Procella Audio 11.1.8 Home Theater Review
Table of contents
Over the last couple of years, the allure of the big-screen cinematic experience has found a new home - not in the movie theaters, but within the cozy confines of our own homes. This shift has been driven by a mix of shorter rental periods for new releases and the direct-to-streaming debut of blockbuster films, making it easier than ever to indulge in cinematic experiences without stepping outside. With this new convenience, there's been a growing interest in refining home entertainment systems to bring the magic of movie theaters into our homes.
While traditional Hi-Fi speakers can sound great in a home theater, they sometimes fall short of delivering the full depth and immersion that movie soundtracks demand. This realization has highlighted the importance of true home theater speakers which are designed to reproduce the rich, dynamic soundscapes that filmmakers envision.
While many speakers can improve a home entertainment system, very few are specifically designed for home theaters. Procella Audio is one of these few. Procella Audio was founded out of a unique need in 2005 when Anders Uggelberg and Gerben Van Duyl, then part of the DTS Europe team in Twyford, were tasked with designing a state-of-the-art preview cinema for the DTS Europe headquarters. With Uggelberg's extensive background in cinema and speaker design, including over 300 cinemas and professional studios, the project was a perfect fit for his skills. The goal was to create a medium-sized, 30-seat theater capable of delivering superior audio and video from various sources, including traditional cinema and newer digital formats, while also being adaptable to future technologies.
The challenge led Uggelberg and Van Duyl to design their own speaker system, as they could not find existing products that met the high standards required for both cinema and home entertainment. They focused on acoustic design and selecting top-quality components. The final product featured unique design elements such as identical speakers for LCR and surround channels, closed box cabinets for better sound precision, and professional-grade drive units for dynamic range, all controlled by digital signal processors.
In this review, we'll be testing a Procella Audio 11.1.8 speaker configuration. This setup includes the P610 Mk 2 models for the Left, Right, and Center channels, which create the main soundstage. The P6V Mk2 speakers are used for the left and right wide positions, as well as for the surround and rear surround channels. The P5 models are designated for the left and right top front, middle, and rear positions, catering to the overhead sound effects. While the system also has a height center and top channel, our testing will mainly focus on the Dolby Atmos performance, which won’t actively engage those particular speakers.
Specifications
Regarding specifications of Procella Audio's speakers, beginning with the P610 Mk 2, these speakers are designed for mid-sized rooms. The P610 Mk 2 stands out as the company's most compact full-range loudspeaker and is priced at $3,900 each. This model merges a bracket-mounted P6 Mk2 with a P10Si Mk2 low-frequency module to create a 10-inch three-way main speaker.
At the heart of the P610 Mk 2's performance is a 6-inch driver equipped with a 40mm voice coil, engineered to enhance midrange clarity. For the high frequencies, the speaker uses a 1-inch driver with a Polyester diaphragm, mounted on a Procella-designed elliptical constant directivity waveguide. The low frequencies are handled by a 10-inch long-throw driver, featuring a 65mm voice coil housed in a 35-liter sealed box, and require an external DSP for the active crossover.
The P610 Mk 2 boasts a sensitivity of 92 dB, coupled with a frequency response that spans from 40Hz to 20kHz -3dB. The physical dimensions of the speaker are 31.5-inches tall, 18.9-inches wide, and 8.7-inches deep, and it weighs approximately 75 lbs. While not the fanciest looking speaker you can find on the market, the P610 Mk 2 is crafted from MDF and internally cross-braced for durability and integrity and the speaker is finished in matte black.
Moving on to the P6V Mk 2 which is priced at $2,000 each, this speaker can be used for either LCRs or surrounds. It features a 6.5-inch driver paired with a 1-inch Neodymium compression driver, which is mounted on the same constant directivity waveguide. Like other models in the Procella lineup, the P6V Mk 2 is timbre-matched to ensure seamless integration in a multi-speaker setup.
The speaker has an impedance of 8 ohms and offers a frequency response ranging from 70Hz to 20kHz -3dB. With a sensitivity of 90dB, the speaker is relatively easy to drive. The P6V Mk 2's dimensions are 18.5-inches tall, 12-inches wide, and 4.87-inches deep and it weighs in at 18.7 lbs. It sports a black semi-matte painted finish that can easily blend into any room's aesthetic. The P6V Mk 2 includes a wall mount bracket and like the P610 Mk 2, it is constructed from MDF and is internally cross-braced.
The P5 speakers, priced at $1,100 each, are designed to serve multiple roles in a home theater setup, including as a Left, Center, Right (LCR) channel, surrounds, or even Atmos upper speakers. Their compact cabinet is designed for versatile placement options, allowing orientation either vertically or horizontally, and can even be mounted on the ceiling with a bracket. This versatility is due to an 80-degree circular waveguide and a 1-inch compression driver. The speaker has an 8 ohm impedance and a sensitivity of 91 dB, with its frequency range spanning from 90Hz to 20kHz -3dB.
For handling midrange frequencies, the speaker is equipped with a 5.25” driver that features a 26mm voice coil. The P5 is available in semi-matte black or white finishes and is complemented by a magnetically attached removable grille. The speaker's dimensions are 12-inches x 7.5-inches x 6.7-inches, and only weighs 10.6 lbs. On the rear, the speaker features inserts for a VESA 100 bracket and keyholes for both vertical and horizontal mounting.
The system includes a P15 subwoofer, which is a dual 15-inch driver sub with 3-inch voice coils, situated in a sealed and heavily-braced MDF enclosure, and is priced at $4,500. Designed for use with external amplification, which I’ll touch on a little more below, the P15 reproduces bass frequencies down to 22Hz. It measures 22.4-inches x 36.6-inches x 8.75-inches and weighs 92 lbs with a black painted finish.
Accompanying the P15 in the system are three P18 subwoofers, each equipped with dual 18-inch drivers that boast 4-inch voice coils and Neodymium magnets. These subs are capable of extending bass frequencies down to 18Hz and carry a price of $7,000 each. The P18, unlike the P15, is THX Approved for THX pm3 Certified Screening Rooms. This sub also requires external amplification like the P15. The dimensions of the P18 subwoofer are 26.4-inches x 41.3-inches x 11.8-inches, with a weight of 132 lbs. The subs come in a matte textured black finish, giving it a discrete look in your dedicated room.
The external amplification for the subwoofers is provided by the Procella DA08-DSP, a Class D amplifier featuring four channels that each supply 800W at 8 ohms or 1600W at 4 ohms. For even more robust applications, it offers a bridging option that pushes its output to 3,200W at 8 ohms or an impressive 5,800W at 4 ohms with two channels driven. This amplifier is equipped with factory presets designed for seamless integration with Procella's array of speakers and subwoofers and is priced at $5,200. Starting this year, the new models feature a color display on the front panel, alongside an upgraded fan control system for improved thermal management.
Setup
With the specifications out of the way, let's dive into what powers this system. The centerpiece for the audio processing is the Trinnov Altitude32, with the Trinnov Amplitude8 amplifier driving the left, center, and right speakers. The additional speakers, excluding the subwoofers powered by the Procella DA08-DSP amplifier, receive their power from a Trinnov Amplitude16. Source playback is provided by a Kaleidescape Strato C player for movies and Roon for audio. Video processing relies on a madVR Envy Extreme, paired with a Wolf Cinema TXF-1100 projector.
In terms of bass management configuration, the system's Left, Center, and Right (LCR) channels, which include the P610 speakers, are redirected to all the subwoofers at 70Hz. The P6V Mk 2 speakers, positioned at ear level, are set with a crossover at 90Hz. The P5 speakers, which are assigned to Atmos upper channels, are programmed to hand off frequencies below 130Hz to the nearest ear-level speaker.
Performance
After spending a considerable amount of time with these speakers, I found their sound quality to be notably impressive. I explored a broad range of music genres, from the energetic "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC to Bob James' "Nautilus," and even the dynamic "Poem of Chinese Drum" by Hok-man Yim. I initially assumed these home theater speakers would primarily excel with movies, given their design, but they thoroughly exceeded my expectations with music as well.
Starting with "Time" by Pink Floyd in Dolby Atmos from Apple Music, the first thing I noticed was how well all the speakers are timbre-matched. Despite the setup comprising three different speaker types, they all produced a cohesive sound. This seamless integration was particularly noticeable in the intricate detail of the clocks at the beginning of the track, where each tick and tock was clearly distinguishable.
The speakers achieved great separation between sounds, making each one identifiable, which contributed positively to the listening experience by adding clarity and depth. Not only was the separation effective on this track, but it also demonstrated the broad soundstage these speakers can create. The guitar solo was handled with clarity and attention to detail, allowing each note to be fully appreciated. The precision of the speakers ensured that the subtle nuances of the guitar's timbre, from the delicate plucking of strings to the soaring highs of the solo, were well conveyed.
Next, I turned my attention to the subwoofers' performance with music, selecting "The Vanishing of Peter Strong" by Yello and Hok-man Yim's "Poem of Chinese Drum" for this purpose. These tracks, known for their dynamic range and deep bass elements, served as a good test for the subs' capabilities. The subwoofers delivered powerful, impactful bass that was distinctly felt and heard in the listening space. The bass notes were robust, lending a tangible depth to the music that enhanced the overall listening experience with their intensity.
What stood out was not just the strength of the bass, but also the precision. This control, allowing the subs to smoothly transition from intense passages to complete silence, can largely be attributed to their sealed design, which enables them to stop precisely. The ability to deliver tight, controlled bass ensured that the low-end energy complemented the music without overpowering the track.
When it came to testing the speakers with the Hans Zimmer Live in Prague disc, which we all know is a reference disc, the experience was very engaging. The "Jack Sparrow" track highlighted the speakers' ability to deliver detailed and punchy sound. Despite using a compression driver, the speakers maintained a high level of detail. Although they might not capture the ultra-fine nuances of a ribbon tweeter or a beryllium tweeter, the speakers offered a good balance between dynamic power and detailed sound reproduction. This balance ensured that while the orchestra's powerful moments were fully conveyed, the subtleties of the composition were still accurately presented.
The "Mombasa" track further tested the system, particularly highlighting the subwoofers' performance. The room experienced a significant presence of bass with the impact so strong it felt as though tactile transducers were at work, vibrating the seats without any actual "butt kickers" being used. The guitar solo in "Mombasa" was notably clear and expressive, maintaining its distinctive sound even amidst the robust orchestration, showcasing the system's capability to handle both complex orchestral performances and nuanced solo play.
Moving on to movies, I tested the speakers with a variety of demo scenes, including highlights from "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Ford v Ferrari," but two scenes stood out: the shotgun scene from "John Wick 3: Parabellum" and the Batmobile chase from "The Batman." In the "John Wick 3: Parabellum" shotgun scene, the system's ability to deliver both punch and detail was remarkable. The speakers captured the texture and weight of each shot, creating a compelling experience. Each gunshot and the accompanying echo were rendered with precision, enhancing the realism of the action.
The Batmobile chase scene from "The Batman" further demonstrated the system's prowess. The engine of the Batmobile came to life with a depth that truly illustrated the power under the hood. This level of detail in the engine's sound allowed for an immersive experience as if the viewer was being propelled forward with the vehicle. The precision with which the chase progresses and the Batmobile hits the barrels on the freeway added to the engagement of the viewing experience.
Given that this was my final demo, I saw it as an opportunity to test the boundaries of the system a bit more aggressively. With this in mind, I decided to bump the volume to peaks of 130 dB, something I would not necessarily recommend. This was aimed at checking for any signs of distortion from the speakers. Remarkably, even at these elevated volumes, all the speakers maintained their integrity. There was no audible distortion nor did the speakers sound strained; they effortlessly reproduced the intense dynamics of the scene without any compromise.
Conclusion
After thoroughly testing the Procella Audio P610, P6V Mk 2, and P5 speakers, as well as the P15 and P18 subwoofers across a range of music and movies, it's clear these are among the best speakers I've encountered for home theater duties. While they may not have the aesthetic appeal of more decorative audio equipment, their design is purposeful, focusing on delivering exceptional sound for a true cinematic experience at home. Their appearance is secondary to their performance, which is what truly matters in a home theater setup.
The value of the Procella Audio speakers becomes apparent when comparing their cost to their performance to other high-end audio systems. They offer a balance that makes them a great investment for home theater enthusiasts. Procella Audio provides a high-quality option for those looking to elevate their home theater experience with sound that approaches cinema quality.
