Short answer: the Selah Audio Purezza. It ranks #30 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5); the Philharmonic BMR (v1) ranks #36 (rated 4.3/5).
Why pick the Selah Audio Purezza: Premium two-way built around Purifi’s exceptionally linear 6.5-inch woofer and a tall RAAL ribbon. 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 case for the Philharmonic BMR (v1): Large three-way combining a Scan-Speak 7-inch paper/carbon woofer, 2.5-inch Tectonic balanced-mode midrange and RAAL 64-10 ribbon. The tradeoff: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification.
Worth knowing: the Selah Audio Purezza is discontinued, though it still ranks #30 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the Selah Audio Purezza. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Philharmonic BMR (v1).
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Selah Audio Purezza | Philharmonic BMR (v1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,950 per pair Discontinued | $2,395 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #30 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #36 of 131 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) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Selah Audio Purezza: $2,950 per pair Discontinued Selah Audio eBay
Pros: Premium two-way built around Purifi’s exceptionally linear 6.5-inch woofer and a tall RAAL ribbon. Erin measured about 85dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, a 4.7-ohm minimum and the lowest midrange nonlinear distortion he had measured at the time. It reached roughly 103dB at 1m with little audible strain; horizontal response is smooth and broad, and Erin’s 200Hz low shelf (+3.5dB, Q 0.7) flattened the lower-mid/bass balance effectively. Measured bass extension of 86.0Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: The ribbon’s tall aperture creates deliberately narrow vertical radiation (roughly 20-30 degrees around 7kHz), so stand height and listening elevation are critical. Erin found a directivity change around 1-2kHz, a feature near 4kHz, and insufficient baffle-step compensation below 200-300Hz in his sample. The 4.7-ohm minimum and modest sensitivity favor a separate amplifier. A subwoofer crossed near 80Hz is recommended for distance and output. Discontinued.
Full Selah Audio Purezza review and specifications →
| Bass Extension | Subwoofer crossover near 80Hz recommended by Erin’s Audio Corner |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 86.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.5H x 8.5W x 11D in |
| Drivers | RAAL ribbon tweeter; 6.5” Purifi woofer |
| Impedance | 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Maximum SPL | Approximately 103dB at 1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.61 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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