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PMC twenty5.23i

Name: PMC twenty5.23i
Brand: PMC
SKU: https-pmc-speakers-com-home-audio-twenty5i-twenty523i
Rating: 4.6 (14 reviews)

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Bi-Wire Capable

The 23 has proved to be the most popular model in our twenty and twenty5 range of speakers, and the twenty5.23i looks set to follow their success.

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Overall Score 92/100

Deliciously Crispy

The twenty5.23i delivers a wide, holographic soundstage and pinpoint imaging, powered by PMC's long ATL transmission line for surprisingly deep, controlled bass from a compact tower. It also offers detailed treble and lively dynamics that reward careful partnering. Reviewers from HiFi Choice and The Ear praise its tonal realism, build quality and coherent, room-friendly performance.

The Ear

"The soundstage created by these loudspeakers was never less than exceptional and with well recorded material it could verge on the holographic."

Sound Advice

"the speakers found their feet, delivering a wonderful demonstration of sonic integration, where everything sounded to be in exactly the right place at the right time."

HiFi Choice

"The twenty5.23i looks like business as usual, but in fact marks an impressive step forward for the company."

Audiophilepure

"It isn’t very big, but it is rather clever."

What Hi-Fi

"The PMC Twenty5.23is remain a fine option if you’re after a pair of premium compact floorstanders, but they no longer represent class-leading value"

Audiophilepure

"PMC has always promoted transmission line bass loading over the use of reflex ports or sealed cabinets, and things are no different here."

Pros

Wide, holographic soundstage with precise imaging that outperforms many compact towers.
Deep, well-controlled bass thanks to the Advanced Transmission Line (ATL), impressive for the cabinet size.
High-quality build and thoughtful mechanical design (decoupled plinths/spikes, veneers, magnetic grilles).
Detailed treble and strong midrange realism that convey vocals and instruments naturally.

Cons

Higher asking price than the previous generation and faces stiff competition at this level.
Upper registers can be a touch unforgiving on bright recordings, so the speakers benefit from careful partnering.

Sound Quality

92/100

Bass

93/100

PMC's long transmission line (2.4m ATL) gives remarkable extension and control for a compact cabinet — reviewers repeatedly note deep, fast and tuneful bass down to the quoted 28Hz. Multiple reviews praise the low-end authority as extraordinary for the driver/cabinet size, so Bass is placed at the top of the 'small-tower' band.

Mid

92/100

Consistently praised for tonal realism and vocal accuracy: mids are clean, truthful and emotionally engaging. A slight lean was mentioned by some initially, but overall reviewers agree on excellent midrange coherence and timbral fidelity.

Treble

90/100

New 19mm Sonomex soft-dome tweeter yields agile, detailed high frequencies with good dispersion; a few reviewers noted a touch of upper-register edge on bright recordings, so treble is very strong but not entirely forgiving in every pairing.

Soundstage Imaging

94/100

Multiple reviewers describe wide, deep and holographic staging with stable imaging off-axis. The speakers create a convincing sense of space and instrument placement, often described as exceptional for their size.

Dynamics

90/100

Pleasing micro- and macro-dynamics for a compact tower: reviewers report punch, immediacy and the ability to play loudly without hardness. That said, larger rivals offer greater absolute authority and headroom.

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Build Quality

94/100

High-quality cabinetry, internal bracing, excellent veneers and thoughtful hardware (plinth bars, spikes, magnetic grilles). Reviewers uniformly praise the finish and mechanical design.

Features Connectivity

80/100

Passive tower baseline applied.

Value for Money

86/100

Value is viewed as strong by some (excellent performance for size) but tempered by a higher asking price and capable rivals; warranty and engineering add to perceived long-term value.