Bookshelf Speakers — ProAc Tablette 10 Signature

The Tablette 10 Signature is a two-way mini monitor from ProAc of Brackley, England, developed from the standard Tablette 10. The Tablette line dates back to 1979, when ProAc introduced it as a mini monitor. ProAc says the Signature version received a new bass driver with an improved magnet system and a proprietary solid copper phase plug, together with a hand-built crossover that designer Stewart Tyler fine-tuned over many months of measuring and listening. The company states it can be used with its back against the wall or on good quality stands, while stand mounting is recommended.

Key specs that matter

ProAc lists the response as 55 Hz to 30 kHz and a sensitivity of 86 dB linear for 1 watt at 1 metre. Nominal impedance is 10 ohms, with amplifiers of 5 to 50 watts listed as suitable. Each cabinet is 305 mm high, 191 mm wide and 159 mm deep, and weighs 5.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

The woofer measures 127 mm (5 inches) and uses a Pagina Mica cone with an acoustic coating. It is driven by a copper Excel magnet system, and the solid copper phase plug sits in the centre of the cone. The tweeter is a 25 mm (1 inch) air-cooled silk dome with internal damping. ProAc places its self-described finest parts on a separate crossover board, with multistrand oxygen free copper cable linking the drivers and terminals. Every Tablette is hand-built in Brackley, and one technician looks after the assembly and testing of each speaker. An acoustically transparent crimplene grille comes as standard, with a magnetic version offered for some finishes. The enclosure is acoustically damped, and its real wood veneers come from sustainably managed sources. Standard finishes are Black Ash, Cherry, Natural Oak and Walnut, while Liquidambar, Rosewood and Ebony are offered at extra cost.

Pairing

With a divided crossover and two sets of terminals, each speaker can take a pair of cable runs or take one amplifier channel for the woofer and another for the tweeter.

Alternatives

The ProAc Response DB1 is another compact stand-mount with a Pagina Mica bass unit, rated at 87.5 dB and 8 ohms in a 320 mm tall cabinet.