Speaker pair ProAc Studio 140 Mk2
Rather narrow front panel Studio 140 Mk2 bear the three speakers - tweeter with silk dome and wide aluminum flange and a pair of Midwoofer, in accordance with the usual design for ProAc 2.5 band. The manufacturer states that use dynamic head - new, developed by its specification Norwegian company SEAS specifically for this line. Midwoofer diffusers made of polypropylene with the addition of carbon fiber - to achieve both lightness and high rigidity, good internal damping. Small hemispherical protective caps, called by antiresonance, made of very soft rubber. Smaller floor speakers look traditionally subdued style ProAc - no rounded towers and glossy varnish, only sharp edges and classic rectangular shape. Black ash veneer for a matte finish has a beautiful natural texture and also looks restrained and concisely.
Stand of 20-mm cut chipboard veneered top in tone corps. Pretty big reflex port with a plastic neck on the lower part of the body comes not in the podium, as in the older models of the firm, and straight to the floor. In a stand carved horn flared opening extending slice port, so that the result is a cylindrical (constant cross section) trumpet, horn cuff outlet. It is a pity that in this model for the sake of simplicity of the design firm refused to output port in the stand - it is always a beneficial effect on the sound, although in any case, and better option available location reflex port on the rear panel. The most showy exterior detail - two pairs of high-quality terminal production JA Michell Engineering for each speaker, with the ridges of the brass studs with rhodium-plated finish. When unpacking the speakers until they were upside down, and through the hole reflex port, we were able to consider the labeling used Midwoofer. They were a series of SEAS Prestige, with the number H1577-08 (P18RCY-C). Also inside there are layers of white acoustic foam, laid on all four walls.
By direct contrast to the previous test participant pair ProAc Studio 140 Mk2 seemed even slightly matte, more low-key and relaxed, with less open feed. After the initial adjustment to the perception of a different type of sound showed a great attitude tone/noise ratio, the basic confidence supply, good information content and a clear separation of the instrumental lines. Intelligible structure lowercase allows orchestral cello and organ pedals join tight and not blurred, quite recognizable, drums drummers in rock also bring the necessary drive. Uppercase smooth and extended, without jewelry shine, but with enough manifested attack. Microdynamics on this model is inferior to its more expensive relatives (eg ProAk Response D28), but considering the price it looks very decent. Orchestra distinct and coherent whole, in classical music claim could be brought only by a linear supply, not a predominant and not clogging the meaning of the executable, but still present. When playing rock and metal column noticeably come to life and act out the proposed record alive, driving and even seemed to increase in volume. We can not say that the acoustics entirely optimized for popular genres, including metal, but it is still a bit more like rock and drive than multidimensional complex compositions.
