The six-speaker twenty5i range, the 'i' indicating 'improved', comprises of a pair of two-way floorstanders, likewise a brace of two-way standmounts, a centre-channel speaker and the series-topping twenty5.26i three-way floorstander.
The twenty5.21i sports a 130mm bass driver, and the slightly larger twenty5.22i gets a 165mm driver. The corresponding floorstanders, the twenty5.23i and twenty5.24i, match their stand-mounted brethren driver-wise, albeit in larger cabinets.
PMC's improvements over the previous twenty5 loudspeakers can be found in their high-frequency definition performance, crossover design and reduction of unwanted vibration, we were informed.
The tweeter behind the improved high-frequency chops is a 19mm SONOMEX soft-dome design with a 34mm outer surround, derived from PMC's premium fact speaker range. Thanks to some nifty re-engineering, PMC has managed to get this driver working down to a lower frequency. Furthermore, the new tweeter also has a broader dispersion which is, in part, also due to the new grille waveguide.
As the new tweeter design can come down further to meet the mid/bass driver, PMC has redesigned the crossover for the twenty5is. Mounted on military-grade fibre-glass boards and utilising pure copper tracks, the crossover point is now 1.7kHz, as opposed to 1.8kHz in the previous iteration. The result is that the LF driver gets to focus more efficiently on its core frequency range without 'beaming', and there is a much smoother hand-off between the drivers.
For increased midrange accuracy, the top of the range three-way twenty5.26i features a third driver dedicated to the mid-band frequencies. This 50mm soft dome midrange is developed from the drivers found in the company's pro monitors.
Additionally, the twenty5i range gets new precision-engineered plinth bars. These feature damping material that has been designed to mitigate specific unwanted frequencies while isolating the speakers from the floor. They also boast spikes around 12mm longer than the previous model so they can better cope with deeper carpets.
Of course, being PMC speakers, you get the company's renowned Advanced Transmission Line bass loading. The ATL also features the aerodynamically designed Laminair vent.
During the presentation, we were told "...the twenty5i series has greater transparency in the high frequency and midrange, a wider, deeper soundstage and is ultimately considerably more involving for the listener."
The demonstration comparing new with old indeed appeared to bear this out.
Finally, PMC has added a silk white finish option along with two different natural timbers, oak and walnut, also in a silk finish. There is also a premium black diamond gloss which costs a bit extra.
Price and availability
The twenty5i series will be available from March 2020 in the UK. Pricing is per pair (except twenty5.Ci) inc. VAT for silk and diamond black, respectively:
- twenty5.21i - £1,995 | £2,195
- twenty5.22i - £2,995 | £3,295
- twenty5.23i - £3,495 | £3,850
- twenty5.24i - £4,995 | £5,495
- twenty5.26i - £8,495 | £8,995
- twenty5.Ci - £1,995 | £2,195
- twenty5.sub - black only £3,795
Dedicated stands for compact models: £295
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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