full range monitoring can also be achieved with the TB2+ by the addition of a XB1-P. This mighty sub will extend the usable frequency range down to 25Hz with the bonus of increased power handling.

Audio Technology Review the PMC TB2+

Christopher Holder avails himself of some real British refinement.

Anyone with an eye for all things beyond our shores will be well aware of PMC (Professional Monitor Company). It's an UK company that makes a range of very well respected studio monitors.

Peter Thomas and Adrian Loader formed PMC in 1990. They had a wealth of industry experience behind them, including tenures at the BBC. Their designs were met with immediate acclaim and were quickly taken on by British studios, particularly mastering houses. In fact, if you look into the background of any CD recorded in the UK in the last 10 years it's actually more than likely to have been mastered on systems where the playback included PMC monitors. The biggest example of this is at Metropolis Mastering, which has multiple PMC systems of every shape and size.

Although PMC's expertise lies concentrated in the design of speaker systems, they do have a long running strategic alliance with Canadian amplifier company, Bryston. With the input of Bryston, PMC can specify fully-powered, matched studio monitoring systems. On the nearfield front Bryston supply monoblock 'limpet'-style amps that attach to the rear of the speaker cabinet. The Bryston amps are optional on the TB2+'s - you can buy the monitors with or without - furthermore you can detach the amp at any time and wire up another amp if you so desire.

The TB2+'s are the babies of the PMC range and are actually a refinement of the older TB1 design. The monitor employs a 170mm Vifa bass/midrange driver and a 25mm Vifa metal dome (aluminium alloy) ferrofluid filled tweeter that utilises a phase shield. The bass unit employs a cast magnesium alloy basket to help reduce flux interferences and resonances. The system crosses over at 3kHz with a 6dB/octave hard-wired crossover system. The cabs are constructed of MDF board, and acoustic foam has been used as damping material. The TB2+'s are solid, really quite compact and, subjectively, look rather nice.

It takes no time at all to realise that these monitors are classy little customers. My brain soon switched from asking, 'do I like these speakers?' to 'how much do I like these speakers?'. As mentioned, the review models came with the Bryston 60w amps attached. The amps have a Neutrik combi connector and a RCA connector with a switch to toggle between inputs. Unlike many powered/active monitors these days, you won't find a selection of bass and high frequency roll-off switches. If you were carrying these monitors about and found yourself in some compromised monitoring situations you may wish the TB2+'s featured a similar setup. But I'll confess that in the situations I found myself in, I didn't at any stage find myself reaching around the back of the speaker for an absent shelving switch.

The TB2+'s highs and mids are incredibly detailed. Reverb tails and high end program material were represented exceptionally well. Likewise the stereo imaging was handled very nicely. The high end unit seems to offer the best of what metal tweeters are capable of without any of the stridency of poorer designs. In fact, I think initially many engineers may find the top end smoothness somewhat disarming. Perhaps words like 'flattering' might be used to describe its response after an initial listen. But after extended listening tests, I found this not to be the case &endash; these speakers will be just as unflattering to a bad mix as they will be flattering to a great mix.

The lows and mids are taken care of by the 170mm driver. These monitors are quoted at being 3dB down at 40Hz, which is quite astonishing given the dimensions of the driver and cab. What you do get, though, is not a muddy 'woof' of low end energy to give you a woolly illusion of bass. The sound they provide is very punchy and well defined. The TB2+'s extended response is largely down to some clever transmission line cabinet design. Transmission lines are not for the under-researched or impoverished R&D department. To get it right takes real precision and ingenuity and there's nothing to suggest that PMC haven't pulled it off with flying colours.

PMC are one of a handful of blue ribbon monitoring manufacturers, and it's easy to see why. These are very classy, and they don't cost the earth. Yes, $5,000 is more than a week's pocket money for most, but the sonic advantages are obvious over any system I've heard in the cheaper $2,000 to $4,000 dollar range. Also, consider this: without the Bryston units you're only looking at around $2,000. Look, if I had a high quality amp in my rack which I knew would do these speakers justice, there'd be a pair of TB2+'s on my meterbridge tomorrow. As it goes, I'd be careful about discounting the value of the Brystons; time and again their low distortion and fast slew rate was evident.

Many people are awaiting the arrival of PMC's AML1 active monitors. I heard the AML1s briefly while overseas, and can only add myself to those ranks of anticipation. They'll be around double the price, though, and we probably won't see them in Australia until early next year. In the meantime get onto PMC's distributor, Neotec, for a demo of the TB2+ or, if your wallet permits, one of their larger main monitoring systems. Very highly recommended.

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