The IB2S is what the i-series has improved upon. With the new tweeter comes the new crossover. The i-series features a remarkable jump in performance in the top end. The Solonex tweeter features much more spatial ability as well as higher power handling. The cabinet for the IB2i and the IB2S are essentially the same as they are made of the same material and go through precisely the same build and pairing process as well as featuring PMC's unmatched 75mm soft dome mid range and the 10" LF carbon fiber nomex piston driver.

A company favorite.

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PMC, Bryston, Purist Audio Design.

Hi Ian
I am curious on your comment on the higher power handling with the "i" series as the specs do not reflect this to be so?I heard the MB2 and MB2i and found the sound difference did not at all justify the 30% price difference?I do realize you replaced a $40 tweeter with a $100 tweeter(although the non "i" speakers were awsome).I know you also veneered the back of the MB2i and of course a couple xover parts of course.I believe the MRSP for the MB2i in cherry is $21999 canadian,not sure of the USA price.

mb2,

The cost difference on the MB2S and the MB2i is actually about 15% price increase. When all items are accounted for: hand built 75mm PMC MF driver, solonex tweeter, hand built crossover, UK built cabinet, sustainably farmed real wood veneer (whether you have feelings about the environment or not), assembly in the UK, and a pairing process second to none... If you haven't heard the i series version, then I highly recommend doing so. Don't take take my work on the improvements we have achieved. Just hear for yourself.

Ian.

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PMC, Bryston, Purist Audio Design.

I have been waiting for an IB2i center to arrive.

While i have been waiting, I had chance to demo a IB2(non I) center with my EB1i's.

I definitely could hear that the high end on the EB1i's was giving more detail and clarity, than the high end of the IB2.
I have always wondered what the difference would be, and now I am glad to have the chance to test this.

I can hardly wait until i get the full effect of the IB2i high end, along with with the new mid range driver.

It was likely that the IB2 (non i-spec) was also of the old cabinet material and build process. The new material and process, which was integrated as an i-series upgrade features Medite instead of MDF, and increased cabinet rigidity. So with a more rigid cabinet you also get more defined LF performance. All in all the i-series upgrade is a whole lot more than just a new "$100" tweeter and sheet of veneer on the back.

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PMC, Bryston, Purist Audio Design.

Ian.......I always find it amusing when product upgrades take place, in this case the IB2 to the IB2i, when someone inevitably comes along and comments about the "cost of items changed in the upgrade. Very seldom are upgrades as simple as a new capacitor in a crossover, or a tweeter change. It is understandable, though, that individuals who are not privileged to all the information, design changes, prototyping, and testing to achieve proper voicing compared to the final design master, may make a broad assumption that a new price seems inflated. I appreciate you helping to fill in some of the blanks for us.

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

And I appreciate your grasp on the bigger picture when it comes to all things loudspeaker.

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PMC, Bryston, Purist Audio Design.

So do ALL the i-series speakers feature Medite instead of MDF(in particular like the EB1i's).

All I-series' feature the new cabinet material (EB1i's included).

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PMC, Bryston, Purist Audio Design.

True, but I also find it amusing when manufacturers never provide specific accounting for exactly why significant price increases occur.

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System 1: McIntosh MC302, MA6600 w/T2, MCD500, Denon DP-72L w/Grado Reference Platinum 1
PMC OB1i, Vienna Acoustics Concert Grand
System 2: McIntosh MA6500, MCD205, MR85, bel canto Dac, MacBook Pro w/AE
McIntosh LS320 - PS112, Klipsch Heresy III