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    • June 12, 2011
    Bowers & Wilkins Announces New PM1



    By Gary Reber

    Foremost among the new technology is the PM1’s Carbon Braced Tweeter. This new design takes the already high performance of Bowers & Wilkins aluminium domes to a whole new level. The tweeter mechanism is mounted on top of the PM1 in the same way as the 800 Series Diamond and uses a Nautilus™ tapering tube. However, its high-quality aluminium dome, is strategically stiffened with a ring of filament-wound ultra-high modulus pitch-based carbon fibre.
    One of the reasons why diamond domes perform so well in the flagship 800 Series Diamond is that they raise the break-up frequency of the tweeter. The PM1’s Carbon Braced Tweeter similarly raises the break up of the aluminium dome, in this case to around 40KHz. This has a dramatic effect on the audible frequencies below 20kHz. A new surround material improves the harmonic structure of instruments and voices and enables the listener to pinpoint the position of the performer with greater accuracy.
    Sitting below the Carbon Braced Tweeter is what at first appears to be a
    regular Bowers & Wilkins Kevlar® cone bass/midrange driver, as found on the likes of the well-regarded CM1, and which is renowned for its ability to deliver clarity and detail at mid frequencies. However, the PM1’s drive unit features a new Anti-Resonance Plug: a mushroom-shaped device that is a tight fit inside the voice coil former, helping to damp the motion of the former. This reduces cone break-up, for a smoother, more refined sound, again raising the performance of a key Bowers & Wilkins technology to a new level of performance.

    The construction of the cabinet is critical in any loudspeaker, but especially so in a mini monitor. Internally, the PM1 uses the Bowers & Wilkins Matrix™ bracing

    system, for improved rigidity. This is a vital element in producing a large sound from a compact loudspeaker. The striking front baffle and top panel is also a key element in the PM1’s refined performance. The shape echoes the profile of the ‘head’ unit used on the 800 Diamond and 802 Diamond, and improves image localization. A layer of mineral-filled resin is poured in liquid form to the back of the outer thermoset profile, where it sets to create a dual-layer composite that combines high mass with damping for an impressively inert construction.
    Elsewhere, lessons learned in the development of the 800 Series Diamond have also influenced the design of the PM1. This is particularly the case with the use of Oxygen Free Copper terminals and Mundorf M-Cap Supreme capacitors, which combine to maintain the full clarity of the signal, and therefore the resulting performance.
    These elements all combine to create the PM1. Quite possibly the most refined small loudspeaker Bowers & Wilkins has yet produced.

    The Bowers & Wilkins PM1 is available from approved stockists in July.
    PM1 costs £1995 / $2800 per pair.
    PM1 dedicated stands cost
    £400 / $ 550 per pair.




    Tags: - equipment - - Bowers & Wilkins B&W PM1 loudspeaker -

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