B&W Bows Arrestingly Different Small Loudspeaker, Matching Compact Subwoofer

1-Oct-01

B&W Loudspeakers has introduced the VM1, the latest addition to its Leisure Monitor family of highly-adaptable loudspeakers. Combining a radical new shape with genuinely ""high-end"" sonic performance, the VM1 brings unprecedented versatility to stereo and home theatre and audio systems, complementing the Leisure Monitor range's existing LM1 and expanding the options for compact, affordable, appealingly-designed multichannel systems. Extending the family further still is the new AS1, an ultra-compact active subwoofer, engineered to offer either Leisure Monitor design the support of powerful, accurate deep bass response.The VM1 is dramatically slim, a profile that enables it to serve any of the five positions of a surround system to great effect, whether it is oriented vertically on its cleverly integrated stand/mounting bracket, or horizontally, as at the center channel position, on its supplied, removable ""foot."" No wider than your hand, the VM1 nonetheless incorporates key B&W technologies: a surprisingly powerful, long-throw, 5-inch B&W cone bass/mid driver; a vented enclosure using the firm's proprietary Flowportô dimpled, turbulence-controlling port; and a high performance, 1-inch dome tweeter for accurate, extended playback and the kind of smooth off-axis response and excellent in-room balance expected of any B&W design. The result is vocal realism, musical life and dynamic impact that far exceeds conventional notions of what a compact, ""lifestyle"" loudspeaker can deliver.While the VM1 works wonderfully in identical, five-piece surround arrays, it's design also encompassed careful matching to its sibling, B&W's compact and colorful LM1. The most commonly seen arrangement will very likely be three VM1s across a system's ""front stage,"" with the space-saving LM1s serving up the surround channels. Nevertheless, careful timbral matching of the two models makes it eminently possible to mix and match at will.The AS1 is a very compact powered sub that combines a 6.5-inch driver with sophisticated electronics, including selectable Movie and Music modes to optimize its performance. Its vented enclosure, featuring B&W's unique Flowport system for noise-free sound even at very high levels, closes the deal for astonishing bass extension -- as deep as 27 Hz in the AS1's ""Movie"" mode. The new sub's on-board power of 75 watts continuous ensures ample dynamic ability, even in comparatively large spaces, while its provision of signal inputs in both speaker-level and line-level formats makes integrating the AS1 into most any system flexible and easy. The B&W VM1 and AS1 will be available immediately, at manufacturer's suggested retail prices of $400 and $250 respectively. For more information about B&W Loudspeakers, visit www.bwspeakers.com.

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