The Official B&W Speakers Thread

[Travis]

I love my B&Ws!
4x DM600 Series 3, ASW600, LCR60
The 600s are small and mighty! Very musical (for music ) been happy with them for almost 9 years. I think it was a wise investment for a surround system.

Been looking at 700, CM and even 800 series. Also been reading reviews. Some reviewers claim (can't quote link, forgot) CMs are jut 600s packaged differently and priced higher, and that 700s are also not worth it.

Is this true, are the new 600s the only ones worth buying?
And the 800s too, of course.

[Hammie]

Never knew this thread existed. I'll be getting some 804's in May. Can't wait. I'll be upgrading from Polk RTi4 bookshelves.

BTW, what is everybody using to drive their B&W's?

I'm still not sure what I want to get. Emotiva is the most cost-effective but its a Class A/B. Rotel (RMB-1575) seems to be nice especially with their new Series 15 line. Others are McIntosh (MC-205) and Classe (CA-5200), but I'm not sure if I want to spend $7-10K on just an amp.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Travis

I love my B&Ws!
4x DM600 Series 3, ASW600, LCR60
The 600s are small and mighty! Very musical (for music ) been happy with them for almost 9 years. I think it was a wise investment for a surround system.

Been looking at 700, CM and even 800 series. Also been reading reviews. Some reviewers claim (can't quote link, forgot) CMs are jut 600s packaged differently and priced higher, and that 700s are also not worth it.

Is this true, are the new 600s the only ones worth buying?
And the 800s too, of course.

I've actually heard rumors that they might discontinue the 700 line because of the success of the 600 series. Forget who I heard that from - that was either here on the forums, or from my audio consultant. I forget.

Lou, I just use a receiver, but I'm looking into separate amplification in the near future. Parasound, Anthem, Outlaw, Sunfire are all on my short-list. Emotiva is there, too - surprisingly, Rotel is not. I think I can't afford Classe, either,

[Travis]

After reading some reviews on the 700 series and the material on their website, they seem to be marketed as one of their higher-end speakers, better than the 600 and CM series.

Surprised when I got some prices here in Taiwan and the 700 speakers are cheaper than the CMs. Not surprised to hear from JJxiv1215 that they may be dicontinued.

I do love the way the 704s and htm7 look. Tweeter placement is cool, looks expensive like 800s. Are they worth it? A bit pricier than 600 series?

I have old 600 series, and want to upgrade. Maybe just something new from the new 600 series, like 684s.My old ones are the smallest bookshelfs DM600. Are the CMs suficiently better than the new 600s to justify the price increase?

I love B&W, but it breaks my heart to think about them as a marketing machine like Bose. I'm sure they 700s are great, and I know Bose puts out some good full-size speakers as well. But...

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Travis

After reading some reviews on the 700 series and the material on their website, they seem to be marketed as one of their higher-end speakers, better than the 600 and CM series.

Surprised when I got some prices here in Taiwan and the 700 speakers are cheaper than the CMs. Not surprised to hear from JJxiv1215 that they may be dicontinued.

I do love the way the 704s and htm7 look. Tweeter placement is cool, looks expensive like 800s. Are they worth it? A bit pricier than 600 series?

I have old 600 series, and want to upgrade. Maybe just something new from the new 600 series, like 684s.My old ones are the smallest bookshelfs DM600. Are the CMs suficiently better than the new 600s to justify the price increase?

I love B&W, but it breaks my heart to think about them as a marketing machine like Bose. I'm sure they 700s are great, and I know Bose puts out some good full-size speakers as well. But...

Well..... I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "Bose Marketing" but I'd say the price increase from the 600's to the 700's, although quite steep, is certainly worth it...... The isolated tweeter provides much more detail/separation.... Although maybe I'd have to compare the 685's to the 705's for a better side-by-side comparison... I can tell you that I noticed a HUGE improvement in detail at the higher levels from the 705's to the 686's....

I set up the 686's for about 2 weeks (maybe less) while I was waiting for the 705's to arrive.... and the difference was tremendous.

And that would probably be the extent of what you could possibly refer to as "Marketing" because the rest isn't an attempt to make them look like the 800's, it's just the fact that it's just a really solid build-quality.... I went with Rosenut... and the real-wood veneers are just fantastic....

My 705's secure to their stands, which is great also. I also had the 703's for quite some time, and those weren't enough of an improvement over the 705's, so I couldn't justify using the 705's for surrounds, when they were more than capable of holding their own as mains..... So the 705's went back to the shop for credit towards their DS7's.... which are good, but I can't use them now.... but that's besides the point.

The 600's are GREAT SPEAKERS..... and I think they hold their own with anything in that price range I've heard..... it's a solid built, no-frills, conventional speaker design.... and they look great too. I will take a 705 over a 683/684 though..... I think the tweeter isolation is a key design detail, and that's why you see many other manufacturers that also employ this design. And the lower levels on the 705's are fine too.... despite being a "Bookshelf" speaker, these things are quite large, so plenty of cabinet space for better extension.

I guess I would never think of the 700's as a "Marketing" based line of their speakers, to capitalize on the success of the 800's....

The 700's just happen to borrow some of the design attributes that make the 800's great..... and it makes the 700's great for that reason.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I'd say the price increase from the 600's to the 700's, although quite steep, is certainly worth it...... The isolated tweeter provides much more detail/separation....

Thanks for the feedback. I just wanted confirmation that B&W isn't turning into a marketing monster. After reading your reply, I have apologized to my speakers,

I just have to decide if the 704s are worth it, for me. Or if the 684s are for me. I really want the 704s but don't want to buy it just because it looks better. Ithas to be better.

Also the 700s have better cabinents, right? Real wood veneer?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Travis

Also the 700s have better cabinents, right? Real wood veneer?

yes.... but that just goes back to "looks" If I had a decent picture I'd post it.... but I'm sure you've seen them in person anyways.... But in any case I'd audition them and decide for yourself of course, rather than base it on looks........

The older series you have is actually quite sought after....... so when auditioning, just make sure you're not comparing the 600's to the 700's....... you should be comparing them both to what you currently have.... maybe upgrading isn't necessary (or worth the expense)

[Travis]

Has anyone heard the old 603s and the new 684s? They are similar in style and size and price. Any noticable difference? Read about crossover improvement.

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by Travis

After reading some reviews on the 700 series and the material on their website, they seem to be marketed as one of their higher-end speakers, better than the 600 and CM series.

Surprised when I got some prices here in Taiwan and the 700 speakers are cheaper than the CMs. Not surprised to hear from JJxiv1215 that they may be dicontinued.

I do love the way the 704s and htm7 look. Tweeter placement is cool, looks expensive like 800s. Are they worth it? A bit pricier than 600 series?

I have old 600 series, and want to upgrade. Maybe just something new from the new 600 series, like 684s.My old ones are the smallest bookshelfs DM600. Are the CMs suficiently better than the new 600s to justify the price increase?

I love B&W, but it breaks my heart to think about them as a marketing machine like Bose. I'm sure they 700s are great, and I know Bose puts out some good full-size speakers as well. But...

If you can get the 700 series for a cheaper price than the CM series, then I would gravitate in that direction.

I've heard all the current speakers in the B&W line up, have owned 805s in a 2 channel rig and have a CM series based HT, this is my take.

600 Series - Terrific bang for the buck! Terrific speakers for the most part. The only caveat is that it's a little bass heavy. It never got to be muddy or anything, but it lacks refinement. Again, very good speakers. It also uses a vinyl veneer instead of real wood.

CM Series - To me, this is the sweet spot in the B&W line up, but it does not mean it is perfect. The CM7 and CM1 really excel in the highs and mids. The depth and clarity are incredible. However, while I don't think it's bad, it certainly will leave a lot to be desired for those who want earth shaking bass. Look elsewhere, you won't find it here. I have a sub, so this is not an issue for me. The CM9 picks up where the CM7 left off, I auditioned it and did not feel the extra $1K was worth it since I have a sub. For 2 channel listening however, I would pick the CM9 over the CM7. For HT, then the answer is no.

700 Series - Great speakers all around. They are more expensive than the CM series here in the US. If I was going to buy the 700 series stateside, i'd just save up and spring for the 800 series. However, if you can get 700 series for a cheaper price than the CM, then do it. The 700 series are a more robust speaker than the CM. Deeper cabinets, and just overall better. More of everything. Much more finesse and refinement than the 600 series, but it also packs more of a wallop than the CM.

[btf1980]

Just got off the phone with my dealer. My CMC2 center channel will be arriving later this week.

These things have been selling like hotcakes apparently. When I last spoke to him not long ago, they had the Wenge color in stock, I passed since I wanted Rosenut. All the Wenge colored ones are sold out.

[prerich]

Check this link out!!!! I would scramble to do this one but unfortunately I don't live in Cali (or any othe west coast state - these are in Washington) and the shipping would be very expensive!!!! However three of these up front is just nice!!! http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1243297195&/B-W-801's-Series-80 Add some golden flutes to these and wow!!!

[ShockWave]

I am late as usual but count me in. I am a die hard B&W fan! It would be very hard to sell me to a different brand.

[btf1980]

Been a few days with the new CMC2 center channel. Gosh, i'm grinning ear to ear with this bad boy. It's deceptively heavy. About 40lbs, and a lot bigger than the CMC. Gorgeous sound, and gorgeous looks. For the asking msrp, I feel like I stole it.

[Intamin]

That's great looking center speaker btf! I will say, B&W does know how to put a good finish on their speakers.

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by Intamin

That's great looking center speaker btf! I will say, B&W does know how to put a good finish on their speakers.

Yup, B&W never leaves much to be desired in terms of aesthetics IMO.

[Travis]

BTF1980

Nice speaker. More (drivers) isn't always better, but it looks like it could kick the snot out of the HTM7. Like the tweeter placement.

Hope the wife let's my buy the HTM7 and a pair of 704s. Thanks for your input on the differences in the serieses

[JJ]

Ah, what a great thread this is,

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Travis

Has anyone heard the old 603s and the new 684s? They are similar in style and size and price. Any noticable difference? Read about crossover improvement.

I hear the 603 S2 all the time at my dads house, I have heard the 684's at Ken Cranes in California and didn't think that there was a big between them. I was wanting 684's until my wife said no, find something nice for cheaper, that is why I went with Energys.... I know that my dads are powerful in your face speakers, I never turned up the ones at the store as loud as I do with my dads, but the music I tested was all nice sounding and about the same. I was never like oh, those sound warmer or deeper, I was like ok, sounds like what I am used to hearing...

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Ah, what a great thread this is,

Ah yes it is. Just hooked up my Integra 9.9 to my 600 series and WOW what a difference I was using a Rotel AVR 75 watts per channel. Now with the Integra 145 watts per channel what a difference!

[plenipote]

I am not a B&W owner (yet), but I have been looking into these speakers. Do any of you mind me asking how much you spent on your B&W speakers? I am looking for some towers, maybe the 703s or the CM7 (maybe even the CM9), so if anyone cares to give me an idea of the damage this will do to my wallet, please let me know. Thanks in advance.