Philharmonic BMR (v1) Review: Rated 4.3/5

Last updated: October 30, 2026

The Philharmonic BMR (v1) is rated 4.3/5 for sound quality, #40 of 222 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.

Philharmonic BMR (v1) · Editor's rating 4.3/5, ranked #40 of 222 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers

Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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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Brand: Philharmonic

#40 Philharmonic BMR (v1): $2,395 per pair Discontinued eBay

Newer model: the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5, released 2015. See every Philharmonic BMR generation.

Pros: A large three way bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter, flat response, broad coverage, and an unusually expansive midrange. 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.

Is the Philharmonic BMR (v1) right for you?

Skip it if

  • you have a low-power amplifier: 83 dB sensitivity needs more power to play loud.
  • you want to buy it new: it is discontinued.
Released2015 (11 years ago)
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 KitNo
Dimensions22H x 9W x 13.5D in
DriversRAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer
ImpedanceApproximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Port TuningMid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
SensitivityApproximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score4.86
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.17
Weight37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported
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