Seeks Advice re: B&W 600/700 Series Speakers

[EastCoaster]

Hi there!

I would appreciate any insights you would have re two possible B&W speaker set-ups

I will be using the speaker set with Yamaha's RXV-2600 receiver, and Yamaha's DVD-C950. I'll watch lots of new-release movies, but also listen to quite a bit of "old" music on CD's (i.e., 60s, 70s, and 80s hard-rock and pop albums). I'm also just getting into SACD and Audio DVDs... This set-up will go into a medium-sized living room.

Although I am willing to spend to get a good set-up that will last me up to 10 years, I am trying not to break the bank at one go...

My options are:

DM604 S3 (front left & right)
LCR600 S3 (center)
ASW 650 (sub)
DM602.5 S3 (rear left & right)
Street Price: about $3,000

Some considerations on the above set-up are: (i) given that I'll be listening to "some" SACD and Audio DVDs, should I get the DM604 S3s for both front and rear? (add about $650); or (ii) Should I not worry so much about getting "perfect" play out of SACD and Audio DVD, and stick with DM602.5 S3?; or (iii) Switch the freestanding 602.5 S3 to the DM602 S3 bookshelf speakers? (reduce price by $100 - the difference in price between the 602 and 602.5 is nothing if one is going to buy the B&W speaker stands for the bookshelf speakers!).

Or, is the 700 series so amazing when compared to the 600 series? For instance:

703 (front left & right)
HTM7 (center)
ASW 700 (sub)
704 (back left & right)
Street Price: $6,500

Under this second scenario, I can't really afford the 703 for both front and backs (just too much $$). The other considerations are: (i) get the 704 instead of the 703 for front left & right (deduct $750, and have a matched foursome of 704s for SACD); or (ii) get the 704 for front left & right and the 705 for back left & right (deduct a total of $1,400).

This is all a bit of a mouthfull, but I'm really torn between shelling the extra bucks for the 700s, rather than the 600s - are they worth the extra expense? And then, I was also wondering what is the experience of other people with respect to mixing and matching such speakers given a wide variety of content (i.e., CDs, DVD's, SACDs, Audio DVDs, etc.).

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[jaxvon]

Let your ears decide on that. I personally don't like the sound of the B&W 700 series bookshelves that I listened to. They sounded overly bright (to me) and started compressing in the midrange at high volumes. I've never listened to the 600 series, but I've read that many people find that the best upgrade course from the 600 series is striaght to the 800s. Here's what I thought of the 700 bookshelves that I listened to:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12269

 

[EastCoaster]

I personally don't like the sound of the B&W 700 series bookshelves that I listened to. They sounded overly bright (to me) and started compressing in the midrange at high volumes. I've never listened to the 600 series, but I've read that many people find that the best upgrade course from the 600 series is striaght to the 800s.

Thanks Jaxvon - I appreciate your response. Unfortunately I can't afford the 800s, and so must stick with either the 600s or the 700s - I'm just not sure that the 700s are worth the 2x or more in price, and seek to see if others have insights into their differences.

 

[nygren]

I listened to both the B&W 60x and 70x speakers
while shopping and they sound quite different from each other.
(There are lots of threads here on the differences.)
I personally didn't like the sound of the 60x with some
types of music, but I loved their 70x speakers,
although they were a little out of my price range.
I ended up getting Axiom M22ti fronts with Axiom QS8
surrounds. They sound much closer to the B&W 70x speakers
but at a price point closer to my target.

 

[louhamilton]

I listened to B&W's during my recent decision process. My room is 11x15 and towers were not an option at this time due to kids. However, there is a big mix of opinions on whether towers should be used in a home theater vs. 2 channel music configurations.

If you set your crossover point at around 80-100Hz, a tower is not really doing that much more than bookshelves and a good sub. I went the bookshelf route since a majority of my listening will be movies with surround and I plan on getting a good sub down the road.

If I was choosing between the 600 and 700 series of B&W, I would go with the 600's. However, I thought the B&W's were a little too forward and bright for movie listening. Therefore, I chose Polk bookshelves.

A good set up may be 602's in the front, LCR600 in the center, 601 for surrounds, and ASW600 for the sub. The extra cash you save could be used for a nice DVD or SACD player.

Or you could do Polk RTi6 for the fronts, a CSi5 for the center, RTi4 or FXi5's for the surrounds and an SVS or HSU subwoofer. This would be far less than even the lesser B&W system.

Good luck!

-Lou

 

[Armbender]

Right now I own the 600 set-up you are looking at minus the sub. I didnt like the 600 or 700 series subs. I love my set-up right now and if I were to upgrade its gonna be the 800 series. Bang for your buck 600 all the way. You will need a good amp to run the 604's though. I was using the rotel 1080 2X200 and switched to a bryston 2X300.

As for the 700's, they do sound good but like you said is it worth twice the money. I dont think so... Especially when the HTM7 doesnt even match the 703's.

For a 2CH set-up I would go with the 703's but where you want HT, go for the 600's. Just look at getting an SVS sub in replace.

 

[zumbo]

Hi there!

I would appreciate any insights you would have re two possible B&W speaker set-ups

I will be using the speaker set with Yamaha's RXV-2600 receiver, and Yamaha's DVD-C950. I'll watch lots of new-release movies, but also listen to quite a bit of "old" music on CD's (i.e., 60s, 70s, and 80s hard-rock and pop albums). I'm also just getting into SACD and Audio DVDs... This set-up will go into a medium-sized living room.

Although I am willing to spend to get a good set-up that will last me up to 10 years, I am trying not to break the bank at one go...

My options are:

DM604 S3 (front left & right)
LCR600 S3 (center)
ASW 650 (sub)
DM602.5 S3 (rear left & right)
Street Price: about $3,000

Some considerations on the above set-up are: (i) given that I'll be listening to "some" SACD and Audio DVDs, should I get the DM604 S3s for both front and rear? (add about $650); or (ii) Should I not worry so much about getting "perfect" play out of SACD and Audio DVD, and stick with DM602.5 S3?; or (iii) Switch the freestanding 602.5 S3 to the DM602 S3 bookshelf speakers? (reduce price by $100 - the difference in price between the 602 and 602.5 is nothing if one is going to buy the B&W speaker stands for the bookshelf speakers!).

Or, is the 700 series so amazing when compared to the 600 series? For instance:

703 (front left & right)
HTM7 (center)
ASW 700 (sub)
704 (back left & right)
Street Price: $6,500

Under this second scenario, I can't really afford the 703 for both front and backs (just too much $$). The other considerations are: (i) get the 704 instead of the 703 for front left & right (deduct $750, and have a matched foursome of 704s for SACD); or (ii) get the 704 for front left & right and the 705 for back left & right (deduct a total of $1,400).

This is all a bit of a mouthfull, but I'm really torn between shelling the extra bucks for the 700s, rather than the 600s - are they worth the extra expense? And then, I was also wondering what is the experience of other people with respect to mixing and matching such speakers given a wide variety of content (i.e., CDs, DVD's, SACDs, Audio DVDs, etc.).

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

I love the B&W sound, I just didn't have the money for them. In the 600 series, there is just too many other brands that will compete. The 700 series are sweet. Of coarse, the 800's are the bomb.

703's front
HTM7 center
705's or DS7's rear(floorstanders are not needed)
I would strongly recommend getting an SVS sub.

 

[EastCoaster]

If you set your crossover point at around 80-100Hz, a tower is not really doing that much more than bookshelves and a good sub. I went the bookshelf route since a majority of my listening will be movies with surround and I plan on getting a good sub down the road.

A good set up may be 602's in the front, LCR600 in the center, 601 for surrounds, and ASW600 for the sub. The extra cash you save could be used for a nice DVD or SACD player.
-Lou

Thanks Lou - I was thinking about such a set-up, but when pricing the whole, found out that a pair of the 602 S3's would be about $550, and a pair of the 602.5 S3's (I think they are essentially the 602s but floorstanding) would be about $630. So if I would be getting the B&W stands, they are an extra $250-300, and I still come out ahead price wise with the floorstandings! The set up you mentioned with the 602's in front, the LCR600 and 601 for sorrounds was the first set-up I tested - I did like it but wanted a bit more fullness of sound...

 

[EastCoaster]

703's front
HTM7 center
705's or DS7's rear(floorstanders are not needed)
I would strongly recommend getting an SVS sub.

Thanks for this! I agree, for sorround sound wouldn't necessarily need floorstanding for back L&R, but what about for SACD? I've been hearing that to fully experience SACD, you need four matched speakers for front L&R and back L&R (or better yet, five matched speakers...). Who knows what's going to happen with the SACD format anyways...

 

[EastCoaster]

As for the 700's, they do sound good but like you said is it worth twice the money. I dont think so... Especially when the HTM7 doesnt even match the 703's.

Thanks Armbender - what do you mean about the HTM7 not matching?

 

[louhamilton]

Thanks Lou - I was thinking about such a set-up, but when pricing the whole, found out that a pair of the 602 S3's would be about $550, and a pair of the 602.5 S3's (I think they are essentially the 602s but floorstanding) would be about $630. So if I would be getting the B&W stands, they are an extra $250-300, and I still come out ahead price wise with the floorstandings! The set up you mentioned with the 602's in front, the LCR600 and 601 for sorrounds was the first set-up I tested - I did like it but wanted a bit more fullness of sound...

Not sure how handy you are, but did you ever consider DIY stands. PVC pipe, MDF, sand, and paint is all you need. Probably could make 4 or 5 stands for less than $100 (2 fronts, 1 center, 2 surrounds).

 

[louhamilton]

Thanks for this! I agree, for sorround sound wouldn't necessarily need floorstanding for back L&R, but what about for SACD? I've been hearing that to fully experience SACD, you need four matched speakers for front L&R and back L&R (or better yet, five matched speakers...). Who knows what's going to happen with the SACD format anyways...

Then do 5 LCR600's. 5 matching speakers for about $2500.

-Lou

 

[EastCoaster]

Then do 5 LCR600's. 5 matching speakers for about $2500.

-Lou

Yes - that was essentially the "Editor's Pick" at the 2006 Home Theatre Buyer's Guide. I haven't listened to the LCR600s, and so not sure...

 

[EastCoaster]

Not sure how handy you are, but did you ever consider DIY stands. PVC pipe, MDF, sand, and paint is all you need. Probably could make 4 or 5 stands for less than $100 (2 fronts, 1 center, 2 surrounds).

Unfortunately not handy at all! It would end up looking like a child's third grade project... I have been checking out standsandmounts.com, and they seem to carry quite a few stands for not-crazy prices!

 

[Khellandros66]

I have heard the B&Ws extensively (local dealer), persoanlly I prefer Definitive (obvious once you look at my sig). The 600 seires Bookshelf speakers are just not on par with other brands, the 603 towers (for front and rears) and the LCR600 for a center, plus a SVS PB12-ISD/2 sub would be what I recommend. Price wise and auditorily you would be in perfect shape.

EDIT - BTW MSRP for all of this would be $3400usd

~Bob

 

[Loner]

OPTION 1:604's - $1400 (fronts)
603's - $1000 (rears)
LCR600 - $500 (center)
SVS PB-12/ISD/V - $700 (sub)
Total = $3600

With the 604's you'd be closer to full range speakers for music. With the sub, you'd have your low end covered with variable tuning for further extension. Add $100 for shipping of the sub.

OPTION 2:
604's - $1400 (fronts)
602.5 - $700 (rears)
LCR600 - $500 (CC)
SVS PB-10 - $429 (sub)
Total = $3,029
Plus $100 shipping

Thanks for this! I agree, for sorround sound wouldn't necessarily need floorstanding for back L&R, but what about for SACD? I've been hearing that to fully experience SACD, you need four matched speakers for front L&R and back L&R (or better yet, five matched speakers...). Who knows what's going to happen with the SACD format anyways...

 

[Armbender]

The HTM7 is matched more for the 704's.

 

[WoofBoyZaq]

The HTM7 is matched more for the 704's.

The 703 has the suspended Mid-range (FST)

The 704 does not.

They have the same tweeter.

The HTM7 has the same driver as the 704.


If you look at a non-B&W sub you probably should look at both sealed and ported designs.

 

[EastCoaster]

Of coarse, the 800's are the bomb.

I've heard that a lot in the past couple of days! To be honest, the price tag scares me to death, but I'm going to listen to them anyway... Once you get started, it's hard to stop... You begin thinking $2,000 is enough, then all of a sudden it's $3,000, then it's $4,000....

 

[EastCoaster]

The HTM7 is matched more for the 704's.

I see... And it's a big fat speaker too... A flimsy shelf would come crashing down...