B&W CM6 Floorstanding with Bryston 4B...

[djempire]

This is my first post, please forgive my ignorance on this topic.

Issue: My B&W CM6 Floor-standing loudspeaker system sound a little brighter than most days up top after upgrading my amp to the Bryston. The preamp I use is the Sunfire Theater Grand III processor.

Music of choice: progressive rock such as Pink Floyd, Rush, alternative and electronica.

Question: Will keeping my Bryston amp and Sunfire while upgrading the speakers to the B&W Nautilus 804 be a significant improvement OR keep my B&W CM6 and replace the Sunfire processor?

You feedback is appreciated!

 

[PENG]

This is my first post, please forgive my ignorance on this topic.

Issue: My B&W CM6 Floor-standing loudspeaker system sound a little brighter than most days up top after upgrading my amp to the Bryston. The preamp I use is the Sunfire Theater Grand III processor.

Music of choice: progressive rock such as Pink Floyd, Rush, alternative and electronica.

Question: Will keeping my Bryston amp and Sunfire while upgrading the speakers to the B&W Nautilus 804 be a significant improvement OR keep my B&W CM6 and replace the Sunfire processor?

You feedback is appreciated!

I know Bryston amps with 802 and 804 will not sound bright at all, so I will say keep your amps and replace the CM6 with 804s or 804 diamond for "significant" improvement.

 

[djempire]

Will bi-amping assist the 804 achieve their real potential in a large room or running them straight be the better choice?

 

[everettT]

Will bi-amping assist the 804 achieve their real potential in a large room or running them straight be the better choice?

Generally passive bi amping yields no audible results.

 

[djempire]

I'm surprised it will not benefit the audio by separating the power for low and top end. Something I forgot to mention is this will be a 2.1 system. My sub is a powered B&W 12" sub.

 

[everettT]

I'm surprised it will not benefit the audio by separating the power for low and top end. Something I forgot to mention is this will be a 2.1 system. My sub is a powered B&W 12" sub.

The crossover separates the power for you.

 

[everettT]

If it were me with your current setup, I'd upgrade the sub and hold off on all others till then. The CM sounded good to me. What's your room size

 

[djempire]

The room is rather large. Approximately 30 ft long by 15' Mys B&W ASW650 has decent air moving power and can cross them over easily with my processor.
I have the opportunity of picking up a set of N804's for about 2K. Justifying the ~upgrade at this point.

 

[everettT]

Depending on how loud you listen and that room size, the sub is lacking. The older 804n could be better, but how much is the question. I'd think not enough to upgrade as their sound will be very similar to your CMs. The sub upgrade will have a significant impact under 120hz. If you want to upgrade your speakers, go to the newer diamonds or a different speaker line IMHO to get meaningful audible differences.

 

[djempire]

I do like to listen to them loud. You're right, how much of a sonic upgrade would they actually be to warrant the added scratch is the question.
Adding another sub would improve the LFE's substantially. The 801/2's or Diamond series is perhaps the best way to go. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[everettT]

From the SV review

The ASW 650's close-miked response with the EQ switch set to A, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 43 Hz and the –6dB point is at 36 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 104 Hz with the low-pass-filter switch set to out.—MJ
Read more at http://www.soundandvision.com/content/3000-speaker-derby-bw#u7Orq4H4vMbHDhq6.99

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

Issue: My B&W CM6 Floor-standing loudspeaker system sound a little brighter than most days up top after upgrading my amp to the Bryston. The preamp I use is the Sunfire Theater Grand III processor.

...

Well, this is not the fault of the amp for sure. Speaker issue.
If your speaker is bright sounding, why not experiment with tone controls to tame some of that brightness. While I am not sure that pre has one, I would think it does.