Philharmonic BMR (v1) Review: Ranked #36 of 131

Last updated: September 28, 2026

The Philharmonic BMR (v1) ranks #36 out of 131 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.

Brand: Philharmonic

Prices on this page were last checked September 28, 2026 at 4:33 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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Philharmonic BMR (v1) - ranked #36 of 131 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers · Editor's rating 4.3/5

#36 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.

How it compares: Just above it: ELAC VELA BS 403 - $504 more, 1.3Hz higher bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: Selah Audio Integrity - $1645 cheaper, 2.5Hz lower bass extension (-3dB).

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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