Floorstanding loudspeakers — Avalon Accoustics PM2.2

The PM2.2 is a full-range reference monitor from the Precision Monitor series of Avalon Acoustics and the bigger brother to the PM1.2 in that range. It is described as the smallest of the three-way Avalon monitors and replaces the PM2 with new bespoke drive units, a revised crossover network and entirely new internal wiring. Avalon designed it for home or studio use, aiming at accuracy in the spatial and frequency domains. The UK price is GBP 45,000 per pair.

Key specs that matter

A 1 inch convex beryllium dome tweeter with a neodymium magnet sits above a 3.5 inch cone midrange driven by a high-BL neodymium motor, and two 7.5 inch ultra-linear neodymium woofers designed for high excursion handle the bass. Sensitivity is 89 dB and nominal impedance 4 ohm. The stated frequency response runs from 24 Hz to 50 kHz, and Avalon advises amplifier power of 25 to 400 W. Dimensions are 112 cm high, 25 cm wide and 41 cm deep, and each cabinet weighs 39 kg. Wiring terminates in two-position binding posts.

Engineering and use context

All drivers are made to Avalon's specification for this model rather than taken from a catalogue. The cabinet is built with the brand's proprietary Silent Inert Cabinet material and process and includes a constrained-mode damping system to soak up vibration in the panels. Crossover construction is hard-wired using surface-only conductors, avoiding the effects that Avalon attributes to printed circuit boards. The filters follow proprietary all-phase topologies, and particular care is taken over the way the magnetic fields of the crossover parts interact, supported by Avalon's own magnetics technology. Moving from two-way to three-way layout relative to the PM1.2 means the woofers no longer have to reach up into the midrange, which is left to the dedicated midrange unit. The base finishes are Polychrome and Birdseye Maple, the upgrade veneers are Quilted Cherry, Figured Walnut and Curly Maple, and deep gloss lacquer or RAL colours can be requested.

Pairing

The lower sensitivity and the wide recommended power window point toward solid-state power amplifiers with generous output. Any amplifier used should handle the low nominal impedance without strain. The width is shared with the PM1.2, but the PM2.2 is 18 cm taller and 14 kg heavier per cabinet.

Alternatives

The Avalon PM2 is the earlier version of this three-way floorstander, using a concave carbon and glass tweeter, a ceramic dome midrange and a response reaching down to 26 Hz.