Drop’s BMR1 Nearfield Monitors Are Ideal Computer Speakers

Audio brand Drop, which accessory brand Corsair recently acquired, has begun shipping its recently announced Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors. These pillar-style speakers are designed for use with computers for work and play, whether listening to music while writing or playing online games.

The new Drop BMR1s have a modern and angular design that’s a world away from JBL’s Soundsticks. Unlike most computer speakers, the Drop BMR1 use balanced mode radiators (BMRs) instead of circular dynamic drivers. Traditional speakers often have separate speakers for treble and mid-range frequencies. BMR technology uses a single driver to create the entire frequency range in one neat unit.

One benefit of BMR technology is its almost-180-degree sound dispersion in both horizontal and vertical planes. A BMR can radiate to fill a room with sound and because the dispersion is so broad, you don’t have to find a sweet spot where the two channels in a stereo signal meet. That makes BMRs great for multiple listeners or people moving around while listening.

The BMR speakers aren’t too fussy about where they are placed, which can be very useful in a small area like a crowded desktop where space is valuable. The speakers create a natural soundstage despite their relatively compact format.

The Drop BMR1s are easy to set up. The two speakers are supplied with a special cable to connect the active right-channel speaker with the passive left-channel. A 24V DC power supply powers the active speaker and you can choose to use a 3.5mm stereo patch cable from the host computer or link wirelessly using Bluetooth. The front panel of the main speaker has a power and volume knob; you can also control the sound output levels from a connected source device.

While the Drop BMR1s use 2-inch, full-range BMR drivers, these are combined with force-canceling passive radiators that fire in the opposite direction to cancel out unwanted vibrations. These passive radiators enable the BMR1s to be driven at high volumes without creating any distortion.

The Drop BMR1s’ passive radiators also help to beef up the lower frequencies, but there’s no sub-woofer. For some people’s tastes, the sound from these cute desktop speakers might be a little on the light side. However, you can connect the BMR1s to a sub-woofer using the Aux Out jack and I recommend doing just that. With a sub-woofer on board, the sound from these sleek speakers is awe-inspiring.

Although the bass frequencies can be a little lightweight without a sub=woofer, what you lose at the bottom end of the spectrum, you gain at the top with the BMR1s’ impressively clear treble that articulates upper frequencies with precision and focuses the soundstage accurately no matter where you place the speakers. Switching between Line-In and Bluetooth sources makes these speakers incredibly versatile.

Another feature I like about these speakers is the inclusion of a headphone jack with a pass-thru for a microphone so you can use a headset for private calls. With the headphone jack, you can listen privately to your music when other people are in the office or if you’re working late at home and don’t want to disturb others in the house.

The Drop BMR1s can be used horizontally or vertically using the supplied stands, which are slightly raked to put the speakers at a slight angle. Using the speakers in landscape or portrait mode is helpful, especially if you have a small desk. When used horizontally, the BMR1s would make an excellent mini soundbar for a TV, especially if connected to a sub-woofer.

Finally, the BMR1s can be bought with a range of customizable magnetic grilles, giving users more opportunities to personalize their speakers. At the time of review, the Drop BMR1s ship without any grilles, but you can add classic Black grilles to your order or one of five alternate colors: Laser Purple, Shinai Sage, Skiiboard Orange, White and Raw Steel. Drop says new grilles in more colorways based on the company’s most popular keycap sets will be available soon.

Verdict: The Drop BMR1 nearfield monitors are a great value set of computer speakers with an uncanny knack for creating a stunning stereo soundstage no matter how you position them. They can be a bit light on bass out of the box, so a sub-woofer might be a good idea if you enjoy a bit of rumble. The BMR1s can accept line-in or Bluetooth connections, plus they offer line-out and headphone jacks for personalized listening or connecting a sub-woofer.

Pricing & Availability: The Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors are available now and cost $129, while the grilles start at $25 per pair.

More info: drop.com

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