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New B&W MM-1 Desktop Speakers


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They're launching a pair of headphones too...

 

Looks to be aimed at "high end on the move" market.

 

Eloise.

 

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

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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-speakers-break-cover/

 

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

 

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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.

Mac Mini->Roon + Tidal->KEF LS50W

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  • 2 months later...

Now showing up on Apple Store's website in the UK:

 

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TX583ZM/A/Bowers-&-Wilkins-MM-1-Speakers?fnode=MTY1NDA0MA&mco=MTM3NDcyMDM

 

As an aside, their new P5 headphones are also up:

 

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TX584ZM/A/Bowers-&-Wilkins-P5-Mobile-Headphones?fnode=MTY1NDA1MA&mco=MTcwOTA2NjQ

 

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...

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  • 2 months later...

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.

 

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  • 1 month later...

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.

 

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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.

 

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"I have to say I'm rather pissed off now."

Have you talked to your dealer about possibly returning or exchainging them?

 

Eloise

 

Eloise

---

...in my opinion / experience...

While I agree "Everything may matter" working out what actually affects the sound is a trickier thing.

And I agree "Trust your ears" but equally don't allow them to fool you - trust them with a bit of skepticism.

keep your mind open... But mind your brain doesn't fall out.

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