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The sound as a whole is beautifully neutral
and natural, providing well-focused stereo,
albeit with some lack of depth resolution. Theres considerable scope for making subtle
adjustments to the tonal balance b y moving
the subwoofer and satellites around and/or
blocking the M-1 ports. Under our conditions,
best results for the M-1 were found with the
ports blocked and placed on stands clear of
walls; the PV1 likewise works best away from
nearby walls, to avoid excessive mid-bass. The net result, under our far-field conditions,
is a quite superbly well-balanced in-room
frequency response. Its not entirely smooth
and free from character, though the variations
remain very well controlled. There are slight
midband dips at 1.3kHz and 3.5kHz, which
may well account for the nasality that is just
audible with speech. The treble is a little
strong, relatively speaking, with a distinct peak
at around 12kHz, and this is audible as a
degree of top end emphasis, though happily
its also quite sweet and delicate. The small main driver and enclosure
inevitably lead to a correspondingly small
measured performance. On our measure,
sensitivity achieves an unusually low 84dB, just 1dB below that claimed, yet it isnt
particularly easy to drive, with an impedance
between four and six ohms through most of
the bass and midband.
Initially, the sub/sat combo showed rather
obvious dynamic range constraints, as well as
noticeable midband coloration and congestion.
However, after a little acclimatisation the
strengths of this combo started to come
through, unlike the performance of many
sub/sat systems. One seemed to adjust to its
limitations easily, and if the end result falls
well short of the best in full-sized loudspeakers,
thats hardly surprising given the modest price
and size of the M-1 satellites, and they
certainly deserve commendation for an
essentially vice-free performance. Unsurprisingly, the PV1 definitely
outperforms the M-1, delivering clean, crisp
bass and driving along any techno or hip-hop
beats with appropriate enthusiasm and punch,
plus considerable weight and authority. And
the sound as a whole is beautifully neutral and
natural, providing a very well-focused stereo
soundstage, albeit with some lack of depth
resolution and perspectives. It might be difficult to endorse the M-1s
audiophile pretensions with real enthusiasm,
but its very easy to like and enjoy -“ its
exceptionally neat and discreet, and relatively
inexpensive too. And thats praise-worthy in a
very small satellite speaker.
HFC
Paul Messenger
SOUND >> 70%
EASE OF DRIVE >> 70%
BUILD >> 90%
VA
LUE >> 85%
OVERALL SCORE 77% >>
VERDICT
R PRO
The M-1 is an exceptionally
neat and solid satellite
speaker, with an impressively
even and neutral balance, and
very clever and flexible
mounting arrangements.
S CON
Midband dynamics lack
vigour, theres some
coloration and congestion
here, and the top end is a
shade strong.
CONCLUSION
Not e
xactly audiophile, but a beautifully balanced and neutral
combo with kickin bass. It may be colored and congested in
2.1 mode, but the 5.1 performance focuses the listener on the
positives, not the limitations, and makes a lot of sense.
MULTICHANNEL PERFORMANCE
The B&W system is not about stereo, really. The system is referred to as Mini Theatre by B&W, which is a bit
of a giveaway. There are three versions of Mini Theatre, and the choice swings on the subwoofer.
We compared the mid-price MT-20 system (five M-1s and an AS2 subwoofer) with the top MT-30 system
(identical save for a PV1 in place of the AS2). The AS2 is a 150W square closed-box sub with a 250mm cone
bass unit. And, surprise, surprise, the MT-30 is clearly better than the cheaper system, the sub
filling out the sound and improving the separation along the way. The MT-20s
no slouch, though; its deep and possibly a better match for the M-1. What both systems have is an ability to melt away the slight colorations
heard in two channel. The sound is accurate if bright, and perfectly steered
around the room. Both systems are also extremely fast (often, better but
deeper subwoofers slow down the sound). This is principally good
home cinema, but tidy multichannel audio, too. HFC
Alan Sircom
B&W M-1 loudspeaker and PV1 subwoofer [ Review ]
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