Audio T Verdict
The PMC Active twenty5.23i combines the tidy proportions of PMC's popular compact floorstander with amplification and an analogue active crossover designed specifically for its drive units.
Each cabinet contains a dedicated 100W amplifier for the tweeter and another 100W amplifier for the midrange and bass driver. Because the signal is divided before power amplification, each amplifier handles only the frequencies required by the driver it controls.
The result is a beautifully simple high-performance system. Connect a suitable pre-amplifier or network streamer with volume-controlled analogue outputs and there is no need for a separate integrated or power amplifier.
Its 140mm g-weave driver, 2.4-metre Advanced Transmission Line and Laminair vent give this slim cabinet serious low-frequency reach, while the 19mm soft-dome tweeter delivers the detail and openness expected from the twenty5i range.
It is particularly well suited to medium-sized rooms where strong bass, generous scale and a low component count are required without introducing a much larger loudspeaker.
PMC Active twenty5.23i Floorstanding Speakers
The Active twenty5.23i is a pair of two-way active floorstanding speakers with amplification and crossover electronics built into each cabinet.
Its key features include:
- HF 100W RMS and LF 100W RMS amplification in each speaker
- Model-specific analogue active crossover
- Balanced analogue XLR input on each speaker
- Unbalanced analogue RCA input on each speaker
- Selectable low and high input sensitivity
- 140mm long-throw g-weave midrange and bass driver
- 19mm SONOMEX fabric soft-dome tweeter
- PMC Advanced Transmission Line bass loading
- 2.4m effective ATL length
- Front-mounted Laminair vent
- Diamond Black, Oak and Walnut finishes
Active Amplification Designed for the Speaker
In a conventional passive system, one external amplifier sends a full-range amplified signal through speaker cable to the passive crossover inside each cabinet.
The Active twenty5.23i divides the line-level signal before power amplification. The high-frequency signal feeds the tweeter amplifier, while the low-frequency signal feeds the amplifier connected to the 140mm driver.
This arrangement provides:
- A dedicated amplifier for each drive unit
- Direct amplifier-to-driver connections
- No passive crossover between the amplifiers and drivers
- Amplifier gain and crossover behaviour selected by PMC
- Reduced need for separate Hi-Fi boxes
Two 100W Amplifier Channels per Speaker
Each cabinet contains:
- High-frequency amplifier: 100W RMS
- Midrange and bass amplifier: 100W RMS
The stereo pair therefore contains four dedicated amplifier channels. This is more useful than simply treating the design as a conventional 200W passive speaker system, because each amplifier operates within the frequency range assigned to its connected driver.
Pure Analogue Active Crossover
The active crossover divides the incoming analogue signal at approximately 1.75kHz before it reaches the two power amplifiers.
The speakers do not add digital conversion, network streaming or digital signal processing to the source signal. Digital music must first be converted to analogue by the connected streamer, DAC or pre-amplifier.
140mm g-weave Midrange and Bass Driver
The 140mm long-throw driver uses PMC's g-weave cone and a rigid cast-alloy chassis.
It handles bass and midrange information including vocals, guitars, drums, piano and lower-frequency electronic instruments. The long-throw construction allows useful cone movement, while the active amplifier maintains direct electrical control over the driver.
19mm SONOMEX Soft-Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a PMC/SEAS 19mm SONOMEX fabric soft-dome tweeter.
The tweeter is ferrofluid cooled and uses a 34mm surround with a dispersion grille to help produce consistent high-frequency coverage across the listening area.
PMC Advanced Transmission Line
The Active twenty5.23i uses PMC's Advanced Transmission Line, commonly abbreviated to ATL.
Energy produced by the rear of the 140mm driver enters a folded and acoustically damped internal line measuring approximately 2.4 metres.
The damping is designed to absorb unwanted upper-frequency energy while allowing useful bass output to travel towards the Laminair vent.
PMC uses ATL technology to pursue:
- Extended bass from a slim cabinet
- Controlled low-frequency decay
- Reduced unwanted midrange output from the vent
- Clearer separation between bass and midrange information
- Consistent performance at different listening levels
Front-Mounted Laminair Vent
PMC's Laminair vent uses shaped internal vanes to manage the airflow leaving the transmission line.
The front-mounted design helps reduce turbulence and unwanted airflow noise while providing useful flexibility when positioning the speakers. Wall distance will still affect bass quantity and definition, so placement should be adjusted by listening.
28Hz to 25kHz Frequency Response
PMC specifies a frequency response of 28Hz to 25kHz.
This gives the Active twenty5.23i impressive low-frequency extension for a cabinet measuring only 162mm wide. The bass heard in the room will also depend on placement, room construction, listening distance and playback level.
XLR and RCA Analogue Inputs
Each speaker provides:
- One balanced analogue XLR input
- One unbalanced analogue RCA input
One left-channel signal cable runs to the left speaker and one right-channel cable runs to the right speaker.
Balanced XLR may be useful for longer cable runs or installations where rejection of electrical interference is beneficial. RCA provides compatibility with a wide selection of domestic streamers, DACs and pre-amplifiers.
Line-Level Inputs Only
The RCA and XLR connections accept analogue line-level signals.
Do not connect the speaker outputs of an integrated amplifier, receiver or power amplifier. The Active twenty5.23i does not use conventional amplified speaker-level inputs.
A Volume-Controlled Source Is Required
The speakers contain amplification but do not provide source selection, streaming or a conventional user volume control.
A suitable partnering component must provide safe volume-controlled analogue outputs, such as:
- A dedicated stereo pre-amplifier
- A network streamer with variable RCA or XLR outputs
- A DAC with a proper pre-amplifier function
- An AV processor with analogue pre-outputs
Do Not Connect an Uncontrolled Fixed Output
A fixed-output CD player, DAC or streamer can send full line level directly to the speakers.
Confirm that the partnering component provides a safe and predictable volume control before making the connection.
No Built-In Streaming or Digital Inputs
The Active twenty5.23i does not include:
- Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- Bluetooth or AirPlay
- HDMI ARC or eARC
- Optical, coaxial or USB digital inputs
- A built-in network streamer
- A digital-to-analogue converter
- A phono stage
These facilities can be added through the chosen streamer, DAC or pre-amplifier.
Streamer and Pre-Amplifier Matching
A network streamer with variable analogue outputs can create a particularly neat system.
Possible partners include the Bluesound NODE ICON, which provides balanced XLR and RCA outputs, or a suitably configured Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub.
The final choice should be based on sound quality, available inputs, volume-control behaviour, required streaming services and system budget.
Two Mains Connections Are Required
Each cabinet contains its own crossover and amplification, so each speaker requires a nearby earthed mains connection.
The electronics support 90–260V mains power through an IEC C14 connection. Signal and mains cables should be routed safely without tension or trip hazards.
Placement and Levelling
Begin with the speakers positioned an equal distance from the listening seat and a similar distance from the rear and side walls.
Moving them closer to a wall will normally increase perceived bass weight. Moving them farther into the room may improve bass definition and soundstage depth.
The plinth bars broaden the installed width from 162mm to 238mm, while adjustable spikes add approximately 20mm to the cabinet height. Use suitable floor-protection cups on hard or delicate flooring.
Active twenty5.22i, 23i or 24i?
Choose the Active 22i When
- A standmount speaker is preferred
- The room cannot accommodate a floorstander
- A 170mm driver is wanted in a compact cabinet
- Suitable speaker stands are available
Choose the Active 23i When
- A slim floorstander suits the room
- Deep bass is wanted from a narrow cabinet
- The listening room is medium sized
- The best balance of size and scale is required
Consider the larger Active twenty5.24i where a 170mm driver, longer ATL and greater room-filling scale are required.
Key Features
- Active two-way floorstanding speakers
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- HF 100W RMS per speaker
- LF 100W RMS per speaker
- Analogue active crossover
- 1.75kHz crossover frequency
- 140mm g-weave driver
- 19mm SONOMEX soft-dome tweeter
- PMC Advanced Transmission Line
- 2.4m effective ATL length
- Front Laminair vent
- 28Hz–25kHz frequency response
- Balanced analogue XLR input
- Unbalanced analogue RCA input
- Selectable low and high sensitivity
- Input impedance above 14kO
- 90–260V IEC mains input
- Diamond Black, Oak and Walnut finishes
- 20-year registered PMC warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the speakers supplied as a pair?
Yes. The product includes two active floorstanding speakers.
Do I need a separate power amplifier?
No. Each speaker contains dedicated amplification for its two drive units.
Do I need a pre-amplifier?
Yes. A pre-amplifier, streamer or DAC with safe volume-controlled analogue outputs is required.
How much amplification is built in?
Each speaker contains one 100W RMS amplifier for the tweeter and one 100W RMS amplifier for the midrange and bass driver.
Which inputs are included?
Each speaker has one balanced analogue XLR input and one unbalanced analogue RCA input.
Can speaker outputs from an amplifier be connected?
No. The speakers accept line-level analogue signals only.
Do they include streaming or Bluetooth?
No. Streaming and wireless features must be provided by the connected source.
Does each speaker need mains power?
Yes. Each cabinet requires its own earthed mains connection.
What is the frequency response?
PMC specifies 28Hz to 25kHz.
What is the effective ATL length?
Approximately 2.4 metres.
What are the dimensions?
Each cabinet measures approximately 907 x 162 x 330mm (H x W x D). Add 20mm for the spikes, allow 238mm overall width across the plinth bars and add 9mm with the grille fitted.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Approximately 15.15kg.
Which finishes are available?
Diamond Black, Oak and Walnut.
What warranty is available?
PMC offers a 20-year manufacturer warranty when the speakers are registered within 10 days of purchase, subject to its terms and conditions.
Related PMC Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- PMC Active twenty5.23i demonstrations
- Active twenty5i model comparisons
- Streamer and pre-amplifier matching
- Balanced XLR and RCA comparisons
- Source-output compatibility checks
- Input-sensitivity setup
- Speaker placement and toe-in advice
- Mains and signal-cable planning
- Home demonstrations where available
- Part exchange on suitable existing equipment
- PMC warranty-registration guidance
- Ongoing system and after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss streamers, pre-amplifiers, cables and room placement for the PMC Active twenty5.23i.