PMC twenty.22

FTGV

joecoulson wrote: »

That’s a great protective barrier. Wonder what it does to the sound?

They called it the Tangerine waveguide. https://www.kefdirect.com/blog/tag/what+is+tangerine+waveguide?

halo

FTGV wrote: »

joecoulson wrote: »

That’s a great protective barrier. Wonder what it does to the sound?

They called it the Tangerine waveguide. https://www.kefdirect.com/blog/tag/what+is+tangerine+waveguide?

It comes in different colors too!

mhardy6647

yeah, I know

mhardy6647

Not to be confused with Altec's Tangerine phase plug of the 1970s, I guess...

Clipdat

After several months of listening to these PMC speakers, I'm afraid they are starting to ruin other speakers for me. Namely my old Polk LSiM 703s and my 2.1 computer setup with Polk Blackstone TL3s. Obviously apples and oranges, but still.

I hooked up the 703s about a month ago just for kicks, and to reacquaint myself with their sound. After a few tracks, I thought to myself "I can't listen to these anymore".

First, as I cranked up the volume, the bass became incredibly boomy and out of control - completely overpowering the other elements of the song. However, the thing that was bothering me the most was the way the tweeter sounded at higher volumes. It just had an unpleasant harsh, hard, and flat quality to it, especially when getting into the 80-90db range. It was physically uncomfortable. I guess now it makes sense why I always preferred to listen to the 703s at lower volumes. When I crank the PMCs up to these higher levels, the tweeter never gets hot or fatiguing - but remains incredibly detailed.

I listened to a few tracks on my Blackstone TL3 2.1 setup earlier this week, and it wasn't really enjoyable either. It honestly sounded like the speakers had grilles made out of thick burlap that was obscuring the sound from the tweeter, and the bass from the sub sounded flabby, loose, and overpowering.

Nothing has changed, aside from me getting spoiled apparently. The treble resolution of the PMC twenty.22 tweeter is literally night and day versus these other speakers. It just mops the floor with the 703's ring radiator tweeter. It's really one of those "you just have to hear it" type things. It's like going from SD 480p to HD 1080p.

I do still think they would benefit from a high quality SVS sealed sub, or a Rythmik servo sub, but I can always explore that at some point in the future when I have a better room. If I had to choose between the bloated bass-reflex style ported bass from the 703s, versus the lean yet extremely clean and tuneful bass of the twenty.22s, I'll take latter.

joecoulson

Very cool Clip

halo

Glad to hear you are liking the .22 speakers. Are you still considering an audition of the Buchardt S400s?

Clipdat

In general, I'd love to hear as many different speakers as possible. I'd definitely be interested in hearing the S400s in my own room, after being impressed with them at Axpona.

However, I doubt I will be selling the PMCs as I would likely have to take about $1k less than what I paid for them, as it seems like their value has dropped recently. So in that case, I will just hold on to them since I feel that I got a good deal on them, and I'm a bit attached to them now. I do think they do several things "right", and I know they would perform even better if they were on stands and set up properly.

verb

Clipdat wrote: »

However, I doubt I will be selling the PMCs as I would likely have to take about $1k less than what I paid for them, as it seems like their value has dropped recently. So in that case, I will just hold on to them since I feel that I got a good deal on them, and I'm a bit attached to them now.

I'm disappointed. Cause I wanted to buy em!

joecoulson

I have heard them on stands (as we have talked about) and they are glorious at imaging. Some of the best stand mounts ever at that price point ($5k retail)

Clipdat

Not to nitpick, but I think the original MSRP was $4k.

According to this review at least: https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/bookshelf/pmc-twenty-22-monitor-bookshelf-speakers-review/

joecoulson

Yeah sorry. You’re right.

Clipdat

A little over a year later and I'm still logging hours on these bad boys. In hindsight these have turned out to be an excellent purchase, especially at the price I paid. I'm happy that these are my reference monitors!

PMC's latest line is a refreshed version of their twenty5 series, called twenty5i: https://www.pmc-speakers.com/products/consumer/twenty5i

I'm working on getting a pair of the twenty5.22i speakers in for review, so I can compare them to my twenty.22s and evaluate what the newest generation brings to the table.

Clipdat

A little more info about the new twenty5i series:

"PMC’s now-legendary twenty5 series won five-star ratings and awards worldwide, and were chosen to form the reference surround system for What HiFi magazine — the speakers by which all others are judged. But true innovators are never satisfied. Our team never stops looking for ways to hone their designs, using new technologies, materials, or discoveries, including innovations from outside the audio industry. This quest has led to the creation of the new twenty5i series speakers — where ‘i’ stands for improved. The new range offers everything that made the twenty5 series so sought-after, but with even greater realism, transparency and musicality."

Clipdat

And some more information specifically about the new tweeter, exciting!

"The new twenty5i high-frequency driver, a 19mm SONOMEX™ soft-dome design, was derived from the high-frequency unit on PMC’s premium fact speaker range; both were co-engineered with respected Norwegian driver manufacturers SEAS. The dome on the twenty5i range is mounted in the centre of a large roll surround, an arrangement which gives the effect of two drivers in one; it can produce the wide dispersion of a small-dome driver and the higher output of a larger driver. The newly designed ultra-rigid HF dispersion plate and grille enlarge the optimum listening position still further, meaning you can listen from a wide variety of positions in your room and still enjoy PMC’s consistent, ultra-detailed sound with razor-sharp imaging."

Clipdat

Bumping my own thread just to express how happy I still am with these speakers. They have served as a valuable reference point for me over the nearly two years that I've had them. Especially so when reviewing components and other speakers.

By this point, I've gotten to know what amps they pair up best with and how PMC has voiced them. I'd still like to explore other PMC speakers in the future, as I feel like it's an overlooked brand here in the US.

maxward

Drew, I noticed the time between your last two posts here. It seems like March 3rd was a very, very long time ago. Happy New Year.

Clipdat

I thought the same thing about how it has been almost two years since I bought these! Apparently time flies when you're listening to good music.

tonyb

Clipdat wrote: »

Bumping my own thread just to express how happy I still am with these speakers. They have served as a valuable reference point for me over the nearly two years that I've had them. Especially so when reviewing components and other speakers.

By this point, I've gotten to know what amps they pair up best with and how PMC has voiced them. I'd still like to explore other PMC speakers in the future, as I feel like it's an overlooked brand here in the US.

Nah, not overlooked. Lots of brands don't get show time around here for a couple reasons.

Most members are used to budget friendly Polk speakers, while many other brands that produce an upscale sound also come with an upscale price. Many Polksters are on the cheap side. Can't even get them to spend more than 80 bucks on cables, lol.

Lots of competition in the bookie market. You can spend half your life trying to get ears on them all and still not cover them all.

You can listen to any price bracket speaker brand but in the end what you bring home has to match your wallet first and then your ears.

JayDog

Awesome speakers bro, Very Nice!

Clipdat

Thanks Jay! Once I have a dedicated listening room I'll probably pair them up with a nice Rythmik sub!

Clipdat

Anyone have any thoughts on the best way to clean the gold binding posts, especially the inside area where the banana plug goes?



I've noticed that since I got them, they've always had a flat/tarnished look. How can I get them cleaned up and looking shiny again like they did when they were new? Like this:

Clipdat

I actually think it would be awesome to upgrade the crossovers on these. @VR3 let me know when you are ready.

JayDog

My wife has a Tiffany's collection of silver and gold and it tarnished up fast, Midas touch polishing Rouge stuff works like a dream on all metals bro even the plated ones, But nothing will work if the plating is rubbed off but it looks ok from the picture, grab yourself a tub.. it is worth it!

Also, Get yourself a buffing pad and a soft hair brush, Most plated metals are like polished Aluminum when it starts to oxidize, you have to use the right cleaner & Rouge to get the shine back.

Your terminals don't look to bad if they were real bad you could always use 1- cup white Vinegar & 2- tablespoons of Baking Soda ratio as needed, this recipe will clean most metals by just soaking them in it, but all you will need is the Midas touch cream and a little buffing bro..

https://www.amazon.com/Midas-Touch-Metal-Polishing-Cream/dp/B075SWQW12/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=Sterling+Silver+Cleaner&qid=1609291449&sr=8-6

VR3

Lots of potential there! I should be free after first quarter of 2021!

Clipdat

Looks like there's not much internal clearance for the crossover components and that even stock it gets in the way of the TL:

VR3

Only limitation is our imagination!

Clipdat

Wow!

EndersShadow

Clipdat wrote: »

Looks like there's not much internal clearance for the crossover components and that even stock it gets in the way of the TL:

Looks like a great candidate for an external crossover box

Clipdat

Yeah it definitely seems like having that area free from obstruction would allow the TL to function more effectively.