B-M-WOW! A tribute to the BMR, and my journey to them..

[Danzilla31]

The Phil 3s were the splurge. Not gonna lie about it. It started by being interested in the possibility of building a second, smaller system which was going to just be the BMRs up front, and sealed Mini Phils to round out a 7.x rig. When the Phil 3s entered the equation, I knew I had to cut a corner somewhere... and at the same time found a way to spend more?! My corner cutting had me eliminate 1 pair of Mini-Phils for the AAs... knowing that when the 3s arrive, I would move everything back a channel... and up. So in May when the 3s should arrive, I'm going to get another pair of AA's to build a .4 Atmos system... with Phil3s and BMRs handling my exploration of 5-channel audio.
In a way, the oddball is the Mini-Phils. I really wanted good speakers at L/R surround for the 4 months or so I am waiting for the 3's. And since I was saving on my planned budget by going with Dennis for this work, I didn't sweat it!
Had I taken any of the other gear to the extent I'm doing here with the Philharmonic/Outlaw 7.2.4 rig, I would have easily spent an extra 2K or more. But with sales on the X-13s, and 2200s from Outlaw, and Dennis' great prices, I might have built a rig for the ages!

Now, why: With half my life as a musician, removed from my current existence by... the other half of my life as a fine dining Chef, I have been missing a huge part of who I am. I had squirreled away some cash over the years thinking I might buy a new Tenor one day, but I have some great horns already, and I love playing my Soprano, so when I started thinking audio a few years ago, I started saving a little more. And the main reason is I miss the feeling of being IN the music. Playing in a Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Bands, small ensembles, rock bands... There is a feeling I haven't had in over 15 years. Being IN sound.
So this is a return for me, the the half of who I am that I haven't been for too long.
Part of my redoing my office is to make room for my horns and a music stand, too.

So as I wrap my evening listening to Hindemith Viola Sonatas performed by Kim Kashkashian (ECM New Series 1330-32), I know I achieved one part of my goal. My presence, in sound. I haven't listened to this in probably 20 years, because it didn't sound good on my old systems. Now, it sounds right. Just like the link I added earlier in the Classical Music thread:

The Lady couldn't handle that. Wait 'til I drop Penderecki and the St Luke Passion on her.
Cheers, Swerd!

Oh and finding a way to spend more? That has a habit of happening around here. Quiet a bit!

 

[Kvn_Walker]

Oh and finding a way to spend more? That has a habit of happening around here. Quiet a bit!

 

[charmerci]

Sorry to intrude on your thread, Ryanosaur, but,...

I've been considering BMRs since the roadshow but haven't had a chance to hear them. Are there any BMR owners in the Southern Colorado area that would let me have a listen? Or, in the next few days while I'm visiting family, anyone in the Lansing, MI, area?

There is a guy on avsforum in Denver that is selling his BMR's - though he says he might decide against it.

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1348949-philharmonic-audio-dennis-murphy-249.html

 

[ryanosaur]

There is a guy on avsforum in Denver that is selling his BMR's - though he says he might decide against it.

He should. Decide against it.

 

[snakeeyes]

He should. Decide against it.

Did you get the minis?

 

[ryanosaur]

Did you get the minis?

Minis are In.
Still waiting on my rears, and some stands for the Mini's. Set em up, little janky-style, but it works til Tuesday.

They sound real nice. Set them up as mains, large, no sub, and ran some Gravediggaz with RZA... Twelve Jewelz. They flippin handled it! Dunno I wanna do that to them on the regular, those silver woofers were vibrating like... sorry, this is supposed to be a family show.
Suffice it to say, as surrounds, they're gonna do real nice.

Pics soon, after I get the Rears up and my room is tightened up a bit.

 

[snakeeyes]

Minis are In.
Still waiting on my rears, and some stands for the Mini's. Set em up, little janky-style, but it works til Tuesday.

They sound real nice. Set them up as mains, large, no sub, and ran some Gravediggaz with RZA... Twelve Jewelz. They flippin handled it! Dunno I wanna do that to them on the regular, those silver woofers were vibrating like... sorry, this is supposed to be a family show.
Suffice it to say, as surrounds, they're gonna do real nice.

Pics soon, after I get the Rears up and my room is tightened up a bit.

Ya attach some pics.

 

[Danzilla31]

Minis are In.
Still waiting on my rears, and some stands for the Mini's. Set em up, little janky-style, but it works til Tuesday.

They sound real nice. Set them up as mains, large, no sub, and ran some Gravediggaz with RZA... Twelve Jewelz. They flippin handled it! Dunno I wanna do that to them on the regular, those silver woofers were vibrating like... sorry, this is supposed to be a family show.
Suffice it to say, as surrounds, they're gonna do real nice.

Pics soon, after I get the Rears up and my room is tightened up a bit.

Pics! Pics! We want some pics! More speaker porn!

 

[CB22]

Minis are In.

Ohhh, nice!!!!! Was thinking of getting a pair for surrounds as well.

 

[Mr._Clark]

Ohhh, nice!!!!! Was thinking of getting a pair for surrounds as well.

CB22, I have to ask how you like the BMRs paired with the HSU ULS-15? I bought a pair of the HSU ULS-15s for a new HT system and I'm tentatively planning to buy a pair of the BMRs. It looks good on paper, but I'm having trouble making a final decision.

 

[ryanosaur]

CB22, I have to ask how you like the BMRs paired with the HSU ULS-15? I bought a pair of the HSU ULS-15s for a new HT system and I'm tentatively planning to buy a pair of the BMRs. It looks good on paper, but I'm having trouble making a final decision.

My understanding, depending on need, is that ported will match better with ported... and the BMRs are ported. Not suggesting it can't/won't work, but check out the Subwoofer pages, and see if you can get some advice from @shadyJ and @Steve81 about matching subs up. They both have different experiences, but both are very knowledgeable and can teach you a lot! (BTW, Steve even suggested the sealed Hsus to me at one point... look for "can you have too much" I think its somewhere in there.
Happy hunting!

 

[shadyJ]

CB22, I have to ask how you like the BMRs paired with the HSU ULS-15? I bought a pair of the HSU ULS-15s for a new HT system and I'm tentatively planning to buy a pair of the BMRs. It looks good on paper, but I'm having trouble making a final decision.

That would be a fine match. If you are interested in bass extension, you might consider the VTF-3 mk5s, since the BMRs already have excellent extension. The VTF-3's will have deeper bass extension than the ULS-15s and would have a greater advantage when paired with a speaker like the BMR Philharmonitors.

 

[CB22]

CB22, I have to ask how you like the BMRs paired with the HSU ULS-15?

Exactly what ShaddyJ said. Music it's A+ - movies I'd say B+. Also it's a matter of taste i think too. Personally I think the BMRs sound a bit dry without the sub. I like the picture frames falling off the wall bass. Just finished watching the movie "Bird Box" on Netflix and the bass was not bad but also not 4 PB 4000's blasting either.

Side note, I would like to get two VTF-3 but that will probably be a latter date when I'm more settled down in life. Moving 200 pounds of bass will not be fun. Renting an house apartment now. But who know might just say f*** it when I get my tax return.

 

[ryanosaur]

Moving 200 pounds of bass will not be fun.

Def Not! But Listening to 200#+ of bass... 2 Outlaw X13s is A LOT OF FUN!

 

[Steve81]

My understanding, depending on need, is that ported will match better with ported... and the BMRs are ported.

That's the conventional wisdom for mixing and matching subwoofers. There aren't any rules on whether a subwoofer should be sealed or ported as a result of what main speakers you're using.

 

[snakeeyes]

That's the conventional wisdom for mixing and matching subwoofers. There aren't any rules on whether or not a subwoofer should be sealed or ported as a result of what main speakers you're using.

What about the Phil3 transmission line speakers with his Outlaw ported x13 subs? Any noticeable problems mixing those?

I read that transmission lines and sealed boxes have a 12dB per octave roll off after the resonant frequency, while a vented box has a 24dB per octave roll off.

 

[Steve81]

What about the Phil3 transmission line speakers with his Outlaw ported x13 subs? Any noticeable problems mixing those?

Assuming he's setting them to small and crossing over to the subs, no more issues to be expected than normal with such integration.

 

[shadyJ]

Assuming he's setting them to small and crossing over to the subs, no more issues to be expected than normal with such integration.

In the case of Phil3s, I would look into a Geddes type subwoofer system where the main speakers are used full range. It would be a waste for those transmission line cabinets to go unused when they could certainly contribute to a very nice bass response.

 

[Steve81]

In the case of Phil3s, I would look into a Geddes type subwoofer system where the main speakers are used full range. It would be a waste for those transmission line cabinets to go unused when they could certainly contribute to a very nice bass response.

It's certainly doesn't hurt to try and see how it affects low end response across the seating area.

 

[Swerd]

I agree with shadyJ about using Phi3 speakers full range. In fact, I'll go further to say one should listen to these speakers without any sub woofer before deciding on what sub woofer to buy. Listen for enough time to become fully aware of what they can do.

Properly designed transmission line bass is probably something that most people haven't heard, and it can take some time and listening before it sinks in. All this depends on what speakers and bass levels people are used to, and what they think they prefer. If someone is used to exaggerated or poorly damped bass, such as in most cars, this does take time.