BowersWilkins M 1 Brochure

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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 ] REPRINTED FROM