Submitted by The Computer Au... on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 14:55
The new B&W MM-1 desktop speakers certain look great. Can't wait to hear them.
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Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
They're launching a pair of headphones too...
Looks to be aimed at "high end on the move" market.
Eloise.
Mac OSX 10.5 with iTunes (mostly ALAC) --USB--> Musical Fidelity A1008 --> B&W CDM 7NT (iPhone remote)
There's not much detail on the B&W website, but it does say there's a built in dac with usb input on the speakers.
Introducing the "Noise Reducing" headphones -- http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=4534
And the previously mentioned speakers -- http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=4503
B&W Blog about the headphones -- http://blog.bowers-wilkins.com/theinsider/?p=241
And some stuff from What HiFi (a UK Audiophile Comic) about both -- http://whathifi.com/News/Bowers-and-Wilkins-first-headphones-and-desktop...
There was talk of Bowers and Wilkins branching off the iPod docks, the Home Theatre speaker "bar", computer speakers and headphones into an overall brand separate from the main company but doesn't look like thats happening so far.
For anyone interested in the UK, the new issue of HiFi Choice (due out Thursday 12th) has a review of the "Panorama" sound bar - summary is basically "Very good sound for what it is, but very expensive, but pretty unique (so far above the Yamaha, etc sound bars)".
Eloise
Mac OSX 10.5 with iTunes (mostly ALAC) --USB--> Musical Fidelity A1008 --> B&W CDM 7NT (iPhone remote)
So the computer speakers use heavy DSP and the headphones look like they've got awkward on-ear pads. When I clicked on this thread hopes were high but after perusing the links I'm a little disappointed. Why couldn't B&W bring a product like powered Leisure Monitors to our desktops instead?
Bill
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
iMac->iTunes->AIFF->Toslink->Benchmark DAC1 USB->AKG 701/Sennheiser 600/Quad 12L Active
Now showing up on Apple Store's website in the UK:
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TX583ZM/A/Bowers-&-Wilkins-MM-1-Speake...
As an aside, their new P5 headphones are also up:
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TX584ZM/A/Bowers-&-Wilkins-P5-Mobile-H...
BTW, my local B&W dealer tells me that Apple will get a 6 week exclusive on selling at least the headphones (maybe the MM-1 too, not sure) before other dealers get stock. No surprise there given Apple's current buying power.
I'm nerdy in the extreme. I'm whiter than sour cream...
Hi Chris,
I have my eye on these together with the P5 headphones. Are you planning on reviewing either of these in future? I'd love to read you take on them!
Cheers,
Alex
No plans just yet.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
I listened to both the headphones and speakers at the apple store (they are currently stocked).
The headphones struck me as unremarkable. My son, who has more of a tin ear than I do even, thought they were indistinguishable from his $20 headphones. I did not do anything remotely approaching a serious test (just listened to some junk on an Apple demo ipod), but they didn't knock my sox off.
The speakers were a different story. I think they sound (to me) better than the Zeppelin. I've ordered them from my local stereo dealer, who I think deserves my business more than the Apple store (who already get a sizable portion of my pay-check), so I am waiting on delivery.
Mac mini (2x2GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram, 10.6.3) -> optical -> Nova -> B&W CM7R
I have read similar comments regarding the P5's over at Headfi.
I'd love to hear your thoughts the MM-1 though, once you received your pair and had a chance to form an opinion.
I decided to wait and buy from my dealer (sounds like a meth habit), so I only managed to get them today.
First impressions:
1. My Zeppelin sounds better. So does my mini. (First impression anyway.) It does DSP. I can't find an over-ride.
2. It works with my iPad, via the camera adapter USB thingie. This pleases me to an irrational extent. The remote fully controls the iPad. So if you wanted a bedroom or traveling system centered on the iPad that bypasses the iPad's internal DAC, this is a reasonable solution for movies and music.
3. It appears limited to 16-bit/48kHz, at least from what comes up in Audio Midi.
I've currently got it plugged into a good recent iMac, listening to Iko Iko vintage 1978 Dead. Maybe this is unfair. I'll play some classical music now.
Mac mini (2x2GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram, 10.6.3) -> optical -> Nova -> B&W CM7R
I'm sorry to say these speakers sound distinctly better using the analog in from my iMac's headphone output (using no DSP presumably).
When I heard these at the Apple store, they had them plugged in via the analog connection, and they sounded great. I just figured they were idiots that didn't understand the superiority of the digital out. Plus, using my iMac's internal DAC, I can play higher res music.
I have to say I'm rather pissed off now.
Mac mini (2x2GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram, 10.6.3) -> optical -> Nova -> B&W CM7R
"I have to say I'm rather pissed off now."
Have you talked to your dealer about possibly returning or exchainging them?
Eloise
Mac OSX 10.5 with iTunes (mostly ALAC) --USB--> Musical Fidelity A1008 --> B&W CDM 7NT (iPhone remote)
8 hour time difference. I should give it a few days...
Mac mini (2x2GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram, 10.6.3) -> optical -> Nova -> B&W CM7R