PMC MB2-XBD User Manual

The reference of professionals

series

Your guide to the ultimate
audio experience

Serial No

Builder

Model

‘We make the loudspeakers that make the whole world sing’

Product Support

or product support, accessories or servicing advice, please contact a PMC authorised dealer

F

see www.pmc-speakers.com.

Warranty Certificate

Please take a few moments to complete the warranty card at the back of this booklet or

register at www.pmc-speakers.com. This records the purchase of your loudspeakers and

provides you, the customer an opportunity to make suggestions and provide feedback

directly to PMC.

WEEE EU Directive

This symbol on the product or in/on its packaging indicates that this product must

not be disposed of with other household waste. It is the responsibility of the owner

to dispose of waste equipment via a designated collection point for the recycling

of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The recycling of your waste equipment is an

attempt to conserve natural resources and ensures that it is recycled in

a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more information about

where you dispose of your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local

waste/recycling authority or the dealer from whom you purchased the product.

Company Details

PMC LIMITED

43-45 CRAWLEY GREEN ROAD LUTON LU2 OAA UK

T 0870 4441044 F 0870 4441045

email [e-mail] web www.pmc-speakers.com

PMC USA LLC

17971 SKY PARK CIRCLE DRIVE SUITE G IRVINE CALIF 92614 USA

T 949 861 3350 F 949 861 3352

email [e-mail] web www.pmc-speakers.com

© 2008 PMC. All rights reserved.

Version v2 - #5380

This document should not be construed as a commitment on the part of PMC. The infor mation it contains is subject to change without notice.

PMC assumes no responsibility for errors that may appear within this document.

CE Conformity PMC passive loudspeakers conform to CE Directive LVD 73/23/EEC and EMC 89/336/EEC.

WEEE European directive - PMC Limited is a member of a National Compliance scheme and have gained the associated certification

of compliance and the following registration number from the Environment Agency WEEE/GJ0101WU

A message from Peter Thomas -

arguably the world’s smartest

loudspeaker designer ...

and a truly obsessive audiophile.

Our sole aim while designing loudspeakers was to recreate the

true essence of an artist's intention, combining an ultimate level

in sonic resolution with solid engineering principles.

We believe that the same loudspeaker can be used throughout

the entire audio chain - from composer to studio or film stage,

and then finally the consumer. Our unswerving passion for

getting it right has made this goal possible.

Thank you for choosing PMC products. It is now time for you to

read the user guide, press the play button, and realise just how

much you've been missing.

Peter Thomas

Owner & Chief Designer

Congratulations you have joined the elite

With PMC you can to hear exactly what the artist intended,
not a poor interpretation

Stevie Wonder Prince Google

.

Coldplay Kraftwerk Peter Gabriel

Robbie Williams Brian May

Eleanor McEvoy Francis Rossi -

Status Quo Brian Ferry

Peter Andre Bryston Tori Amos

Underworld Crystal Method

Tony Bennett John Rutter

Rough Trade BBC Radio BBC TV

Capital Radio Piccadilly

Radio RTL Emil Berliner/Deutsche

Grammophon NFL (National

Football League) teldex Studios

Hospital HDTV Broadcast Studios

Digidesign Siemens EMI Royal

Shakespeare Company DECCA

Robbie Williams

Francis Rossi

N

autilus Masterung - Italy

Brian May

Teldex - Berlin

A

dvantage - USA BBC London - UK

M

astermix - USA

O

rf - Austria

The Hospital Studio HDTV Centre - UK

Pierce Rooms – UK

Metropolis - UK

M

etropolis - UK

The Moving Picture Company

Paul Merton ORF The University of

Music - Düsseldorf The Royal

School of Music JVC DENON UK

The Royal Astronomical Society

Warner Music Capitol records

Chesky records N.Y. University

Telegenic – UK

Teldex - Berlin

Emil Berliner Studios - Berlin

Swoon Factory - Austria Optimum Mastering - UK

Studio Delphine - France

BBC Sounds One OB - UK

Loudspeaker User Guide

36

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Contents

General Usage Guidelines

Introduction

TM

PMC’s ATL

Our Attention to Detail

Unpacking

Plinth Installation

Connections

Running or Breaking in

Magnetic Shielding

Stands & Brackets

Positioning

Stereo set-up

Surround sound specific set up

Ideal 5.1 surround set up

Ideal 7.1 surround sound set up

Fine tuning for perfect bass

Music produced with PMC

Suggested Associated Loudspeakers

Service

Specifications

Warranty On-line

Warranty Certificate - Our Copy

Help us improve - Your Comments

Warranty Certificate - Your Copy

Albums produced using PMC

Inspection Certificate

Approach

General Usage Guidelines

Read these instructions and keep them in a safe place for future reference.

Heed all electrical safety warnings, including any on the loudspeakers themselves.

Do not use the loudspeakers near water.

Only clean the unit with a dry, lint-free, cloth. Do not use solvents, abrasives,

waxes or liquids.

Spikes for use with the floorstanding models and the Tube Stands

should be treated with great care during installation and use.

Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, ovens or other equipment that

produce excessive heat.

Unplug this product from both source and power during electrical storms or when

unused for extended periods of time.

Packing material can pose danger to the young and vulnerable.

Ensure these items are kept or disposed of safely.

High volume audio signals, however short their duration, have the potential to cause

hearing damage. Use care when setting the system volume level to ensure playback

sound pressure levels remain within safe comfortable limits.

Do not attempt to service the equipment. There are no user serviceable parts inside.

Please refer all servicing to PMC authorised personnel.

Servicing is required when the apparatus is damaged, exposed to moisture, or exhibits

a distinct or sudden change of operation or audio performance.

PMC has made efforts to provide accurate installation information and good quality

fixings. PMC LTD/PMC USA LLC will not be held responsible or liable for injuries or

property damage - direct, indirect or consequential - arising out of use or inability

to use this product safely and properly.

™

are sharp and

Series User Guide

Introduction

The is the embodiment of our innovative approach to professional audio

monitoring, brought to the home.

PMC products are to be found in every demanding application, from broadcast to

major film scoring to CD and DVD mastering. The accumulated technical knowledge

and high level of engineering excellence developed over many years at the pinnacle

of professional studio monitoring has been incorporated into the development and

production of the - leading professionals such as BBC Radio and Television,

Dolby Laboratories, DTS, Dreamworks USA, JVC Studios Japan, Lucasfilm and Coldplay,

use PMC loudspeakers. There are no differences between the production of

professional and domestic product bar the cabinet finish.

The models, including their corresponding horizontal centre channel versions

have been engineered with identical tonal balance and dispersion characteristics.

This makes them ideal to ‘mix and match’ to create the ultimate high resolution Home

Theatre system in any domestic setting.

The sub/.1 effects channel within a system is ideally handled by the

professional proven TLE1 active subwoofer which excels in production of both sheer

level of bass energy and musical subtlety when required.

See page 24 for all the associated products or www.pmc-speakers.com

‘Truly Another World’

Brian May - Queen

‘Kein kommentar’

Kraftwerk

‘They’re * * *king brilliant’

Francis Rossi - Status Quo

Series User Guide

PMC’s ATLTMApproach

The world’s leading professionals rely on the accuracy of PMC’s ATL™designs everyday to

create much of the music and sound you hear everday.

PMC’s ATL

highest level. A PMC transmission line design utilises sophisticated cabinet construction,

proprietary drive units and patented absorption materials and techniques. The benefits are

enormous compared to the relatively simple sealed and ported models currently available

elsewhere.

The main driver is placed at one end of a long tunnel (the transmission line), which is heavily

damped with absorbent acoustic material. This material is specified to absorb the upper

bass and higher frequencies that radiate from the rear of the main driver. The lowest

frequencies, which remain in phase, then emerge from the large vent at the end of the line,

which essentially acts as a second driver. One advantage to this approach is that the air

pressure loading the main driver is maintained, thus controlling the driver over a wide

frequency range, which in turn significantly reduces distortion.

A spin-off from the lack of distortion is that the upper bass and midrange is not masked by

harmonic distortion residing in the very low

frequencies. The result is PMC characteristic

transparent midrange and fast, attacking

bass notes, all with outstanding clarity.

A further advantage of the transmission line

approach is a cabinet that produces

a higher SPL and lower bass extension

than a ported or sealed design of

a similar size. Moreover, as the

loading on the main driver is

maintained at all volumes, the

frequency response also remains

consistent regardless of listening level.

Neither casual late night listening nor

prolonged monitoring sessions have

to be conducted at high volumes to

achieve maximum bass response,

a characteristic that is especially

suited to the home user.

™

(Advanced Transmission Line) enclosures have taken loudspeaker design to the

Custom profiled

line damping,

increasing air

density up to 30%

computer cut

Ultra low

distortion drivers,

tried and tested in

the pro world

Precision

panels and

joints

Hand made,

matched, high order,

precision crossovers

Inert, ultra rigid

cabinet braced

by internal baffles

Hand finished,

balanced veneer.

(inside & out)

100%

Medite™

core

Series User Guide

DB1i - The smallest ATLTMin the range

Our Attention to Detail

All PMC loudspeakers are hand-built in the U.K. using individual components that are

matched to our reference model; this includes the structural integrity of every cabinet

and the testing and recording of each component. This guarantees it will be within our

strict tolerances and ensures your purchase sounds identical to the original design.

Each completed loudspeaker then undergoes a set of objective and subjective

measurements - frequency response sweeps ensure that the design meets our

exacting performance criteria, and then listening tests are conducted against the

reference model using a wide variety of material, from a benchmark BBC speech test

to classical music, pop and rock.

Series

User Guide

Unpacking

Please retain your packaging for future use as all PMC cartons are durable,

reusable and can be employed to safely transport your loudspeakers should

they be relocated.

Much of the packing is constructed from recyclable materials, so if you are

to dispose of it please do so in an environmentally friendly manner.

Packing materials can pose danger to animals, the young

and vulnerable. Ensure these items are kept or disposed of safely.

Series

User Guide

Plinth installation guide for the
floorstanding models

(Note the EB1i plinth is fitted prior to shipping)

Plinths are used to enhance the performance and stability of the floorstanding

models in the range. They attach to the base of each speaker using M8

bolts and accommodate the supplied spikes for use on carpeted surfaces. Plinths

should be installed as follows:

Carefully invert the loudspeaker so that its base is uppermost. Take care not

to damage the top of the loudspeaker when it is upside-down, the use of

a soft cloth or square of carpet is suggested.

Position the plinth on the bottom of the loudspeaker so that its large curved

edge is to the front (same face as the drive units) and the metal inserts are

facing up towards you. Ensure that the corresponding inserts in the base of

the cabinet are aligned with the rebated holes in the plinth.

Locate the large M8 bolts and tighten them gently by hand, then using the

supplied Allen key. Ensure that the bolts are not over-tightened.

Fully thread each spike with one of the supplied lock nuts. The spikes can

then be attached to the plinth; they should point upwards whilst the cabinet

is inverted. Caution: the spikes are sharp and should be treated with

great care and may damage hard flooring if in direct contact.

Re-invert the loudspeaker so that the spikes and plinth are at the bottom.

Once in position, level the loudspeaker by adjusting each spike in turn.

While this might seem a time-consuming exercise, it is important both in

terms of system performance and the stability of the cabinet.

The final step is to tighten each spike’s lock nut; this will ensure that the spike

and loudspeaker are as rigid as possible.

Series User Guide

Connections

Caution

To avoid potential damage, please ensure that your power amplifier(s) or receiver is
turned off before making or breaking any loudspeaker connections.

Cable & connectors

When selecting cables for use with your PMC loudspeakers, ensure that their
construction is of a high enough standard to withstand the rigors of everyday use and
that they are suitably terminated. While bare wire can be accommodated by the

binding posts, we recommend the use of either spade lugs or 4mm ‘banana’
plugs in order to maintain an electrical connection of the highest integrity and avoid the
possibility of short circuits. Please consult your dealer for more information regarding
cable lengths and termination options.

Polarity + & -

It is of vital importance to observe the polarity markings and maintain positive-to-positive

and negative-to-negative connections from amplifier or receiver to the loudspeaker.

The terminals are colour-coded to aid in their identification, positive terminals are red,

negative terminals are black.

Plugging them in

Series User Guide