The MM-1: The B&W of computer speakers

Bowers & Wilkins new MM-1 is surely an audiophile computer speaker, but is that a good thing?




B&W's first computer speaker, the MM-1

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)






Pure pop from Zooey Deschannel and M. Ward's new "She & Him, Volume Two" CD was punchy and fun. Grizzly Bear's more challenging "Veckatimest" CD had a deeper, more layered mix, with pounding drums, prominent bass lines and vocals bathed in heavy reverberation. The MM-1 presented a very detailed view of the music.

Compared with my reference Audioengine2 speakers ($199) the MM-1 offers significantly clearer sound. Treble is brighter, bass is more potent and better defined. The B&W is a significant step up from Audioengine2s, just the ticket for those looking for a high-resolution computer speaker.

I may be the Audiophiliac, but the MM-1 won't be knocking the Audioengine2s off my desktop anytime soon. Please understand, I truly admire the MM-1 for its transparency and resolution, but for me the Audioengine2's softer, more laid-back sound works like a charm on iffy quality streaming radio and low-bit MP3s. With my hi-fi it's a very different story; there it's all about maximizing resolution from my LPs, SACDs, and DVD-Audios, and I'm 9 feet away from my hi-fi speakers.

One other thing, the MM-1 sounded increasingly strained when I turned the volume way up, if that's a priority for you check out the Expressionist Ultra MX6021 or Audioengine5 speakers.

The press materials that came with the MM-1 list a $499 MSRP.

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