I'm in the midst of trying to select some accurate yet musical monitors for my studio. The studio is heavily treated and is 21'x12'x8'. Current monitors are Dynaudio bm5a.

The PMCs would be purchased used for 5k with minor cosmetic blemishes and a gash to a corner that was repaired whereas the Opals would be purchased new for 3k. With subs, the price of the Opals would be about the same as the used IB2S.

At the end of the day, I realize that I won't really know if a pair of monitors is right for me until I work with them in my room. But that said, it is a bit hard to find used PMCs [I can only afford used PMCs :(], and this particular model fetches well over 10k for a new pair. It also has great reviews. The Opal has great reviews as well, but I feel that if they cost as much as the PMC IB2S, then maybe the reviews would not be as stellar?

Also...this would be for nearfield and midfield listening. From what I have heard, the IB2S can be used as nearfield. Please let me know if you don't agree!

BigKD, you mean active PMC IB2, yes? Because if they are passive, you will need a decent amp for them - something like Bryston 4B, or, at least, Adcom 555. But if they are active, I would definitely prefer them to Opals. Why? PMC IB2S are one of the best midfield monitors available, real high end of studio monitoring, and according to specs they go down to 25 hz, so you will not need a sub with them, especially in your room (it is not small, but not big either). I do not mean, that Opals are bad monitors in any case, but I am sure, PMCs are in a whole another league for midfield, as they are simply 3-way vs 2-way Opals. But IB2S are very large and powerful, thats why I really doubt you will be able to use them as nearfields. May be, something like NS10 with a good amp would be a worth addition? Unfortunately, I have not listened neither PMC or Opals considering my room being too small for both of them. So, if you have a possibility, you should audition PMC and Opals, at least in another studio. But personally I would definitely choose PMC.

Passive. Actives would probably be ridiculously expensive.

I guess any speaker would benefit from a great amp. I have an emotiva right now. I'm sure it would work with the PMCs, but eventually I would want to invest in a higher quality amp in order to get the most of the PMCs. I've chatted with a mastering engineer who uses the the PMC IB1S, and he says that you can use them nearfield...just turn down the power amp

BigKD, if IB2S really can work as nearfields - that would be great! I have heard good things about Emotiva amps, and in future you may upgrade to something like Bryston. So, I definitely vote for PMCs! Sorry, somehing wrong with my web-browser - it send double posts as crazy.