The BMR1: Sounding Off On The Details

Jan 29, 20239060 VIEWS

Why a 3.5-Millimeter Input? This tried-and-true input is still valid today. While it may seem old-fashioned, the 3.5-millimeter input (also known as the stereo mini jack) scores high on both versatility and sound quality. It allows for a wider variety of connections of both modern and vintage sources of music. The majority of computers and laptops still have a 3.5-millimeter analog output, which can send a high quality signal straight into the BMR1. This analog input also allows the speakers to be connected with other sources that use an analog output—such as turntables, CD players, and tape decks—with the use of a preamplifier needed to attenuate the signal. To this day, the 3.5-millimeter jack remains both incredibly scalable and versatile, despite its seemingly old-school design.

A Word on Power Despite their diminutive size, the BMR1 speakers play loud. In order to get a soundstage that really envelopes the listener, we’ve made sure that BMR1’s amplifier has enough power to get it thumping. To meet this requirement, we used an oversized power supply able to deliver the required juice for clean and powerful amplification. The external power supply supports 100 ~ 240 volts and has an output of 24 volts with 1.8~2.2 amperes. The Class D amplifier inside the active speaker outputs 15 watts of continuous power per channel (30 watts of peak power) at lower than 0.1% THD. The amplifier also includes automatic power off protection in case a party went a bit far. The max SPL with both speakers running at max power (15 watts each) is approximately 101.3 decibels at 1 meter, which is comparable to a motorcycle or lawnmower. (Listeners exercise caution and limit their exposure to listening at high levels to avoid possible hearing damage.)

Bluetooth for Built-In Convenience The BMR1 is primarily designed to be connected through its wired connection; however, we also included a Bluetooth connection for those who prefer to go wireless. For the best overall sound quality and reliability, we recommend the wired connection. That said, a wireless connection is sometimes preferable—for many reasons. In those cases, you can easily pair a device over the Bluetooth 5.0 connection on the BMR1. We provide both AAC and SBC codecs, which are the most popular for stability and reliability while still providing good quality sound. More Orientations to Fit More Spaces The BMR1 Nearfield monitors are so named because they are intended to be used in close proximity to the listener. Desks are typically crowded spaces, with displays, CPUs, lamps, and other accessories—fitting in a pair of speakers can be a bit like parallel parking. To help make things easier with maximum flexibility, we designed the BMR1 to be used in two orientations. In their portrait orientation, the BMR1 has a minuscule footprint compared to most other desktop speakers. For desktops with multiple screens, the BMR1s can be rotated 90 degrees for a landscape orientation, allowing the speakers to fit under most displays, similar to a soundbar. To change the orientation, simply remove the screw on the rear of the stand and rotate the BMR1 so that the smaller driver faces to the outside and reattach the horizontal attachment point to the stand. Due to the wide dispersion characteristics of the BMR driver, the speakers also work great as subtle stereo speakers producing room filling ambiance sound for background music- or podcast-listening. For Your Nearfield All headphones are, by definition, nearfield listening devices. Most speakers, on the other hand, are not. Designed to be listened to at an arm’s length from the listener, the BMR1 is a nearfield device. While its optimal listening distance is (obviously) not as short as that of headphones, it is closer than many traditional bookshelf or floorstanding speakers. In fact, the BMR1 shares its nearfield design with many professional monitors, which are meant for close listening so sound can reach the ears with fewer room reflections. (While a bit impractical, some of the best sounding results can be achieved with the speakers placed as close as 16 to 20 inches from the listener, creating a “disappearing effect” making it seem as if you are in the room with the music.) No Crossover Each BMR1 speaker is designed around a single full-range Balanced Mode Radiation (BMR) driver. This single-driver design eliminates the necessity for a crossover, simplifying the audio path. Crossover points can become weak spots in poorly engineered speakers, where distortion or inconsistencies in the frequency response curve can occur. Many audiophiles still prefer the simplicity of full-range speakers for their tonality and point-source imaging abilities. Sonic References Tuning the BMR1, we went for a balance between neutrality and musicality. The result is a speaker that has wonderful realism and accuracy within the bandwidth limitations of the driver. We wanted a speaker that would encourage the listener to want to listen to more music and not sign sweeps. Many computer speakers also have an artificially boomy lower mid-range to try and compensate for a lack of low end extension. Instead of an exaggerated bass we aimed to have a more accurate response down to where the BMR1 naturally rolls off. For those listening to music and other media that requires a bit more bass, the BMR1 can be paired with a subwoofer which is much better suited to reproducing low frequencies and will not take up desk space. There is a 2.0 vs 2.1 mode switch on the rear of the BMR1 that can attenuate the bass coming from BMR1 pair itself for better synergy with a sub. This will also allow the speakers to play a bit louder than they do in full-range mode by rolling off lowest frequencies. More Information Searching for more specs? All technical details for the BMR1 can be found here. Limited Quantities Available for Preorder The BMR1 Nearfield Monitors preorder begins January 31st, 2023, with limited quantities available. Hit request to be the first to know when the speakers go live.

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Aug 18, 2023

Ordered mine on 3rd Feb, haven't recieve the speaker yet, Only shipped after i asked where is the speaker, grilled is still not shipped, a little disappointed

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bsup

Aug 17, 2023

I just received my order and they sound great. However, I noticed that I cannot pair more than one device to them over bluetooth. Is this by design or should I be able to pair with multiple devices at once?

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Yabayiba

Jul 9, 2023

I just got these monitors and they sound AMAZING!!! However, the cable that connects the two speakers are way too short. Will Drop release a longer cable any time soon?

AlwaysBustin

Mar 15, 2023

Imma bust one fr fr

MEZZANlNE

Jan 31, 2023

would mounting these on top of my monitors affect the sound? ie does the surface they are placed on affect the tone like earcups do on headphones? I like to keep the underside of my monitors clean and I’ve been wanting a set of speakers that would look and sound good attached to the top of my monitors via a 3d printed vesa mount adaptor

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Evshrug

4144

Keyboard Club Member

Mar 24, 2023

MEZZANlNEWhat’s the little white guy between your PC tower and headphone amp? Mounting on top of if your monitors would do three things, but perhaps you will enjoy the result. Think of any flat surface as a 2D side of a horn or megaphone. For one, It would lift the speakers further away from your desk, so that horizontal plane would have less strength of effect as a boundary for sound to bounce off of and do less to reinforce the sound waves traveling directly from speaker to ear. Second, the surface of your monitor would have a slightly increased boundary effect (the speaker probably would have been close to the monitor anyway). Third, the monitor may resonate a little from having the speaker directly mounted to it. Overall, I don’t think it would make much effect, I just mention it for the perfectionists out there, you know? Each speaker is pretty light too, I answered the exact weight just a few comments prior to yours here but each is 13-14 Oz.

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Kenchiwo

Jan 31, 2023

Lets GO!

Evshrug

4144

Keyboard Club Member

Mar 24, 2023

KenchiwoLesGOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(Edited)

Evilbeast

Jan 30, 2023

Is there an price yet or even an rough estimate..? (sorry in advance, if this question has been answered already or if I missed the info somewhere else) I've been wanting to upgrade my PC speakers for a LONG time but the options were always super limited and wouldn't be much of an upgrade if any. But these babies are just what I'm looking for and I have no doubt that these are going to sell like hotcakes. I never understood why there weren't any high-end but affordable pc speakers, it seems like such an obvious idea since everything is either super basic or super high-end and expensive no middle ground so to speak. I just really, really hope they aren't too pricey! (not that they aren't worth it!) But depending on the price I might have to wait to pick'em up, and I know that if I miss out now, there gonna sell out instantly I won't have another chance for a long time most likely. (But I WILL be getting these...eventually!) LOL, why does this always happen to me...Whenever something comes out when I really want, it's always released (or even worse goes on sale for a really good price) when my wallet's hurting, and never when I have the money to spend...Alas, the story of my life!

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kyle.mccarthy

Jan 30, 2023

EvilbeastOn the product page, some people are claiming $129 in the comments. However, it doesn't look like drop has confirmed that price, so it may not be right... After posting this, I've seen the $129 price mentioned on several other sites so it looks accurate.

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Evilbeast

Jan 30, 2023

kyle.mccarthyThanks for the heads up! That's not bad at all for what seem to be high quality speakers...I just might be able to pick it up after all...But with my luck, watch it sell it out instantly and I still not be able to get it. LMAO!

J_Howe

Jan 30, 2023

It'd be really crazy if you had an addon bracket for these to make them into a soundbar, possibly one that could curve & tilt (to match a lot of curved monitors out there)

Evshrug

4144

Keyboard Club Member

Jan 30, 2023

J_HoweOne of the disadvantages of a soundbar is the spacing between speakers is set… you can’t adjust the stereo separation by setting the speakers apart at the optimal spacing. And like you pointed out, it’s much easier to tilt (“toe in,” if you’ll excuse using the expression with desktop speakers that probably won’t be near feet, haha). So the good news is you will be able to tilt the speakers at the right angle and distance depending on how far your screen is from your seating distance. And with each speaker weighing less than a pound, you can also get creative with the placement. The product manager said the Active speaker weighs around just 14 Oz (somewhere near 400 grams), well within the weight limits of many adhesives and hook & loop fasteners (like Velcro). I might get some white Velcro to let me switch between sitting speakers on my desk or temporarily mounting them on the underside of my kitchen cabinets!

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sovebss

Jan 31, 2023

Evshrugthis looks and seems promising!

kyle.mccarthy

Jan 30, 2023

What computer monitor is shown in the first photo?

PromNightFetus

150

Jan 30, 2023

So personally Im pretty excited for this. Small profile is a positive for me and I’m not looking for something to fill my room with noise. I just want something that I can have on and listen to when Im just casually watching or listening to something. I used to have my headphones a bit higher in volume than normal to achieve what is effectively a nearfield like speaker but obviously not made for it. So this fits right into the sound profile Im looking for. I have an old 5.1 setup from logitech that I may be able to use as a sub if I need it but frankly if I plan on listening to music or watch something where I want the bass? I have plenty of IEMs and headphones that would achieve this and output better sound while not spreading the sound more than what I’m comfortable with at certain times of the day and night. Although I don’t have any proper bookshelf speakers to compare it to, I do consider mysef enough of an analytical listener with my IEM and cans that I at least know what decent sound quality and tuning is so I’ll definitey be posting my impressions whenever I receive them after the preorder. My only hope is that the grills will be reasonably priced (hopefully not anymor ethan 30).

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