Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
QB1-XBD-A
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 25kHz
- Drive Units: LF - 8 x PMC carbon fibre/Nomex 250mm/10" piston drivers, MF - PMC hand-built 75mm soft dome driver, HF PMC 34mm soft dome tweeter with acoustic radiator
- Crossover Frequency: 380Hz & 3.8kHz
- Amplifier Power per Channel: LF - 2 x 2400Wrms, LFX (XBD) 2 x 2400Wrms, MF - 1 x 550Wrms, HF - 1 x 275Wrms
- Dimensions: H 1640mm (64.6") W 1092mm (42.9") D 523mm (20.6")
- Weight: Master 150kg (330lbs), LFX (XBD) 140kg (308lbs)
- Peak SPL: >132dB @1metre
Description
To create the awesome QB1-XBD-A, we added a dedicated low-frequency cabinet to work in unison with the full-range main monitor. This additional 'XBD' cabinet contains four identical piston drivers, each driven by four of PMC's 1000w independent, class D power amplifiers, giving a staggering 8825W of ultra-clean power per channel.
The sense of limitless headroom and complete confidence gained when working on these is unparalleled from this twin-stacked cabinet design, and this configuration ensures the smoothest possible in-room bass response with 3dB more headroom than the QB1-A single cabinet version. Alongside its incredible power ratio and damping per channel, the QB1-XBD-A offers ultra-low distortion, a forensic sense of detail and incomparable dynamics and transience throughout the entire bandwidth.
In keeping with the QB1-A, the QB1-XBD-A features wired RJ45 desktop control, which provides user-friendly access to user EQ settings via its backlit display and jog wheel, and the ability to store up to four user setup presets.
Whether soffit-mounted or not, the QB models deliver the transparency, resolution, extended frequency response and wide, consistent imaging demanded by the international audio elite.
The sense of limitless headroom and complete confidence gained when working on these is unparalleled from this twin-stacked cabinet design, and this configuration ensures the smoothest possible in-room bass response with 3dB more headroom than the QB1-A single cabinet version. Alongside its incredible power ratio and damping per channel, the QB1-XBD-A offers ultra-low distortion, a forensic sense of detail and incomparable dynamics and transience throughout the entire bandwidth.
In keeping with the QB1-A, the QB1-XBD-A features wired RJ45 desktop control, which provides user-friendly access to user EQ settings via its backlit display and jog wheel, and the ability to store up to four user setup presets.
Whether soffit-mounted or not, the QB models deliver the transparency, resolution, extended frequency response and wide, consistent imaging demanded by the international audio elite.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- PMC leverages its professional studio monitor expertise to create hifi speakers, resulting in accurate and detailed sound reproduction at home.
- The brand utilizes Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology in their speaker designs, producing tight, extended, and well-balanced bass.
- They pay significant attention to minimizing cabinet vibrations through decoupled designs, mass damping, and plinth stands to improve imaging and overall clarity.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Prodigy5:
- Positioning: A compact floor-standing speaker designed for versatility in various room sizes.
- Description: Offers a dynamic sound experience with its Advanced Transmission Line and twin Laminair vents, making it ideal for small to medium rooms. Compared to the larger models like the twenty5.26i, it provides a more affordable option without compromising on the clarity and depth of sound. Its compact design makes it suitable for those with limited space and a moderate budget, while still delivering a powerful audio performance.
Active twenty5.24i:
- Positioning:The largest two-way speaker in the active twenty5i series, designed for high-resolution audio.
- Description: This model combines active technology with PMC's ATL to deliver precise and dynamic sound, perfect for larger rooms. Unlike the passive models such as the Prodigy5, the active design allows for optimized internal amplification, providing a more integrated and space-efficient solution.
Prophecy9:
- Positioning: The flagship model of the Prophecy series, offering state-of-the-art performance.
- Description: Featuring PMC's LaminairX technology, delivers an expansive soundstage and deep bass, ideal for large rooms and high-end audio setups. It surpasses models like the twenty5.26i in terms of technological sophistication and sound dynamics.
Fenestria:
- Positioning: The top-of-the-range model in the Fact series, designed for the ultimate listening experience.
- Description: With vibration-cancelling design and advanced materials, offers exceptional sound purity. It stands out from other models like the Prophecy9 with its innovative cabinet and driver technologies, providing an immersive audio experience.
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Avg. Product Price
$100,001+
Used For Sale
65
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
58
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
57
Founding Year
1991
Our take on the brand
PMC is a hifi speaker brand known for its Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology, which enhances bass response and reduces distortion, and its LaminairX technology in the Prophecy series, which reduces turbulence and harmonic distortion by up to 3dB. Their active speakers are preferred by music and audio professionals for their tonal accuracy and dynamic range, with user reviews particularly praising their accurate midrange and detailed sound compared to brands like Dynaudio and B&W.
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What competes at this price?
Linn
360
110180
/
Released
2023
360 is audibly invisible. It produces a performance with unprecedented clarity and realism, that's entirely absent of sonic colouration. Incorporating innovative drive unit and amplifier technologies, 360 turns out our lowest ever levels of audible distortion. The honed curves of its cabinet are partnered with meticulously matched drive units to deliver the cleanest possible dispersion characteristics.
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent imaging, providing a strong stereo image for multiple listeners due to wide dispersion and Space Optimisation+
- Flexible and capable of playing all kinds of music, getting out of the music's way, and suitable for both large and smaller rooms
- Dynamic, detailed, and can play at a wide range of volume levels, from quiet listening to near PA levels
- Features a new driver array, including a Beryllium dome tweeter, thin-ply woven carbon fiber midrange (used on NASA's Mars Rover), and aluminum-magnesium alloy bass units
- Incorporates new amplifier technologies—'Power DAC' for the lower bass and 'Adaptive Bias Control' for the mid and treble—reducing distortion
Product Considerations
- The midrange dome is exposed, which might be a concern with children
- Owners of previous Linn systems may find the price difficult to accept
- Some audiophiles may prefer Linn to trawl its past rather than building its future, and they will want an Isobarik
- Some audiophiles may not be able to see past the LP12
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The 360 offers significantly improved imaging and soundstaging compared to the Klimax 350
Takeaway: The Linn 360 is a high-end loudspeaker that provides excellent sound quality and flexibility, making it a great choice for enjoying music with friends or for personal listening sessions. Its innovative design and technology deliver a detailed and immersive audio experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Linn is a hifi brand known for its modular designs, particularly the Sondek LP12 turntable where users can upgrade virtually every component over time to maintain performance across decades. The brand stands out for developing its own technologies in-house, including the Organik DAC with FPGA processing and Space Optimisation, which models room acoustics without needing microphone measurements.
Product Page
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Aries Cerat
Aurora
105000
/
Released
2022
The Aurora is our newest speaker design, carrying some trickle down technology from our top model the Contendo, as well as some newly developed technologies
Aries Cerat is a hifi brand known for its use of oversized components and TriodeFet technology, which combines tube and solid-state designs to create a distinctive sound signature. Their products, including the Kassandra DAC and Symphonia horn speakers, are built with massive power handling capabilities and carefully selected drivers to deliver a muscular, dynamic sound that rivals top analogue systems.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Surprisingly free of horn colorations
- Very rich, present, and neutrally balanced
Product Considerations
- The reviewer was sitting too close to hear them at their best in the small room
- Looking a bit like something the Borg might have invented
Takeaway: The Aries Cerat Aurora Reference is a unique, horn-loaded speaker that sounds surprisingly good. They were considered the most interesting and novel new speaker at the show.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Aries Cerat is a hifi brand known for its use of oversized components and TriodeFet technology, which combines tube and solid-state designs to create a distinctive sound signature. Their products, including the Kassandra DAC and Symphonia horn speakers, are built with massive power handling capabilities and carefully selected drivers to deliver a muscular, dynamic sound that rivals top analogue systems.
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Product Page
Steinway Lyngdorf
Model C
100800
/
Released
2024
The Model C speakers is for those who seek the live dipole sound and demand enhanced bass for music and movies. The formula is simple: take the legendary Model D, then scale down the footprint and add powerful boundary woofers. The result is an attention-grabbing statement system that sets a new standard for full-bodied bass reproduction.
Steinway Lyngdorf is unique for its fully digital amplification technology and RoomPerfect system, which processes signals entirely in the digital domain and automatically adapts sound to any room's acoustics without requiring acoustic treatment. Their systems are built as closed ecosystems with components that must work together, featuring distinctive dipole speakers that emit sound from both front and back to mimic how Steinway pianos interact with a room.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Replicates the resonance of live instruments due to open speaker design
- Digital from source to driver, minimizing sound distortion
- Provides audio output so precise you can pinpoint each instrument's location
Product Considerations
- The only weak link might be musical taste
Takeaway: The Model C delivers incredibly precise audio, replicating live instrument resonance with minimal distortion. If pure sound is desired, and taste in music aligns, it is a great pick.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Steinway Lyngdorf is unique for its fully digital amplification technology and RoomPerfect system, which processes signals entirely in the digital domain and automatically adapts sound to any room's acoustics without requiring acoustic treatment. Their systems are built as closed ecosystems with components that must work together, featuring distinctive dipole speakers that emit sound from both front and back to mimic how Steinway pianos interact with a room.
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