B&W 705 much better than 602s3?

[Likke]

Hi,

My first post here....I'm looking for new speakers to replace my (dearly loved )15 years old B&W's DM110i. I'll be going to a nearest dealer to listen to the 602s3's and 705's. Of course the 705 is much more expensive, but I'll intend to use my next speakers for a minimum of 5 years.

I listen stereo-HT 80%-20%. First I wanted to buy the 602's... but the 705, is it really that much better compared to the higher price? In some hifi-tests, it seems the 705 has some lack of bass (I use a "simple" Canton sub).

What do you think? Thanks!

(PS hahaha now I realise how old my DM110i's are! Is still using anybody them? I think they sound not that bad considering their age...)

(My receiver: Onkyo TX-SR 501)

 

[jaxvon]

I'm personally not a fan of the 705s. See my writeup here. I've heard lower priced speakers that perform much better, at least to my ears. If you like the sound of B&W treble, then maybe they're for you. But as far as I'm concerned, you can do much better for the same cost.

 

[jimmit]

I like the 705's and I think they are a big step up in sound quality from the 602 S3. But if you haven't auditioned the Paradigm Reference Studio series speakers, you owe it to yourself to do so. I think that the Studio 20's at about half the price of the 705's sound about 85% as good in the mids and highs and better in the bass. If you want a little more bass than the 20's give you, give a listen to the Studio 40's.

As jaxvon suggested, there are quite a few speakers that are as good or better at a more reasonabale price.

 

[j_garcia]

The Onkyo receiver in question won't be able to adequately drive the 705s (or the 'digm Studios for that matter), so unless you are going to replace it also, I wouldn't recommend either of them. Stick with the 602s3.

Personally, I liked the CDMs, and now the 700s much better than the 600 series. To me the highs are much nicer on the B&Ws vs the Paradigm Studios.

 

[nibhaz]

I have a set of B&W 110i's and a set of B&W 330's from the same period! I have a fondness for the 110's...but times have changed and you can find better sound in a similar form factor these days...happy hunting!

 

[nibhaz]

woh! two bebop avtars in the same post!

 

[j_garcia]

woh! two bebop avtars in the same post!

There's a few others on this site as well.

 

[Likke]

Hi all,

Thanks for your posts.
Yesterday I went to a nearby B&W dealer to listen allmost 2 hours the 600 series and the 705. For me, the 602 sounded the best, even better than the 603. I did expect this one would sound much better, but the 603 sounded to bassy. Of course, maybe I an other room it could sound better.

But I was really curious about the 705. The salesman was kind to set them near the 602's. But I was disappointed ....the 705's sounded a bit hard, with a lack of bass. Then highs were more detailed than the 602, but I think it was way too much. I think the much higher price of the 705 isn't worth it.

For the price of the 602's, I was impressed. The image of the 705 was better, but the 602 sounded more relaxed and had more bass.

So probably I'll go for the 602's, and later when I'm old (hahaha) and have enough money, I'll skip the 700 series for the 800.

Greetz!

@Nibhaz: you also still like the 110i's? Have you compared them to the 602's?

 

[kay]

I agree, skip the 700s and jump to the 800s!

I have a pair of 603's and love the bass - you get used to it very quickly, but it is rather shocking at first just how much of it there is. I'm so happy with them that I don't intend on getting subwoofer for quite a while.

I haven't heard the 602's nor the 604's - but the entire line is really, really good. But for me the price of the 602's + a pair of stands made me rather get the 603's.