Recently my wife and I took a few days of R&R south of border. I was able to spend some time at AudioClassics and meet up with Frank Gow as well as get a tour of McIntoshLabs, which interestingly enough, my wife enjoyed much more than she expected. One of my goals was to listen to PMC speakers, specifically the EB1i.

Initially, we listened to the EB1i in the front entrance room of AudioClassics powered by the new MA6600 and with an MCD301 as a source. My first impression of the speakers were quite favorable though my wife, who has a better ear than I, was rather indifferent to it. After listening to it for a while I asked Frank if we could compare the EB1i's to other speakers. So we moved into one of the soundrooms hooked up the speakers to some MC1.2KWs with an MCD1000 as the source. However, before we did that we spent some time listening to the XRT1Ks. Frank mentioned that with the XRT1Ks sometimes people need to get used to the higher sound stage because of their height, though that did not seem to bother me.

As I listened to the Mc's, I found them to be quite revealing and powerful. If you have the room and space they are a speaker that you might want to consider, but in a smaller room I do think they could easily overwhelm the listener.

I was in for a surprise however when the EB1i's were hooked up. They sounded much more musical to me. I found the music much more natural, easy, realistic. Of course both speakers have their and weaknesses, but as I kept listening to the EB1i's I found myself relaxing more and simply enjoying the music and so was my wife. The musicality of the EB1i's become truly evident when we listened to Beethoven's 9th. I've heard this symphony live on a couple of occasions and I've heard several CD versions. As we listened to the 2nd movement on each set of speakers it was when I heard the tympani that I was able to fully appreciate the EB1i's. On the XRT's the tympani sounded muffled, on the EB1is the tympani sounded 'real'.

As the time approached to leave AudioClassics and head for McIntosh Labs I was wishing we had more time. I could have listened for hours. I can understand now how you simply don't become fatigued when listening to these speakers.

I had anticipated that I would be hard pressed to find a clear preference over either speaker. My thinking was that I would be impressed and that either speaker would easily satisfy me. That is not what happened. Had I listened to the speakers at different time and different places, I think it would have been very hard to identify the differences I found. The experienced reinforced the notion that to choose you have to do a side by side comparison and keep as many of the variables the same.

I do want to express sincere thanks to Frank Gow of AudioClassics, who was patient with us and organized the tour of McIntoshLabs. It made our holiday that much more memorable.

Just wanted to share my thoughts.

Sales of other brands of speakers at AC are going down while sales of PMC speakers are going up. After living with my new PMC OB1i speakers for just a short period of time, I have sold or given away all my McIntosh and Klipsch speakers and have thrown away the previously maintained list of potential speakers. There is no need now to spend any time considering next speaker purchase, etc.

Large speakers are usually more room dependent than smaller units. I know Ron has disagreed with me on this in the past but IMO the 1K's can sound pretty average/poor (i.e last year at AK Fest) to mesmerizing as I have heard a a local dealer. The same equipment was used in both instances, but the room/set-up did the speakers no justice.
Also, as you state not everyone likes a tall soundstage, which is why many people prefer monitors or stand mounts. You seem to gravitate towards a musical speaker, whereas I prefer a more lifelike sound or live sound. Therefore if I was deciding between the two, I would lean towards the 1k's. Isn't it great we have these choices?

I was in for a surprise however when the EB1i's were hooked up. They sounded much more musical to me. I found the music much more natural, easy, realistic. Of course both speakers have their and weaknesses, but as I kept listening to the EB1i's I found myself relaxing more and simply enjoying the music and so was my wife. The musicality of the EB1i's become truly evident when we listened to Beethoven's 9th.

Always a good sign when a speaker draws you in to music. :music:

Listen to the XR200's when you can.

Listen to the XR200's when you can.

A comparison between the PMC EB1i's against the new McIntosh XR200 would be nice!:yes:

I wonder if a unit of MC602 would make them sing beautifully in the bedroom! :scratch2:

Large speakers are usually more room dependent than smaller units. I know Ron has disagreed with me on this in the past but IMO the 1K's can sound pretty average/poor (i.e last year at AK Fest) to mesmerizing as I have heard a a local dealer. The same equipment was used in both instances, but the room/set-up did the speakers no justice.
Also, as you state not everyone likes a tall soundstage, which is why many people prefer monitors or stand mounts. You seem to gravitate towards a musical speaker, whereas I prefer a more lifelike sound or live sound. Therefore if I was deciding between the two, I would lean towards the 1k's. Isn't it great we have these choices?

I will have my EB1i delivered in 5 days and I can't wait for them any more.
I just listened to them for 2 hours before buying them and I can tell you 2 things :
- They are tremendously excellent
- They are extremely MUSICAL and yet they are extremely LIFE LIKE AND DYNAMIC.
I would say they have the best of the 2 worlds, a kind of magic mix of ProAc and Klipsh / JBL speakers.... Something I never heard before on still affordable speakers.

Best wishes,

I've just recently sold my PMC IB1's after a 5 year relationship and ordered the new PB1i's from PMC. Apparently they are right on par with the performance of the EB1i's. I'll keep you all posted with my experience on their synergy with all my Mac stuff.

Recently my wife and I took a few days of R&R south of border. I was able to spend some time at AudioClassics and meet up with Frank Gow as well as get a tour of McIntoshLabs, which interestingly enough, my wife enjoyed much more than she expected. One of my goals was to listen to PMC speakers, specifically the EB1i.

Initially, we listened to the EB1i in the front entrance room of AudioClassics powered by the new MA6600 and with an MCD301 as a source. My first impression of the speakers were quite favorable though my wife, who has a better ear than I, was rather indifferent to it. After listening to it for a while I asked Frank if we could compare the EB1i's to other speakers. So we moved into one of the soundrooms hooked up the speakers to some MC1.2KWs with an MCD1000 as the source. However, before we did that we spent some time listening to the XRT1Ks. Frank mentioned that with the XRT1Ks sometimes people need to get used to the higher sound stage because of their height, though that did not seem to bother me.

As I listened to the Mc's, I found them to be quite revealing and powerful. If you have the room and space they are a speaker that you might want to consider, but in a smaller room I do think they could easily overwhelm the listener.

I was in for a surprise however when the EB1i's were hooked up. They sounded much more musical to me. I found the music much more natural, easy, realistic. Of course both speakers have their and weaknesses, but as I kept listening to the EB1i's I found myself relaxing more and simply enjoying the music and so was my wife. The musicality of the EB1i's become truly evident when we listened to Beethoven's 9th. I've heard this symphony live on a couple of occasions and I've heard several CD versions. As we listened to the 2nd movement on each set of speakers it was when I heard the tympani that I was able to fully appreciate the EB1i's. On the XRT's the tympani sounded muffled, on the EB1is the tympani sounded 'real'.

As the time approached to leave AudioClassics and head for McIntosh Labs I was wishing we had more time. I could have listened for hours. I can understand now how you simply don't become fatigued when listening to these speakers.

I had anticipated that I would be hard pressed to find a clear preference over either speaker. My thinking was that I would be impressed and that either speaker would easily satisfy me. That is not what happened. Had I listened to the speakers at different time and different places, I think it would have been very hard to identify the differences I found. The experienced reinforced the notion that to choose you have to do a side by side comparison and keep as many of the variables the same.

I do want to express sincere thanks to Frank Gow of AudioClassics, who was patient with us and organized the tour of McIntoshLabs. It made our holiday that much more memorable.

Just wanted to share my thoughts.

Should have connected the 1.2KW's and the MCD1000 to the EB1i's to see how that sounded......:nono:

Sales of other brands of speakers at AC are going down while sales of PMC speakers are going up. After living with my new PMC OB1i speakers for just a short period of time, I have sold or given away all my McIntosh and Klipsch speakers and have thrown away the previously maintained list of potential speakers. There is no need now to spend any time considering next speaker purchase, etc.

WOW... William, That IS saying ALOT!!!

Should have connected the 1.2KW's and the MCD1000 to the EB1i's to see how that sounded......:nono:

:scratch2: That was done as well. Not sure I follow what you're saying.

Listen to the XR200's when you can.

I hope to. It will depend on when dealers in Toronto get some. Perhaps AudioClassics will have some when I bring the MAC 1700 for a look see. :yes:

:scratch2: That was done as well. Not sure I follow what you're saying.

Good.... I am glad you were able to listen to both speakers using the same amps and sources. A fair comparision is all I am asking for.

Rock.......I fully understand your enthusiasm for the PMC EB1i speakers. I have lived with mine for eight months now. Every single time the music begins I am still overwhelmed at how real, life like and dynamic the EB1i's are. I listen to a wide range of music, and particularly enjoy solo piano, and solo guitar. The PMC's just step out of the way, and let the instruments shine. Voices are the same, as though the artist stepped into the room. I thoroughly enjoy my EB1i's. I regularly listen to two friends systems, B&W 802D's and Focal Alto Utopia Be's. I would not swap my PMC EB1i's for either of their speakers. As a matter of fact, I have been thinking about purchasing another pair of EB1i's for the studio. I like them that much.

Rock.......I listen to a wide range of music, and particularly enjoy solo piano, and solo guitar. The PMC's just step out of the way, and let the instruments shine. Voices are the same, as though the artist stepped into the room.

+1 :thmbsp:

Fully agree! I did audition the speakers and its everything Dan said. In fact, I am addicted to their bass .... (if my High Violons had the SAME kind of bass, it would be my LAST pair of speakers).

Try Nils Lofgren Live CD and you will be amazed.:thmbsp:

Cheers! :banana:

Is PMC's webpage in the tank? It is showing as parked now...

How do the EB1i's compare to the new IB2i's?

gotham.......The IB2i and the MB2i are the next two models above the EB1i, and both use a higher power handling midrange dome from their pro line, plus the MB2i uses a different, and larger woofer. This is the PMC consumer speakers link: http://www.pmc-speakers.com/productCats.php?mode=productCats&cid=4

CL: Raya Yarbrough - Self titled CD

Sales of other brands of speakers at AC are going down while sales of PMC speakers are going up. After living with my new PMC OB1i speakers for just a short period of time, I have sold or given away all my McIntosh and Klipsch speakers and have thrown away the previously maintained list of potential speakers. There is no need now to spend any time considering next speaker purchase, etc.

I also own the OB1's and I agree with William.Keith's comments on the PMC speakers. Give them a listen they might end up in your listening room.