Tech
ProAc’s Response DB1R Brings Ribbon Tweeter Performance to a Compact Standmount Loudspeaker
ProAc has long been a name whispered with reverence among British and American audiophiles; a company that built its reputation on handcrafted, musically transparent loudspeakers rather than flash and hype. Founded by Stewart Tyler in 1979 (evolving from his earlier Celef Audio venture in the 1970s), ProAc quickly earned acclaim for compact but capable designs like the Response and Tablette ranges that belied their size with a very natural sounding midrange and lifelike staging.
Across more than four decades, ProAc remained a tightly run UK family business known for well engineered crossovers, beautifully finished cabinets, and an almost obsessive approach to driver selection. More than a few long time audiophiles will nod at the old “straws” reference when the conversation turns to how particular the company has been about its woofers.The brand’s presence, however, in the U.S. wavered at times due to distributor changes, and in 2021 enthusiasts mourned the passing of Tyler, a designer whose work helped define a generation of British loudspeaker craftsmanship.
Into that legacy enters the new ProAc Response DB1R: the smallest ProAc loudspeaker ever offered with a ribbon tweeter, bringing the brand’s signature Response-series refinement to an even more compact standmount format. It’s a clear signal that ProAc’s dedication to natural, unforced musical expression remains alive, even as the company evolves its technology into the next chapter.
DB1R Ribbon Tweeter: Small Speaker, Big High Frequency Ambition
Following the success of the Response D2R standmount introduced in 2019, ProAc has now applied that same ribbon tweeter technology to its more compact Response DB1 platform. The original DB1, launched in 2016 with a silk dome tweeter, remains in the range, but the new DB1R replaces the dome with the ribbon unit first seen in the D2R.
The goal is straightforward: retain the tonal balance and overall character of the DB1 while extending high frequency resolution and speed through the use of ProAc’s ribbon design. According to ProAc, the ribbon diaphragm is lighter than a human hair and incorporates rear chamber damping along with an alnico magnet system to improve control and reduce distortion.
ProAc’s ribbon tweeter has already been implemented across several models in the Response series. With the DB1R, it now appears in the smallest loudspeaker in the company’s lineup to feature a ribbon, bringing that technology into a more compact standmount format.
Response DB1R Bass Driver: Small Cabinet, Serious Intent
Compact stand-mount speakers remain popular for listeners who want serious sound without large floorstanders dominating the room. Bigger cabinets typically offer deeper bass and a broader sense of scale, but they also take up visual and physical space. The Response DB1R is designed to balance those tradeoffs.
The cabinet uses varying thickness HDF panels combined with bituminous damping to help control resonance and reduce unwanted coloration. The 5 inch bass driver features a long throw design, raised spider, and linear motor system to maintain control at higher excursion levels. A rear port provides additional low frequency support.
The cone is formed from Pagina Mica, elastically coated, and fitted with ProAc’s acrylic pole damping phase plug. The crossover has been tuned to maintain a flatter response at higher listening levels, helping the speaker remain composed when pushed.
In practice, the DB1R aims to deliver low coloration through the midrange and treble, along with bass that is punchy and reasonably extended for its size. The overall goal is to create the scale and balance of a larger loudspeaker within a compact enclosure.
Zoe Tyler Mardle commented on the launch, stating: “The launch of the Response DB1R is the first step in developing our long term plans while continuing to honour Stewart Tyler’s designs and the legacy he left behind. As a team, we want to take everything he taught us over the last 30 years and build upon it. Music is at the heart of our family and central to ProAc’s ‘perfectly natural’ sound, something we are fully committed to preserving.”
Comparison
| Response DB1R (2026) | Response DB1 (2016) | Response D2R (2019) | |
| Product Type | Standmount Speaker | Standmount Speaker | Standmount Speaker |
| Price (Pair) | £2,945 to £3,465 US Price TBD |
£2,495 to £3,225 $4,750 to $5,300 |
£3,665 to £4,295 $4,500 to $5,500 |
| Speaker Type | Ported – Bass Reflex | Ported – Bass Reflex | Ported – Bass Reflex |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Recommended Amplifiers | 20 to 100 watts | 20 to 100 watts | 20 to 150 watts |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz-30kHz | 35Hz-30kHz | 30Hz-30kHz |
| Sensitivity | 87.5 dB linear for 1 watt at 1 metre | 87.5 dB linear for 1 watt at 1 metre | 88.5 dB linear for 1 watt at 1 metre |
| Bass /midrange Driver | ProAc 127mm (5”) long throw unit with Pagina Mica cone and acrylic phase plug. | ProAc 127mm (5”) long throw unit with Pagina Mica cone and acrylic phase plug. | 165mm (6.5”) ProAc unit with Excel Magnet system, glass fibre weave cone and copper phase plug |
| Tweeter | ProAC Ribbon Tweeter with a rear chamber damping and ainico magnet | ProAc 25mm (1”) silk dome with special coolant | ProAC Ribbon Tweeter with a rear chamber damping and ainico magnet |
| Crossover | Finest components on a dedicated circuit board. Multistrand oxygen-free copper cable throughout. Split for optional Bi wiring or Bi amplification | Finest components on a dedicated circuit board. Multistrand oxygen-free copper cable throughout. Split for optional Bi wiring or Bi amplification | Finest components on a dedicated circuit board. Multistrand oxygen-free copper cable throughout. Split for optional Bi wiring or Bi amplification |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 12.5” (320mm) x 7.28” (182mm) x 10.4” (280mm) | 12.5”(320mm) x 7.28” (182mm) x 10.4” (280mm) | 17” (430mm) x 8” 203mm) x 10.25” (260mm) |
| Weight (each) | 8.8kg (19.6 lbs) | 8.8kg (19.6 lbs) | 11kg (24 lbs) |
| Mode | Stand mount | Stand mount | Stand mount on a rigid high mass |
| Grille | Acoustically transparent crimplene. Magnetic grilles are available with certain finishes. | Acoustically transparent crimplene. Magnetic grilles are available with certain finishes. | Acoustically transparent crimplene |
| Standard Finishes | Black Ash, Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut, Natural Oak, Silk White. | Black Ash, Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut, Natural Oak, Silk White. | Black Ash, Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut, Natural Oak, and Silk White. |
| Premium Finishes (extra cost) | Liquidambar, Rosewood, Ebony | Liquidambar, Rosewood, Ebony | Liquidambar, Rosewood, Ebony |
The Bottom Line
ProAc has never chased mainstream visibility, and the Response DB1R is unlikely to change that. What it does reinforce is the company’s long standing focus on compact loudspeakers that prioritize tonal balance, midrange clarity, and refined high frequency detail over brute force output.
The DB1R is for listeners who value scale and precision in smaller rooms, who want the speed and openness of a ribbon tweeter without committing to a large floorstander. It is also for those who appreciate careful crossover design and cabinet craftsmanship rather than feature lists and lifestyle packaging.
If pricing lands north of $5,000 per pair as expected, the ProAc Response DB1R will not be entry level. But in a world where statement loudspeakers like the new ATC EL50 now command $99,999 per pair, it occupies a very different tier of ambition. This is not about maximum output or seismic bass. It is about delivering a balanced, articulate presentation in a manageable enclosure for serious two channel systems where space and aesthetics still matter.
Price & Availability
The ProAc Response DB1R is priced at £2,945 with Standard Finishes and £3,465 with Premium Finish, and is available through Authorized Dealers. Availability is expected to start in May, 2026. The Response DB1 and D2R are currently available through Authorized Dealers.
Tip: The ProAc Response DB1R is being shown at the 2026 Bristol Hi-Fi Show from February 20 – 22.
For more information: proac-loudspeakers.com