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Review: Bowers & Wilkins MM-1

B&W's MM-1 desktop speakers are a perfect mix of business and pleasure, with rich tones and killer base tucked inside sleek black boxes.
review image
Photo by Jens Mortensen

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Rating:

8/10

WIRED
Terrific sound across the entire spectrum. Included remote lets you control volume and jump between tracks (iTunes and Windows Media Player only). Inputs concealed beneath speakers (peekaboo!). Coffee-mug-sized footprint.
TIRED
Sound isn't quite as bold as M-Audio's AV 40s' — a bit muffled at higher volumes. Not cheap.

If you crave luxury and fine-tuning, you might have once thought that desktop speakers weren't for you. Those fancy, overpriced floor speakers teetered at the top of your must-have list (and budget) for years. Well, now the overlords of audio at B&W have finally brought their signature combination of sonic virtuosity and aesthetic awesomeness to the home office. These sleek speaks smell like a pair of new sneaks and elevate your workspace to the very definition of nerd chic. Fully wrapped in cloth and banded with a polished silver stripe, the MM-1s are beautiful from every angle. Plus, their compact size won't have you reorganizing your desktop in search of extra space.

More than just trophy speakers, the MM-1s produce deep, rich tones and killer bass. The depth of sound excels across genres and mediums, which makes these a welcome addition to any home office. While these units are much slimmer than M-Audio's AV 40s, the sound couldn't quite reach their level. And the $300 price difference makes it hard to favor look over function.