Short answer: the AsciLab F6Bs. It ranks #20 of 216 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) and is still sold new; the Philharmonic BMR (v1) ranks #40 (rated 4.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Philharmonic BMR (v1)’s replacement, the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, is rated 3.6/5 at $2,200.
Why pick the AsciLab F6Bs: A slimmer, sealed, VESA 100 wall mountable variant of the AsciLab F6B, trading the AsciLab F6B’s passive radiator for a shallower 15.4cm deep cabinet that can go straight on a wall bracket. The tradeoff: AsciLab’s own site shows the F6Bs sold out, though it remains in stock through resellers like Audiophonics and Tested Audio.
The Philharmonic BMR (v1) is the deeper-bass pick. Large three-way combining a Scan-Speak 7-inch paper/carbon woofer, 2.5-inch Tectonic balanced-mode midrange and RAAL 64-10 ribbon. Its bass reaches about 62Hz before falling 3dB, against 82Hz for the AsciLab F6Bs. Watch for: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification.
Buy the AsciLab F6Bs. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Philharmonic BMR (v1) is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab F6Bs | Philharmonic BMR (v1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €799 per pair | $2,395 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | sealed | - |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug, 6” fiber cone woofer | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8”W x 6.1”D (368 x 203 x 154 mm) | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Audio Science Review) | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1kHz | - |
| Mounting | VESA 100 wall mount compatible | - |
| Warranty | 2 years | - |
| Country | South Korea | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB full bandwidth, 102dB above 100Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.90 | 7.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Port Tuning | - | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: AsciLab F6Bs (measured by Audio Science Review) and Philharmonic BMR (v1) (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
AsciLab F6Bs: €799 per pair Audiophonics eBay
Same family: the AsciLab F6B (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A slimmer, sealed, VESA 100 wall mountable variant of the AsciLab F6B, trading the AsciLab F6B’s passive radiator for a shallower 15.4cm deep cabinet that can go straight on a wall bracket. Off axis sound tracks the on axis response unusually consistently for a sealed 2-way this size, and on axis deviation measures a clean 0.25dB average. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.2dB.
Cons: AsciLab’s own site shows the F6Bs sold out, though it remains in stock through resellers like Audiophonics and Tested Audio. Bass extension is measured at 82.0Hz at -3dB, noticeably less than the passive radiator equipped AsciLab F6B, and listening window smoothness measures only a moderate 0.39. The 4 ohm nominal impedance calls for a reasonably capable amplifier.
Full AsciLab F6Bs review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | South Korea |
| Crossover Frequency | 1kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8”W x 6.1”D (368 x 203 x 154 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug, 6” fiber cone woofer |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB full bandwidth, 102dB above 100Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Mounting | VESA 100 wall mount compatible |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.90 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
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Philharmonic BMR (v1): $2,395 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5, released 2015. See every Philharmonic BMR generation.
Pros: Large three-way combining a Scan-Speak 7-inch paper/carbon woofer, 2.5-inch Tectonic balanced-mode midrange and RAAL 64-10 ribbon. Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB linearity from 80Hz upward, very broad +/-40-degree-or-better horizontal coverage and about 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity. The port is tuned in the mid/low-30Hz region without audible chuffing, the midrange provides unusually expansive staging, and distortion remained subjectively unobtrusive. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification. A 1-2dB shelf below about 300Hz reduces warmth unless corrected, while a response/impedance feature near 250-300Hz corresponded with Erin’s sense of resonance. The ribbon produces narrower vertical than horizontal radiation, and second-order high-frequency distortion plus dynamic enhancement near 3kHz appeared in testing. This was an earlier cabinet/version, not the current v2. Discontinued.
Full Philharmonic BMR (v1) review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Drivers | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Port Tuning | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.17 |
| Weight | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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