Image credit: James Trew / Engadget
With more bass and connectivity, the BMR2 will be rocking.
The design of computer speakers has evolved at some point in time. Many of you probably recall putting a few minor, typically beige, devices into the rear of your computer (where the PCI sound card was) and acting as if you were enjoying the sound. As time passed, the internal and external audio interfaces improved and eventually ended up in a more practical spot on our desks. A subsequent trend toward larger, shelf-style speakers that catered to creators emerged due to this. However, with more and more people working from home, there is a growing trend toward more compact and efficient workstations, which has revived interest in compact speakers.
Here we have Drop, a brand that has made a name for itself in the audiophile and mechanical keyboard markets. The business aims to revitalize the specialized PC speaker industry by releasing its BMR1 desktop speakers. The BMR1 takes design cues from older speakers like Logitech or Creative (yes, I know these companies still produce speakers). Still, it promises to deliver the sonic punch typically associated with larger “monitor” style speakers.
Image credit: James Trew / Engadget
Given Drop’s reputation as a haven for audiophiles, the business probably intended to create something other than something that would be sold in Best Buy’s PC accessories section. To no one’s surprise, the BMR1 is also more expensive than the alternatives sold at megastores. They cost more than the average, more popular options, at $129 each.
That $129 gives you a pair of 15W Balanced Mode Radiation (BMR) speakers with either 3.5mm or Bluetooth input. That’s a respectable lot of audio power for this compact. You’ll need to utilize your computer’s headphone jack or the outputs on a separate audio interface—this device has no USB port because it does not have one built in. One speaker serves as the “active” unit with inputs and outputs; the other is connected to the left channel audio by a (proprietary) connection. This is a typical design for speakers of this type. However, I will add the provided cable is a tad on the short side, and now there’s no alternative.
The BMR1 is deceptively simple in appearance. The controls for the level, EQ, and power are all located on the rear, and there are no visible knobs for either. This will be a significant pain for individuals who like more tactile input, particularly without suitable alternatives (such as a programmed mouse or a keyboard with a rotary). Unlike the company’s keyboards, the BMR1’s plastic housing doesn’t make it seem premium. The speakers feel flimsy and may move about if, say, a cord tugged on the plastic stands.
A passive radiator and a full-range BMR driver sit before the speakers. The BMR1s are versatile enough to work in several different configurations, whether due to practical considerations or personal taste, thanks to their horizontal and vertical mounting options. The BMR1’s one button for adjusting the volume, pairing with Bluetooth, and using headphones is on the right-hand speaker’s underside.
While it may seem strange to use headphones with a set of speakers, the BMR1 can be a valuable tool for routing music from your computer to your headphones without removing it from your computer. This is especially useful if your computer has only one output port, as with some setups. You may take business conversations without removing the speakers because it is compatible with microphones on TRRS/4-pole headsets.
Image credit: James Trew / Engadget
Those BMR drivers are the center of attention, but that’s a nice quality-of-life aspect. Regarding volume, most small to medium-sized businesses should be able to handle the 15W speakers. I have a home office of over 150 square feet; the BMR1 takes up most of that room. Although these monitors are technically “near field” (i.e., made for close quarters), they make short work of filling the entire room with sound.
The sound quality is trickier to pin down. It appears that the BMR1s work best at a volume setting of 40–70% of their maximum. Not unexpectedly, particularly for speakers of this size, things begin to sound somewhat strained above that. The speakers excel at audible speech at lower volumes (from nearly 30 percent to silent), making them perfect for listening to podcasts, watching videos, and having phone conversations. However, the music sounds a bit too muffled at these lower volumes. It works well as background noise but is unpleasant to listen to.
If you slightly increase the volume, the situation will improve. The BMR1s are most effective in the region immediately north of the volume curve’s midpoint. Music that leans heavily on bass can occasionally seem dried due to a modest deficit in the low frequencies. If you prefer music with more mid-frequency motion, like rock, country, classical, or any other genre that includes the BMR1s, you might enjoy them at a higher volume. However, you might find them lacking if you prefer music with lower frequency movement, like Hip-Hop or Drum & Bass.
The speakers will sound better if they are closer to your ears. The sweet point is about 18 inches away. The bass was a little shallow when listening to Metallica’s Enter Sandman on my desk, which made the song’s splashy hi-hats and James Hetfield’s voice slightly overrepresented, but otherwise, it sounded fine. The kick drums and rhythmic bassline were more audible when I leaned in slightly.
The BMR1’s sound was less potent than I had hoped, no matter how well I placed it. Although I know they are computer speakers, Drop promotes them as “ideal for movies and music” on a desktop. Although they often perform adequately, there are times when I find them fall short, often to a greater extent than I had anticipated.
The BMR1’s limited support for SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs was a surprise. The presence of AptX or LDAC may seem unnecessary, given the emphasis on PCs. Still, I see the Bluetooth feature more as a means to ensure compatibility with your phone rather than an additional input mode from a PC. Therefore, it would have been nice if this could support higher-quality codecs, even the old-fashioned AptX.
The BMR1 comes with a 2.0 (stereo) setup, but it can be converted to a 2.1 by adding a separate subwoofer. You may fix the problem with weak low frequencies by turning a switch on the back of the device, which will balance things out by shelving down the bass on the main speaker. Sorry, I don’t have a subwoofer that would work. However, I have read that this setup brings out the full sound. The main problem is that this detracts from the simplicity and compactness of the BMR1, which is one of its main selling points, and it also requires further spending and, most likely, more hardware to be connected.
This is a common thread across the BMR1s: they omit several vital details. When things are just right, they’re fun. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a sweet spot, and it’s not worth the price or the brand. Material selection, proprietary cable, and the the absence of physical controls are some of the more tangible grievances that seem like missed opportunities. While the sound profile is pleasant overall, some musical genres may find the🔥 bass needs to be added. The pricing is slightly higher than what it ought to be, but it’s not outrageous. This continues indefinitely.
Drop won’t require much help, making the BMR2 feel good. Similar little gripes are mentioned in most of the pre-order evaluations on the company’s website. Although the finished product stays within its promises, it does fall short to the extent that more demanding customers, who are essentially Drop’s target audience, maybe a little letdown.
This one can be the Edifier G2000 32W PC Gaming Computer Speakers . The BMR1 PC speakers may not be available yet. But the Edifier G2000 32W PC Gaming Computer Speakers is! Buy it here on Amazon!
As an affiliate I get a small fee from Amazon.