B&w 685

[gus6464]

Today my friend and I went to check out a store that carried Sonus Faber but they were closed so we decided to check out the new B&W 600 series since we drove by the store that carried them. We listened to the 685 as he was looking for some bookshelves.

Well long story short he ended up buying a pair. He was actually interested in the Paradigm Studio 20's but the store that carries them only had the Studio 40's so we gave those a listen. From our listening the B&W's gave the Studios a run for their money. Very big soundstage and dynamics for such a small speaker. They were a bit on the bright side but very detailed mids and highs with some very decent bass. He doesn't care about the bass as he has an SVS PB12-Plus/2. But all in all very good value for $600/pair.

P.S. Ohh yeah and the Paradigm Studio CC-690 is the most massive thing I have ever seen. For a center channel.

 

[mazersteven]

Very big soundstage and dynamics for such a small speaker.

When you say "very big sound stage, and dynamics". What do you mean?

 

[gus6464]

When you say "very big sound stage, and dynamics". What do you mean?

They filled the room with sound with ease. As in they sounded as if they were a lot larger speaker.

 

[Seth=L]

My Infinity IL10s produce a similar effect, sound larger than they are, which works great. They sound very open (wide effect), deep soundstage, some sounds and instruments sound closer than others or off local from the speakers themselves, and of coarse, center staging, the voices appear to come from in between the speakers and a little in front of them. This is all based on the assumption you are in the sweet spot (NO, not the toilet).

So, yeah, fun stuff.

 

[emorphien]

When you say "very big sound stage, and dynamics". What do you mean?

I wasn't confused by the "fuzzy" terminology.

I hope he likes them in the long run, I've never much been a fan of spontaneous speaker purchases.

My Infinity IL10s produce a similar effect, sound larger than they are, which works great. They sound very open (wide effect), deep soundstage, some sounds and instruments sound closer than others or off local from the speakers themselves, and of coarse, center staging, the voices appear to come from in between the speakers and a little in front of them. This is all based on the assumption you are in the sweet spot (NO, not the toilet).

So, yeah, fun stuff.

I think that's a good idea, putting a toilet in the sweet spot

 

[gus6464]

Ohh well I forget that not many people like B&W in these forums. Then again if these were some av123 speakers it would be a different story.

 

[mazersteven]

Ohh well I forget that not many people like B&W in these forums. Then again if these were some av123 speakers it would be a different story.

Who doesn't like B&W's?

 

[emorphien]

Who doesn't like B&W's?

I'm not a huge fan, but I'm also not an AV123 mouthpiece either.

 

[Seth=L]

I liked the 603s, I haven't heard much from B&W. I want to listen to more.

 

[ChrisJam]

Who doesn't like B&W's?

I absolutely HATE the 705s. I know some Audioholics members love them. Then again, I know other members who hate them as much as I do.

Chris

 

[Seth=L]

I absolutely HATE the 705s. I know some Audioholics members love them. Then again, I know other members who hate them as much as I do.

Chris

Hate is such a strong word, what about them do you hate so much? They can't be any worse than cheap speakers from any point of view, can they?

 

[ChrisJam]

Hate is such a strong word, what about them do you hate so much? They can't be any worse than cheap speakers from any point of view, can they?

Seth, I agree that "hate" is a strong word; that's why I used it. I wouldn't have a pair of B&W 705s if someone gave them to me. If you'd like details, please see this thread (and follow some of the links for other opinions):
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27344

I know some Audioholics members have and love B&W 705 speakers. No problem. Vive la difference!

Chris

 

[Seth=L]

Seth, I agree that "hate" is a strong word; that's why I used it. I wouldn't have a pair of B&W 705s if someone gave them to me. If you'd like details, please see this thread (and follow some of the links for other opinions):
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27344

I know some Audioholics members have and love B&W 705 speakers. No problem. Vive la difference!

Chris

I need to give them I listen, I think I may do that tomorrow.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No we hate BMWs not B&Ws...

Ohh well I forget that not many people like B&W in these forums. Then again if these were some av123 speakers it would be a different story.

 

[frankf]

B&w

I just bought a pair of the B&W series 800...804 speakers. I went with the HTM 3S center and the DS7 surrounds and a DS7 for the rear center. For the sub I went with the B&W PV1.

I prefered the B&W's over the Paradigm S6's. I had listen to Dynaudio Contour 3.4 speakers which price wise were out of my league or as some people might say over-priced. The sales person would not drop a $.
Genelec speakers were awesome but again out of my league.
Both of these speakers systems' went for $15,000 to $16,000.
I had been saving some money for a year and a half plus my enduring wife contributed.
The B&W series 800...804's reminded me of the dynaudio's...imaging, clarity and overall performance.
The PV1 sub was powerful and tight sounding very dynamic.

My choice and Home Theater... B&W's RULE.
The speaker is currently being used at Abbey Road Studio and has been for some time.
How misguided can those engineers at AR be for using B&W's?