Chris Pelonis
Signature Series Studio Monitors
Model PSS110P
...The Review...
There would be few individuals if any, that I have met over the years, that would impress me more than Chris Pelonis.
His eye for detail, the ability to work outside the box and creativity in the area of studio design and his ability
to find the sweet spot of loudspeaker acoustic design is nothing short of amazing.
Some of Chris Pelonis Work, can be found at his web site, www.pelonissound.com.
The entry level loudspeakers of his studio signature series, model no.PSS110P are put simply, Awesome!
Chris has been designing and building recording studio's for over 20 years now and has built up an impressive list of clients.
Some of which include Sony Music, Disney Studio's, Future Disk System's, Skywalker Sound, Jeff Bridges Music just to name a few.
Here is some of the endorsments he has received
PSS110P Sony Studio Installation
The Equipment Setup
Slim Devices version 3 Squeezebox network audio server
This unit has been modified for much high sound quality
than normally found in the Standard Squeezebox.
An NX400NL-CPS N-Channel Amplifier rated @ 200 Watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms
Very low noise and distortion
One Pair of Chris Pelonis signature series PSS110P studio monitors
With external passive crossover
PSS110P Technical Data
Frequency Response: 43Hz - 20kHz
Maximum SPL: (pair @ 1m) 114dB (anechoic)
Typical max SPL: (pair @ mix position) 118dB
Distortion: <0.5%
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Power Handling: (RMS/Programme) 100 W / 200W
Drive Unit: 254mm (10") Tannoy Dual Concentric
Dispersion: 90 degrees conical (@6dB)
External Passive Crossover
Crossover FREQUENCY: 1.8 kHz
Enclosure type: Optimised bass-reflex loaded
Detailed Description
The Pss110P loudspeakers are a collaboration between Chris Pelonis and Tannoy dating back to the 1990s.
Around 1000 hours have gone into the development of these loudspeakers.
This does not include the development involved in designing and testing the Mosfet amplifier which Aussie Amplifiers
has had a huge investment in to drive these loudspeakers.
The PSS110P passive crossover is located outside the main loudspeaker enclosures in its own enclosure.
The main crossover enclosure houses the left and right passive crossovers and they are interconnected to the Amplifier
and loudspeakers via 4 pole SpeakOn cables.
Connections on the back of the loudspeakers are with heavy duty binding posts.
A pair each for the woofer and tweeter connections.
The reason the crossovers are external to the loudspeakers are best explained by the Chris himself
Quote taken from Chris's own web site.
"The system is proud to boast a completely“Passive” crossover network and custom “Analog” amplification
which both are housed “Outside” the speaker cabinet. This “Purist” philosophy eliminates
performance degradation of amplification and crossover devices,
that can occur as a result of vibration and close proximity to magnetic fields."
The other notable feature of these modified drivers is their almost lack of SPL dropout when listened to off-axis.
I will go further into this in the listening impression section of the review.
The cabinet construction features a dual port bass reflex design and a very heavily constructed cabinet.
They weigh in at around 30kg each, very solid indeed.
Listening Impressions
Signature Series Chris Pelonis Studio Monitors
Model PSS110P
Don't let these loudspeakers fool you by how they look, they are a literal
Saint in Wolf's clothing, you know what I mean...
A loudspeaker that you just do not want to stop listening to
They are so detailed I can hear the instruments floating in space from the next room as if
I was there in front of them, I am not kidding!
The off axis listening experience is another real treat with these loudspeakers, you can sit as
much as 35 degree of axis and you are able to hear the other loudspeaker on the opposite side of the room.
Just walking around the room has very little effect on the overall sound stage.
No nasty dropouts in the sound field, just a smooth transition front left to right and Front to back
The soundstage sit's right in line with the speakers, not well forward of some loudspeaker I have auditioned.
The sound stage it seems to go back well pass the loudspeakers them self's.
The instruments and voice have a very focused sound field, but without any hint of harshness.
Chris Pelonis recently had the PSS110P Loudspeaker system on display and were auditioned
by hundreds of people at the Oct 2007 AES in New York
It was reported that most of the people that auditioned the system did not want to leave
and had to be ushered on so more could sit down and listen to them.
This apparently was the case for about 90 odd % of the people who got to hear this sound system.
Conclusion
The Signature Series loudspeaker system is a wonderful testimony to the shear genius of Chris Pelonis
I could not recommend them enough to anyone who want's a loudspeaker with the most natural detail
in sound I have had the pleasure of listening to.
The downside is if your amplifier or the rest of the audio chain is not good these loudspeakers,
will reveal their short comings...
Finally the PSS110P Loudspeakers system are sold as an integrated audio system.
System Definition
A Chris Pelonis Signature Series MOSFET Amplifier and a Pair of Signature Series PSS110P Loudspeakers
Designed and built in collaboration with Chris Pelonis and Anthony Holton of Aussie Amplifiers.
The amplifier has been carefully matched with the PSS110P Loudspeakers over many hundreds
of hours of circuit development and listening tests.
The result is best listened to, too be appreciated.
As a foot note Chris is planning to release a Home HiFi version of these loudspeakers.
They will be electronically the same but they will have hand selected wooden veneer cabinets
and Chris's Signature on the cabinets...
The price for the above mentioned system is $6000.00USD plus shipping costs
When released early next year (2008) the system amplifier will feature here as well...
For Sales Enquiries click on the Contacts Us Tab above for details.
or get in contact with Chris Pelonis via his web site email address.
Anthony E Holton
6th December 2007
Copyright © 2008 Anthony E Holton - All Rights Reserved