PMC PMC DB1S-AII Review
PMC has given its highly-regarded DBS-A monitor a makeover. Huw Price assesses the results.
Price: £1,825.00
Manufacturer: PMC
Website: http://www.pmc-speakers.com
PMC is a company that’s known for its large transmission-line monitors. They are commonly found in high-end control rooms and mastering studios, but smaller designs like the DBS-A have seen PMC making inroads with the project studio scene.
As its name suggests, the DB1S-AII is the latest version of the highly regarded DBS-A, and the most significant change is a power increase. The original 100-watt Flying Mole power amps have been replaced with 200-watt Class-D amps that were developed by PMC to provide extra headroom and minimise distortion.
The amps are integral to the DB1S-AII, but there’s also a passive version and the amp modules are available separately. They link to the speakers via Speakon connectors, and the amps can be rackmounted. If you’re running a surround system this arrangement provides easy access to power switches and sensitivity controls. The switch and sensitivity control on the active DB1S-AII are top-mounted, so they’re still easy to get at.
Learning lines
Transmission-line speakers contain a tube that starts at the rear of the bass driver then loops up and down inside the enclosure before venting via the base of the cabinet – sometimes at the front, but in this case at the back. The main advantage of transmission-line speaker cabinets is (supposedly) bass extension that goes way beyond the capabilities of similar-size ported or infinite-baffle cabinets.
Much of PMC’s development efforts are directed towards the type and quantity of foam used in the transmission line itself. Absorbing all but the lowest frequencies inside the transmission line is essential to eliminate distortion and audible phase issues. A couple of seconds of listening was all that was required to determine that the DB1S-AIIs live up to this low-end promise. Deep, chesty bass without even a hint of boominess prompted us to turn on the test tones to determine exactly what was going on.
Roll-off starts at around 100Hz, but it’s extremely smooth and gradual. The fundamental frequency was still clearly audible at 20Hz and we couldn’t detect any distorted overtones. Given that the size of the cabinet barely exceeds that of a Yamaha NS10, this is nothing short of remarkable. Bass response is fast and defined, too, so even dubby bass lines retain their rhythmic drive.
Best of all, there was absolutely no port chuffing – the flatulent blast that emanates from many ported cabinets in response to low-frequency energy. Of course, you could get a subwoofer to handle the low stuff, but bass handling is far from being the DB1S-AII’s only attribute. These speakers have an effortlessly clear, transparent quality across the entire frequency range.
Detail assessment
The absence of an upper bass hump contributes to an outstandingly revealing and detailed midrange with no discernible colouration. While it’s easy to pick out the nuances of individual mix elements, everything gels superbly. Imaging is razor-sharp – both left/right and the depth of the soundstage.
The only downside is that PMC doesn’t regard acoustic issues as its responsibility, so EQ-adjustment controls aren’t provided. That’s OK if you work in an adequately treated room, but it may be an issue if you’re recording in less than perfect conditions.
We spent over a week with the DB1S-AIIs assessing recordings and even tidying up mixes we had previously been happy with. Then, at the end of each day, we found ourselves listening to CDs for sheer enjoyment value. We can therefore report that these monitors are totally non-fatiguing and very easy to work with. Best of all, they provide the type of wide-open sonic window and eerie realism that’s the preserve of only the very finest monitors. We may have found our new favourite nearfields… MTM
Verdict
WHY BUY
Solid, controlled bass
Razor-sharp imaging
Deep soundstage
Astonishing detail
Big sound/compact size
WALK ON BY
No digital input
No EQ control
Non-indented sensitivity controls
Ample power, stunning clarity and incredible bass extension make the DBS-AIIs just about perfect for small-studio monitoring.
Score: 9
This review first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 105
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