Philharmonic Audio BMR Philharmonitor Bookshelf Speaker Review

[cpp]

A question, not sure if this has been addressed or not, the BMR's rectangular vs the curved cabinets. Any sonic differences ?

 

[Swerd]

A question, not sure if this has been addressed or not, the BMR's rectangular vs the curved cabinets. Any sonic differences?

As far as I understand things, the rectangular & curved cabinet versions of the BMR Monitor were built for only for visual appeal and cost. They don't sound noticeably different. If Dennis Murphy is reading this, please correct me if I'm wrong.

This probably has been discussed at the very long Philharmonic Audio - Dennis Murphy thread on AVS. But you may have already looked there.

 

[ryanosaur]

I agree there should likely be very little if any difference in the two.

 

[Eppie]

The only difference would be due to cabinet resonance or the way sound waves bounce around inside rectangular vs curved cabinets. For something the size of a BMR I would imagine the difference to be negligible.

 

[D Murphy]

The only difference would be due to cabinet resonance or the way sound waves bounce around inside rectangular vs curved cabinets. For something the size of a BMR I would imagine the difference to be negligible.

In theory, the curved sound better. In practice, I can't measure or hear any difference.

 

[Eppie]

In theory, the curved sound better. In practice, I can't measure or hear any difference.

I think that has a lot to do with the cabinet design and speaker choice. Since the BMR driver is in its own enclosure, only the woofer benefits from the curved back, so just under 600Hz if I'm not mistaken.

 

[everettT]

Just a note for anyone looking. The speakers are in Michigan and are discounted nicely. Song 3 Encore w/ the AT midrange and reworked woofer location in upgraded veneer.

Salk Sound SONG3 ENCORE - Flame Maple Upgrade!

I bought these beautiful speakers directly from Salk Sound in 2020. They are perfect in every regard. The only reason I am selling is because I had an opportunity to buy a pair of SS12’s.These have the Audio Technology midrange. They are standard now, but an upgrade when I bought these. I also...

www.usaudiomart.com

 

[ryanosaur]

Just a note for anyone looking. The speakers are in Michigan and are discounted nicely. Song 3 Encore w/ the AT midrange and reworked woofer location in upgraded veneer.

Salk Sound SONG3 ENCORE - Flame Maple Upgrade!

I bought these beautiful speakers directly from Salk Sound in 2020. They are perfect in every regard. The only reason I am selling is because I had an opportunity to buy a pair of SS12’s.These have the Audio Technology midrange. They are standard now, but an upgrade when I bought these. I also...

www.usaudiomart.com

If I had $5000 for every time I wish I had an extra $5000 lying around...

 

[everettT]

If I had $5000 for every time I wish I had an extra $5000 lying around...

Just posted a pair of JBL LS80s from USAM for $900 in the classifieds under a KEF driver I noted weeks ago, fyi. They look to be in great condition.

 

[Eppie]

I just saw on Dennis' page that Salk is making a tower version of the BMR Monitor. I don't see it on Salk's web site but there's a photo on the Philharmonic web site. Looks very nice, as usual.

 

[ryanosaur]

I just saw on Dennis' page that Salk is making a tower version of the BMR Monitor. I don't see it on Salk's web site but there's a photo on the Philharmonic web site. Looks very nice, as usual.

Jim has done that before. It's a special build, but still a .75cu.ft Speaker. I don't know if they sold, but the pair on Dennis' website was an "available now" kind of thing, IIRC.

 

[Cos]

My significant other has given me permission to do a two-channel room. Since our basement is near finished, I can move my peloton bike and treadmill downstairs with the rest of the workout room. This leaves me with about a 14x16 of space. I was debating between these and the Kef R3. Was reading a lot on ASR where there has been extensive comparisons done. I can find the R3 on the reseller market for less. For the 2K and under option these seem like two really solid options. If I go with the BMRs I would have to get them curved, I just like the look. I assume that it would not affect the performance if I went that route?

 

[D Murphy]

Jim has done that before. It's a special build, but still a .75cu.ft Speaker. I don't know if they sold, but the pair on Dennis' website was an "available now" kind of thing, IIRC.

Jim just told me those had sold. So I'll take them down form my page.

My significant other has given me permission to do a two-channel room. Since our basement is near finished, I can move my peloton bike and treadmill downstairs with the rest of the workout room. This leaves me with about a 14x16 of space. I was debating between these and the Kef R3. Was reading a lot on ASR where there has been extensive comparisons done. I can find the R3 on the reseller market for less. For the 2K and under option these seem like two really solid options. If I go with the BMRs I would have to get them curved, I just like the look. I assume that it would not affect the performance if I went that route?

There is no difference in performance between the rectangular BMR and the curved.

 

[ryanosaur]

My significant other has given me permission to do a two-channel room. Since our basement is near finished, I can move my peloton bike and treadmill downstairs with the rest of the workout room. This leaves me with about a 14x16 of space. I was debating between these and the Kef R3. Was reading a lot on ASR where there has been extensive comparisons done. I can find the R3 on the reseller market for less. For the 2K and under option these seem like two really solid options. If I go with the BMRs I would have to get them curved, I just like the look. I assume that it would not affect the performance if I went that route?

BMR FTW. All day every day.

 

[Cos]

Jim just told me those had sold. So I'll take them down form my page.

There is no difference in performance between the rectangular BMR and the curved. For the results of a recent face-off between the R3 and BMR (and 13 other speakers) see here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://philharmonicaudio.com/images/azavclubvotes.pdf

Not sure how to use that link?

 

[D Murphy]

Not sure how to use that link?

Just paste it and click.

 

[PENG]

My significant other has given me permission to do a two-channel room. Since our basement is near finished, I can move my peloton bike and treadmill downstairs with the rest of the workout room. This leaves me with about a 14x16 of space. I was debating between these and the Kef R3. Was reading a lot on ASR where there has been extensive comparisons done. I can find the R3 on the reseller market for less. For the 2K and under option these seem like two really solid options. If I go with the BMRs I would have to get them curved, I just like the look. I assume that it would not affect the performance if I went that route?

I don't have the R3 but I have compared my R900 with the BMR and prefer the BMR+sub and the R900 if no sub is allowed. It can boil down to the individual's preference but the BMR likely measure better in the 200 to 20,000 Hz range.

 

[Eppie]

Not sure how to use that link?

You can ignore the first part and just use https://philharmonicaudio.com/images/azavclubvotes.pdf.
From the Phoenix Speaker Fest last fall.
Dennis, if you don't want that link scavengable by bots I can remove it and leave the text.