Short answer: the Philharmonic BMR Monitor for better sound quality, the XTZ Spirit 4 for the lower price. The Philharmonic BMR (v1) ranks higher than the XTZ Spirit 4 (#40 vs #159 of 222 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, is rated 3.6/5 at $2,200; the XTZ Spirit 4 is rated 3.4/5 at $477, $1,723 cheaper.
What the XTZ Spirit 4 does well: Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass. The tradeoff: The third-party measurement is low confidence.
The Philharmonic BMR (v1) is the more accurate option. A large three way bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter, flat response, broad coverage, and an unusually expansive midrange. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.86 against 4.18 for the XTZ Spirit 4. The tradeoff: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification.
Buy the XTZ Spirit 4 if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, the replacement for the discontinued Philharmonic BMR (v1), is rated higher but costs $2,200.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass.
A large three way bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter, flat response, broad coverage, and an unusually expansive midrange.
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Specifications Side By Side
| XTZ Spirit 4 | Philharmonic BMR (v1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $477 per pair | $2,395 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #159 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 40.0Hz (measured, Spinorama data) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Enclosure | 2-way passive, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1” dome tweeter, 6.5” woofer | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Dimensions | 13.8H x 7.5W x 10.6D in | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.18 | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.30 | 7.17 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Port Tuning | - | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
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