B&W PM1

...sometimes I wonder just how well the PM1s can handle a good old-fashioned rock song. ;)

There's really only one way to find that out: a live audition; no description can do it for you. Even with rock, different people are looking for different levels of volume, and that volume is contained by the size of your listening venue.

There is also the issue of whether you include a good sub (PV1D recommended, especially to rock out or for large-scale orchestral music) or not. In an 11x13 room the PM1 would probably rock out fine, but would be helped by a sub. For most people the PM1 + PV1D in an 18 x 22 room would be just fine, too, though some might want it to play louder without compression.

Although I consider the PM1 a more advanced and refined transducer than the OMD-15, I have to say, I am still amazed at how good my OMD-15s are. In the last couple of days I've played some well recorded LPs of Frank Sinatra, Boz Scaggs, and Kenny Rankin singing standards from the "Great American Songbook", backed by an orchestra, and the results through the OMD-15s are captivating. I've had these speakers for five years; two years ago I added a pair of Mirage MM8 subwoofers and that will probably satisfy any upgrade fever for some time to come.

Don't get me wrong the 805D is a great speaker but the PM1s kicks its butt in being musical and just sounding right. The 805d can play very loud with less bass than the PM1s but will never draw you into the music for 5000 plus 600 for stands. The 805d do not even sound good when turned down low. The PM1s have that it unlike the 805d. They feed your soul . The PM1s are like watching a little man dunk vs a tall man. They are exciting and will take your breath away I promise. These speakers can be your last speakers. They are that good! This is the first speaker I have ever listen to in my life and bought them on the spot.

I came across this thread looking for info on the PV1D subwoofer. Just have to throw in my 2 cents on the PM1's. I was auditioning an Arcam AVR400 receiver with B&W M1's satellites and just for fun, listened to the PM1's to see how good the Arcam could be paired with better speakers. Well, I bought the Arcam based on that demo, ditched the idea of going with the M1's, and have put the PM1's on my short list for high quality small stand mount speakers if and when I should ever decide to go in that direction. The PM1'some of the best sounding small speakers I have ever heard, and the accolades in the thread above are all true in my opinion. I was especially struck by the freakishly integrated and realistic sound field projected between and around the speakers. There was no bad place in the room to listen to them that I could find. The PM1's are a homerun product.

I was especially struck by the freakishly integrated and realistic sound field projected between and around the speakers. There was no bad place in the room to listen to them that I could find.

That's what uniform power response does for you--it energizes the room evenly without suckouts and hot spots, and throws an engaging and realistic soundstage. You forget about the electronics, and the soundfield plays free of the speakers.