Short answer: the Perlisten S4b. It ranks #2 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $8,000. The Philharmonic BMR Monitor ranks #134, rated 3.6/5, at $2,200, $5,800 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Philharmonic BMR Monitor is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Three-way bookshelf speakers with premium drivers, a well-built cabinet and extremely wide dispersion for a broad soundstage. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.02 against 5.35 for the Perlisten S4b. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Perlisten S4b. The tradeoff: A 1-2dB bump around 2-3kHz creates a “glare” on vocals, guitars, and strings that the reviewer noticed consistently across many tracks.
The Perlisten S4b is the better-sounding pick. A compact sealed bookshelf speaker with reference grade accuracy, exceptionally smooth dispersion, and very low distortion at high volume. Watch for: Erin measured only 84.5dB sensitivity and an impedance minimum just under 4 ohms, a difficult efficiency/load combination that deserves substantial clean amplification.
Buy the Perlisten S4b. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $5,800 you would save on the Philharmonic BMR Monitor does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Three-way bookshelf speakers with premium drivers, a well-built cabinet and extremely wide dispersion for a broad soundstage.
A compact sealed bookshelf speaker with reference grade accuracy, exceptionally smooth dispersion, and very low distortion at high volume.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Philharmonic BMR Monitor | Perlisten S4b | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2200 per pair | $8,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #134 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 20”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (508 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 16.5”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | Just under 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6” Ceramic woofer, Balanced Mode Radiator 2.5” midrange, RAAL 64-10X OEM tweeter | DPC array with 28mm beryllium tweeter and dual 28mm midrange domes; 7” woofer |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.02 (spinorama.org) | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.67 (spinorama.org) | 8.01 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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