Value, clarity & definition.

Bass doesn't seem to fit the rest of the sound.

Neither overly bright, nor overly warm these speakers are a definite steal for the price. I would suggest them more for surround enthusiasts.. In two channel, though the bass is quite tight and not at all boomy there is to distinct a differentiation between the bass and the mids/highs.. Almost like there is a proverbial wall in between the sounds.

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Phase PC-9.1, Meadowlark, Thiel

Excellent 5.1 separation for home theater, monsterous bass.

Not well suited for stereo music programs.

I am a studio engineer and musician and have a broad taste in music. I have Phase Technology's PC-500 system including 2 PC500s, PC3 center channel, and 2 PC Surrounds in bipolar mode. I am using Yamaha's DSP A1 with Hafler for front mains.

For movies and surround programs, the PC-500 system is incredible. It graciously fills my large listening room (16 foot vaulted ceiling, 25x18) with tons of well seperated sound and monsterous bass.

For music, the PC-500s don't quite have the middle/highs that I'm accustomed to. Used JBL-4408 studio monitors prior with NEC subwoofer and had better frequency results.

In closing, it would be difficult to get anything better in this price range. Excellent gear.

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JBL-4408 Studio Monitors

Home Theater Applications

Built in Sub can be boomy when playing music. Not enough bass cross over into Mid range.

I made the purchase in the Fall of 1999 from Haveys Electronics in NJ and had them shipped to San Diego. Floor close out purchase. Local dealer was unwilling to negotiate price.

These speakers are exceptional Home Theater Speakers even in a difficult room such as mine,(alot of hardwood floors and glass). I'm using the Phase Tech PC3 as a Center Channel which has better stand alone bass response than the PC500's when compared musically. Due to my room configuration I required built-ins in the rear since the back of the room is open to another room and didn't want to surface mount speakers on the ceiling. For this application I first tried the Klipsch IC650 with pivitol tweeters. These speakers after a year, couldn't keep up with the Phase Technology's. Now I'm using a similar designed by Niles with a pivitol tweeters just like the Klipsch. Much better bass repsonse and not as brite.

Overall, the Phase Technology speakers are good performers, but if I had to do it over again I would probably purchase the Tannoy M Series which are better for music.

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Mirage, Klipsch towers w/ powered subs

Slim footprint, quality construction inside and out

Top easy to scratch

I love these speakers! I feel they are better than most in their price range for home theater/music listening which is a difficult task considering the range required. These babies can really pump out the base when playing Rock. For Vocals they are clean and fairly neutral. For movies the base is definitely adequate but lacks the punch needed with some titles. I purchased a MK-V75 sub to supply the added base needed.

Highly recommended!

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Infinity

VERY happy with these speakers. I have a difficult listening situation (long skinny room) and simply can't achieve ideal placement in my room... before I got these. These speakers offer excellent flexibility (you can actually aim the tweeter; it pivots on axis) as well as great sound.
That said, I've also spent a lot of time listening to them in the showroom, and comparing them. No, they don't have the finicky and superaccurate sound of a non-amped 'audiophile' unit, but they're quite close. Certainly a better value than the Definitive Tech units unless you're a diehard bipolar fan ( which i though I was until I heard these). They have astounding reproduction.... Excellent midrange but the tweeters are quite neutral. If you like an extremely bright sound you may have to use your preamp to compensate. I don't really have that problem, even with all the rugs and soft furniture in my room. I find the subs to me more than adequate--I enjoy low bass sometimes--I haven't even gone above the halfway sub volume level. Kudos to Phase Tech for putting real, large heat sinks on their subwoofer amps; no worries about them overheating.

All in all, the PC-500s are a great pair of speakers. Be prepared to spend a good hour or two perfecting the setup (tweaking sub volume, tweeter angle, etc) and be prepared to just sit back and smile once you're done. They've even conerted my wife from "Why would anyone spend $2000?" to "Honey, I think we should get these speakers". They even come in THREE colors! What more can be said?

hafler 915 preamp, Macintosh MC2505 amp, Sony CDP-905 player.

Perfect to build a surround system around.

Slim profile useful in narrow room.
and adjustable sub!

While enjoyable on music, balanced more for home theatre.

I built a pure Phase Tech system around these, with additinal subs, but these twoers provide solid bass all by
themselves. The tweeters need to be carefully aimed to get
the most out of them, and placement is critical to reinforce
the lower octaves. The slim profile allowed me to place them in a narrow room.

My one caveat is that they only come into their own in a surrround system, whereas my dedicated music system images nicely with just two speakers. For home theatre, they blow away some competitors like Definitive on intonation, sounding more real and less gimmicky.
While you could coast a little on associated equipment -don't- they are more than good enough to let you know what you have in front of them. There are lots of good choices for music only speakers - but few better in this price range for a home theatre/music system. You might gain a tiny edge in seamlessness with monitor-style mains in your A/V setup, but you will lose the full range authority of the PC500's, and that would be a shame.

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Definitive Technology, M& K, B& W, Boston, Monitor, paradigm
Vandersteen.

Love these monsters. I spent hours critically evaluating these next to Definitive Techs, Polks, and Boston Acoustics, since they are all in the same ballpark. Was looking for towers with built-in subwoofers to minimize quantity of speakers and placement issues.
Wow! These babies dump out the base. Using LFE sweep tests, you can literally pop drywall screws out of your theater! And the mids and highs are accurate and right on the money. The variable-axis tweeters are now on my must-have list for future speakers - I've been able to fine tune my seating position without moving the speakers!!!

Highly Recommended!

home theatre, adjustable tweeter/subs, can solve certain
room problems.

Not as weak on stereo as some comments here indicate, but stronger on HT or with very good source material. Not too forgiving of weak recordings.

This is a follow up to my previous comments.
I have now had these almost a year, so:
When playing better source material on these in stereo only mode, the imaging and intonation is excellent. I have some
gorgeous sounding Vandersteens in my music only system,and these give them a run on certain material, and in certain aspects.

there is no comparison between these IMHO, and your other <$ 2,000/pair options for HT, which will still be enjoyable on good stereo recordings(Vangelis Opera Sauvage, Jazz, Joni Mitchell, Spriongsteen, Yes, BoyzIIMen, and even classical recordings( I am a classically trained pianist).

I actually A-B'd these with Dynaudio Evidence(!) on the same
recording, and they were bested, certainly, but not embarrrased. What more can I say. If you can get a deal on them, buy them! as they are not overpriced to begin with.

Let your ears be the judge.

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Auditioned many HT speakers before purchasing.