Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Phase Technology PC 9.1 Speakers by Phrog

Model:	PC 9.1
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1000.00 ea.
Description:	4 way floorstanding tower
Manufacturer URL:	Phase Technology
Manufacturer URL:	Phase Technology

Review by Phrog ( A ) on November 12, 2003 at 17:08:46
IP Address: 64.219.214.119

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for the PC 9.1

INTRODUCTION:
First of all, let me start off by saying that I am new to the high-end audio hobby personally, but have several relatives that have been audiophiles for many many years. Most of my pre-audiophile experience comes from listening to very fine systems including such equipment as Meridian, Threshold, Quad, Maggies, Audio Research, and McIntosh. I have finally gotten to a point in my life where I can afford to begin building my own hi-end system, and I am having a blast. Enough of thatâ€¦ now on to my recent acquisition of the Phase Technology PC 9.1 speakers and the review of them.
After auditioning 25+ brands and models of speakers in my price range ($0-$3000), I had pretty much given up on finding a speaker that sounded pleasing to my ears. In fact during a visit to a local dealer, I had listened to the Phase Tech 9.1â€™s briefly and discounted them as sounding â€œnot quite rightâ€. Looking back I think the setup was not right as well as my ears being overwhelmed by all the auditioning I had been doing.
IN-STORE AUDITION:
The second time I auditioned the Phase Techâ€™s; the dealer had set them up in a private listening room using a full Arcam system. I remember the CDP to be the FMJ33. Cabling was TaraLabs Prime 500 speaker cable and BEL P1 interconnects. After listening to my first audition song (Jeff Beck â€“ Wired album track#4) I new I was finally on to something. The speakers felt warm and inviting and had me tapping my foot and bobbing my head. Upon listening further I realized they were throwing an accurate and realistic soundstage that made me feel like I was watching the performance live. I auditioned the speakers with several other artists/composers including; Lyle Lovett, Aaron Copland, Alana Davis, Doobie Brothers, and Kruder&Dorfmeister. My take-away from that afternoon of listening was that the Phase Techâ€™s were warm, detailed, and imaged very well creating a very nice soundstage. Female vocals gave me the chills. After several more in-store auditions with the same result, I ordered a pair at the price of $2000/pair.
IN-HOME AUDITION:
At 84 lbs per speaker, they are built in a very solid and high quality manner. They arrived with the usualsâ€¦ Manual, jumpers, floor spikes, and warranty card. I ordered mine in natural cherry with black grills and the fit and finish is excellent. Initially I set them up using a non-biwire configuration with the supplied jumpers. I had been warned by my dealer to let them burn in substantially before passing judgment. He recommended they needed around 150-300 hours before fully opening up. He was rightâ€¦. The sound at first was 2D and not very musical. The awesome soundstage I remembered from the audition was vacant and the bass was quite light. After a full two days of playing continuously at moderate volumes, I started to hear the Phase Techâ€™s that I remembered poking their heads out. The bass arrived very tight and not boomy at all. The highs evened out and began to sound more natural and not harsh. Midrange also began to bloom and the chills I got with the female vocals at the dealer appeared again. Listening to them in this setup for another two weeks proved to me why I fell in love with the speakers. They make me feel like I am listening to music. They grab me and bring me into the music with their warmth and imaging. At this point, I thought they could not get any better. Au contras my friend. Obtaining a new pair of speaker cables set up for bi-wiring, made them all the better. To describe the change from bi-wiring, I would say that everything came together all the more. I am thoroughly convinced now that if a speaker has the capability to be biwired, by all means at least give it a try. They came alive with this new configuration and now sound better than they did during the in-store audition.
CONCLUSION:
I know this review probably lacks a lot of the terminology and in-depth detail that other reviews possess and I apologize if it is not helpful. I hope you at least you find something useful and if you are in the market for new speakers that this gives you another option during your auditioning. Phase Technology seems to be a very dedicated speaker manufacturer that actually holds the patent for the soft dome tweeter. Additionally they were very responsive to my emails prior to me making the purchaseâ€¦ answering all types of questions I threw their way. I believe Phase Technology genuinely cares about their customers and after hearing the speakers come alive in my home, I am thoroughly convinced. And noâ€¦ I am not affiliated with Phase Tech in anywayâ€¦. I am just a very very happy and proud owner of the PC 9.1 speakers.

Product Weakness: None as of yet.
Product Strengths: Warmth, detail, very nice soundstage, fit & finish, build quality.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rotel RMB 1095
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Rotel RSP 1066
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rotel RCD 951
Speakers:	Phase Technology PC 9.1
Cables/Interconnects:	Straightwire Octave II/ BEL P1
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical, Rock, Acid Jazz, Chorale, Female Vocals
Room Size (LxWxH):	14' x 12' x 8'
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None as of yet.
Product Strengths:	Warmth, detail, very nice soundstage, fit & finish, build quality.