Short answer: the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1. It ranks #8 of 14 powered floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $43,440; the PMC PMC10 ranks #12, rated 3.4/5, and costs $47,500, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1 is the more accurate pick. Independently measured by Audio Science Review as a complete system with its SB1 subwoofers, with 0.83 listening-window smoothness and 0.38dB average on-axis deviation. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.73 against 4.31 for the PMC PMC10. Watch for: The standard preference score is only 5.73, rising to 7.54 with an ideal subwoofer, because spinorama puts the system’s -6dB point at 45.4Hz despite the subwoofers.
The PMC PMC10 is the deeper-bass option. A three-way active studio main monitor with a 10” woofer in PMC’s ATL transmission-line enclosure, a 75mm soft dome midrange and a 34mm soft dome tweeter, driven by an outboard amplifier and DSP rack. Its bass reaches about 23.9Hz before falling 10dB, against 28.9Hz for the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1. The catch: PMC’s own measurements show an uneven on-axis response for a speaker at this level, for a preference score of 4.31 that reaches 5.48 with an ideal subwoofer.
Buy the Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the PMC PMC10 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1 | PMC PMC10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $43,440 per pair | $47,500 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 14 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers | #12 of 14 in Large Size Powered Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way monitor on stand with integrated SB1 sealed subwoofer (3-way system) | - |
| Drivers | TPCD carbon composite tweeter (Seas); 8” Seas midrange-woofer; 10” up-firing SB1 subwoofer | a 10” woofer, 75mm soft dome midrange, 34mm soft dome tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 240W woofer and 100W tweeter per speaker (Hypex NCore); 400W per SB1 subwoofer | 2,600W per speaker (800W HF, 800W MF, 1,000W LF) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-27kHz +0.5/-3dB with SB1 (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 28.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) | about 23.9Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by ASR) | 109dB continuous, 123dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Analog XLR, 3x AES/EBU, USB | XLR analog, AES digital (via the master36 controller) |
| Dimensions | 45.3”H x 20.5”W x 6.3”D (1150 x 521 x 160 mm) | 30.3”H x 10”W x 16.5”D (770 x 255 x 420 mm) |
| Weight | 119 lbs (54 kg) each with SB1 | 114.6 lbs (52 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.73 | 4.31 (manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.54 | 5.48 (manufacturer spinorama data) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Country | Made in the Netherlands | - |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (SoundAlign2 room EQ) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ATL transmission line |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 32.2Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1 (measured by Audio Science Review) and PMC PMC10 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1: $43,440 per pair The Listening Room eBay
Pros: Independently measured by Audio Science Review as a complete system with its SB1 subwoofers, with 0.83 listening-window smoothness and 0.38dB average on-axis deviation. ASR found the widest horizontal dispersion it had measured, very clean decay and distortion that stays low at 86 and 96dB. The -10dB point sits near 28.9Hz, and the SB1’s motional feedback controls the 10-inch woofer. It is a complete active system with Hypex NCore amplification, DSP crossovers and analog, AES/EBU and USB inputs. Measured bass extension of 28.9Hz (-10dB).
Cons: The standard preference score is only 5.73, rising to 7.54 with an ideal subwoofer, because spinorama puts the system’s -6dB point at 45.4Hz despite the subwoofers. At $43440 per pair with the SB1s, it costs far more than active systems that score higher. ASR measured a maximum of about 105dB, modest output for the price. Custom finishes add weeks to the dealer lead time.
Full Grimm Audio LS1c + SB1 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 240W woofer and 100W tweeter per speaker (Hypex NCore); 400W per SB1 subwoofer |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 28.9Hz (measured, spinorama.org ASR data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Made in the Netherlands |
| Dimensions | 45.3”H x 20.5”W x 6.3”D (1150 x 521 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | TPCD carbon composite tweeter (Seas); 8” Seas midrange-woofer; 10” up-firing SB1 subwoofer |
| Enclosure | Active 2-way monitor on stand with integrated SB1 sealed subwoofer (3-way system) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-27kHz +0.5/-3dB with SB1 (manufacturer) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Analog XLR, 3x AES/EBU, USB |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by ASR) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.54 |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 119 lbs (54 kg) each with SB1 |
| XLR Input | Yes |
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PMC PMC10: $47,500 per pair Sweetwater eBay
Same family: the PMC PMC12 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5), the PMC PMC15 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, rated 3.3/5) and the PMC PMC10-4 (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: A three-way active studio main monitor with a 10” woofer in PMC’s ATL transmission-line enclosure, a 75mm soft dome midrange and a 34mm soft dome tweeter, driven by an outboard amplifier and DSP rack. PMC’s own measurements show deep bass, 32.2Hz (-3dB).
Cons: PMC’s own measurements show an uneven on-axis response for a speaker at this level, for a preference score of 4.31 that reaches 5.48 with an ideal subwoofer. The data has not been independently verified. It needs PMC’s master36 controller and amplifier rack, and it is a pro studio product sold through pro audio dealers.
Full PMC PMC10 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2026 (9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 2,600W per speaker (800W HF, 800W MF, 1,000W LF) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 23.9Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 32.2Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 30.3”H x 10”W x 16.5”D (770 x 255 x 420 mm) |
| Drivers | a 10” woofer, 75mm soft dome midrange, 34mm soft dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (SoundAlign2 room EQ) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR analog, AES digital (via the master36 controller) |
| Maximum SPL | 109dB continuous, 123dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.31 (manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.48 (manufacturer spinorama data) |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 114.6 lbs (52 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ATL transmission line |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons