B&W 600 series

[ajmueller]

Hello everyone. I'm a new member here and have started doing research into my home theater project, which I will not be starting for probably a year. It's going to have a budget of about $2000-$3000.

In the speaker category, B&W seems to be a high-quality speaker that many people like. Unfortunately, I feel like they will be out of my price range. Also unfortunately, I don't have access to any retailers to find out how much a B&W system costs. I went onto their website and the 600 series seems to be a nice balance of cost/performance (or so B&W says), not to mention I like their look. So for those who own a set of the 600's, what do you think of them? And, if you're willing to share, how much did they run you?

[CasualKiller]

All I'm going to say is that B&W 600's are not for a blind buy.

It's one of those speakers you should really listen to first to make sure they are for you.

[ajmueller]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

All I'm going to say is that B&W 600's are not for a blind buy.

It's one of those speakers you should really listen to first to make sure they are for you.

Really? I will most definitely be visiting some home audio/video stores before I buy, but why these in particular?

BTW wouldn't this be a deaf buy?

[CasualKiller]

Varying opinions, some people love them, some find them very bright and shrill in the high end.

And... wukka wukka

[ajmueller]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Varying opinions, some people love them, some find them very bright and shrill in the high end.

And... wukka wukka

Thanks for the advice.

On a side note, how do you like the Onkyo 805? I've been looking at Onkyo receivers, made a thread about that in the receiver forum, but the 606 and 706.

[JJ]

Personally, during my trial and testing period before I made any purchase, the speakers I listened to were the Polk RTiA line, Klipsch reference, Paradigm Monitor line, DefTech towers, and the B&W 684s and 683s.

Seeing as how sound is highly subjective, I, unlike Cazzy up there, did not them bright and shrill in the high end - the Polks had a warmer, balanced sound - Klipsch I didn't like at all (dang horns) - Paradigm I feel was missing a bit of low end - and DefTech - ok, that one's a bit hard to explain.

I've had mine now for almost 4 months and I couldn't be more satisfied across the board - in 2 channel, in movies, in whatever. Very pleased. They ran me $1800 for the two 683s and a HTM62, but prices fluctuate, all depending on your dealer - and your negotiation skills.

[ajmueller]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Personally, during my trial and testing period before I made any purchase, the speakers I listened to were the Polk RTiA line, Klipsch reference, Paradigm Monitor line, DefTech towers, and the B&W 684s and 683s.

Seeing as how sound is highly subjective, I, unlike Cazzy up there, did not them bright and shrill in the high end - the Polks had a warmer, balanced sound - Klipsch I didn't like at all (dang horns) - Paradigm I feel was missing a bit of low end - and DefTech - ok, that one's a bit hard to explain.

I've had mine now for almost 4 months and I couldn't be more satisfied across the board - in 2 channel, in movies, in whatever. Very pleased. They ran me $1800 for the two 683s and a HTM62, but prices fluctuate, all depending on your dealer - and your negotiation skills.

So you don't have 600 series surrounds, JJ? Any reason why you went with the Polk instead of more B&W? Also noticed the Martin Logan sub. Again, reasons for not going B&W? I just looked through your gallery, those are some gorgeous speakers.

I'm one of those people who likes sets of things, so I'll most likely end up getting matching sub/fronts/surrounds. I'm crazy that way

[JJ]

Originally Posted by ajmueller

So you don't have 600 series surrounds, JJ? Any reason why you went with the Polk instead of more B&W? Also noticed the Martin Logan sub. Again, reasons for not going B&W? I just looked through your gallery, those are some gorgeous speakers.

I'm one of those people who likes sets of things, so I'll most likely end up getting matching sub/fronts/surrounds. I'm crazy that way

AJ - I'll be honest with you as to why I chose Polk Monitor 50 towers as surrounds - one, mounting on the wall is an issue due to the funny configuration of my room, and since I rent the place, can't do in wall - two, for $150 each, I couldn't pass them up over 686s or 685s or even the dipole B&Ws. And since they are surrounds, I feel as if they didn't have to match my fronts, most important is to match front three. As for my subwoofer - I feel that for the price, there are better subs out there than those from B&W - the Martin Logan being one of them.

[CasualKiller]

Originally Posted by ajmueller

Thanks for the advice.

On a side note, how do you like the Onkyo 805? I've been looking at Onkyo receivers, made a thread about that in the receiver forum, but the 606 and 706.

Best bang for the buck, if I had to go out and buy a receiver today with the 806 etc being out there I'd buy the 805 again.

[callas01]

Yeah, my dad has the 683's and an HTM61 and I have never heard them sound shrill or bright, I thought paired with my dads Sony 5200es it sounds very neutral and powerful. I love those speakers.

Personally I want the 684's and HTM62 with the 685's, as far as subs, many will say that the B&W subs are good, but there are better for the price (or less even).... as JJ stated.

[coolmilo]

I agree with those who recommend visiting a B&W dealer and listening to them. They also have a couple of new speaker lines for home theater. They are not much to look at but they sound great and are very affordable.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=3579