B&W 704 vs. SVS MTS-01

[Stripes]

Having to choose between the two, what would you go with?
Considering 50/50 HT/Music and a Yamaha 663 receiver...

 

[captiankirk28]

As you can see by my sig, i would choose the SVS th are great speakers!

 

[mike c]

As you can see by my sig, i would choose the SVS th are great speakers!

you should post pics of your setup in the members gallery! i'd like to see your MTS setup.
how come you are using an NSD/2? that IMO is outclassed by your MTS speakers ... you need at least the ultra 13!

also, if you didn't intend for your username to be captian, you should pm the admin or clint de boer to have your typoed name fixed

 

[codexp3]

B&W is a larger company with more research behind their speakers. They also manufacture their own drivers. Many members on this board feel research is worthless (see previous poster). I've said it before, and now I'm saying it again...most manufactures are simply cabinet makers. That doesn't have to translate into diminished sound quality, but I like established compaines with a decade or so of proven lines. I also want my drivers made in North America or Europe not Korea. I say you audition the Paradigam Studio 100s and Dynaudio Focus line. I'd give it 99% you'll love something from one of the three. The Revel F32s offer something a little different as well.

 

[captiankirk28]

you should post pics of your setup in the members gallery! i'd like to see your MTS setup.
how come you are using an NSD/2? that IMO is outclassed by your MTS speakers ... you need at least the ultra 13!

also, if you didn't intend for your username to be captian, you should pm the admin or clint de boer to have your typoed named fixed

No, it is not out classed it is a great duel 12in sub, The guys at SVS told me what one they recomended for my room size so i just bought what they told me to.

We are going out for Easter dinner but when we get home i will take some pics and post them today.

 

[fredk]

Oooh, thats a simple question. The one that sounds better to me for the price.

I havn't looked into SVS, so I don't know the shipping costs involved, but to me, it would be worth it to be able to compare them before you make your final decision.

Does SVS have any sort of auditioning program?

Fred

 

[furrycute]

White van speakers come and go every now and then, while B&W has been around practically forever. While you can argue the pros and cons of B&W speakers, but regardless of what your view is on the merits of B&W speakers, everyone agrees that B&W makes great speakers.

It's just like playing stocks, would you invest in GE or a no name startup? While hundreds of startups make big bold claims and then go bust, GE has been going and going for god knows how long.

It's a long winded way of my saying "stick with B&W," you wont be sorry.

 

[MUDSHARK]

Put me in the B&W camp as well. Their 700 series is a huge step above the 600 series. I do not recall which model I listened to but it was a floor standing 2 1/2 speaker that sounded very detailed and neutral. The 1200 price was fairly valued IMO.

 

[Warpdrv]

I have Studio 100's in my main system, and bought and audiitoned the MTS 5.0 package here... They are very neutral speakers, unlike the Studio line, which is much more exaggerated in the mid range and the tweeters are somewhat bright, but definitely accurate and on the bright side with the metal domes...

As far as the MTS's, the Tweeters on the SVS's are just downright awesome - some of the best I have heard - smooth, without being piercing, nothing missed at all, definitely not a metal dome trait to them. I might have stated that compared to the Paradigms the midrange was recessed, but that was probably the wrong way to describe it, more like just neutral and accurate... not overly inflated like the Studio's that have that Canadian inflated sense to them.... much more forward nature.

I Auditioned the Studio 100's next to the B&W 703's, and preferred the Paradigms, especially for the dollar to dollar value.

Although I did not keep the SVS speakers, I would suggest that they are great speakers, build quality is top notch, solid cabinets, fit and finish is above par and the look fantastic. Gotta love the Magnetic grills too.. cool. But apparently my taste just lies in the more forward, punchy sound character, and I ended up with a set of Paradigm Sig's, seeing as I am very familiar with that sound, and I couldn't pass up the deal I got. So far I am very happy on my journey to find my perfect speaker, which will never end.

 

[furrycute]

I once owned a pair of white van speakers, and at the same time I also owned a pair of brand X speakers.

Even though the whtie van speakers sounded so much better to my ears than the brand X speakers, I still chose to sell the white van speakers and keep the brand X speakers.

So in the end, I heartily recommend the white van speakers over the brand X speakers, even though I chose to keep the brand X speakers for myself.



I can never understand the convoluted logic of some people.

 

[MUDSHARK]

huh????

 

[fredk]

Their 700 series is a huge step above the 600 series.

I have heard that from a number of people.

I'll echo that huh?? I didn't know SVS owned white vans.

To the OP: there are a lot of good speakers out there and you will get all manner of opinion. No doubt Paradigm Signatures sound very very good. For the price, they should, but I'm sure there are lots of other 'value priced' speakers out there that are a good choice.

In the end, you need to listen and decide for yourself what provides the best value.

Fred

 

[Stripes]

Oh man, well I just dont know what to do, Paradigm, B&W, Dynaudio, SVS, Axiom, Totem, Dali...and others. I'm going to stay away from internet companies, I'm not saying their not as good, but its just to much of the unknown for me, I guess I've heard the best reviews on Dynaudio, just really dont care for how the speakers look, More into Paradigm and B&W estetics. The Paradigm S4's were also on my list but the more I've read about them the more I just hear that they may be overpriced compared to other brands at that price point. My GF's Dad has a pair of B&W's and i love them..(even though he has them positioned awful) I was still really into the tweeters.

I think in the long run I'm going to talk myself into the B&W's...hopefully I will be making the right decision

 

[captiankirk28]

Here is my system











My brother in law is browing my Back speakers to see if he want to get some for his main speakers to replace his BOSE.

Let me know what ya think.

 

[mike c]

very nice captain kirk!

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

 

[Stripes]

Can anyone give me input on the tweeters? The Air-Circ from the MTS is supposed to be one of the best tweeters out there...

How does that compare to the B&W tweeter?

 

[captiankirk28]

Can anyone give me input on the tweeters? The Air-Circ from the MTS is supposed to be one of the best tweeters out there...

How does that compare to the B&W tweeter?[/QUOTE
I listened to some speakers in a Travers city at a high end audio store and none of the speakers their had tweeters half as good as the ones in the MTS-01 and they were $6,000 a pair and more but i cant rember what they were so i guess it doesent matter, but i can tell you that if anyone wants to argue with me about it they have never listend to the ari-circ tweeters they are amazing.
I took a gamble on the MTS and i am so glad i did, as far as im concered B&W does not sound as good as the MTS-01, i have listened to them before my friend had some he bought in 2004 and i thought they were great untill i got my MTS (he agrees) so go ahead and get the B&W but you will not go wroung with the MTS either they are great speakers with awsome costomer service and return policy, and a 3 year war.

 

[codexp3]

Seriously Im here to learn and get peoples opionins about speakers, not to listen to people argue over who is smarter. Come on guys help me out here...

Sorry about that, I did get off track. I myself own Paradigms and love them! I've found that Paradigm, Dynaudio, and B&W sound more similar than not. I like all three brands. I have NEVER listened to SVS full range speakers, hence I cannot offer an evaluation. If you like the 700 series B&W, listen to the Dynaudio Focus line which is slightly less expensive and in my opinion, has slightly more realistic sounding tweeters. (The lines are VERY similar in terms of sound quality, but I give dynaudio a slight edge. The paradigm studio 100s are my personal fav in the price range of the B&W 700s. Thiel and Revel make fine products as well, but I'm unimpressed with the tweeters in any Revel outside the Studio2s. You need to take a day or two and listen to them all.

I bought the Signature S8s because I loved the tweeters! Beryllium tweeters sound fantastic! Revel uses them in the Ultima2s as well, VERY nice.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

As far as B&W is concerned, I think that the 600 series offers substantially better value for money than the 700 series. I made the mistake of "upgrading" from 602s to 705s, and no way was it worth the $900 price difference.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think when you look at all these high quality speakers, regardless of name, they will sound more similar than not.

If you love B&Ws, then audition them and buy them if they sound great to your ears. They are certainly very popular and many people love them. Some people may say that another brand is better. It may be true to THEM. Everyone is different. But don't let that influence you too much. Most people would be proud to own B&Ws. They would also be proud to own SVS, Paradigm, and many others. You just can't go wrong.

You have our blessings to buy those B&Ws.