PMC OB1

dick thoreau · « **on:** 28 Jul 2005, 09:35 pm »

I am interested in opinions about the PMC OB1 speakers. I have a listening room roughly 13x17x8ft. I listen to mainly large orchestral music and some classic rock. I have heard the IB1's at a dealer but not yet the OB1's. I realize that the IB1's are better speakers (more costly as well) than the OB1's. However I was wondering if ,in my size of listening room, that the OB1 could really fill up the room with sound. I likely will not be able to demo these at home so would appreciate any comparisons of the 2 speakers. I am looking for something that can really fill the room with a big soundstage and play both hard rock and orchestral music. I like the IB1's ,BTW, but hoping to get a similar sound in a slightly smaller and cheaper package. Any thoughts and comparisons would be helpful.
thanks

jethro · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Jul 2005, 12:35 am »

dick,

You'll probably agree that the IB-1 will fill your listening room. I have a 13.5' x 18.5 ' room with IB-1's for LCR. The OB-1 has the same HF and MF drivers as the IB-1's so the remaining issue is the bass driver (aside from any crossover and enclosure differences). I haven't heard the OB1's, but I assme one of the reasons for the IB-1's higher price is the 10" flat driver. I believe the FB-1+ has a similar bass driver to the OB-1. Can you get a demo of the FB-1+ at home to determine if the OB-1 bass meets your needs?

dan_lo · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Jul 2005, 08:01 am »

The OB1 can easily fill your listening room. It does not use the same bass driver as the FB1 (Vifa). It has the same driver as the TLE1 subwoofer (Dynaudio).
I heard these speakers in a room similar in dimensions to yours and it had no problem.

James Tanner · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Jul 2005, 11:50 am »

The OB1 does use the same woofer as the FB-1 and it is a Vifa. The TLE as well.

james

dick thoreau · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Jul 2005, 06:15 pm »

I guess what I am looking for in the OB1 is a medium sized, full range speaker, which works well in mid to small size rooms. Also, it has a relatively neutral tonal character,and can playback equally well most types of music. The main concern I might have is whether it's bass performance is sufficient. If it sounds clean and defined down to about 30 hz and can sustain the bass for a bit without noticeable strain but need not give the home theatre chest pounding type of bass. This would be ideal for my needs. Judging by all the reviews I have read the OB1 should be ideal for my listening room. However maybe I am expecting too much from a speaker of this size. I will eventually demo it (in the store only) but welcome any further thoughts or comments on it.
Thanks in advance

afblaster · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Jul 2005, 08:17 am »

There's much discussion on OB1s and IB1/2s in these threads -
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=15827&highlight=
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=17728&highlight=

Bearing in mind the type of music you intend listening to, you may ultimately regret buying OB1s, but I wager you will have no second thoughts with IB1s. When I purchased mine my dealer said they would be the last pair of speakers I'd ever buy, and he's right!

Crustyloafer · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 09:47 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner

The OB1 does use the same woofer as the FB-1 and it is a Vifa. The TLE as well.

james

Can I ask then why they look quite different in the pictures.

The bass driver on the OB1 looks like a Dynaudio driver, and also looks similar to the onces used on the TLE1, which is is what 'dan_lo' seems to be saying.

James Tanner · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:09 pm »

Same woofer - different dust-cap

james

Crustyloafer · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:12 pm »

Thank you for your repsonse. very interesting and not what I expected. Is there a reason for the different dustcap? is it because they are being used for different frequency ranges in the different speakers.

James Tanner · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:17 pm »

Not sure on that one.

james

Crustyloafer · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:19 pm »

Can you find out for me? Or I can call Tom in the morning.

James Tanner · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:22 pm »

Yes please call Tom and let me know as well.

By the way say - "HI TOM" from me.

james

Crustyloafer · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:30 pm »

I will do James. I'm sure he'll be glad to know you are getting on well.

I don't suppose there is any chance that you could look into my own post requesting copies of past reviews of the OB1s.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=25845

James Tanner · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:33 pm »

http://www.bryston.ca/pmc_rev/ieob1.html

james