Bowers & Wilkins. Great. Just great.

[JJ]

So I go into my local high-end audio store, and I'm browsing around, to see their prices on my speaker possibilities (Polk, Klipsch, etc.) - and I start speaking to one of the floor salespersons. And he starts talking about my other possibilities - and brings up B&W, which I long thought had been out of my price range. He says that they are not. Shows me prices and specs of the 683s and 684s and they fit a bit over my fiscal considerations. Says they'll blow my other choices out of the water. From what I've read on the forums, I can't go wrong with B&W - likely thinking I'll get a pair of 684s, 686s for surrounds and a the HTM62 center. I don't think I've ever heard negative comments regarding B&Ws - the prospect of having this line in my household is a bit exciting.

But damn him for adding more choices to my selections! But B&W seems to be the way to go...

[MacDaddyOJack]

If I were to upgrade again (can't right now after a tv and SVS subwoofer!) I would be getting speakers from either Monitor Audio or B&W. If you can swing it financially, then this is a no-brainer! Did you listen to them in the store?

[Woody]

Yes, I would listen to them first if they have them on demo. If you have the ability, and you are in that price range, Paradigm has nice offerings around there too.

[JJ]

I listened to them. I think my lower jaw is still on that couch in-store. Paradigm was a bit out of my price-range, I actually went in there first to check out their Paradigm offerings. But that 600 class... That's my draft pick for speakers, it looks like - a bit more saving up to do then!

[Beta Man]

I've got a pair of 686's that I used to use for surrounds..... and they're currently pulling "2-channel" duty in another room because they sound so nice..... for a bookshelf speaker they're very nice.

I like how B&Ws sound.... In addition to the 686's I have a pair of 703s, 705s, HTM7 center, and DS6 surrounds.. I also got 5 of the M-1's for the bedroom system.


I would recommend sticking to Velodyne, or Martin Logan, or Def Tech for subs..... B&W subs are pretty pricey for what they deliver (for HT use)

If you're around Ohio, I'll give you a deal on a pair of 686's with about 20 hours of use on them

[JJ]

Beta, thanks to your words back when I was sub hunting, I've already pulled the plug on the Martin Logan Dynamo. Receiver and sub already bought - just have to pick up the 5.0.

And alas, I am not in your area. But I wouldve jumped on your deal, lol. The salesman started to show me the 700 and 800s - I told him to calm down for a bit, lol, I still have to pay for Grad school,

[Woody]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Beta, thanks to your words back when I was sub hunting, I've already pulled the plug on the Martin Logan Dynamo. Receiver and sub already bought - just have to pick up the 5.0.

And alas, I am not in your area. But I wouldve jumped on your deal, lol. The salesman started to show me the 700 and 800s - I told him to calm down for a bit, lol, I still have to pay for Grad school,

"If you like those, come on in here and take a look at these!!"

That is hi-fi sales guys speak for open your wallet!!!

Run away, run away quickly.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

So I go into my local high-end audio store, and I'm browsing around, to see their prices on my speaker possibilities (Polk, Klipsch, etc.) - and I start speaking to one of the floor salespersons. And he starts talking about my other possibilities - and brings up B&W, which I long thought had been out of my price range. He says that they are not. Shows me prices and specs of the 683s and 684s and they fit a bit over my fiscal considerations. Says they'll blow my other choices out of the water. From what I've read on the forums, I can't go wrong with B&W - likely thinking I'll get a pair of 684s, 686s for surrounds and a the HTM62 center. I don't think I've ever heard negative comments regarding B&Ws - the prospect of having this line in my household is a bit exciting.

But damn him for adding more choices to my selections! But B&W seems to be the way to go...

Beautiful speakers with extended high frequency response - definately a no-brainer compaired to Polk and Klipsch.

[wem003]

Just another opinion, I felt the same - went to my dealer and he showed me Era Design 4 and Era Design 5's.

I felt when properly amp'd they blew the equivalently B&W's out of the water. Give them a listen if you can. Very competitively priced.


http://www.signalpathint.com/index.p...-Speakers.html

[Scooby Blu]

I live in a small apartment so I had to tone it down a bit I have the 686's for my L/R and the HTM62 for my center. As you said jaw dropping sound ! When I move I will upgrade to the 683's and the HTM61. Great tonal quality and just pure fun for blu's and music! I still like to listen to some good old Rock and Roll or Metal ! Have fun with your new speakers. They are worth every penny. They sound really good after a couble of liquid blu drinks from my post yesterday !

[Beta Man]

I am waiting for my new John Coltrane "One up, One Down" to come in the mail...... I usually listen to old worn-out Grateful Dead, and other newer jam-bands.... but I've collected a LARGE catalog of Blues/Jazz CD's and SACD's mainly due to my new appreciation (always liked Jazz and Blues before, but with the new speakers, it all sounds just SO GOOD) for the genre....

I've upped my classical collection to.

Someone put it this way ... "my new audio equipment rejuvenated my love for music in a time when it was waning" Not sure that applies to me.... but it's certanly increased my listening time.... that's for sure. I don't watch T.V. much at all... it's either Blu-Ray, or Music.

When I move I will upgrade to the 683's and the HTM61.

I think the HTM62 will match well with the 683's, so why not use it, and just move the 686's to the rear??? I wouldn't rush to upgrade the center.... it's not a "must upgrade" immediately.......


Yeah... I was drooling over the 800's and the voice of reason (the wife) talked me off the ledge.... I don't really have any regrets, but we both know an upgrade in the future isn't out of the question

[musicman1999]

Sorry but i just don't get peoples fascination with these speakers, i have done a lot of listening to the 600, 700 and 800 series connected to some very nice gear. I found some 800's to to be OK but they were $5,000 a pair and for that they can be beaten. The 600 and 700 i found to have alright bass but screechy highs and no midrange. I know people like them and to each his own but what do people compare them to?

bill

[Scooby Blu]

I think the HTM62 will match well with the 683's, so why not use it, and just move the 686's to the rear??? I wouldn't rush to upgrade the center.... it's not a "must upgrade" immediately.......


Yeah... I was drooling over the 800's and the voice of reason (the wife) talked me off the ledge.... I don't really have any regrets, but we both know an upgrade in the future isn't out of the question [/QUOTE]

Good suggestion Beta ! What is this you speak of "not a must upgrade" I have never heard of such a word ? Ha ha ! Thanks !

[tegal3]

Originally Posted by musicman1999

Sorry but i just don't get peoples fascination with these speakers, i have done a lot of listening to the 600, 700 and 800 series connected to some very nice gear. I found some 800's to to be OK but they were $5,000 a pair and for that they can be beaten. The 600 and 700 i found to have alright bass but screechy highs and no midrange. I know people like them and to each his own but what do people compare them to?

bill

+1 , I have listened to many speakers & for some reason I never really like B&W that much (this is just my opinion, i am NOT an audiophile). For me (again, this is my opinion) there are many other speakers that sound better than B&W like magnepan MG 1.6, MG 3.6, Legacy Audio Focus or Whisper, Dynaudio, etc.

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by musicman1999

Sorry but i just don't get peoples fascination with these speakers, i have done a lot of listening to the 600, 700 and 800 series connected to some very nice gear. I found some 800's to to be OK but they were $5,000 a pair and for that they can be beaten. The 600 and 700 i found to have alright bass but screechy highs and no midrange. I know people like them and to each his own but what do people compare them to?

bill

What comes to mind when I listen to B&W is 'restrained'. I can understand why Skywalker sounds uses 802Ds for monitoring/mixing, they are great revealing speakers. Personally (if I had that kind of spare cash) I would chose something else for my listening pleasure.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Proud owner of the M-1 satellites here. Considering the relatively small size of the speakers themselves, they offer eargasmic quality! The only problem is that I mounted them a little bit too high. But, I'm trying to remedy that by creating an elevated platform for the couch, thus allowing for a second row of seating without having people's heads in the way.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by tegal3

+1 , I have listened to many speakers & for some reason I never really like B&W that much (this is just my opinion, i am NOT an audiophile). For me (again, this is my opinion) there are many other speakers that sound better than B&W like magnepan MG 1.6, MG 3.6, Legacy Audio Focus or Whisper, Dynaudio, etc.

I happen to agree with you re: B&W's, but this only serves to demonstrate that speakers can be a very personal choice. There's a fun thread running right now over on AVS about what constitutes a "neutral" speaker and do/should folks actively seek speakers which exhibit those neutral characteristics. Needless to say, opinions vary widely.

Hopefully, folks will take the time to listen to and compare a number of speakers in their price range, so that they may find the very best-sounding speaker for them. Speaker choice and room treatment have the greatest impact on audio quality - everything else is secondary.

[tegal3]

Hopefully, folks will take the time to listen to and compare a number of speakers in their price range, so that they may find the very best-sounding speaker for them. Speaker choice and room treatment have the greatest impact on audio quality - everything else is secondary.[/QUOTE]

Good advice

[Beta Man]

very good advice..... I always opt for an in-home trial...... I'm going to see how my speakers perform in their "new home" soon..... should be fun!

[Blu_Audio]

I believe there are some excellent comments here in this thread, although some points have already been mentioned, here are my 2 cents…

- Always listen to as many brands as you can despite the variables (this creates the fun and sometimes stress of the hobby). When you finally decide, the more speakers that you have listened to will make you appreciate your decision even more.

- I try and take the same music for auditions with me everywhere, pick parts of songs that move you, depending on time try and focus on certain parts that please you and parts that you think will expose weakness (to you alone) in the speakers.

- Try to see if you can set the amp to direct sound and avoid any salesy hype, to level the field a little.

- If possible I like to see if the processing unit can report what is playing, again, to level the field a little.

- Keep in mind what you what to use the speakers for...two channel listening, home theatre, gaming, concerts or all of the above and demo that too if possible

- As mentioned try for an in home trial…this may or may not be a good idea, just make sure you have enough power to drive the demo units…I thought I did, and I did, but I still wanted more and now I am happy, so I lucked out. (Long story). Just be careful, if you make the effort to pull a brand into your home make it worth while with a proper audition.

- I try and find someone who is doing something similar to what I am and ask for advice, this is not always possible but it does not hurt to try.

- Do not get sold out of your price range unless the value (dollars vs. other products from the same manufacture for example). There is plenty to spend on once you decide on your speakers. ;-)

Lastly, don’t listen to anyone here, including me, on what is good and what is not, that is for you to decide; you made your money, you should spend it!

For the record…I have B&Ws (703, HTM7 & DS7 in 5.1 driven by a McIntosh MC207 and processed (balanced) by a Denon AVP-A1HDCI) and they are not for everyone, they are not neutral, they were not designed to be. Some like that fact that certain studios, Abby Road, Sony in NY, blah, blah, blah use B&W, so what, unless you are using the same B&W 800 Series, Classe preamp/amp and $8,000.00 Abby Road cables in the same sound rooms that is not going to mean a raw of beans. In the end, like I said they are not for everyone but they were for me and make me happy.

You should go and buy what makes you happy, hope this helps,

Best of luck,

Blu