Given a pair of B&W 703's, what to do with them?

[Vortex]

Hey guys, I've been reading the forums here for some time, now I've got my own conundrum.

My older brother just saw fit to give me his 7 year old B&W speakers (closest to them currently are the 703's, they were $3k for the pair). I have had a Bose Lifestyle 12 system for a decade, and it still works even if it's not the greatest system. I've want to slowly upgrade my system over time, but have next to no money to spend at the present time. These B&W's are phenomenal, and I would like to incorporate them into my current setup (Plasma hooked up to the Bose system). So, my question is - what is the best, most economical way I can do this? I know they won't match the sound put out by the Bose, but I can't pass up the opportunity to have some very nice speakers in my system. Any recommendations as to how I can power them sufficiently (the Bose amp setup puts out about 40 watts per channel, recommended power for the B&W speakers are 50-200w) but cheaply while incorporating them into the Bose? I would scrap the Bose central unit all together, and hook the B&W and Bose speakers up to a real receiver, but I can't afford much.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations you guys might have.

 

[pzaur]

What is your budget?

-pat

 

[Vortex]

What is your budget?-pat

I could probably squeeze $200 out of the Wife, maybe a bit more as my birthday is coming up, say $350

 

[Seth=L]

Sell the whole Bose system, that will help create funds. A stereo system with those B&W would walk all over any Bose surround sound.

If that simply isn't an option, I would look at used Integrated amplifiers on eBay and Audiogon. I would not power the B&Ws with the Bose system.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Sell the Bose on ebay and use the money to buy a receiver. Listen in 2.0 mode until you can afford to add more speakers. (You might just decide you like it enough not to bother. Two good speakers sound vastly better than any number of Bose speakers.)

 

[Seth=L]

Sell the Bose on ebay and use the money to buy a receiver. Listen in 2.0 mode until you can afford to add more speakers. (You might just decide you like it enough not to bother. Two good speakers sound vastly better than any number of Bose speakers.)

Yeah, just do that, it's simple.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Yeah, just do that, it's simple.

Simultaneous posts. Great minds think alike.

 

[gus6464]

It's crazy how much Bose retains its resale value. My friend's dad sold his 3 year old Lifestyle system and only lost 15% of the price he paid.

 

[Seth=L]

It's crazy how much Bose retains its resale value. My friend's dad sold his 3 year old Lifestyle system and only lost 15% of the price he paid.

Bose is amazing in many ways, just not sound.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yes Ebay the BOSE. You can find a Yammy RX 659 for 300 bucks or less which would power those B&Ws and still let you build on to your system in the future.

 

[Vortex]

Thank you guys very much for the input. I hadn't really considered going 2. in the front, but with speakers as nice as the B&W, I should consider that a possibility. Looking around, I probably couldn't get more than $2-300 for the complete Bose system. So what would my best option be as far as receivers? Get a nice 2.1 unit to power them for now, or go for a 7.1 for future expansion? Any recommendations on models for about $300? Currently I have the HD-DVD and Cable going through HDMI into the plasma (720p) directly, and then route the audio back from the TV into the Bose. I don't have a great place for surrounds anyway, since the viewing area backs onto the kitchen, so this might be ideal for the time being.

Would I need a powered sub immediately, or do you guys think the B&W's can handle the bass for now? Ive heard them hooked up to my brothers stereo, and they do put out rich bass, just not sure it's rich enough for movies.

 

[Vortex]

I actuall picked up the speakers this afternoon, and they are the 804 model, not the 703.

 

[mike c]

I actuall picked up the speakers this afternoon, and they are the 804 model, not the 703.

wow that's a nice surprise! what series is that 804? N or S?

agree with the others ... sell the bose system. buy a receiver with pre-outs.

 

[Vortex]

wow that's a nice surprise! what series is that 804? N or S?

After yet further research - They are actually the older Matrix 804, prior to the Nautilus series, but from what I've read, still an amazing speaker.

Agree with the others ... sell the bose system. buy a receiver with pre-outs.

That is probably what I will end up doing. Just have to figure out the right Receiver to get.

 

[Guangui]

Yep, sell the Bose...If you want a budget speaker to move those B&W's get a refurbished Marantz SR-5001 for around $399.00, it has pre-outs, so, if needed to, you can upgrade amps later on. You can also find refurbished NAD receivers, but they are more like $500.00+.

 

[Soundman]

Yep, sell the Bose...If you want a budget speaker to move those B&W's get a refurbished Marantz SR-5001 for around $399.00, it has pre-outs, so, if needed to, you can upgrade amps later on. You can also find refurbished NAD receivers, but they are more like $500.00+.

Yes, check Ubid for a great price. If you can get at least a couple hundred by selling the blose system, and put a couple hundred in yourself, then your good. And you will have an amazing system considering you've only put $400 into it. Go for it!!!!!

 

[gus6464]

Do they look like this?

 

[Vortex]

Do they look like this?

Exactly like that. Great looking speaker, but bigger than I remember them being.

In all my research, I've never heard of NAD receivers (probably shows how green I am), they are good I take it?

I hooked them up to the bose via the two front l/r speaker outs. There was some pretty loud background hissing coming from them, that due to not enough power, or just crappy bose power?

Since I am proudly displaying my newb status, what are the two sets of speaker contacts on the back for? High and low frequencies, or is there another purpose for them?

And once again, thanks for all your help guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[gus6464]

Exactly like that. Great looking speaker, but bigger than I remember them being.

In all my research, I've never heard of NAD receivers (probably shows how green I am), they are good I take it?

I hooked them up to the bose via the two front l/r speaker outs. There was some pretty loud background hissing coming from them, that due to not enough power, or just crappy bose power?

Since I am proudly displaying my newb status, what are the two sets of speaker contacts on the back for? High and low frequencies, or is there another purpose for them?

And once again, thanks for all your help guys. I really appreciate it.

The two sets of contacts are for bi-wire or bi-amp. You don't have to use both as you also should have a plate that connects the two terminals together. Also 800 series speakers really love power to make them come alive so don't freak out if they don't sound as good on your AVR as they did with your brother's setup. Maybe you can find the matching center for those speakers and buy it with the Bose sale. If you can you will have a super nice setup going that would require a lot of money to better it if you were buying new.

 

[John Bailey]

This is another option, one that I would go for, but it may not be for you.

First, you have an outstanding set of stereo speakers. To get the best sound you will have to pair them with with good, and probably expensive, power. That being said, you will get great sound from all the suggestions you've been given so far. My suggestion would be to find a good used Rotel or NAD integrated, making sure it has a good pre-out for future expansion. I suggest Rotel because, even though I've never owned one, I've read many times that Rotel and B&W do well together. I've had many NAD amps and think they are the best in the mid-fi arena. An integrated will give you good value over separates.

With this suggestion you will get a great music experience. These speakers will give you plenty of bass for music. Again, you can decide later whether you need a sub for movies. The drawback will be you won't get a surround experience. For some, like me, that's not a concern as I go strictly two channel stereo. Of course you can always add that later.

I would also tell you that I recently bought a refurbished Onkyo RX-8522 stereo amplifier. You can pick these up on e-bay for under $150. I bought it just to try it out as I'm always looking for low cost options. I find this to be a very good unit and, at 100 wpc, would power your B&W's nicely. This would be strictly a stereo option as the unit doesn't have a pre-out and you would not be able to expand later. It would, however, give you a very good stereo experience and makes an excellent choice for a secondary system in the future.

I envy you sir. Good luck with your good fortune.

John