Sleek, compact, yet packing a powerful punch, the M-1 satellite speaker is the backbone of both Bowers & Wilkins Mini Theatre systems, taking all five positions in a surround-sound set-up. From the inside out, the M-1 was conceived as a unified system. Its design has evolved in a totally integrated way, from the custom-made crossover to the two-piece clamshell cabinet. And now, following a complete technological overhaul, including all-new drive units designed in-house, it sounds better than ever. Dispersion has increased. Imaging is pin-point accurate. Performance is now full range. In fact, the improvement is such that a single pair of M-1s could happily take on the role of your dedicated stereo speakers. It all adds up to stunning sound, whatever you’re listening to.
When you’re watching a movie, it’s what’s on the screen – not around it – that’s important. So the M-1 doesn’t hog the limelight. Everything about its design, from its compact stature to its graceful curving edges, helps the speaker fit gracefully into the background and let the screen take centre stage. But take a closer look at the M-1, and you’ll soon start to notice the design ingenuity and attention to detail that’s gone into making this speaker so discreet. The speaker’s versatility, for example, allows it to adapt perfectly to any home cinema environment, no matter how awkward the space. You can put the M-1 on a bookshelf. Or mount it on a wall. Or position it on its own floor stand. It can even swivel to a horizontal position, for when you want to use one as a centre channel speaker. Available in a choice of Matte Black or Matte White finishes, its clamshell cabinet is formed from just two interlocking, continuously curving sections. So no hard lines to distract the eye.
Cabinet
The key to the M-1’s rock-solid sound is its unified, integrated structure: the way the design coalesces the components and cabinet into a harmonious whole. It all fits together beautifully, with a minimum of noise-inducing seams, joints and discontinuities. The result is a speaker that’s rigid, well-damped and air-tight.
Tweeter
The M-1’s tweeter is no off the peg model – it’s a highly specialised piece of equipment custom-made by the same designers and engineers who created some of our best known hi-fi speakers, including the CM Series. As well as featuring a unique surround material, the tweeter is tube-loaded – a design innovation we first introduced on our ground-breaking Nautilus™ speaker. The tube works by soaking up unwanted resonance from the back of the tweeter, so the sound you hear from the front is as detailed and precise as possible.
Bass/midrange
The redesigned bass/midrange driver features our AntiResonance Plug – an acoustic innovation first seen on our high-end PM1 loudspeaker. Constructed from polymer foam, the mushroom-shaped device soaks up resonance like a sponge while also reducing cone break-up, creating unparalleled clarity and detail in the midrange.
Cable management
In the same way a power cable enters a well-designed table lamp at its base and passes up through the stand, the M-1’s signal cable disappears into the back of the table plinth stand, from where the signal reaches the speaker via a specially-designed, pre-wired arm support.
| Technical features | Nautilus™ tube loaded tweeter with aluminium dome Woven glass fibre cone bass / midrange |
| Description | 2-way vented-box system |
| Drive units | 1x 25mm (1in) aluminium dome high-frequency 1x 100mm (4in) woven glass fibre cone bass / midrange |
| Frequency range | -6dB at 55Hz and 50kHz |
| Frequency response | 64Hz – 23kHz ±3dB on reference axis |
| Dispersion | Within 2dB of reference response Horizontal: over 60º arc Vertical: over 10º arc |
| Sensitivity | 85dB spl (2.83V, 1m) |
| Harmonic distortion | 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m) <1% 120Hz – 30kHz |
| Nominal impedance | 8Ω (minimum 4.0Ω) |
| Crossover frequency | 4kHz |
| Recommended amplifier power | 20W – 100W into 8Ω on unclipped programme |
| Max. recommended cable impedance | 0.1Ω |
| Dimensions | Height: 248mm (9.8in) Width: 114mm (4.5in) Depth: 162mm (6.4in) Mounted on table stand |
| Net weight | 2.3kg (5lb) |
| Finishes | Cabinet: Matte Black or Matte White Grille: Matte Black or Matte White perforated steel to match |
