Phase Technology PC-1.5 Brochure & Specs page 2

G E A R
Phase Technology PC Series Speaker System
It isn't that small speakers can't
sound like big speakers or offer
top-shelf performance. Ironically,
the problem is the fact that some
of them can. Rare as they are, there
are smaller systems that have the
power output, dynamic range, siz-
able soundstage, and accurate,
rich tonality to convince you that
you're listening to towers, a large
center channel, etc. These systems
drastically reduce, if not eliminate,
the sonic compromises you nor-
mally have to make in an effort to
save space. But what can one say
to give these exceptional systems
their due? When people claim that
a $300 computer speaker system
or cute little 6-inch cubes sound
like a top-quality, full-sized system,
how do we differentiate those
systems that legitimately do? I
A. The PC 6.1S
suppose the answer is an old and
surround speaker's
simple one: Let the speakers
adjustable tweeter
speak for themselves.
helps it perform
When I heard Phase Tech's
solidly with both
PC Series speakers at a recent
movies and music.
trade show, I wasn't thinking about
B. The bookshelf-
whether they sounded large or
sized PC 1.1II has
small; I was simply concentrating
spot-on imaging.
on how good they sounded, even
C. The PC 3.1II is
in those sonically unfriendly con-
quite large for a sub/
fines. I realized that I wanted to
sat center channel,
hear more. The PC 1.1II book-
which pays off in its
shelf speaker isn't tiny by any
sound quality.
stretch, but it's entirely room-
D. The 300-watt
friendly at 13.25 inches high
PC Sub blends well
by 8.25 wide by 10 deep and
with the PC 1.1II.
15 pounds. Some effective
A
Home Theater / October 2002
G U I D E
C
B
proprietary technologies are at
work in this speaker. First is the
absolute phase-crossover design,
which ensures that the drivers
are acoustically and electronically
in-phase. This helps the speaker
maintain a highly consistent image
as you shift it both vertically and
horizontally. Next are Phase Tech's
solid-piston driver design and Rigid
Polymer Foam technology, both
of which are used in the PC 1.1II's
6.5-inch midbass driver. As its name
suggests, this is a cone-shaped
driver that's essentially filled with
RPF to operate as a one-piece,
solid unit. The idea is to improve
phase coherency (the flat, top
surface sends all frequencies from
the same plane) and eliminate the
effects of back-wave radiation in
the cabinet. RPF is highly rigid but
low in mass, and it's acoustically
inert. The adjustable-axis 1-inch
tweeter rests in a front-baffle sur-
round made of Unicell acoustic
treatment, which eliminates dif-
fraction and its variety of image-
smearing effects.
Both the PC 3.1II center chan-
nel and the PC 6.1S on-wall model
use the same 6.5-inch RPF mid-
bass driver and 1-inch variable-
axis soft-dome tweeter found on
D
the PC 1.1II. On the PC 3.1II, dual
6.5-inch midbass drivers surround
the 1-inch tweeter and an addi-
tional 1.5-inch tweeter. The tweet-
ers are mounted on an adjustable
front-baffle plate that you can rotate
to allow the PC 3.1II to operate in
a vertical or horizontal placement.
At 22 inches high by 8.25 wide by
11.75 deep and around 25 pounds,
either option is viable. The PC 6.1S
is also flexible, with a compensa-
tion switch for on- or off-wall
placement. A separate swivel-wall
HIGHLIGHTS
• Has the benefits of large and
small speakers
• Effective technologies
• Excellent for movies
and music
bracket is included. It uses a single
6.5-inch midbass driver and a 1-
inch tweeter and measures out at a
compact 13.75 inches high by 8.25
wide by 5.375 deep and around 15
pounds.
The PC Sub has a 300-watt
amp that powers a 10-inch hybrid
(mica, graphite, and polypropyl-
ene) woofer. Line- and speaker-
level inputs are provided, along
with auto-on circuitry and
adjustable phase, gain, and
crossover controls. The unit
measures out at 16 inches high
by 15.5 wide by 19 deep and