Pmc Prodigy 1

Up to we appreciate PMC’s Twenty5 sequence, there’s no denying they stood as a somewhat excessive access level into the corporate’s audio system. So when the British emblem published a new entry-level vary with a beginning fee just about part that of the former maximum inexpensive PMC type (the Twenty5 21i), relatively sarcastically all over the Prime Finish Munich display previous this yr, we have been a) extremely joyful, and b) intrigued to peer how it could fare towards the established festival round this very talked-about and aggressive fee level. We’re speaking long-proven fashions out of your KEFs and Bowers & Wilkins, Dalis and Wharfedales and so forth. Neatly, only a few months later, the time has come to determine.

The PMC Prodigy 1 standmounters we have now right here make up a two-strong vary along the Prodigy 5 floorstanders, in combination opening up PMC audio system to a much broader target audience on the lookout for compact loudspeakers for small-to-medium-sized rooms under the £2000 / $2000 / AU$4000 mark. However simply for the reason that Prodigy audio system take a seat on the backside of the corporate’s lineup doesn’t imply they’re exempt from PMC’s tried-and-tested applied sciences. Consistent with the company, they’re even measured and listened to along reference fashions, and moreover signed off through their assembler sooner than they are boxed up and in a position for transport. It indisputably turns out like PMC is critical in taking its studio-grade sound mainstream.

Design

The 2-way standmounts’ 27mm gentle dome tweeter and 130cm mid/bass motive force have each been taken from fashions additional up the corporate’s line. The soft-dome tweeter has been advanced from the only discovered within the five-star PMC Result6 studio displays, whilst the natural-fibre, dished-cone mid/bass unit is similar featured within the corporate’s ci (customized set up) sequence, which PMC says has turn into the reference for Dolby Atmos tune blending in studios all over the world.

That motive force has been designed particularly to couple with PMC’s signature ATL (Complex Transmission Line) bass-loading approach utilized in all PMC audio system. This necessarily guides the backward power of the mid/bass motive force via damped subject matter within the speaker and out of the entrance port. Lots of the low frequencies are absorbed, save for a lowest-end portion that leaves the entrance port and contributes to the motive force’s output for extra tough bass. The ATL additionally works to stay air power within the cupboard constant to support regulate of the motive force.

That distinct-looking, aerodynamically designed port on the finish of that interior line is known as Laminair, which used to be first advanced for the flagship QB-1 studio displays and is designed to clean the passage of air exiting the speaker to minimise airflow noise and in consequence support bass definition. Ultimate however now not least at the engineering entrance, PMC has selected a crossover level of one.7kHz in a bid to make certain that the audio system’ off-axis output has the similar tonality as their on-axis output.

Construct

Once more, regardless of their relative affordability, the Prodigy audio system proportion the similar production remedy as their pricier friends, being designed and constructed in-house in Luton, UK. As mid-priced bookshelf audio system cross, the Prodigy 1 are of the taller, slimmer nature, their profile making them the Stan Laurel on our check room’s stagefloor when stood subsequent to their closest rival, the shorter, wider – the Oliver Hardy – KEF LS50 Meta.

It’s within the design division the place PMC most likely selected to chop prices, the Prodigy 1 significantly much less putting and classy than now not most effective the KEFs however plenty of pairs round and under this fee level – Bowers & Wilkins’ 606 S3 and Sonus Faber Lumina 1, to call simply two. The ATL/Laminair implementation provides those in a different way ‘Simple Janes’ one level of visible hobby no less than, and the ‘Silk Black’ matte end appears to be like and feels great sufficient (despite the fact that don’t really feel it an excessive amount of; it’s a magnet for finger-mark spoiling). In the end, the cultured will appease the ones from the college of minimalist design, it simply isn’t prone to stand out in a dwelling house any further than a clear flower vase.

Some readers may well be just a little bummed to learn that the black material grilles are an not obligatory additional costing £99 / $139 / AU$189 for a couple, too, despite the fact that PMC would argue {that a} just right share of patrons most likely wouldn’t use them anyway, and why push a worth level up for one thing now not everybody needs or wants?

That the point of interest and value has apparently been put into the engineering for essentially the most phase is difficult to argue with whilst you listen simply how impressive the Prodigy 1 sound. Now we have heard sufficient PMC merchandise over time that sure adjectives come to mind after we call to mind them: actual, articulate, insightful and even-handed. All just right issues. And we’re happy, if now not shocked, to record that those are all attributes of the Prodigy 1.

Sound

No bookshelf speaker can function optimally with out correct give a boost to, so we first pop the Prodigy 1 on trusty stands and toy with positioning, in the end discovering the most efficient tonality and steadiness of authority and stereo imaging is accomplished when the audio system are most effective somewhat toed-in and positioned just a little nearer to the wall than our default place – not more than part a metre away. Connected to start with to our number one high-end reference gadget, the Prodigy 1 have the ground.

Probably the most perfect equipment we overview impresses us from the get-go, and wraps up its superstar score in an issue of mins whilst the actual sonic colors of others require longer listens to completely respect. Those PMCs are examples of the previous, showboating their surprising readability, element and entertaining aura all over our first parade via Orville Peck’s Useless Of Night time. It’s a doozy of a country-cum-shoegazy observe from the mask-wearing cowboy, and the Prodigy 1 have the dimensions, transparency and authority to include its brooding theatrics. The lap metal guitars pang robustly during the soundstage with out overshadowing the shakers layered obviously underneath them, whilst an outstanding dynamic expression and solidity within the midrange mix to get proper underneath his crooning baritone. 

It does greater than trace at an all-round point of sonic sophistication usually related to audio system past this fee, and that’s most effective showed as our listening continues. Play Anohni And The Johnsons’ It’s My Fault from the collective’s newest album, and the Prodigy’s midrange abilities come to the fore over again. There’s substance in the back of her vocal supply, and an excessively fair rawness that conveys her grief and guilt round her complicitness with how humanity has “broke the earth”. Emotion pours out of her mouth and the PMCs do neatly to be in contact it.

And the bass – wow, the bass. For audio system in their stature and value, we’re pleasantly shocked to listen to them dig deep sufficient not to most effective elevate the bottom string observe within the strolling bassline underneath however accomplish that whilst protecting its definition. Low frequencies have tempo and punch to enrich that spectacular presence and intensity, too, with the groove-beat that underpins dancefloor banger Grammar through Floating Issues punching out of the woofer with power of will and prevent/get started precision. 

With that low-end agility in addition to a perfect sense of organisation and timeliness, the synths bouncing across the soundstage with objective and collective rhythm, the rendition is splendidly lucid. Whilst the Prodigy 1’s precision and organisation warrant the label ‘analytical’, the audio system aren’t informative on the expense of leisure. Systematic, sure, however now not soulless.

Some would possibly crave just a little heat from the impartial PMCs, so that are meant to be considered when selecting partnering apparatus. Heat is indisputably one thing we get from the class-leading KEF LS50 Meta as we change them in on the helm of our reference gadget for comparability. There’s a delightful frame and fullness to their sound, to not point out a pure cohesiveness, that makes tune sound beautiful and free-flowing, however there isn’t reasonably the PMCs’ readability or precision, nor reasonably as a lot element, making them really feel relatively just a little gentle across the edges.

To look how the Prodigys spouse with extra price-comparable amplification, we attach them first to the Naim Nait XS 3 adopted through the Musical Constancy A1, each tonally hotter amps than the reference Burmester, albeit clearly inferior in general same old. Luckily the PMCs paintings neatly with each, the presentation dropping in readability, definition and openness (as you’d be expecting from the sort of vital downgrade) however putting a pleasant steadiness whilst ultimate dynamically adept. Neither has bother using the Prodigy 1, both, which isn’t all that sudden bearing in mind their somewhat unfussy 87.5dB/W/m sensitivity and 6-ohm nominal impedance. Those are audio system that can paintings with quite a lot of amplifiers.

Verdict

Such versatility and somewhat unfussy positioning assist in making this but every other pair of PMC audio system we will be able to optimistically, wholeheartedly suggest, but it surely’s the audio system’ massively relaxing efficiency that before everything seals their five-star destiny. They sound terrific and no much less ‘PMC’ than the corporate’s pricier fashions. Certainly the Prodigy 1 merely open up the PMC sound to a much broader target audience, and any of that target audience available in the market for new standmounters will have to waste no time getting a couple into their house.

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Construct 4
• Compatibility 5

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