Holographic Imaging M1

About the Holographic Imaging M1

The Acoustic Research Holographic Imaging M1 is a compact two-way acoustic suspension speaker featuring a 6-inch cone woofer and a 3/4-inch soft-dome tweeter. Its distinctive cabinet design includes a slanted front and back, with the tweeter axis tilted at 14 degrees and the woofer at 24 degrees, creating a holographic imaging effect. The speaker delivers a well-balanced frequency response from approximately 50 Hz to 20 kHz, with a slight notch around 400 Hz due to wall coupling. It is noted for an open and unboxy midrange that conveys vocal expressiveness with minimal coloration, and a spacious, coherent stereo image. The bass is well-timed but somewhat over-damped and lacks deep dynamics. Sensitivity is somewhat below average, and impedance dips below 8 ohms in parts of the range. The M1 can produce loud peak levels exceeding 115 dB SPL above 150 Hz and has a frequency response down to about 65 Hz. It was part of Acoustic Research's Holographic Imaging Series introduced around 1991 and remains a rare and respected model among audiophiles.