Burmester BC150 Review
The Berlin-based manufacturer has never been one for hasty model changes or short-lived trends. Instead, the range of this traditional company is characterized by consistency across all classes. Here, we take a look at the current state of their speaker lineup, starting from the top, Burmester BC150. Tested at 98,000 euros per pair.
Okay, not quite the top. Admittedly, there is a flagship model, the BC350, above the BC150. Evaluating the top model would be a logistical challenge, so we are “content” with a pair of masterpieces in a price range where discussing prices becomes almost irrelevant. However, for the record, we should mention the 98,000 euros per pair and the nearly 200 kilograms net weight – if you could even lift it onto a scale.
As a potential buyer, you probably don’t need to worry about the logistical details of delivery and setup for these man-sized speakers and can leave the quiet groaning to the not-getting-any-younger tester.
Cabinet
Everything about the BC150 feels ultra-stable. One of the design principles was to suppress any vibration tendencies. This begins with the massive aluminum frame that forms the baffle, bottom, top, and back panel. The “knuckle test” produces a completely dull “thud” as does the tapping of the side panels, which in our case were covered with a very decorative real wood veneer. Inside, the cabinet is braced with large amounts of aluminum tubes, and the walls are reinforced with four-millimeter-thick steel plates, which further reduce vibrations, along with a special plastic coating. The drivers are not simply screwed to the baffle but are meticulously clamped to the cabinet. The most visually striking feature of the BC150 is the grills on both sides. These very massive constructions also contribute to the overall stability. On one side, the grill hides the woofer, while on the other side it serves only decorative and stabilizing purposes. The side placement of the woofer allowed the BC150 to be relatively narrow at just over 30 centimeters. Despite its bulk, I find the speaker’s design very successful; the extremely clear lines that Burmester has introduced in recent years for all their speakers also pay off here. Even the base plate aligns with the cabinet lines, and they avoided placing the BC150 on high feet, which would have weakened the compact impression – very well done. Naturally, a speaker in this class can be customized in many ways to suit the buyer’s preferences. For the BC150, even the “decorative elements” can be exchanged on-site during setup.
Drivers
Conceptually, the BC150 is a relatively simple speaker: a two-way system complemented by a subwoofer and a rear-firing auxiliary tweeter.
The most visually striking driver in the ensemble is probably the 18-centimeter midrange driver: it features an oval-shaped voice coil, manifested by an oval chrome phase plug at the front. This unique specialty from Danish supplier Scan Speak results in noticeably reduced distortion levels, as the distance between the voice coil neck and the diaphragm edge is not constant, making resonance formation significantly more difficult. An effective but very complex construction, therefore only found in high-end speakers. For the low frequencies, a 13-inch woofer is responsible, mounted on the side as mentioned. The driver, equipped with a powerful dual magnet system, moves a rigid sandwich diaphragm, allowing for large excursions and providing a solid foundation. It is essentially a subwoofer driver that is crossed over at 155 hertz. The high-frequency part is handled by a German-made Air Motion Transformer, equipped with a powerful drive and perfectly matching the dynamic capabilities of the rest of the ensemble due to its impressive diaphragm area. On the back of the speaker is a similar but much shorter model to enhance the spatial impression. Its level can be adjusted in eight stages, with the corresponding – again quite massive – rotary switch located near the connection terminals. These are usually hidden behind a thick, magnetically held aluminum plate. A cutout allows for the passage of connection cables. Under the cover are two sets of very solid binding posts, allowing for bi-wiring. Alternatively, both branches can be connected with the thick, gold-plated metal bridges.
Filtering, Control, and Setup
The crossover of the BC150 is housed in its own enclosure, which is as decoupled from vibrations as possible within the speaker.
I can’t provide details about the construction and components used because the effort of disassembly would far outweigh the benefit. The rear tweeter has proven to be an effective means of influencing sound. Its impact on the tonal result is relatively minor, but it can give the sound a nice “aura.” If not overdone, it’s a fine feature. The question of whether the side woofers of the BC150 should face inward or outward can only be answered based on the specific room situation. In our test room, I achieved a slightly more precise and punchy sound with the woofers facing outward. The BC150 is a speaker that requires firm control. The amplifier provided by the distributor, the 218, proved to be just the right caliber for the job. It offers plenty of power and, more importantly, ample current capacity.
Sound
Powered robustly, the BC150 reached sonic heights. Interestingly, it sounded delightfully light-footed and variable. I expected a bit of Teutonic ruthlessness, but other virtues stand out here. For example, Ella Fitzgerald’s extremely transparent and powerful voice on “Ella And Louis Again.” The way the midrange and tweeter work together is remarkable. The Air Motion Transformer’s tuning is spot on, the voice has breath and contour, yet the result always retains a minimum of warmth – excellent. Similarly striking is Paul Kuhn’s piano on “Live At Birdland.” Rarely have I heard the instrument so playful and finely nuanced; Paul clearly had fun, that’s certain. And, of course, the BC150 can handle bass. Who better to consult than Stanley Clarke? “Lopsy Lu” is a track that is tremendous fun with the BC150. Tony Williams’ dry drums provide an engaging foundation, Clarke himself is somewhat restrained but perfectly audible, and the rest of the band is spread wide across the room. Everything swings, everyone is enjoying themselves – that’s unmistakable. This is a first-class experience that I can warmly recommend to everyone.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Three-way bass reflex floorstanding loudspeaker
Drive units: Air Motion Transformer tweeter (front and rear), 180mm midrange, 320mm woofer
Crossover frequencies: 155Hz, 1.8kHz
Frequency response: 34Hz-20kHz ±3dB
Sensitivity: 88.5dB at 2.83V/1 m
Nominal impedance: 3Q
Nominal load capacity
(DIN EN 60268-5): 400W
Dimensions (WxHxD):
30.9 x 60.1 x 143.3cm
Weight: cl 95kg per loudspeaker
Manufacturer:
Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH
URL: burmester.de
Performance report
Verdict
Burmester’s heavyweight behaves wonderfully refined, tonally accurate, plays extremely fluidly and transparently, and has ample volume reserves.
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