Philharmonic Audio

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by HitmanFluffy, Oct 23, 2015.

  1. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    There's something wrong here. I've heard the philharmonitor and there's no way the bass is as extended or as articulate as the BMR. Did you leave the port plugs in the BMR?

    I still think there was something wrong with that pair of BMR if there was no extension under 250Hz in your room. That's bonkers.
     
  2. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    The revelator in my philharmonitor prototype was slightly more articulate but didn't extend nearly as well as the bmr. The bmr extends to high 30s and the phillarmonitor went to about 50. Neither speaker has emphasis on the mid bass which is a good thing in my opinion. For example I'm really not a fan of the ls50's humped bass. Also the beryllium philharmonitors I had were crossed lower than regular phils so maybe that allowed the woofer to perform better.

    The philharmonitor is definitely not in the same class as the bmr. In the case of the bmr, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. In terms of cohesion, musicality and ability to get your head boppin the bmr is wayy ahead. And the sound stage is much much better. The mids are also better, but the mid range is not forward in presentation so it occasionally seems less clear and resolving than it really is. But every now and then you get a glimpse at just how resolving and magical the mids and highs really are. So don't be fooled by the smooth calm sound.

    @fierce_freak you should come hang out in NYC and check out the speakers for yourself.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2016
  3. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I wonder if the difference is that I have the curved cabinets. It sounds pretty tight. Regardless, my preference is to have separate subs.
     
  4. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    @zerodeefex I can't argue against separate subs, but I live in an apartment building so its not an option. That said, the bmr's don't need subs for music. I listen to a lot of electronica that makes heavy use of sub bass and they crush it. Actually, my neighbors complained about noise for the first time in 3 years the day after I received the bmr's. My room shakes from 30-60hz.

    In my opinion, the bmr philharmonitors are an especially excellent option for people who listen to a lot of electronic, soundtrack, instrumental or classical music and don't want a sub/s. Also for people who are upper mid/treble sensitive.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2016
  5. smithj

    smithj Acquaintance

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    Do these fellas ship overseas? Can't find anything on their website and they're not responding to my email.
     
  6. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    I spoke to Dennis some time ago about the AA monitors and shipping abroad, and he said it was possible but of course (as expected at this price point) shipping would cost as much or more than the monitors themselves. Dennis then went on to suggest other options at the $250/pr range that I could consider based on where I am located and even gave me some of his thoughts on how the compared to each other and the AA monitors as well.

    He's a really awesome person.
     
  7. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    That makes sense when you think about it. You don't want a cross-continental ping pong, if something goes south and with long range there's a good chance that something might go wrong.
     
  8. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Yeah i guess so. I do want a pair of his BMRs at some point though, so when I have the money to spend I need to find a way to get them here somehow
     
  9. Kolohe

    Kolohe Facebook Friend

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    You might want to take a look at ShipiTo.

    I've never used them, but have read good things about them. YMMV.
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2016
  10. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    I don't know how Thomann does it, but those guys seem to be able to ship a f'ing refrigerator for fifty bucks. Well, a couple of Genelec 8020's and a 7050 sub, from the EU to South Africa. That's peanuts...and their prices are good (on the stuff I'm looking at anyway). To pack BMRs properly to not get beat up here in SA they'd likely weigh double, and then to use a reshipper, yup, it just makes little sense. Frustrating.
     
  11. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Well, there are many ways.

    First of all, Thomann in Germany is basically the size of a small village. If you ship as much as they do, companies give you nice discounts.

    Of course, then there's the old free shipping trick. Meaning - you just add the shipping cost to the cost of the goods and charge an easy to swallow price.
     
  12. MyPetSasquatch

    MyPetSasquatch Friend

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    Has anyone heard the Philharmonic Slims? I was considering these as an alternative to the BMR.
     
  13. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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  14. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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  15. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    So I've finally joined the club...

    [​IMG]

    Need to wrap my mind around these before I start posting impressions, but really happy with what I'm hearing so far (despite being a bit underamped).
     
  16. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    Well, they look great. What's the chain? Also, did you opt for the revised cabinet?
     
  17. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    Chain is VPI Classic Signature -> Manley Chinook -> Ragnarok. Yggdrasil to Rag for digital. They seem more efficient than I was expecting, but I think the Ragnarok is holding them back. Gonna wait it out for the Vidar and pick up a Freya too.

    They're furniture grade Salk revised cabinets (slanted baffle & beveled corners) w/ walnut burl front veneer and satin black on the sides/back. Based on the shipping weight, I think they're about 100lbs a piece :D
     
  18. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    I thought I saw the Manley, but couldn't really make it out through the glass. Yeah, I'd figure the Rag wouldn't be perfect for the 85db rating. I've been looking at these for a while, but I'm still in a house hunt, so I'm not sure what my new listening area will fit. Is that slot on top of the bass cabinet toward the rear a port?
     
  19. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    Yeah, the bass port is on the top of the cabinet, nothing in the back facing the wall (aside of the open back for the mids).

    Also notable that Dennis used the newer version of the BG Neo 8 (the Neo 8S) which can be crossed a bit lower than the older model.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2017
  20. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Strongly tempted to pick up for surround channels for my BMRs. Now the question is do I do that or keep my Sunfire CRM ribbons which are actually surprisingly good for HT and have ridiculously high WAF.
     

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