The Official B&W Speakers Thread

[Canada]

Gregory Lee named the new CEO of Bowers and Wilkins

[Canada]

Sound United plans to buy Bowers & Wilkins

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Canada

Sound United plans to buy Bowers & Wilkins

They had already bought Classe off of them back in 2018.

[red_5ive]

So I'm evaluating a set of 600 Series Anniversary models, and I'm about passed the break-in stage where they've really started to open up. However, the center channel (HTM6 S2) has a slight echo with movie dialog. Is that normal for B&W centers? I otherwise haven't noticed it in the main channels.

Edit: Side note, I have to say this "little" B&W center is giving my 50 lb. 3-way (4 driver and almost 3 times the size) hunker of a center a run for the money. Over the years I haven't been satisfied with any other center channel in my setup that I've tried... until now. In fact, when I was hooking up the B&W, I kept smirking at how the cute little thing was possibly even going to compare. I'm also still running them direct while they break-in, so no calibration yet other than setting the levels with an SPL. I almost don't want to run the calibration.

[Better in Blu]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

So I'm evaluating a set of 600 Series Anniversary models, and I'm about passed the break-in stage where they've really started to open up. However, the center channel (HTM6 S2) has a slight echo with movie dialog. Is that normal for B&W centers? I otherwise haven't noticed it in the main channels.

Edit: Side note, I have to say this "little" B&W center is giving my 50 lb. 3-way (4 driver and almost 3 times the size) hunker of a center a run for the money. Over the years I haven't been satisfied with any other center channel in my setup that I've tried... until now. In fact, when I was hooking up the B&W, I kept smirking at how the cute little thing was possibly even going to compare. I'm also still running them direct while they break-in, so no calibration yet other than setting the levels with an SPL. I almost don't want to run the calibration.

I've owned several B & W center channels over the years, and never experienced any echo. Not sure why this would be happening.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

I've owned several B & W center channels over the years, and never experienced any echo. Not sure why this would be happening.

Thanks, it's actually gone now. I was otherwise about ready to return 'em as voices also had annoying sibilance, but that's gone now too.

But question for you. I'm loving the 600 S2 Anniversaries so much that I'm contemplating trading up to the 700 S2 and HTM71, and I noticed in your sig that's what you have. By chance have you listened to the 600 Anniversaries, and if so, do you have any input on the differences? I'm wondering if the 700 are worth double the price. I realize it's a subjective question, but for what it's worth I thought I'd ask. I'm also debating if I should go with the HTM72 instead of the HTM71. I'd audition them myself, but I don't have any local shops that have 'em on display.

[Better in Blu]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Thanks, it's actually gone now. I was otherwise about ready to return 'em as voices also had annoying sibilance, but that's gone now too.

But question for you. I'm loving the 600 S2 Anniversaries so much that I'm contemplating trading up to the 700 S2 and HTM71, and I noticed in your sig that's what you have. By chance have you listened to the 600 Anniversaries, and if so, do you have any input on the differences? I'm wondering if the 700 are worth double the price. I realize it's a subjective question, but for what it's worth I thought I'd ask. I'm also debating if I should go with the HTM72 instead of the HTM71. I'd audition them myself, but I don't have any local shops that have 'em on display.

I have not listened to the 600 series. I went with the 700 S2 because I preferred a de-coupled tweeter. For the money, the upgrade in sound depends on your soundstage, power etc....If I had a choice to using the money saved on the 600 vs upgrading to a 3 way center, I would buy the HTM71. I watch a lot of movies, and the difference in a mid range is quite noticeable. I previously had the 72, and the clarity of the 71 is a worthwhile price to pay, at least for me. You may prefer to use the savings to upgrade another component in your system. Online reviews are one thing, but seeing or listening in person is the way to go. Can you not find a store within a reasonable distance to compare?

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

I have not listened to the 600 series. I went with the 700 S2 because I preferred a de-coupled tweeter. For the money, the upgrade in sound depends on your soundstage, power etc....If I had a choice to using the money saved on the 600 vs upgrading to a 3 way center, I would buy the HTM71. I watch a lot of movies, and the difference in a mid range is quite noticeable. I previously had the 72, and the clarity of the 71 is a worthwhile price to pay, at least for me. You may prefer to use the savings to upgrade another component in your system. Online reviews are one thing, but seeing or listening in person is the way to go. Can you not find a store within a reasonable distance to compare?

I forgot the 702 has the decoupled tweeter. I'm downsizing from towers to bookshelves, so I'm looking at the lower 700 models. My local shop had the 705 S2 with the decoupled tweeter but not the 706 S2, which is what I'm targeting. I did listen to the 705 S2, but I wasn't crazy about the sound from the decoupled tweeter. I felt like the design necessitates a larger cabinet and driver. I preferred the 606 S2, and after hearing how awesome they sounded in my setup (I swear they sound like towers), it got me wondering how much better the 706 S2 could be. I keep double-checking to make sure my sub isn't running.

I'm coming from a 3-way center. While I feel like the 600 center punches WAY above it's weight, where I do notice my old center is better is it's more open in the mid-range. So thanks for that input, that's actually what I was wondering about. I know it's subjective, but I just thought I'd ask anyway considering how impressed I already am with this 600 center. But if I can get more performance with the 3-way in the 71, then I'd rather go that route. And I'll throw in the 706 S2 to stay within the same speaker family.

The closest shop to me that has a HTM71 and 706 for demo is about 50 miles away. 10 years ago I would have driven that in a heartbeat as that's part of the fun. But these days I pick my battles with gas prices the way they are being that I drive a V8.

Anyway, I'm just going to place an order for the 706 and HTM71 from Buy More Best Buy and compare them at home, which is the best way to demo anyway. I'm gonna take full advantage of that TotalTrash TotalTech 60 day return policy being that I'm butt-hurt for being a long-time Rewards remember who feels like he was kicked to the curb.

[Better in Blu]

Sounds like it will be a wise decision on your part. I've had a pair of bookshelves from B&W and they were great. You will love the 71.

[red_5ive]

So I ended up with the 706 S2 and the HTM71. The 3-way center is definitely an improvement, but I admittedly was questioning if it was $1200 better than what I thought was already an excellent sounding center with the 600 Series Anniversary HTM6.

I also took another listen to the 705 S2 with the external tweeter, which I didn't like when I auditioned it a couple of weeks ago. Not sure what I was on the first time, but I loved them the 2nd time around. I'll likely be swapping for the 705s. I'll be adding the 700 series in-walls eventually for sourrond, and 2 pairs of overheads as well.

I never thought I'd end up going from towers to bookshelves, but I'm just way happy with these B&Ws. I also haven't returned the 600 Anniversaries yet and am debating on keeping them for the mancave.

[Better in Blu]

Are you placing the 705's on a shelf, or getting a stand? Either way, they will sound awesome. I'm looking for an amp to power my 702's, and will decide whether to stick with Emotiva or go another route.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

Are you placing the 705's on a shelf, or getting a stand? Either way, they will sound awesome. I'm looking for an amp to power my 702's, and will decide whether to stick with Emotiva or go another route.

I'm going to preface my answer by first saying I never thought I'd go from towers to bookshelves, and then never in a million years be the person that puts main channels on a shelf.

But, as a result of remodeling that's exactly what happened as I basically gave up floor space for towers, and guess what? I'm floored. I didn't even use the port plugs, and still I'm getting enough punch from these speakers (both the 606s and the 706s) that I so far haven't felt the need to run a sub with music. I'm way happy with the results!

BTW, I have the 706 S2 at the moment, but I'll be exchanging for the 705 S2.

I also never thought I'd ever get white gear by choice. But I love this color! It goes perfect with the new decor.

[Show spoiler]

Fresh out of the box before install.

[Better in Blu]

As I mentioned, I previously owned a pair of their bookshelves, and was so impressed by the sound. Glad it's worked out for you. Towers are nice to have, but B&W delivers great sound from their full line. The 7.5 CWM would be great for your in wall speakers.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

As I mentioned, I previously owned a pair of their bookshelves, and was so impressed by the sound. Glad it's worked out for you. Towers are nice to have, but B&W delivers great sound from their full line. The 7.5 CWM would be great for your in wall speakers.

That's the truth. I'm very impressed even with the entry-level 600 Anniversary line. What's interesting is I had read that the 600 Anniversary were "a mess" of a speaker. That audio science place also showed some wacky measurements from the 600, which I have a suspicion is dictating how people feel about them because they otherwise sound great to me. Not overly harsh and smooth like butter in the mids, which is what attracts me to B&W. The 700s of course go to the next level. I had to stop with the 700s though and didn't bother wandering into 800 series land as I wasn't even expecting to be spending close to $8k on a full complement of speakers 3 weeks ago lol. Which by the way, I'll be going with the CWM75S2 for the matching drivers, and also because the cut-out dimensions are a close match to my existing in-walls so I expect to have minimal trimming/patching to do.

[Better in Blu]

Awesome. Great choice for the in walls. I may add a couple more of the 7.5 CCM's down the road. Have a great 4th weekend.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

Awesome. Great choice for the in walls. I may add a couple more of the 7.5 CCM's down the road. Have a great 4th weekend.

Right on! It's gonna be a movie fest for me the next few days leading up to the 4th. I'll be grinning with the B&Ws doing their duty.

Thanks again for your input and helping me decide on the HTM71! Have a great 4th as well!

[Better in Blu]

You're welcome. It will be a movie fest for me the next few days as well.

[red_5ive]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the 705 S2. Supposedly there's another B&W price increase coming in the next few days so that got me to bite. I'll see how the external tweeter (or whatever the design is called) compares to the 706 S2, and if the bass driver performs better all by itself in the main cabinet.

Part of me hopes I don't hear a difference, or find that it isn't worth the price difference over the 706 S2. I love - and hate - this hobby.

[Better in Blu]

Yeah, hear ya. Last time I looked at the 702's on the website, noticed the price for the pair is up a grand. Enjoy the 705's.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

Yeah, hear ya. Last time I looked at the 702's on the website, noticed the price for the pair is up a grand. Enjoy the 705's.

Ouch. I've never been a B&W owner so these price increases are news to me.

In passing while reading up on the 705s, I saw that the original price was around $2500/pair. Now it's up to $3300, which is what I paid. It's painful just knowing that, especially since I've been considering keeping the 600 Anniversaries in my 2nd setup as I haven't sent them back yet. It'd be easier to make that choice if I had paid the original price.