ProAc Loudspeakers Response DB3
The Response DB3 delivers gloriously natural vocals, taut, unexpectedly deep bass and remarkably focused imaging from a compact standmount. The Ear found its uncoloured balance, sweetly detailed treble and rhythmic drive equally persuasive with intimate acoustic recordings and large-scale music. Fine cabinet engineering and bi-wire capability complete a deeply accomplished British design.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
90/100
Value for Money
96/100
Pros
Exceptionally natural, lifelike midrange and vocal reproduction, with convincing texture and immediacy.
Deep, rich yet taut bass performance that exceeds expectations for a compact five-inch standmount.
Detailed soundstage, precise imaging and strong dynamic ability with both large-scale and rhythm-led music.
Well-made cabinet with high-quality engineering, supplied grilles and bi-wire/bi-amp connections.
Cons
Amplifier partnering audibly affects timing, warmth and tonal balance, so system matching matters.
Not intended for listeners seeking maximum bass impact without adding a subwoofer.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
The Response DB3 is described as unusually complete and uncoloured for such a compact standmount, combining deep, taut bass with an exceptionally natural midband. Review listening found vivid imaging, high transparency and the ability to track both subtle musical lines and large-scale material with assurance.
Bass
91/100
For a compact speaker using a five-inch mid/bass driver, reviewers found the low end unexpectedly deep, rich and extended. The Ear reports usable sub-50Hz output even in free space, alongside taut, tuneful control rather than merely added weight.
Mid
96/100
Natural, believable timbre is a defining strength. Strings, piano and voices were all described as lifelike, while the reviewer particularly praised the speaker's ability to convey vocal texture, richness and immediacy.
Treble
93/100
The silk-dome tweeter is reported to sound sweet, refined and highly revealing. Choral and operatic recordings exposed an electrostatic-like sense of detail without any reported edge or glare.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
The DB3 earned especially strong praise for its detailed soundstage and image focus, described as beyond normal expectations for its class. Correct orientation, with tweeters on the inside, is recommended for the most focused stereo image.
Dynamics
94/100
Reviewers found that the DB3 handles large-scale music with considerable accomplishment despite its small enclosure. It also keeps pace with rhythmic shifts in pop material, bringing strong drive, timing and musical momentum.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
90/100
The cabinet is described as well made, with a high overall standard of engineering. The review also highlights the carefully developed crossover, rear port, supplied acoustically transparent grilles and bi-wire/bi-amp-capable connection panel.
Value for Money
96/100
Within its listed 2,250–4,275 price range and against similarly priced standmount rivals, the review offers an unusually emphatic endorsement. The Ear calls it one of the audio bargains of the moment and argues that it would not seem expensive even at twice the price.
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Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Nominal Impedance
- 8 ohms
- Recommended Amplifiers
- 20 to 100 watts
- Frequency Response
- 38Hz-30kHz
- Sensitivity
- 88.5 dB linear for 1 watt at 1 metre
- Bass /midrange
- ProAc 127mm (5”) long throw unit with Pagina Mica cone and transparent dust cap
- Tweeter
- ProAc 25mm (1”) silk dome with special coolant
- Crossover
- Finest components on dedicated circuit board. Multistrand oxygen free copper cable throughout. Split for optional Bi wiring or Bi amplification
- Height (Cabinet)
- 12.5”(320mm)
- Width (Cabinet)
- 7.28” (182mm)
- Depth (Cabinet)
- 10.4” (280mm)
- Weight
- each 8.8Kg (19.6lb)
- Mode
- Stand mounting
- Grille
- Acoustically transparent crimplene. Magnetic grilles available with certain finishes.
- Standard Finishes
- Black Ash, Cherry, Walnut, Natural Oak, Silk White.
- Premium Finishes
- Liquidambar, Rosewood, Ebony. *Premium Finishes to order at extra cost*
Manufacturer's Description — ProAc Loudspeakers
A high-end stand-mount loudspeaker at an affordable price
The Response DB3 has a similar cabinet size to the Response DB1 but there are structural and visual differences. The DB3 also employs a different bass driver with a special surround, dust cap and crossover which have been chosen for their exceptional performance at a more affordable price.
The Response DB3 has a wonderfully rich and extended bass quality, loaded with a single reflex port at the rear of the cabinet. The tweeter is our ProAc 1-inch soft dome as used in other Response Range designs. This 1-inch silk dome has a superb flat response with electrostatic type detail and sweetness.
With the DB3, ProAc has created a small speaker with better efficiency and a rich sound that defies its physical size.
Featured veneer: Silk White
Some finishes are now available with magnetic grilles, please check with your nearest dealer.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ProAc Loudspeakers Response DB3
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Adventures in HiFi — in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Concepts - USA — online and in-store — Dallas, Texas, United States (website)
- Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Audio Evolution — online and in-store — Volla, Campania, Italy (website)
- Audio Republic — in-store — Gateshead, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio T — online and in-store — Cheltenham, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 54 more verified dealers