ACOUSTIC ENERGY Radiance 1 Bookshelf Loudspeaker 175W -PAIR-

Cabinet: 2-way, reflex loaded

Bass/Mid Driver: 130mm pressed alloy

Tweeter: 38mm Neodymium Ring Radiator with DXT

Cabinet: Curved, braced 15mm MDF carcass

Frequency Response: 50Hz to 45kHz ± 3dB

Power Handling: 150W peak programme

Impedance: 8 Ohms

Sensitivity: 88dB for 1 Watt at 1M

Dimensions: 320 x 185 x 250mm (12.6 x 7.3 x 9.8 inches)

Weight: 8kg (single, unpacked)

The M-1 has been engineered with the same design attributes and ethos as B&Wʼs larger ranges. Perhaps the most striking thing about the M-1 is the weight and strength of its curved aluminium cabinet. This is combined with a strong, glass-loaded ABS front baffle. Together they provide an excellent cabinet: the curved aluminium is stiff and the ABS offers excellent and appropriate damping characteristics.

The M-1ʼs drive units were developed by Bowers & Wilkins specifically for the design. The metal dome tweeter benefits from refinements developed for the new B&W 800 Series and includes Nautilus™ tube loading and neodymium magnets. The glass fibre bass/midrange coneʼs ability to absorb standing waves has been further enhanced by the inclusion of five strategically placed resin filled slots that further minimise distortion.

The result of this detailed cabinet and drive unit engineering has allowed B&Wʼs engineers to borrow another feature from the new 800 Series and utilise the simplest of electronic equalisation in the M-1ʼs crossover. Each of the drive units is fed by only a single, carefully selected component. This approach to crossover design, although painstaking as it relies on optimising all of the physical components in a design, is crucial in achieving its aim of neither adding to nor subtracting from the original signal.

The M-1 is available in three colour options - black, white and silver, each with chromium plated stem and table base.

At home on a stand, wall or bookshelf, the versatile 685 S2 is ideal for stereo and home theatre uses in most rooms. And performance is enhanced with the addition of a Decoupled Double Dome tweeter.

The Decoupled Double Dome tweeter found in the 685 S2, and the rest of the new 600 Series, is technology taken straight from our award-winning CM10 speaker. A dual-layer design combines a thin aluminium dome for lightness and a thicker aluminium ring for rigidity - the result is absolutely stunning, with far greater clarity in the audible spectrum.

The tweeter is also decoupled from the main cabinet, kept physically separate in its own cavity with a ring of gel cushioning it from vibrations. This improves imaging and dispersion for a more natural, spacious treble.

As well as a decoupled, double dome aluminium tweeter, the two-way 685 S2 features a full-range 6.5-inch driver constructed from woven Kevlar and using Anti-Resonance Plug dustcaps, as seen in high-end Bowers & Wilkins speakers. The result is stunning audio quality from a highly versatile smaller speaker.

Woven Kevlar    
Crossover Tuning    
Nautilus Tapering Tube    
Flowport    
Technical features     Nautilus™ tube loaded aluminium dome tweeter

Kevlar® brand fibre cone bass / midrange

Flowport™
Description     2-way vented-box system
Drive units     1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency

1x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass / midrange
Frequency range     -6dB at 45Hz and 50kHz
Frequency response     55Hz - 22kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Dispersion     Within 2dB of reference response
Horizontal:     over 60º arc
Vertical:     over 10º arc
Sensitivity     84dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
Harmonic distortion     2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)

Frequency Response: 80 Hz - 35 KHz
Sensitivity (1W@1m): 87 dB
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Power Handling Single (RMS): 60 W
System Power Handling (RMS): 100 W
Recommended Amplifier Requirements: 10 - 100 W
Maximum SPL (dBA): 105
Bass Alignment: Bass reflex - rear ported
Drive Unit Complement: 1 x 100mm (4“) MMP®II cone mid-bass driver.
1 x 25mm (1“) C-CAM® gold dome tweeter
External Dimensions
(H x W x D): mm (inches) 198 x 125 x 140 mm
(7 13/16 x 4 15/16 x 5 1/2)
Weight (each):
Kg (lbs) 2 (4 3/8)

Small is beautiful. The 686 S2 is the most compact speaker in the series, but don't underestimate its power and precision. That's thanks to a new Decoupled Double Dome tweeter and improved design.

An ideal bookshelf or wall-mounted speaker, the 686 S2 is designed to fit into any space and still sound perfect. Its main driver is a 5-inch bass/midrange unit which benefits from a new 25mm voice coil which makes for a higher sensitivity speaker with bass more suited for placement near a wall.

Bass performance is vital but can often suffer in smaller speakers. Not in the 686 S2, however. That's because a front-firing Flowport, dimpled like a golf ball around the aperture for smoothly regulated airflow, delivers superior bass response without the risk of rattle. Its placement ensures the speaker cabinet is slimmer than predecessors and can be wall mounted without affecting performance.

Like the rest of the range, and despite its smaller size, the 686 S2 also features a Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter for superior high-frequency response. The 686 S2 even features a built-in bracket for easy wall mounting, although this small, versatile and precise speaker sounds great anywhere.