My 1099's sound better than B and W 702 S2's!

[cameron paterson]

Here are my 1099 speakers:

The Impressives

DIY Sound Group, DIY Speaker Kits

www.diysoundgroup.com

After the flat packs they end up being about $480.
These have high quality speakers where most developers of speakers have to pay people to make the speaker boxes and crossovers and skimp on woofers, midranges, and tweeters. I listened to the B and W 702 S2's at Listen Up where they had them powered by a Moon amp which is a super high quality amp! With Pink Floyd's "Hey you" my speakers separated the guitar from the bass drum much better and with Nine Inch Nails "Into the void" my speakers had more snap and kick you could say. The 1099's also have a sensitivity of 99db! My normal volume for movies is 70 on my Denon AVRX4500H. For the B and W speakers the volume would have to be like 80 to be as loud as my speakers since they're sensitivity is only 90db! So not only do my 1099's sound better but the B and W speakers will definitely blow quicker than mine! With a clean 300 to the B and W's watts and a clean 600 watts to my 1099's, the B and W's will blow quicker than mine at the same SPL. Also the center channel for the B and W 702 is this one that only handles 100 watts.

HTM71 S2 Compact Center Channel Speaker | Bowers & Wilkins

The HTM71 S2 center channel speaker features two dedicated bass drivers and a Continuum midrange cone that delivers unprecedented power and transparency.

www.bowerswilkins.com

My center is the same as the towers just a sideways speaker with 2, 10" woofers, 2 5" midranges, and a tweeter. So my center channel will get way louder than the little B and W center.
Here is the 702 S2:

702 S2 Tower Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins

The 702 S2 tower speakers feature three dedicated Aerofoil bass drivers, a Continuum cone, and a solid body tweeter for goosebump-inducing audio.

www.bowerswilkins.com

 

[lovinthehd]

I've always heard nice reports about this speaker, congrats. Did you not recalibrate the avr, tho?

 

[cameron paterson]

Not sure what you mean? I only used audyssey for my speakers? Is that what you're asking?

 

[lovinthehd]

Not sure what you mean? I only used audyssey for my speakers? Is that what you're asking?

The vast difference in volume level reading on the avr if you'd recalibrated doesn't make sense to me as it should take sensitivity into account...

 

[cameron paterson]

Oh ok but the B and W's cant get as loud right without blowing? Movies I get crazy loud!

 

[lovinthehd]

No idea how well the B&Ws can do in that regard. Or your 1099s to an extent either.

 

[Truthslayer]

Here are my 1099 speakers:

The Impressives

DIY Sound Group, DIY Speaker Kits

www.diysoundgroup.com

After the flat packs they end up being about $480.
These have high quality speakers where most developers of speakers have to pay people to make the speaker boxes and crossovers and skimp on woofers, midranges, and tweeters. I listened to the B and W 702 S2's at Listen Up where they had them powered by a Moon amp which is a super high quality amp! With Pink Floyd's "Hey you" my speakers separated the guitar from the bass drum much better and with Nine Inch Nails "Into the void" my speakers had more snap and kick you could say. The 1099's also have a sensitivity of 99db! My normal volume for movies is 70 on my Denon AVRX4500H. For the B and W speakers the volume would have to be like 80 to be as loud as my speakers since they're sensitivity is only 90db! So not only do my 1099's sound better but the B and W speakers will definitely blow quicker than mine! With a clean 300 to the B and W's watts and a clean 600 watts to my 1099's, the B and W's will blow quicker than mine at the same SPL. Also the center channel for the B and W 702 is this one that only handles 100 watts.

HTM71 S2 Compact Center Channel Speaker | Bowers & Wilkins

The HTM71 S2 center channel speaker features two dedicated bass drivers and a Continuum midrange cone that delivers unprecedented power and transparency.

www.bowerswilkins.com

My center is the same as the towers just a sideways speaker with 2, 10" woofers, 2 5" midranges, and a tweeter. So my center channel will get way louder than the little B and W center.
Here is the 702 S2:

702 S2 Tower Speakers | Bowers & Wilkins

The 702 S2 tower speakers feature three dedicated Aerofoil bass drivers, a Continuum cone, and a solid body tweeter for goosebump-inducing audio.

www.bowerswilkins.com

Congrats Cameron, I love seeing people making the switch and building there own speakers. They find out very quickly how much of a better product they get and realize how most speaker manufactures use inferior components. Plus you usually end up with a better sound, spending a lot less doing it. The box may not be as pretty as the ones put out by speaker companies, but if your like me, it's about the sound and not the look.

One of the best things for me was finding Dan Richie from GR research. This is a guy who knows how to do crossovers right. I know I will most likely never again buy complete speakers from a company ( however I do like some of the Tektons ) again. I run a 2'' compression driver and a 15'' mid, with 18'' sub. I am more happy now with my speakers than I have ever been with speakers I have purchased throughout my life. Never going back. Anyways im sure your going yo be very pleased, so congrats again.

 

[davidscott]

Wow the title sounds like an income tax brochure.

 

[cameron paterson]

If the B and W 702'a treid to get to 120db like my 1099's can they would blow in a second. At best buy one of the tweeters was blown on the 704 S2. I dont think they handle high SPL as well as most speakers made by a company.

Truthslayer yes i have 5 diy subwoofers and the 3 1099's and i love all 8 of them!

 

[Pogre]

Nice speakers! Got any pics of the finished product? I keep telling myself I'm gonna do a kit one of these days. It's so satisfying to enjoy something you put together yourself.

 

[cameron paterson]

Mine dont look like anything special i put grills on them so the kids dont dent the woofers.

 

[Truthslayer]

Mine dont look like anything special i put grills on them so the kids dont dent the woofers.

Not about the looks brother, all about the sound, which it sounds like you have now found the sound of your liking. In the end that's all that counts in audio

 

[lovinthehd]

So how Elusive are the 1099 kits these days? Haven't looked in a long time....

 

[Truthslayer]

So how Elusive are the 1099 kits these days? Haven't looked in a long time....

lovin- not sure if you are doing a play on words (Elusive 1099). If not, I think they can still be easily had,

Denovo Audio Elusive-1099

Denovo Audio, Elusive 1099 speaker, DNA-205, SEOS waveguide, speaker kit

www.diysoundgroup.com

 

[lovinthehd]

lovin- not sure if you are doing a play on words (Elusive 1099). If not, I think they can still be easily had,

Denovo Audio Elusive-1099

Denovo Audio, Elusive 1099 speaker, DNA-205, SEOS waveguide, speaker kit

www.diysoundgroup.com

They used to be called the Elusive 1099 kit because they couldn't get all the parts for the kit all the time, thus the Elusive 1099. I was wondering if they'd resolved their supply issues....

 

[Truthslayer]

They used to be called the Elusive 1099 kit because they couldn't get all the parts for the kit all the time, thus the Elusive 1099. I was wondering if they'd resolved their supply issues....

ok, got ya. I would hope so at this point.

 

[lovinthehd]

ok, got ya. I would hope so at this point.

Think the last I saw they just maintained a waiting list in between gaps. If I didn't get my JBLs I was gonna build these....might still some day.

 

[Truthslayer]

Pretty sure they use all eminence drivers. if you want to go with larger drivers, Anthony (from eminence ) can help you find exactly what you are looking for. Many are not even advertised. They even do crossovers, or you can do them yourself, or have someone else do them.

 

[Pogre]

Mine dont look like anything special i put grills on them so the kids dont dent the woofers.

They don't need to if they sound good. By all accounts you picked a good speaker. I can believe they out perform the B&Ws.