Short answer: the Philharmonic BMR (v1) only if you have the amplifier for it, otherwise the Selah Audio Integrity. The BMR combines a 7-inch Scan-Speak woofer, a 2.5-inch Tectonic midrange and a RAAL 64-10 ribbon, but its measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification. The Selah’s 3-way spinorama shows very good on-axis response and wide, even directivity, with a dip near 1.7kHz that matches a distortion peak.
Buy the Selah Audio Integrity or the Philharmonic BMR (v1), whichever you find used in better condition; both are discontinued. For a new speaker, start with the AsciLab C6B instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Selah Audio Integrity | Philharmonic BMR (v1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $750 per pair Discontinued | $2,395 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #38 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 141 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 5.5 ohms nominal | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Dayton Esoteric woofer, SB Acoustics midrange, tweeter, rear oval passive radiator (3-way) | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed with passive radiator | ported |
| Sensitivity | 80.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.98 (spinorama.org) | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 (spinorama.org) | 7.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Port Tuning | - | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | - | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Weight | - | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Selah Audio Integrity: $750 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a very good overall on-axis response with wide, even beamwidth and directivity through the midrange from its 3-way design. Nominal impedance sits around 5.5 ohms, an easier load than many small speakers. A tribute design to DIY speaker builder Jeff Bagby, priced at $750 per pair as a kit. Measured bass extension of 43.9Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 80.5dB.
Cons: A dip/perturbation around 1.7kHz shows up in both on- and off-axis measurements, correlating with a matching midrange distortion peak at the same frequency. Very inefficient, requiring more amplifier power for the same volume. Susceptible to subsonic content, which can cause massive distortion without a high-pass filter. Requires building the cabinets and installing the drivers yourself. Discontinued.
Full Selah Audio Integrity review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.7Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 43.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Drivers | Dayton Esoteric woofer, SB Acoustics midrange, tweeter, rear oval passive radiator (3-way) |
| Impedance | 5.5 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 80.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.98 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 (spinorama.org) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed with passive radiator |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Philharmonic BMR (v1): $2,395 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5.
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 →
| 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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