Matching an AV receiver for B&W 684 speakers

[juves]

Hi All,
I've recently made my first step into the AV world.
I just bought a pair of B&W 684 floor standing after some research and several listens.

I've also got a new Onkyo 616 because it seems to be a good match.
Now I'm reading tons of negative review about the 616 and it's reliability issues and am considering changing my decision.

My alternatives are:
1)Marantz SR5007 with an addition of $270
2)Yamaha RX-V 773 with an addition of $410
3)Yamaha RX-V A820 with an addition of $490
4)Stay with the Onkyo NR 616 - no addition

I will be going to the shop audio soon and give each a listen before I decide but would like to get some advice in order to help me make up my mind.

Priorities in decreasing order:
1)Best match to speakers.
2)Value for Money
3)Other, non-audio direct-related features (Connectivity, Video, Interface etc..)
4)Unit design and shape.

Cheers,
Juves

 

[j_garcia]

To me, just get the one with the most power with the features you want. While I do feel different manufacturers have slightly different sounds, with auto-EQ on nearly every receiver these days "matching" is sort of a thing of the past , especially at this price point. Of your list, the Marantz would be my choice and I'd include Denon.

 

[Pyrrho]

Given that the minimum impedance of those speakers is 3 ohms:

Experience the B&W 684 - Bowers & Wilkins | B&W Speakers

I would be disinclined to believe their nominal rating of 8 ohms and consider them to be more like 4 ohms nominally. Of course, it is possible that that 3 ohms is at a benign frequency, like 20,000 Hz, but I would not guess that to be the case. If that low impedance is in the bass (and given the twin woofers, that is not unlikely), then you are looking at something that cannot reasonably be called 8 ohms nominally.

Therefore, in the absence of a review in which actual measurements are made involving the impedance, I would either look for a receiver rated for 4 ohm use or get a receiver with preamp outputs and add a power amp.

In general, I like Yamaha receivers, but given the prices you are talking about, I am not so sure I would bother. If your Onkyo has preamp outputs, you might be better off buying a power amp that puts out plenty of power into 4 ohms.

Basically, it would appear that B&W is a bit fast and loose with the truth about the impedance of those speakers, which does not inspire trust and confidence in anything the company tells one.

 

[j_garcia]

I would be disinclined to believe their nominal rating of 8 ohms and consider them to be more like 4 ohms nominally. Of course, it is possible that that 3 ohms is at a benign frequency, like 20,000 Hz, but I would not guess that to be the case. If that low impedance is in the bass (and given the twin woofers, that is not unlikely), then you are looking at something that cannot reasonably be called 8 ohms nominally..

While I agree with this, they are 90dB sensitive and if crossed over properly, they will likely not be so difficult to drive which would sort of go along with their calling it an 8 ohm speaker despite that large impedance swing. Regardless of that, I would definitely opt for a receiver with preamp outputs, something the 6xx series does not have.