Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Selah Audio Purezza is the better pick: it ranks #31 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5), against #40 (rated 4.3/5) for the Philharmonic BMR (v1). If you want one new, the Philharmonic BMR Monitor replaces the Philharmonic BMR (v1) and is rated 3.6/5 at $2,200.
The Selah Audio Purezza is the more accurate pick. A premium bookshelf speaker with a Purifi woofer and ribbon tweeter, very low midrange distortion, and smooth, broad horizontal sound. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.61 against 4.86 for the Philharmonic BMR (v1). Watch for: The ribbon’s tall aperture creates deliberately narrow vertical radiation (roughly 20-30 degrees around 7kHz), so stand height and listening elevation are critical.
The Philharmonic BMR (v1) is the deeper-bass choice. A large three way bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter, flat response, broad coverage, and an unusually expansive midrange. Its bass reaches about 62Hz before falling 3dB, against 86Hz for the Selah Audio Purezza. The catch: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification.
Buy the Selah Audio Purezza only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, which replaces the Philharmonic BMR (v1).
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Efficiency: the Selah Audio Purezza is rated at 85 dB sensitivity against 83 dB for the Philharmonic BMR (v1), so it plays as loud with roughly two thirds of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (34.9 Hz vs 37.8 Hz, 10 dB down).
Prices on this page were last checked November 14, 2026 at 6:17 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Selah Audio Purezza | Philharmonic BMR (v1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,950 per pair Discontinued | $2,395 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #31 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension | Subwoofer crossover near 80Hz recommended by Erin’s Audio Corner | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 86.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | RAAL ribbon tweeter; 6.5” Purifi woofer | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Maximum SPL | Approximately 103dB at 1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 15.5H x 8.5W x 11D in | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) each | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.61 (spinorama.org) | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 (spinorama.org) | 7.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Port Tuning | - | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Selah Audio Purezza: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Philharmonic BMR (v1): Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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