[ryder]

What are the main differences between these speakers apart from higher SPL's, lower distortion and greater dynamic capacity of the largest MB2's? Assuming one doesn't require high SPL's in a smallish to medium sized room, will the huge MB2 sound any different from the IB2 or EB1?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[jethro]

Ryder:

I've only heard the IB1, but from what I've read,
the MB2/IB2 have a better midrange driver than the IB1/EB1,
and the EB-1 is narrower than the EB-1 so the baffle has less
of an effect.

I would think an "EB-2" would be a perfect speaker with an
extended range, small footprint, no stands, better midrange
and narrow baffle.

[ryder]

Jethro,

Thanks for your reply. May I know which speaker are you referring to as the perfect speaker in your 2nd paragraph? Is it the IB2 or EB1? I'm guessing the IB2? The IB2's need to sit on the custom-made stands too isn't it?


I will keep one of these in mind if I ever change my listening room to a bigger one, which doesn't look to be happening too soon.

[guest2521]

I have the pmc mb2-xbd-active

This unit has much better midrange than the ib1 - in addition it has vastly greater dynamics and bass power. Active operation also makes a huge difference - I dont think any passive speaker can compare.

[ryder]

Biovizier,

Have you got the chance to compare the IB2S-A to the MB2 XBD-A? The latter is certainly one of the top speakers in the PMC line judging from the sheer size and and weight of these things. Is the 75mm soft dome midrange in the IB2S-A similiar to the MB2 XBD-A? I was hoping the IB2 passive/active would be close in performance to the MB2 XBD-A in a less demanding listening environment ie. a smaller room which does not require higher SPL's the MB2 can provide.

You should be a proud owner of one of the best speakers around.

[James Tanner]

Jethro,

Thanks for your reply. May I know which speaker are you referring to as the perfect speaker in your 2nd paragraph? Is it the IB2 or EB1? I'm guessing the IB2? The IB2's need to sit on the custom-made stands too isn't it?


I will keep one of these in mind if I ever change my listening room to a bigger one, which doesn't look to be happening too soon.

I think Jethro was referring to his wish for a floor standing version of the IB2.

james

[James Tanner]

Biovizier,

Have you got the chance to compare the IB2S-A to the MB2 XBD-A? The latter is certainly one of the top speakers in the PMC line judging from the sheer size and and weight of these things. Is the 75mm soft dome midrange in the IB2S-A similiar to the MB2 XBD-A? I was hoping the IB2 passive/active would be close in performance to the MB2 XBD-A in a less demanding listening environment ie. a smaller room which does not require higher SPL's the MB2 can provide.

You should be a proud owner of one of the best speakers around.

There is no such speaker as an IB2S -A if you mean an ACTIVE version of the IB2.  The IB2 as far as I know is only available in a passive version. There is an Active version of the MB2 (MB2/XBD) and the BB5 (BB5/XBD).

james

[ryder]

James,

The official PMC website shows the IB2S-A and IB1S-A as active version of the IB2S and IB1S powered by Bryston Powerpack 300 and 120 respectively. These speakers are in the pro range. The consumer range shows the IB2 passive only.

[James Tanner]

James,

The official PMC website shows the IB2S-A and IB1S-A as active version of the IB2S and IB1S powered by Bryston Powerpack 300 and 120 respectively. These speakers are in the pro range. The consumer range shows the IB2 passive only.

OK I see where the confusion is.

The 'A' in this case indicates "Activated" (amplifier already attached). That means the speakers Passive crossover is still in the signal path so the speaker (3 drivers) is driven with one amplifier.

Fullly ACTIVE speakers have an Electronic Crossover (eliminates the passive) and each driver (woofer/mid/tweeter) is driven with an independent amplifier.

james

[ryder]

Jethro,

Thanks for your reply. May I know which speaker are you referring to as the perfect speaker in your 2nd paragraph? Is it the IB2 or EB1? I'm guessing the IB2? The IB2's need to sit on the custom-made stands too isn't it?


I will keep one of these in mind if I ever change my listening room to a bigger one, which doesn't look to be happening too soon.

I think Jethro was referring to his wish for a floor standing version of the IB2.

james

James,

The official PMC website shows the IB2S-A and IB1S-A as active version of the IB2S and IB1S powered by Bryston Powerpack 300 and 120 respectively. These speakers are in the pro range. The consumer range shows the IB2 passive only.

OK I see where the confusion is.

The 'A' in this case indicates "Activated" (amplifier already attached). That means the speakers Passive crossover is still in the signal path so the speaker (3 drivers) is driven with one amplifier.

Fullly ACTIVE speakers have an Electronic Crossover (eliminates the passive) and each driver (woofer/mid/tweeter) is driven with an independent amplifier.

james

Okay that's clear now. Thanks for the clarification.

[jethro]

Jethro,

Thanks for your reply. May I know which speaker are you referring to as the perfect speaker in your 2nd paragraph? Is it the IB2 or EB1? I'm guessing the IB2? The IB2's need to sit on the custom-made stands too isn't it?


I will keep one of these in mind if I ever change my listening room to a bigger one, which doesn't look to be happening too soon.

I think Jethro was referring to his wish for a floor standing version of the IB2.

james

Sorry about the confusion. James is correct - I was just wishing that PMC would make
a floorstanding equivalent of the IB-2.

[jethro]

I have the pmc mb2-xbd-active

This unit has much better midrange than the ib1 - in addition it has vastly greater dynamics and bass power. Active operation also makes a huge difference - I dont think any passive speaker can compare.

Biovizier, James:

I was curious if the MB2-XBD-active splits the LF signal between the bass driver
in the MB-2 and the XBD-2 so that they handle different frequencies ranges ?
or if both drivers handle the same frequencies to get higher SPL's at the lower frequencies
than they could get from one driver alone ?

Thanks, Steve

[jethro]

Jethro,

Thanks for your reply. May I know which speaker are you referring to as the perfect speaker in your 2nd paragraph? Is it the IB2 or EB1? I'm guessing the IB2? The IB2's need to sit on the custom-made stands too isn't it?


I will keep one of these in mind if I ever change my listening room to a bigger one, which doesn't look to be happening too soon.

Ryder,

The perfect speaker "EB-2" (at least for me) doesn't exist. I have my IB-1's on non-PMC stands
that I bought from Bryston. If you have a listening room around 18.5' x 13.5' and have the money
I wouldn't rule out getting the IB-1 or IB-2. I have my IB-1's LCR in a room this size and they
work wonderfully for me.

--Steve

[James Tanner]

I have the pmc mb2-xbd-active

This unit has much better midrange than the ib1 - in addition it has vastly greater dynamics and bass power. Active operation also makes a huge difference - I dont think any passive speaker can compare.

Biovizier, James:

I was curious if the MB2-XBD-active splits the LF signal between the bass driver
in the MB-2 and the XBD-2 so that they handle different frequencies ranges ?
or if both drivers handle the same frequencies to get higher SPL's at the lower frequencies
than they could get from one driver alone ?

Thanks, Steve

Hi Steve,

Yes the 2 woofers run in Parallel so it is an SPL issue.

One other advantage of the stacked system though is that the room is 'loaded' from two different areas (floor and ceiling) so bass response (standing waves) tend to smooth-en out.

james



james

[ryder]

Jethro,

Thanks for your reply. May I know which speaker are you referring to as the perfect speaker in your 2nd paragraph? Is it the IB2 or EB1? I'm guessing the IB2? The IB2's need to sit on the custom-made stands too isn't it?


I will keep one of these in mind if I ever change my listening room to a bigger one, which doesn't look to be happening too soon.

Ryder,

The perfect speaker "EB-2" (at least for me) doesn't exist. I have my IB-1's on non-PMC stands
that I bought from Bryston. If you have a listening room around 18.5' x 13.5' and have the money
I wouldn't rule out getting the IB-1 or IB-2. I have my IB-1's LCR in a room this size and they
work wonderfully for me.

--Steve

Hi Steve,

My dedicated room is a smallish 11' x17' and I cannot place my speakers along the long wall, and it's impossible to fit the IB1 or IB2 into a width of 11'. Reason is I have the projector screen on the short wall. I've done my homework.  Someday I would hope to have a bigger room and look into the IB2. I currently run the LB1 Signature with a subwoofer in this room and was quite satisfied with the sound.

Cheers.

[guest2521]

The ib2s can be activated but its not active. i.e. it has bryston powerpacs on the back. The ib2 and mb2 should sound similar as two of the drivers are the same but the mb2 has better bass and this knocks on into the midrange

the two LF drivers get the same signal - the same bryston amp drives both!

Biovizier,

Have you got the chance to compare the IB2S-A to the MB2 XBD-A? The latter is certainly one of the top speakers in the PMC line judging from the sheer size and and weight of these things. Is the 75mm soft dome midrange in the IB2S-A similiar to the MB2 XBD-A? I was hoping the IB2 passive/active would be close in performance to the MB2 XBD-A in a less demanding listening environment ie. a smaller room which does not require higher SPL's the MB2 can provide.

You should be a proud owner of one of the best speakers around.

[James Tanner]

Hi,

The ACTIVE tweeter in the AML-1, MB2 and BB5 is different than the tweeter in the passive speakers.

james

[guest2521]

Yes sorry I should have said the passive mb2 v passive ib2

[Thunder]

You can turn IB2's into being truly active but it takes some work (remove passive crossover) and you need the equipment to measure (I use ETF) to make sure you have the gains set up properly. You will also need to purchase an active crossover from Bryston. Don't worry about the differences in the tweeters - only put in a differnt one because they were being blown in studios with live feeds, not because they sound better. In fact, some argue that the passive one sound better - less strident.

I'm currently running active IB2's and I haven't blown a tweeter yet. Active IB2's sound awesome!!! I will never go back to passive I am running 7Bsst's to bass driver and use a 4Bsst for mid range and tweeter. Don't expect any help from either Bryston or PMC around this conversion, they would rather you pay the big bucks a new pair, do the math.