Drop’s affordable new desktop speakers claim audiophile sound

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Drop's new desktop speakers are designed to sound great from just 2 or 3 feet away.
Drop's new desktop speakers are designed to sound great from just 2 or 3 feet away.
Photo: Drop

Drop, known for mechanical keyboards as well as headphones and other audiophile gear, unveiled its first set of desktop speakers Wednesday at CES 2023. The small Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors promise big, clear sound in a small footprint for just $129.

If you noticed that’s not an audiophile price tag, you’re right. So if you want more sound than your computer provides, you can preorder the new monitors on January 31.

Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors

San Francisco-based Drop said the new BMR1 Nearfield Monitors “offer audiophiles customizable, high-quality desktop speakers to elevate their desk setups for work and play. The Drop BMR1s feature a signature, holographic sound quality that creates a natural soundstage and excellent imaging capabilities, all in a compact size and market-leading price.”

Notably, the new speakers sound virtually the same whether you orient them vertically or horizontally, Drop said. So you can fit them to your workspace without compromising on audio quality. Vertically, they could stand on either side of display, for example. Or they could be laid on their sides underneath it.

That orientation flexibility comes about because the speakers feature balanced mode radiators (BMR) together with force-cancelling passive radiators, Drop said. The setup generates volume with wide dispersion but without distortion, the company noted, so the speakers won’t sound too bright or tinny.

Option to add a subwoofer

You can pump up the low end by adding a subwoofer.
You can pump up the low end by adding a subwoofer.
Photo: Drop

And Drop added the option to add more bass, too, as well as multiple connectivity options.

“If a more low-end output is preferred, the Drop BMR1s can easily connect to a subwoofer for better bass and audio depth,” Drop added. “The speakers also offer Bluetooth compatibility for connectivity to mobile devices and computers, as well as include a headphone output and aux-in so they can be connected to virtually any source device.”

So you can connect a subwoofer (not included) and have wired connectivity or wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0.

“We consider our community members knowledgeable enthusiasts who are passionate about their gear and curate optimal combinations of performance and design-focused products for their setups,” said Drop CEO Jef Holove.

“With that in mind, we sought to design speakers worthy of our first entry into the category, and we drew inspiration from our mechanical keyboard community to incorporate the customization and personal expression elements in the speakers, which are so essential to enthusiasts,” he added.

Drop BMR1s specifications:

  • Frequency: 80Hz – 24kHz +/-6.0 dB
  • THD: less than 0.40% at 1 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 83.5 dB
  • Amplifier Class D
  • RMS P\power: 15W
  • Peak power: 30W
  • SNR: greater than 95 dB (typical A-weighted)
  • Dimensions: 66mm wide x 100mm deep x 293mm high

Main features:

Placing them horizontally to fit on your desk should not mess up sound quality, Drop said.
Placing them horizontally to fit on your desk should not mess up sound quality, Drop said.
Photo: Drop
  • Adjustable orientation (horizontal, vertical)
  • Single BMR drivers
  • Dual force canceling passive radiators
  • Wired connectivity with Bluetooth compatibility
  • Inputs – 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth 5.0
  • Outputs – 3.5mm headphones, 3.5mm sub
  • Isolation stands

Magnetic grills can change up the speakers’ look

Drop mentioned you can also buy customizable magnetic grills to change the speakers’ appearance to suit your desk setup.

You can preorder the Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors for $129 as of January 31. Shipments should arrive by late February or early March, Drop said.

Where to preorder: Drop

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