B&W CM7 to PMC FB1. Thoughts ?

[richardw42]

I've recently changed my amp from a MF XA2 to the Roksan kandy k2. Partly for aesthetic reasons to match the CDP but also for the extra oomph it would give me. I'd been trying for ages to upgrade the xa2 with a pair of xa50s off eBay but always got outbid last minute.

I'm very happy with the k2, there seems more prescence ? And more depth/weight, but with the CM7s some of the intricacies of the MF seem to have been lost, but I'm happy because of the plusses I've pointed out above.

Now, it was a view to pair the Roksan with something like the Proac Studio 140 Mk II subject to demo) possibly getting a k2 power to bi-amp but been spending a lot recently and the Proacs need to go on back burner.

Very local to me on ebay are a pair of PMC FB1 (not the FB1i), as they are discontinued and a used buy they are a bit of a leap of faith. Does anybody have any thoughts on the Roksan / PMC combo. Think the rdac I use with Sonos should be nice.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I can't say how they'd marry up with the Roksan specifically as I've never tried it, but there's quite a difference between the ProAc Response D140 MkII's, PMC FB1i's, and CM7's. I think either will be an improvement over the CM7's, but it's down to your personal perference, and how well these speakers marry up with that specific amplifier (and obviously your room too). If you're intending to buy a power amp, I would audition them with it. I know you may not be in a position to audition the other two with yours together, but it's well worth it if you can. Electronics can be bought blind with a bit of homework, but speakers are completely different.

 

[richardw42]

Hi-fi can make a real fool of you.
I've just sold a spare pair of Monitor Audio BR1s on eBay and just testing them with the Roksan.

Only been used with a arcam solo mini and as rears in a 5.1, and I'm genuinely stunned how well they're performing with the dearer kit. Going to get them out of house before I change my mind.

 

[richardw42]

Hi David Thanks for replying. My local dealer stocks Roksan and Proac so a good demo with and without a power amp is on the cards some time in the future. Thought might be worth a punt on the FB1s as ultimately if I sell them on I'm unlikely to lose a huge amount.

And I'll keep hold of the CM7s until I'm sure I've done the right thing.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Hi-fi can make a real fool of you. I've just sold a spare pair of Monitor Audio BR1s on eBay and just testing them with the Roksan. Only been used with a arcam solo mini and as rears in a 5.1, and I'm genuinely stunned how well they're performing with the dearer kit. Going to get them out of house before I change my mind.

I think a lot of people are impressed by budget speakers on high end kit because of low expectations.

Also, something which a lot of people don't realise, is that putting a pair of budget speakers on high quality electronics means you're getting the best out of the speakers and showing off their full capabilities - something which very few people actually do! They generally hear budget speakers on budget electronics, then hear more expensive speakers on similar electronics, which oviously don't get the best from them, and come to the conclusion that higher quality hi-fi isn't worth the extra money.

I've heard various budget (£200-400) loudspeakers sound phenomenal on high end electronics. Obviously they'll come complete with their own flaws due to their budget, but sometimes upgrading the amplificationrather than the speakers can bring greater benefits and longer term satisfaction.

 

[richardw42]

It's definitely changed my perception on amp/speaker combinations and that any upgrades should possibly be to amplification in the first Instance.