PMC TWENTY5.21i Speakers Review. Stand-mounted speakers for £2k!

[@martyfraser9972]

Hi Paul , I have purchased these speakers with help, in no small way, from your excellent review here (the local dealer had to order these in for me to try - wouldn't have happened without your review). The 21i's do indeed sound as you say.. I'm not hearing much hedge clipping (roses) perhaps because these speakers are a big step forward for me, but I'm certainly getting the blue lagoon on some tracks (partnered with a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum) ... I hope you don't mind - I have cited your channel on the PMC product registration form as an influencer (rather that What hi-fi etc) ... cheers and keep going with the reviews .. I will certainly be tuning in.

[@Romulus980]

I heard these speakers at Bristol HiFi show 2023, was very impressed with the sound they produced but they were driven by a very powerful and very expensive German amp. My immediate thought was how would they compare with ATC SCM19 speakers if driven by a more appropriate priced amp...?

[@steveee2511]

what german amp burmester or mbl

[@Romulus980]

@@steveee2511 I think most likely mbl. With a lot of brand speakers tend to choose top flight amps to sound their best which gives an indication of speakers sound but in more majority situations not what the interested audiophile can afford or end up with if chosen PMC 5.21i speakers....

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

I find your analogies way over the top. That said, I have Twenty.21 speakers, and they fit your description. The only problem is that some rock albums require lesser speakers to hide the fact that the recordings are bad. Mine are beautifully made, and rather attractive, for a pair of boxes.

[@nodyaheads5111]

Nice review and well explained. How does it compare with BBC-type monitors in terms of mid-range and voicing?

[@stevezeidman7224]

Great job on this video. I always enjoy your work.

[@Akstergrind]

Are you a big Gary Numan fan, mate? I often see a Numan or Tubeway Army album behind you, and I must say, I approve wholeheartedly!

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I like Numan but you're probably seeing me hit a rich seam of Numan vinyl there. I pull my vinyl for videos from the same area, next off the conveyor belt, as it where. So if certain artists are collected in one area of shelving, you'll probably see then a lot consecutive videos.

[@Akstergrind]

@@TheAudiophileMan Ah, I see! I've been a big fan of his since 1978, and Replicas still gets played at least once a month. I finally got to see him recently, and it was one of the best gigs I've ever attended. He's definitely still got it.

[@robra390]

@@Akstergrind k

[@steverees1936]

Very enjoyable review my friend. I like the crunchy Granola analogy 😋 PMC are a kind of mixed bag for me. Nice sound but not so nice looks. I've seen much nicer from other manufacturers for way less. A pair of Twenty5. 26 were for sale at my local dealer for £3000 and I wish I'd got them now at that bargain price. The choice of Nude from The great Camel though was sublime.

[@inkedaudiophile7546]

Great review as usual!

[@steveee2511]

in consedering buying these or the elac Vela BS 403 or the sonus faber sonetto 2 all are avaible in piano black like i like and arround 2k my amp is a naim nait 5si so probally the pmc or a proac will be best match for amp.

[@evowhite777]

Looking very suave in the new specs Paul, nice! Another in-depth review but not long & boring,you have a good knack of conveying everything a user needs to know in a short video. It's so warming to see your channel grow "every week" now, it's a shame some (or probably many) viewers won't know your reviewing background or history. In saying this, I'm still personally waiting for the review video of your TURNTABLE(hahaha)! Keep up the good work Paul. #hifi4ever #vinyl4ever

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Thanks ev and my turntable? Which one? :)

[@evowhite777]

@@TheAudiophileMan Oh you've got more than one,well it's your "reference table",I think it's a Avid? #vinyl4ever

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I'm not trying to brag, honest :) It's just that I use different turntables for different reviews depending on price points, etc so I have published 'reference' lists with different models included. Tools of the trade, you might say. I do need to do a focus thing on my reference kit, I suppose. I did review the AVID for my site, if you need the link?

[@evowhite777]

@@TheAudiophileMan I`ve probably read it already but please share here so others can view too,cheers.

[@a29h17]

​@@TheAudiophileMan Great review which helped me to look into another speakers . I own and 11 years old PMC TB2i and I'm looking for a speaker that is true to the source and that does not add smoothness and rolled off highs to the recording. Could you recommend one that fit this description. Thanks.

[@fletchermunson6225]

Excellent review. For 2k I wonder if one might get an introduction to the girl on the sofa.

[@georgebartolo8856]

I don’t own the 25-21i but I do own an older set of PMC speakers have to say I made a big mistake. Every time I listen to them I think of the wasted money I spent. Try to sell them on the used market, you will lose big time. Just very disappointed.

[@amarcy5369]

Hi paul . Very interesting review, as usual your enthusiasm is as always tempered with a degree of self control . From my humble experience it often comes down to price, yes not the be all and end all but still a significant factor. So knowing the hifi press have been giving it on the hole good reviews . I would seriously consider it a worthwhile option. I’m pretty sure you’re countless fans will beg to differ , and rightly so . But I for one am well aware of the thought dedication and shear hard work that goes into your decision making. Kind regards. mike

[@stevenswall]

PMC and ATC need to send Audio Science Review units that are extended, even, and low distortion! So far their lower end models are not very good for their class.

[@richardsinger01]

Interesting that so many people like them though. Not the measurement crowd maybe.

[@jimrourke2554]

@Fat Rat The only joke is your incredibly ignorant comment. The poor chap,who has no clue is you and you only. LMAO.

[@jimrourke2554]

Nope, PMC was already slaughtered by ASR measurements and by Stereophile as well. PMC don't even publish their own measurements because either they don't even bother to measure or the results are horrific. ATC is too smart to send a unit to ASR, although an older SCM19 was already measured and did not fair well. The entire point of marketing is to create desire and demand for a product irrespective of the product's quality and usability. PMC are very skilled at doing so and benefit greatly by the complicit HiFi press. That is the truth.

[@mayaparis6192]

@@richardsinger01 I sincerely believe that not many people can actually stand this speakers, much less like them. It is predominantly the complicit hifi reviewers and hifi press that "like" ... getting advertising income from PMC by saying they like the speakers. One such sellout is Jason Kennedy from The Ear. Apparently, he believes that PMC is inspired by Jesus himself.

[@manFromPeterborough]

@@jimrourke2554 I can't see Fat Rat's comments anywhere on this channel or Gutenberg or PS audio, why is YT hiding his comments?

[@fletchermunson6225]

The repaired glasses might damage your image as an audiophile. When I was in the Navy, I was surrounded by military specification items, the worst of which was a holiday military spec fruit cake.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Hehe - as an amateur historian, I've read some choice items about military food. Doesn't surprise me James :)

[@fletchermunson6225]

@@TheAudiophileMan Try being stuck on a ship with a cook who's in love with green peppers. That same cook got roaring drunk one night and slept it off on sacks of potatoes in the pantry. In the morning he got up, went over to a large pot of water heating to make oatmeal, washed his face in the pot and so began breakfast. Occasionally when one is out at sea, someone doesn't show up for muster. He came close.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Ha!

[@fletchermunson6225]

@@TheAudiophileMan This is totally off topic but as a history buff, I have noticed that there is some grumbling about American movies leaving out our allies in WWII and giving the impression that we won the war all by ourselves (Not to mention WWI). Fair enough. I guess there is a tendency to tell history from one's own view point. My father was a WWII vet and I just wanted to say that I have the greatest respect for the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and others who sacrifices and fought so bravely. It's a great sadness to me that these great men are passing and will soon be just a footnote in history.

[@mikemcguinness1304]

Pmc am I big fan of...

[@scottspinner1]

Cheers paul. Will not be buying them then.

[@mayaparis6192]

As you shouldn't if you're looking for a loudspeaker. These can also function, perhaps even better, as an XXL desk paperweight.

[@user-ys4og2vv8k]

BTW... PREDMESTJE means SUBURBIA in Slovenian. 😉

[@jim586]

Hate to be a pedant. The New Order track is “Regret” not “Respect”. Sorry.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Yes, you’re right. I seem to have got the wrong title stuck in my head for some reason.

[@mayaparis6192]

Total waste of money.

[@borisblade564]

yawn

[@rossparry3168]

Don’t waste your money on these cheap rubbish speakers. Cheap parts. Very high selling price.

[@jimrourke2554]

Are you joking? Why even waste your time reviewing these monstrosities? PMC is all about boom and tizz to call attention in a showroom. Listen to them carefully and after 10 minutes you're done. They are horrific boxes of pure garbage. They are ill-conceived, ill-engineered and unmusical. They are sonically imbalanced. They are all about MASSIVE, ONE-NOTE bass that destroys the entire audio signal. The Laminair vent has ZERO audible effect but PMC markets it as some sort of miracle. It does nothing. The TL implementation is flawed and ill-implemented, particularly in the smaller standmount cabinets. It simply isn't possible to properly tune a TL in such a small volume. Their proprietary stands are a total joke. They wiggle and wobble EVEN WHEN filled with lest. The footprint is too small for the speakers (21i and 22i). The feet are a total joke. 3 different parts per foot equals 12 unstable parts per stand. I can guarantee that PMC stands are wholly inadequate and are equally a waste of time. The new i series is undeniably a failure and you can hear this immediately. Listen for yourselves and you will see/hear. Do not believe these so-called reviewers. Anyone with proper hearing will quickly conclude that PMC has been dishonest with the market and has absolutely disrespected the unsuspecting first-time buyers. LISTEN FOR YOURSELF !!!!!

[@rog86]

I listened to the 22i, and thought they were ace. Very revealing. Bass was tight and tuneful. Very good sound. Heard with primare i35. Ive not heard many speakers though. Maybe the amp you tried with them wasnt up to it?

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

I have the Twenty.21. Beautiful. Far better than the other speakers I tried, including Spendor A1.

[@MrBravo143]

He's fired from PMC and now under treatment.

[@nikolay2687]

@@MrBravo143 I think so too.. every review says the same thing from this person. And more than once he didn't answer other people's questions. I think he is offended by something..

[@ruger6049]

@@nikolay2687His ears.