if there is Dennis will probably know it... iirc there may be a formula , that formula might even include dispersion, idk...beaming may also...
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Philharmonic BMR Monitor Semi-Objective Review - Road Show Stop 1
- Thread starter Steve Dallas
- Start date
as ryan said ... it's probably 3+ ft to get the full(est) positive effects, but that *can* be done at a desk, maybe not in every set up though...I like my BMR Monitors 8.5 feet away on 29" stands. This takes the RAAL Tweeter exactly to ear height while in my office chair. The BMR Monitor is 20" tall by 8" wide. You can't use them as headphones and get the proper full bodied sound that they can offer.
I should clarify...I have mine playing now. I moved up close to them using a 3' distance. The sound is totally different. The ambience of the room at 8' sounds way more natural. If I was cramped in a tiny room I might use them that way rather than not at all, but a 3' distance from 20" tall BMR monitor wouldn't be my ideal setup.
I do agree with you that greater distance will be better. My suggestion that 3' would be reasonable is not meant to be a suggestion for "Best Practice."
While the Speakers themselves are large, the Drivers are in as close proximity as can be had without modifying anything. Center of the ScanSpeak Woofer to Center of Raal on my Monitors is less than 10". If I were listening in close proximity, I would likely try to sit about -5° from Tweeter axis and have as much space between me and the Speakers as possible, with another 12-18" between the wall and the Speaker if possible. *shrugs I did suggest above that 4.5' would be better than 3'!
Anyway, this is hypothetical on my part. But I do think they can be used successfully this way, especially if one has some room to play with.
I should clarify...
I do agree with you that greater distance will be better. My suggestion that 3' would be reasonable is not meant to be a suggestion for "Best Practice."
While the Speakers themselves are large, the Drivers are in as close proximity as can be had without modifying anything. Center of the ScanSpeak Woofer to Center of Raal on my Monitors is less than 10". If I were listening in close proximity, I would likely try to sit about -5° from Tweeter axis and have as much space between me and the Speakers as possible, with another 12-18" between the wall and the Speaker if possible. *shrugs I did suggest above that 4.5' would be better than 3'!
Anyway, this is hypothetical on my part. But I do think they can be used successfully this way, especially if one has some room to play with.
I REALLY appreciate all of the discussion, and participants.
I understand that using the BMRs on a desktop, or 3 to 4 ft nearfield, is not going to be the setup that optimizes the listening experience that the BMRs are capable of.
But the question in my mind is framed differently, I'm trying to get really good sound at the location where I spend 90% of my waking hours.
OTOH ... now that I'm expanding my thinking ... maybe I could rearrange my room a bit. Hmmm.
It's all very exciting.
I REALLY appreciate all of the discussion, and participants.
I understand that using the BMRs on a desktop, or 3 to 4 ft nearfield, is not going to be the setup that optimizes the listening experience that the BMRs are capable of.
But the question in my mind is framed differently, I'm trying to get really good sound at the location where I spend 90% of my waking hours.
OTOH ... now that I'm expanding my thinking ... maybe I could rearrange my room a bit. Hmmm.
It's all very exciting.
I have resolved my dilemma/opportunity by ordering a pair of BMR Monitors.
If I don't just love them nearfield, I will have to get used to listening to music while sitting in an easy chair.
You can sign up for a free trial of magzter if you want to read it now.
The subjective part of the review seems pretty lame (Didn't he use an amp that JA said was unsuitable for speakers with low impedance?) Still, it is great for @Dennis Murphy to get this glowing review and A-listing. If a big rush of orders is what he wants!
Let me share some impressions after a few weeks of owning a pair. Initially, my plan was to save some money and go straight for the BMR Towers or HT Towers some time next year but I just couldn’t help myself And this might be bad news for Dennis and his team as I’m not sure I will need a bigger model after all! Sorry! The monitors play loud enough for me, and produce huge, immersive soundstage, which I love.
I do not find them too sensitive to placement – for the sake of WAF, I put them some 20 centimeters from the back wall, facing straight into the room, and it works for me. For ‘critical’ listening I might prefer a slightly different position but I enjoy them in this basic setup, even standing up and walking around the room. Below are my measurements for the left and right speaker took with the moving mic method around listening position. Psychoacoustic smoothing applied.
I’d say that if you are into classical music, you should really consider these (or their bigger siblings), they’re just made for it. You may prefer narrow radiating speakers but to me BMR word fantastically both with huge orchestras and solo piano. For other types of music, to me they are also very satisfying, just do not expect laser focus imaging as with some other speakers. To me its not really a flaw – that’s what you’d experience in any real life venue, still I thing you might need some time adapting to this slight ‘vagueness’.
Last but not least, I want to emphasize how easy it was to have them shipped to Europe. I don’t know if this will change with new tariffs and stuff but I’m sure Ken will be as helpful to you as he was with my buying process.
And this might be bad news for Dennis and his team as I’m not sure I will need a bigger model after all! Sorry! The monitors play loud enough for me, and produce huge, immersive soundstage, which I love.I do not find them too sensitive to placement – for the sake of WAF, I put them some 20 centimeters from the back wall, facing straight into the room, and it works for me. For ‘critical’ listening I might prefer a slightly different position but I enjoy them in this basic setup, even standing up and walking around the room. Below are my measurements for the left and right speaker took with the moving mic method around listening position. Psychoacoustic smoothing applied.
I’d say that if you are into classical music, you should really consider these (or their bigger siblings), they’re just made for it. You may prefer narrow radiating speakers but to me BMR word fantastically both with huge orchestras and solo piano. For other types of music, to me they are also very satisfying, just do not expect laser focus imaging as with some other speakers. To me its not really a flaw – that’s what you’d experience in any real life venue, still I thing you might need some time adapting to this slight ‘vagueness’.
Last but not least, I want to emphasize how easy it was to have them shipped to Europe. I don’t know if this will change with new tariffs and stuff but I’m sure Ken will be as helpful to you as he was with my buying process.
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