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B&W PM1

I heard the B&W PM1's yesterday. I was blown away by their sound. Really good. Smooth, clear, detailed, wide soundstage, and amazing bass for a small speaker. We all thought there was a sub on, but there was none. They were hooked up to simple Rotel electronics. An RA-05SE integrated amp and a 06SE CD player. About $500 each only. I am trying to imagine the sound quality with better electronics.
Just curious if anyone else here has listened to them yet and what your impressions are? I am thinking of buying a pair. Also, anyone know where they are made? Still in England or in China now? Any good advice on matching integrated/amp for them? Thanks.
mezzanine
photonman
96 posts
 
In order to get that nice glossy finish, a few companies have their cabinets made in china because of local laws regarding hazardous chemicals and waste used for the finishing process.

Basically we pass the buck on the environmental issue and turn the other way, but in the end, we all live on the same planet. I am going to go hug a tree now :)

The PM1 according to my dealer, is all made in china. There are some USA companies that sub out the cabinetry to china for reasons stated above.
misternice's avatar
misternice
339 posts
 
Hi ,I wonder how they stack up against,the kef ls50.Iam a b@ w fan from way back.
misternice's avatar
misternice
339 posts
 
Reading some reviews,it would be nice a home audition of both,for some length of time.The pm1 look more appealing,to me,from the pictures.
mezzanine OP
129 posts
 
@Photonman

:) You are right with what you said.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I first heard the PM1s at a high end shop annual open house in Feb. 2012. They were mated to B&W's PV1D subwoofer and powered by Classe, which is part of the B&W group now. Previously that night I had heard Wilson's magnificent Alexandria XLFs followed by a $99K 2.1 system of Wisdom Audio wall-mounted panels and sub. The XLFs were best of show, the Wisdoms were a disappointment (too artificial-sounding in that demo), but the PM1/PV1D combo grabbed my attention. This $5.6K combo had far more in common with the Wilsons regarding transparency, dynamics, realistic tonal balance, and most of all, musical satisfaction than the Wisdoms did.

They're gorgeous, and with the sub I estimate they can fill up to about a 400 sq. ft. space.

I've never been all that impressed with B&Ws. They have excellent tonal balance, clarity, dynamics, and all that, and perhaps it's a setup problem, but I never lose myself in the music with them. These PM1s are a big departure from that. They completely disappear into the imaging and soundstage. I heard no suckouts or peaks that took me out of the music. Combined with the PV1D sub I consider them the near-invisible gem of the B&W lineup.

If you want *excellent* sound reproduction from gorgeous yet non-intrusive speakers, these are the poster girls.
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