ProAc Response D48R Floorstanding Loudspeakers – Walnut

In a somewhat trance-like state, enjoying Neil Young’s recent Blue Note Café performance, eyes closed, it’s like someone either swapped the Tablette Signatures for bigger speakers or snuck a subwoofer in the room, adding more top end resolution while they were at it. This is the perfect balance that ProAc achieves with their latest creation, the ProAc D48R: full-sized floorstanding speakers that disappear like their famous mini monitors but with the additional might that only big woofers can provide.

ProAc does a better job at integrating the ribbon tweeter than most manufacturers who have attempted this daunting task. Though I normally spurn the ribbon, ProAc has done their homework here, integrating woofers with said tweeter to perfection. High frequency extension is tasteful and highly resolving without being harsh or overly forward. This is indeed a ribbon tweeter design that can be enjoyed for long listening sessions without fatigue.

The D48R is like stepping up to a current Jaguar TYPE-R, with the big V-8, always maintaining a solid connection to musical fundamentals, but providing a much more visceral experience. These are very engaging speakers.

The ProAc D48Rs small 8 3⁄4 inch wide by 13 1⁄2 inch deep profile takes up precious little more floor space than a pair of Tablettes on stands, so they should fit anywhere with ease, and a wide range of finishes are available. Those concerned with aesthetics will love the high degree of fit and finish that these speakers present, so they will complement any décor.

Reference Loudspeakers. After a year in research and development the D48R is now ready for production.

Areas of improvement have been mid-range detail and a cleaner, faster and more extended bass response. A new studio monitor quality bass driver was designed for the D48. It features a special impregnated cone and mid frequencies are tuned by a cap of greater size than standard. This gives the new unit greater mid-range detail along with excellent bass control giving a tighter and more extended response.

The two new bass drivers are each loaded through their special floor loading with side vents, this makes the loudspeaker easier to sight and reacts less to surroundings. The two bass units are then seamlessly mated to their ribbon or dome tweeter depending on your preference. With such a large slim floor standing design the sound stage is superb being very large and with pinpoint imagery. Another achievement for the D48R is its ability to create large orchestral works as well as heavy rock music.

The D48R has a high quality filter network designed by Stewart Tyler comprising of the finest components, ProAc cable on a special board. The filter is also split for bi-amping and bi-wiring.

This is one of the best designs from ProAc and should please all audio files regardless of their taste in music.

Features D48R

Nominal Impedance 4 ohms

Recommended Amplifiers 10 to 250 Watts

Frequency Response 20Hz to 30Khz

Sensitivity 90 dB linear for 1 Watt at 1 metre

Bass/Midrange
2 x 6 1/2 inch (165mm) ProAc unit studio monitor design with special coating and dust cap tuning.

Tweeter
Tweeter D48R – ProAc ribbon 60mm x 10mm ‘light as a human hair’ with rear chamber damping.

Tweeter D48 – ProAc 1 inch (25 mm) soft dome with special surround and inner damping.

Crossover
HQC using dedicated components wired throughout with ProAc multistrand oxygen-free copper cable. Split for optional bi-wiring/bi-amping

Dimensions

1200mm high on plinths with spikes
212mm wide
340mm deep

39 Kgs each

Grille Acoustically transparent crimplene

Finishes

Standard Finishes:
Black Ash, Mahogany, Cherry, Maple.

Premium Finishes:
Rosewood, Ebony.

*Premium Finishes to order at extra cost*

Speakers shown in images Rosewood finish D48R

Next level up within Proac’s line up