PRODUCT
PRODUCT
TESTS
By Adam Gallant
PMC Result6 Active Studio Monitors
Up for a test this issue , we have PMC ’ s latest studio monitor , the Result6 . PMC ( the Professional Monitor Company ) is well known the world over for sophisticated designs with very low distortion . PMC ’ s premium reputation typically translates to a premium price point ; after all , the company ’ s user base includes some of the most revered engineers , studios , and facilities on the planet , including Capitol Studios , the BBC , and Dreamworks . They ’ ve been used in post for countless blockbuster films , and the company has even been awarded an Emmy for its contribution to recording excellence over the years .
The Result6 , however , despite carrying the same brand name and representing nearly 30 years of research and development , are the lowest-cost entry to the world of PMC to date . These monitors are geared towards all tiers of audio professionals and have been popping up in home , project , and world-class studios around the globe since their wide release .
Out of the Box These speakers are very sleek in appearance . They are front-ported with a 170 mm woofer and a 27 mm tweeter powered by 100 watts and 60 watts , respectively . The boxes are deep at 380 mm and noticeably light at 8 kg each . They have rubber decoupling rings that wrap around the sides , providing a non-slip surface while reducing the transmission of vibration onto the surface supporting them . The back of the speakers boasts a simple design with no room EQ correction controls , just an XLR input , a trim pot that offers plus or minus 10dB of attenuation , a rocker panel on / off switch , and the standard IEC power connectivity . Also on the back are four threaded anchor points for mounting .
ATL PMC have patented a ported speaker enclosure branded as the Advanced Transmission Line ( ATL ). The design positions the woofer near the end of a long , 1.5 m tunnel containing acoustic material that absorbs upper bass and high frequencies while allowing the lowest frequencies to pass through the cavity and exit from the front port . The ATL design is what allows for consistent air pressure to be maintained within the cabinet during playback . The resulting sound has remarkably clear low mids and lows , as well as an extended low frequency , all despite the humble size of the cabinet . The Result6s are rated from 22 kHz down to 45 Hz . When in use , the Result6 ’ s drivers do not visibly move the way rear ported or sealed speakers ’ drivers do . The ATL essentially takes the hard work of the low end from the driver and puts that work on the acoustically tuned Transmission Line .
Diffraction Fins The Results6s have a feature not found on any other current PMC designs : D-fins . These are small openings that surround the tweeter to disperse high end and block edge reflections to widen the sweet spot , making these speakers great for larger rooms and off axis listening . The high end is pristine , not harsh , and very uniform from a variety of listening angles .
In Use In my experience through various projects , the Result6s produced an effortless sound with remarkable clarity . The low end is unlike any other studio monitor I ’ ve encountered , pristine and defined with no wobbly distortion or mud . Listening to a pile of commercial test material I found these speakers to reveal the overall fidelity of content with immediacy . Some classic , remastered material such as The Beatles ’ White Album came across with a level of detail I have never heard . High-end information like guitar squeaks and tape hiss were brought out in a very obvious and very pleasing way . Another quality that quickly came to my attention is that these speakers sound remarkably similar at high volumes as they do at low volumes . Making confident decisions at low levels is a great way to reduce ear fatigue , a reminder that these speakers are designed for the true professional . While mixing rock music , I found the speakers to quickly reveal issues with low end build up around the 100 Hz area that really simplified the process .
Overview These active nearfield monitors are designed for the true professional , much like the rest of PMC ’ s product offerings but at a far more accessible price point . They produce a revealing sound with a clinical amount of clarity across the full frequency spectrum . One of the most valuable aspects of working on these speakers is their ability to let the user know when the low end is taking over , all the while lending the perfect amount of top end information to prevent harsh mixes . The PMC Result6s are the ideal tool for quickly getting mixes that will translate across any playback system , and I ’ ve thoroughly enjoyed my experience with them .
Adam Gallant has worked in all facets of digital audio production , from music composition to location and post audio for television and film . He currently owns and operates The Hill Sound Studio in Charlottetown , PE .
24 PROFESSIONAL SOUND