What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
03 FEB 2006
PMC GB1/DB1 M-C/DB1/TLE1
Up against its test rivals this PMC package is far less of a ‘I’m taking over your living room’ type of purchase. The GB1 front towers measure under a metre tall, and the DB1 M-C centre channel is positively teeny, as are the two DB1+ rear speakers. The TLE1 subwoofer is a slice of ergonomic beauty – forget the predictable, squat, sub design, PMC has taught its box to beg, and it stands proudly upright.
A concern of this relatively small design is that it will only deliver a relatively small sound. This package, however, delivers big time. Think of it as more of a nifty middleweight, rather than a plodding heavyweight – giving a sound that’s light enough to stay fast on its feet, but muscular enough to deliver a knockout sonic punch. This is PMC’s intention, and it pulls it off nicely.
Play Mr & Mrs Smith and the sound astonishes with the scale of performance, reaching high and delving low to present a thrillingly dynamic score. Voices sound tremendous, there’s lots of detail and realism on offer, and somehow that ickle centre channel delivers a ‘grown-up’-sounding midrange.
Big sound, small(ish) package
We say ‘somehow’, but one of the tricks of PMC’s sonic trade is its Advanced Transmission Line design – to enhance low frequency sounds, the company uses what is essentially a long, folded, tunnel inside the speaker cabinet. The technique is used in every speaker in this package, even the sub, and the result is a ‘bigger than it looks’ sound.
However, there’s more to these PMCs than surprising scale – they also integrate and time beautifully well, meaning they’re a top choice if you enjoy multichannel music as well as movie thrills and spills.
Great timing with movies
Launch the 5.1 DTS mix from U2’s 2005 Vertigo: Live From Chicago DVD, and the PMCs deliver tunes with detail, rhythm and a healthy dose of attitude. Switch back to movies and the thrills continue.
Great timing goes a long way with movies, too, meaning scores romp along, while the neat subwoofer challenges all but B&W’s ASW750 maestro in the loudness stakes.
To hear this PMC system at its best, though, you need to counter the speakers’ slight problem with sibilants. And, remember, those compact dimensions mean more space for your best (or worst) dance moves.
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