Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio. It ranks #4 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $3,630. The Philharmonic BMR Monitor ranks #134, rated 3.6/5, at $2,200, $1,430 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Philharmonic BMR Monitor does well: Three-way bookshelf speakers with premium drivers, a well-built cabinet and extremely wide dispersion for a broad soundstage. The catch: A 1-2dB bump around 2-3kHz creates a “glare” on vocals, guitars, and strings that the reviewer noticed consistently across many tracks.
The GR-Research NX-Studio is the better-sounding option. A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass. The catch: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,430 you would save on the Philharmonic BMR Monitor does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Three-way bookshelf speakers with premium drivers, a well-built cabinet and extremely wide dispersion for a broad soundstage.
A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Philharmonic BMR Monitor | GR-Research NX-Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2200 per pair | $3630 per pair |
| Ranked | #134 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Dimensions | 20”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (508 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Drivers | 6” Ceramic woofer, Balanced Mode Radiator 2.5” midrange, RAAL 64-10X OEM tweeter | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.02 (spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.67 (spinorama.org) | - |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
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