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View Full Version : Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 Speakers Reviewed


Chris Gohlke
07-08-2010, 06:30 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/bowers_wilkins_mm1_computer_speakers' target='_blank'>http://www.maximumpc.com/article/re...mputer_speakers</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"The MM-1 sounds so magnificent that we don&rsquo;t even mind that it&rsquo;s a USB speaker system that bypasses the PC&rsquo;s audio circuitry; in fact, that&rsquo;s a major plus&mdash;unless you&rsquo;ve invested in a high-end soundcard like the kick-ass Asus Xonar Essence STX we reviewed in June 2009. Our only other mild criticism is that B&amp;W decided to use a proprietary cable hardwired to the right speaker (which contains the amplifier and DAC) to connect the left speaker, and the cable is just long enough to position the speakers on either side of a 30-inch display."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1278609234.usr10.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></em></p><p>At $500, I'm not quite sure where the market is for these. &nbsp;Most HTPC's are going to want more power and probably are using a dedicated amp and full surround package. &nbsp;Those wanting a desktop with the best are still probably going to want to go with a dedicated and separate&nbsp;sound card&nbsp;and speakers. &nbsp;If I'm missing something here, please share in the comments.</p>

Eriq Cook
07-09-2010, 06:28 AM
If I'm going to pay that much I'd rather buy Bang and Olufsen (http://www.bang-olufsen.com/beolab4pc). Not Bowers & Wilkins. Copycats LOL

Lee Yuan Sheng
07-09-2010, 08:50 AM
LOLWUT?

B&O are the next ripoffs after Bose in the audio equipment industry. Bower and Wilkins still make good stuff. Even if expensive, they're nowhere near the ripoffs the above-mentioned two are.

Jason Dunn
07-09-2010, 05:45 PM
No, you're not missing anything - by completely externalizing the sound card (making it USB) - they can achieve signal to noise ratios better than most internal sound cards. Plus, internal sound cards are pretty rare - out of my five desktop PCs, only one has a dedicated sound card.

The market for $500 speakers is certainly not huge, but I'm still intrigued by these speakers...Michael Brown at Maximum PC doesn't give high praise lightly.