Backes & Müller BMLine 12: A Legacy of Sound
Celebrating 50 Years of Audio Excellence
Backes & Müller, a Saarbrücken-based company, has reached a milestone in the audio world by celebrating its 50th birthday. This legacy brand has consistently favored active speakers and line source radiation, catering to discerning listeners with a penchant for high-end sound reproduction. Though its offerings primarily reside in the upper echelons of price, one model stands out – the Backes & Müller BMLine 12, priced at 18,000 euros per pair. This distinctive speaker, reminiscent of the company’s earlier designs, has drawn the attention of audio enthusiasts, and we have the privilege to put it through its paces.
A Nostalgic Reflection: BM 12 from 1980
In audio dreams, the Backes & Müller BM 12 from 1980 was an iconic name celebrated for its midrange precision. However, personal experiences with audio gear can be unpredictable, and sometimes, dreams are better left untouched. For some, the BM 12 from the 1980s came across as too strict and angry in its midrange delivery, leaving a sense of disappointment. Nonetheless, it’s worth revisiting this audio legacy, albeit with a modern twist.
Technical data
| Backes & Müller BMLine 12 | |
|---|---|
| Concept: | 3-way active floorstanding speaker, closed, equalized |
| Equipment: | HT: 1 x Ringradiator mit Alu-Waveguide, MT: 1 x Kalotte, TT: 3 x 18 cm mit Carbonmembran |
| Max. level (permanent/short-term): | 4 x 150 Watt, 1 x 100 Watt |
| Max. level (permanent / short-term): | 99 / 111 dB |
| Particularities: | B&M-FIRTEC-Signalprocessing, optional B&M-PPG verfügbar |
| Dimensions (W x H x D): | 28,0 cm x 130,0 cm x 40,0 cm |
| Weight: | 32.0 Kilograms |
Exquisite Build Quality:
The Backes & Müller BMLine 12 boasts a build quality that reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to excellence. Crafted by hand in Saarbrücken, Germany, this speaker exemplifies meticulous craftsmanship in every detail. Here’s an in-depth look at its build quality and design:
1. Precision Engineering: Backes & Müller takes pride in the precision engineering of the BMLine 12. Each component, from the drivers to the cabinet, is carefully designed and assembled to meet the highest audio performance standards.
2. Cabinet Construction: The cabinet housing the BMLine 12 is both robust and aesthetically pleasing. It is a closed enclosure design, ensuring optimal acoustic properties and reducing unwanted resonances. A closed enclosure contributes to the speaker’s tight and controlled bass response.
3. Handcrafted Cabinets: The cabinets are handcrafted, underlining the company’s dedication to quality. Craftsmen pay meticulous attention to detail in shaping, assembling, and finishing the cabinets, resulting in a product that is both sonically and visually pleasing.
4. Premium Materials: Backes & Müller uses premium materials to construct the BMLine 12. For example, the outer membrane of the midrange driver is made of aluminum. It undergoes multiple layers of paint, demonstrating a commitment to using high-quality materials that enhance performance and durability.
5. Stability and Rigidity: The cabinet is designed to be stable and rigid, providing a solid foundation for the speaker’s components. This rigidity helps minimize unwanted vibrations and resonances that can color the sound.
6. Timeless Design: The BMLine 12 features a classic 3-way speaker design that pays homage to the timeless aesthetics of earlier audio equipment. While it embraces modern technology, its design exudes a sense of nostalgia for audiophiles who appreciate the aesthetics of vintage audio gear.
7. Limited Edition Bundle: To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Backes & Müller offers a limited edition bundle with the extraordinary BMIce 515 preamplifier. This bundle enhances the speaker’s performance and elevates its visual appeal, making it an attractive addition to any audio setup.
8. Unique Midrange Driver: A standout feature of the BMLine 12 is its unique midrange driver, which combines cone and dome elements to widen radiation. The company’s proprietary technology and design choices emphasize delivering a distinct, high-quality listening experience.
The Backes & Müller BMLine 12 exemplifies superb build quality and design. With its precision engineering, handcrafted cabinets, premium materials, and attention to detail, this speaker reflects Backes & Müller’s commitment to providing audiophiles with a product that sounds exceptional and looks like a work of art.
Special Features of the Backes & Müller BMLine 12
The BMLine 12 is a testament to continuity and evolution. Handcrafted in Saarbrücken, it boasts meticulous craftsmanship in both its technology and cabinet production. A centerpiece of this speaker is its midrange driver, held in high regard by Backes & Müller. While specifics are guarded with secrecy, it’s revealed that this midrange driver combines cone and dome elements to widen radiation, operating in the 400-1,200 Hertz range. This strategic choice aims to provide a broad radiation pattern in the lower midrange, a departure from the typical Backes & Müller focus on narrow cylindrical wave radiation for other models.
Positioning the BMLine 12 for a Unique Audience
The BMLine 12 challenges convention with its broader radiation pattern, making it suitable for listeners who prefer closer proximity to their speakers, typically around 3 meters or less. This positioning reflects the BMLine 12’s unique character among Backes & Müller models.
Advanced Active Control
Backes & Müller employs advanced active control, individually powering each of the five drivers with dedicated power stages using high-quality transistor AB technology. The BMLine 12 implements dynamic deflection control (DMC™) for all cone drivers, ensuring precise bass impulses and high fidelity.
FIRTEC™ Technology: Precise Time Accuracy
Backes & Müller prides itself on combining precise membrane control with processor-controlled phase accuracy, a fusion known as “FIRTEC™ technology.” This digital filtering methodology aims to linearize the frequency response and perfect time accuracy across the entire frequency range, from 30 Hertz to over 20 kilohertz, ensuring impeccable sonic timing.
Fine-Tuning for Optimal Performance
Calibrating the BMLine 12 is essential for achieving its full potential. The Backes controller, shared with KSDigital models, plays a key role in this process. The controller allows users to employ six equalizers with customizable parameters, optimizing the speaker’s performance for specific listening preferences and room acoustics.
Usability of the Backes & Müller BMLine 12:
The Backes & Müller BMLine 12, while renowned for its exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship, also offers a user-friendly experience that enhances its appeal to audio enthusiasts. Here’s an exploration of the usability aspects of this premium speaker:
1. Plug-and-Play Convenience: Setting up and using the BMLine 12 is straightforward. It’s designed for plug-and-play convenience, allowing users to connect their audio sources and start enjoying music with minimal hassle.
2. Active Speaker Configuration: The BMLine 12 operates as an active speaker, meaning it has built-in amplification and crossover circuitry. This eliminates the need for external amplifiers and complex speaker-crossover setups. Users can connect their audio sources directly to the speaker, simplifying the audio chain.
3. Digital and Analog Inputs: The speaker offers digital and analog input options, providing flexibility in connecting various audio sources. Whether you prefer digital sources like DACs or turntables with analog outputs, the BMLine 12 accommodates a range of setups.
4. Backes Controller: To fine-tune the speaker’s performance to match your listening preferences and room acoustics, the Backes & Müller BMLine 12 can be paired with the Backes Controller. This controller allows users to adjust equalization settings, operating frequency, quality, and amplification. While it adds an extra layer of customization, it’s designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive controls.
5. Limited Learning Curve: Operating the BMLine 12 does not require extensive technical knowledge. Even if you’re new to high-end audio equipment, the speaker’s limited learning curve means you can quickly become accustomed to its operation.
6. Transparent Sound Control: The BMLine 12 provides transparency in sound control, ensuring that any adjustments made using the Backes Controller are audible. This feature enables users to hear the effects of their adjustments and effectively tailor the sound to their liking.
7. Compatibility with Multiple Sources: Whether you prefer streaming music from a digital source, playing vinyl records, or connecting to a CD player, the BMLine 12 accommodates a variety of audio sources. This versatility makes it suitable for users with diverse music collections.
8. User-Friendly Documentation: Backes & Müller typically provides user-friendly documentation that guides users through setup, operation, and optimization of the BMLine 12. Clear instructions and diagrams ensure that users can maximize the speaker’s capabilities.
9. Stability and Reliability: Usability also extends to the stability and reliability of the speaker. The BMLine 12’s solid construction and advanced technology contribute to its long-term usability, ensuring that it continues to perform at a high level over the years.
10. Versatile Listening Positions: The BMLine 12’s design and radiation pattern allow for versatile listening positions. Whether you prefer to sit close to the speakers for critical listening or enjoy music from a distance, the speaker adapts to your preferences, enhancing the overall user experience.
The Backes & Müller BMLine 12 prioritizes user-friendly usability while maintaining its high-end audio performance. Its active speaker configuration, compatibility with various sources, and the option to fine-tune sound characteristics make it accessible to both seasoned audiophiles and those new to premium audio equipment. The emphasis on sound control transparency and user-friendly documentation availability contribute to a hassle-free and enjoyable listening experience.
Listening Experience: Precision and Authenticity
The BMLine 12 continues the Backes & Müller tradition of delivering an exceptionally lively and precise listening experience. This speaker thrives on its high dynamics, fine and coarse, providing a lifelike and authentic sound. It excels in phase-linear filter technology, ensuring that every musical detail is faithfully reproduced, creating an immersive and captivating listening environment.
Sound Quality and Sound Test:
The Backes & Müller BMLine 12 is a speaker who delivers a sound quality that can be described as nothing short of exceptional. Its meticulous design and advanced technologies come together to create a listening experience that is rich, dynamic, and immersive. Below, we delve into the sound quality and the results of a sound test of this remarkable speaker:
1. Lively and Precise Sound: The BMLine 12 is renowned for its lively and precise sound signature. It captures the nuances of music with remarkable accuracy, offering listeners a transparent window into the world of their favorite audio content.
2. High-Speed Dynamics: Backes & Müller’s emphasis on high-speed dynamics ensures that the speaker reproduces music with agility and precision. Whether it’s the striking impact of a drumbeat or the subtle plucking of guitar strings, the BMLine 12 renders each musical element with astonishing clarity and realism.
3. Authentic Reproduction: One of the standout features of the BMLine 12 is its ability to reproduce music with authenticity. It maintains the integrity of the original recording, making listeners feel as if they are attending a live concert. The speaker’s phase-linear filter technology contributes to this authentic sound reproduction.
4. Three-Dimensional Soundstage: The BMLine 12 is known for creating a three-dimensional soundstage that envelops the listener. It places instruments and vocals accurately, allowing for a heightened sense of immersion. This spacious and detailed soundstage enhances the overall listening experience.
5. Immersive Dynamics: Regarding dynamic range, the BMLine 12 shines. It can deliver subtle, nuanced passages and explosive crescendos with equal finesse. This wide dynamic range ensures that the speaker can easily handle a broad spectrum of musical genres, from classical to rock.
6. Impressive Bass Control: The BMLine 12 exhibits impressive bass control. While its bass response is tight and controlled, it can still produce deep and impactful low frequencies when the music calls for it. This balance ensures that the bass complements the overall sound without overwhelming it.
7. Faithful Vocal Reproduction: Vocals highlight the BMLine 12’s sound quality. It captures the nuances of singers’ voices, conveying emotion and expression with striking authenticity. Whether it’s the raspiness of a blues singer or the soaring vocals of an opera soprano, the speaker does justice to vocal performances.
8. Clarity and Transparency: Transparency and clarity are hallmarks of the BMLine 12’s sound. It precisely separates instruments and voices, allowing listeners to discern even the subtlest details in complex musical arrangements.
9. Captivating Live Recordings: The BMLine 12 truly shines when reproducing live recordings. It places the listener in the heart of the performance, capturing the ambiance and energy of the venue. This ability to convey the atmosphere of live music is a testament to the speaker’s authenticity.
10. Versatility: While the BMLine 12 excels in high-fidelity listening, it is also versatile enough to handle various musical genres and content types. Whether you’re listening to classical symphonies, jazz improvisations, or electronic beats, the speaker adapts to deliver a captivating experience.
In conclusion, the Backes & Müller BMLine 12 sets a high standard for sound quality. Its ability to render music with precision, authenticity, and immersive dynamics makes it a standout choice for audiophiles who demand the best from their audio equipment. Whether you’re a connoisseur of classical music, a rock enthusiast, or a fan of live recordings, the BMLine 12’s sound quality will captivate your senses and elevate your listening pleasure.
Conclusion: A Unique Blend of Heritage and Innovation
The Backes & Müller BMLine 12 represents a bridge between the past and the present, incorporating decades of audio expertise while embracing modern technology. Its unique character and precision make it a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking a distinctive sound experience. With its advanced active control, FIRTEC™ technology, and BMIce 515 preamplifier, the BMLine 12 offers a rare promise of time accuracy and dynamic finesse. For those who appreciate the balance of tradition and innovation, this speaker is a testament to Backes & Müller’s enduring legacy in high-end audio.
Reasons to Buy the Backes & Müller BMLine 12:
- Exceptional Sound Quality: If you’re an audiophile seeking uncompromising sound quality, the BMLine 12 delivers a precise, dynamic, and authentic listening experience that’s hard to match.
- Meticulous Craftsmanship: The handcrafted construction and premium materials reflect a commitment to quality, ensuring that you’re investing in a speaker built to last.
- Three-Dimensional Soundstage: The speaker’s ability to create a three-dimensional soundstage immerses you in your music, providing a captivating and lifelike listening experience.
- Versatile Compatibility: With digital and analog inputs, the BMLine 12 accommodates a wide range of audio sources, making it versatile for various setups and music collections.
- Transparency in Sound Control: The Backes Controller allows for precise customization of sound characteristics, so you can tailor the speaker’s performance to your preferences and room acoustics.
- Long-Term Reliability: The speaker’s solid construction and advanced technology ensure long-term reliability, providing you with years of high-quality audio enjoyment.
Reasons Not to Buy the Backes & Müller BMLine 12:
- High Price Point: The BMLine 12 is a premium speaker, and its price reflects its exceptional performance and craftsmanship. It may not be within the budget of all audio enthusiasts.
- Limited Availability: Backes & Müller offers a limited range of speaker models, so if you’re looking for various options, you might not find the exact fit in their lineup.
- Complex Setup for Some: While the BMLine 12 is designed for user-friendliness, its advanced customization options might overwhelm those seeking a simpler plug-and-play experience.
- Large Footprint: The speaker’s size and design may not be suitable for smaller living spaces or setups with limited floor space.
- Preference for Different Sound Signatures: If you prefer a specific sound signature with which the BMLine 12 does not align, you may find other speakers more suited to your sonic preferences.
In conclusion, buying the Backes & Müller BMLine 12 should be based on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. If you prioritize top-tier sound quality, craftsmanship, and customization options, it’s a compelling choice. However, if budget constraints or simplicity in setup are more important to you, you might explore other speaker options that better align with your priorities.
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Want to read more about speakers? Read our background articles. For instance, Types of speakers and their positives/negatives, Bass reflex speakers, Two-way, 2 1/2-way and three-way speakers types, Buying speakers: which specifications are important, Understanding Loudspeaker efficiency: power, sound pressure (dB) and impedance, What is a Smart Speaker? The function of NFC in speakers, Position of speakers in a surround home cinema set, and Types of speakers available in the market.
