Напольная акустика — Avalon Accoustics PM3

The PM3 is part of the Avalon Acoustics Precision Monitor range and is a three-way floorstanding loudspeaker sitting between the PM2 and the PM4 in the range, with the current version sold as the PM3.2. Avalon describes it as a smaller relative of its SAGA model, taking over the SAGA crossover topology and high current parts in a cabinet of more modest size. UK pricing for the PM3.2 started at GBP 64,750, against GBP 43,750 for the PM2 and GBP 87,750 for the PM4. The smallest member of the series, the PM1, uses just a tweeter and a pair of 7.5 inch woofers.

Key specs that matter

Drivers are a 1 inch concave carbon and glass tweeter, a 3.5 inch concave ceramic dome midrange and two 9 inch Nomex Kevlar composite cone woofers. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 50 kHz and sensitivity is 90 dB. The PM2 below it rates 89 dB, while the PM4 above uses a single 11 inch woofer and a diamond tweeter. Nominal impedance is 4 ohm, and Avalon states that below 200 Hz the impedance curve is flat, deviating by less than 0.1 ohm. The recommended amplifier power ranges from 25 to 400 W. Each cabinet is about 117 cm high, 28 cm wide and 43 cm deep and weighs 52 kg.

Engineering and use context

For the enclosure Avalon uses a proprietary Silent Inert Cabinet material, and the front panel is about 83 mm thick. Crossovers are point to point wired using surface only conductors, so no printed circuit board is involved, and they use proprietary all-phase topologies. The concave shape of the PM3 tweeter and midrange is shared with the larger PM4. Avalon set out to build a high energy transducer of nominal size, and its woofer pair is a step up in size from the units in the PM2. The standard finish is Polychrome Precision in standard sheen or high gloss lacquer. Other listed finishes are Birdseye Maple clear, Polychrome Light and Polychrome Dark, while figured walnut, quilted cherry and curly maple are extra cost choices in satin or gloss.

Pairing

The steady bass impedance makes the PM3 an easy electrical load in the bass for solid-state and valve amplifiers alike, and the sensitivity means that amplifiers near the bottom of the suggested power window can be used. A stereo or mono power amplifier with a matching preamplifier suits the speaker, as does a strong integrated amplifier.

Alternatives

The Avalon PM2 is a more compact tower from the same Precision Monitor series, with smaller woofers and a 26 Hz bass limit.