Any point in upgrading from OB1i to PB1i? There's a used pair I could swing but I skeptical it will be an improvement and it's not a cheap upgrade. I really would like a pair of IB2is but I can't swing it... Advice appreciated.
PMC OB1i vs PB1i
- Thread starter jaxwired
- Start date
Electro
Well-known member
Yes without a shadow of a doubt . :exmark: 
The PB1i is a very large step up in performance from the OB1i .
I was quite shocked at the size of the improvement when I upgraded from my OB1,s . Every single area of the performance is improved but the thing that stands out the most is the size or scale of the sound , it is huge with amazing dynamics that makes the OB1's sound small by comparison.
Even though to look at the PB1i is only a little bigger with one extra bass driver do not be fooled into thinking that it will sound like an OB1i with more bass because it is far more than that , there is just so much more musical energy delivered into the room across the whole frequency range that will have you thinking to yourself how is this physically possible ?
I chose my PB1i ,s over the larger EB1i because the bass performance was almost equal as was the scale of the performance but the PB1i imaged better and was better balanced overall IMO which is probably why the EB1i was discontinued !
The bass performance of the PB1i is in a totally different league to the OB1 with real deep powerful subsonic power that preserves all the pitch and textures of bass instruments in an almost unique way compared to other brands of speaker .
So if you want full scale realistic live sounding music in you listening room then I would say a big YES
The PB1i is a very large step up in performance from the OB1i .
I was quite shocked at the size of the improvement when I upgraded from my OB1,s . Every single area of the performance is improved but the thing that stands out the most is the size or scale of the sound , it is huge with amazing dynamics that makes the OB1's sound small by comparison.
Even though to look at the PB1i is only a little bigger with one extra bass driver do not be fooled into thinking that it will sound like an OB1i with more bass because it is far more than that , there is just so much more musical energy delivered into the room across the whole frequency range that will have you thinking to yourself how is this physically possible ?
I chose my PB1i ,s over the larger EB1i because the bass performance was almost equal as was the scale of the performance but the PB1i imaged better and was better balanced overall IMO which is probably why the EB1i was discontinued !
The bass performance of the PB1i is in a totally different league to the OB1 with real deep powerful subsonic power that preserves all the pitch and textures of bass instruments in an almost unique way compared to other brands of speaker .
So if you want full scale realistic live sounding music in you listening room then I would say a big YES
Wow, I never expected a response like this.
I'm not surprised the bass is much better (althought the OB1i is no slouch in the bass departement), because the PB1i not only has 2 woofers, but they are better woofers. Also the PB1i has a deeper cabinet which means quite a lot more volume, and probably a longer transmission line. But I am surprised that there would be improvements in mids and highs since these drivers are identical in the two speakers. But I suppose the cross over is different so maybe that would account for improvements.
Anyway, thanks for the great response. Of course, now you've made what I thought was an easy "pass" into a gut wrenching decision. lol....
I'm not surprised the bass is much better (althought the OB1i is no slouch in the bass departement), because the PB1i not only has 2 woofers, but they are better woofers. Also the PB1i has a deeper cabinet which means quite a lot more volume, and probably a longer transmission line. But I am surprised that there would be improvements in mids and highs since these drivers are identical in the two speakers. But I suppose the cross over is different so maybe that would account for improvements.
Anyway, thanks for the great response. Of course, now you've made what I thought was an easy "pass" into a gut wrenching decision. lol....
Well what ever you decide to do a new Youtube video of any potential upgrade would go down well as I really enjoyed the one of your current system. :cheer:
Electro
Well-known member
As you say the midrange drivers and tweeters on both speakers are identical but the crossover is far more heavily built to take a lot more power and re balanced in the mid and top to account for all the extra bass power available .
If you get the chance to get a second hand pair of PB1i's then grab them quickly because they rarely come up for sale and your OB1i's will sell very easily at a good price due to their popularity at the moment .
If you get the chance to get a second hand pair of PB1i's then grab them quickly because they rarely come up for sale and your OB1i's will sell very easily at a good price due to their popularity at the moment .
Electro
Well-known member
The step up is well worth it and if you like your OB's you will love the PB's . I havent had a customer yet who has said the step isnt worhtwhile - more so as they are not that much bigger.
The IB's are another matter though and far more than just one step up from the PB's - if you can take the size in your room they are stunning.
The IB's are another matter though and far more than just one step up from the PB's - if you can take the size in your room they are stunning.
Electro
Well-known member
TheHomeCinemaCentre said:
Agreed the IB2i's are just superb !
It is a crying shame that they did not use the same better PMC midrange driver in the EB1i that would have turned it into a floorstanding version of the IB2i , they could have called it the EB2i, it was a real missed opportunity IMO
.SteveR750
Well-known member
Did either of you compare the Twenty.26 to the PB1i?
I've now heard the 26s, very nice indeed, and there are a couple of discounted PB1is up for sale.
I've now heard the 26s, very nice indeed, and there are a couple of discounted PB1is up for sale.
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