Purchased BW 704s and I am powering them with a marantz 4001 avr.

I figured I couldn't really go wrong, but after reading a lot of the forums around here it seems like the new CM series is much better sounding. I also very much wish I could have listened to Dynaudio or monitor audio. I don't know, I guess what I'm looking for is someone to confirm that the B&W 704 is a great speaker, which i'm sure it is, it's just when you drop 2k you want to know your 2k was well spent on something that isn't unnaturally colored or with glaring short-comings.

If I return these to the dealer, they will be mega-pissed off.

If you like them don't worry about what you read. If you don't like them take them back and who cares if the dealer is pissed off. If you really aren't sure then get some other options in your home to compare head-to-head. But please don't be wishy washy about your speakers just because of what you are reading.

the 704 should be an upgrade i thought the cm was a budget
series. not sure that model marantz has enough current to drive
them.

Purchased BW 704s and I am powering them with a marantz 4001 avr.

I figured I couldn't really go wrong, but after reading a lot of the forums around here it seems like the new CM series is much better sounding. I also very much wish I could have listened to Dynaudio or monitor audio. I don't know, I guess what I'm looking for is someone to confirm that the B&W 704 is a great speaker, which i'm sure it is, it's just when you drop 2k you want to know your 2k was well spent on something that isn't unnaturally colored or with glaring short-comings.

If I return these to the dealer, they will be mega-pissed off.

I wouldn't have buyer's remorse with the 704's. The 700 series is an awesome line. Your receiver should be able to drive the 704's without a problem. I just don't know if it is bringing out the most that the 704's can produce.

The CM series are really nice also. Only your ears are going to be able to tell you if you will like them better or the 704's better. I wouldn't listen to anyone or anything else other then your ears. Go back to the dealer and have a listen. Spend some time with both while there.

And don't worry about the dealer being pissed-off.

I once returned an entire Klipch 5.1 system, towers, centre, surrounds, the whole thing!
I was feeling real bad about it, but the dealer said don't worry, what do you think the 30 day policy is for! :D
So I didn't worry I went out and started my Paradigm Studio collection and never looked back.
Don't take reveiws too seriously, they are mainly just opinions. Just read a few opinions of Paradigm speakers (and basically any speaker that costs less than a decent used car) on some other forums and you will see what I mean.
The best speakers are the ones that sound best to you in your room with your equipment.
If they sound good to you now just sit back and enjoy the music! :cool:
Regards
Knights of NI

Great advice so far. There is no way that they are bad speakers. There will be plenty on forums like this that prefer other brands but that does not make them bad. It is all about what you prefer. You didn't say but if they sound bad to you, do something now.

Also along the lines of the last post, speakers can only reproduce what they receive from upstream so if your source or amp etc are the weaker links in your system, it is there you need to concentrate to give the 704s a chance. Finally, the best system in the world will be compromised in a bad room.

Is the receiver returnable? I'd try a different amp wiith the speakers and see what they sound like.

Is the receiver returnable? I'd try a different amp wiith the speakers and see what they sound like.

I wouldn't return the receiver. That receiver is a nice unit. I would add an amp to see if this opens up the speakers, and use the receiver as a pre/pro.

Something like the 2200 Outlaw mono blocks.

www.outlawaudio.com

Also Rotel amps

www.rotel.com

And room treatments are very important. You can have a great pair of speakers sound terrible in an non-acoustically treated room.

I think that before you do anything, continue to listen to the speakers and learn about what you like. If something sounds wrong to you, try to put it in words and then ask your dealer to help make some recommendations.

The above posts are possible solutions, however, none are 100% correct since noone has your ears. Who knows...the speakers may not be ideal to you; the receiver may be holding things back; etc., etc. BUT before you start spending the dough, tell your dealer! He/she should be able to guide you on the right track. They should be able to let you try some different items to see what works for you.

My guess is you need more time to listen and learn, then you can be happy with your purchase...sorry, but there is no magic bullet.

Good luck.

If I return these to the dealer, they will be mega-pissed off.

So what? You're the customer. If they have a return policy you have every right to take advantage of that as long as it's not abuse/fraud on your part.

The 700 series is a great series, I certainly wouldn't be dissappointed if it pleased you during your auditioning.

I don't think the suggestions that you start upgrading your electronics is appropriate, since you didn't say that you felt there were limitations, etc, not to mention I think it's the wrong thing to do if indeed it is the case that these aren't the right speakers for you. No electronics changes will change that.

If the speakers meet your needs and tastes, enjoy them. If they aren't living up to your expectations, return them.

Good advise Chris, all around.

So what? You're the customer. If they have a return policy you have every right to take advantage of that as long as it's not abuse/fraud on your part.

The 700 series is a great series, I certainly wouldn't be dissappointed if it pleased you during your auditioning.

I don't think the suggestions that you start upgrading your electronics is appropriate, since you didn't say that you felt there were limitations, etc, not to mention I think it's the wrong thing to do if indeed it is the case that these aren't the right speakers for you. No electronics changes will change that.

If the speakers meet your needs and tastes, enjoy them. If they aren't living up to your expectations, return them.

There was only "1" suggestion to up-grade electronics.

In my first post I stated for the OP to "Listen to his ears" and go listen for himself to the other speakers he mentioned.

My second post was in response to "Is the receiver returnable" And I stated "I wouldn't return the receiver".

IMO the 704's sound very nice to alot of people. I find them to be a little too laid back for my tastes. I like the Monitor Audio speakers as they seem to be more transparent and a bit crisper sounding. Its personal choice. If I paid 2k and even felt the need to question my speakers I would thnk about returning them. But you really should listen to them for a couple weeks to see....

If nothing else, PULIAMM will be here on manday to reassure you that bacause they are B&W's, you simply cannot go wrong, they are the finest speakers in the world in every respect and any doubting this shoulld result in eternal banishemnt.

Seriously thoughm the worst thing you can do after making an educated buying decision is reading all the forum posts and opinions from other poeple about it afterwords. Definitly go out and listen some more if you havent already done that, the best thing is the world is listening to your speakers knowing that they are the best you can afford and nothing else can make you happy the way they do ;).

If nothing else, PULIAMM will be here on manday to reassure you that bacause they are B&W's, you simply cannot go wrong, they are the finest speakers in the world in every respect and any doubting this shoulld result in eternal banishemnt.

Seriously thoughm the worst thing you can do after making an educated buying decision is reading all the forum posts and opinions from other poeple about it afterwords. Definitly go out and listen some more if you havent already done that, the best thing is the world is listening to your speakers knowing that they are the best you can afford and nothing else can make you happy the way they do ;).

[QUOTE=armystud0911]If nothing else, PULIAMM will be here on manday to reassure you that bacause they are B&W's, you simply cannot go wrong, they are the finest speakers in the world in every respect and any doubting this shoulld result in eternal banishemnt.

Army, you crack me up! The funniest part of it is that its true.
Puliamm.....the one man B&W commercial.

Oh for the love of... don't make this thread into another "I HATE / I LOVE B&W" thread.

Like other's said, if you like the speakers, don't go to forums for reassuring/compliments. Go enjoy them instead. If you don't like them, return them. And remember next time to audition the speakers for an extended period of time.

It's you who will have to live with the sound the speakers produce, not me or anyone else here. Don't worry what others are saying, what's important is what YOU think.

Purchased BW 704s and I am powering them with a marantz 4001 avr.

I figured I couldn't really go wrong, but after reading a lot of the forums around here it seems like the new CM series is much better sounding. I also very much wish I could have listened to Dynaudio or monitor audio. I don't know, I guess what I'm looking for is someone to confirm that the B&W 704 is a great speaker, which i'm sure it is, it's just when you drop 2k you want to know your 2k was well spent on something that isn't unnaturally colored or with glaring short-comings.

If I return these to the dealer, they will be mega-pissed off.
Buyer's remorse??? Because of some other people's opinions on a speaker forum??? That's just plain silly! You don't state whether you actually *like* the sound of the speakers. Do *you* hear any "unnatural colorations" or "glaring short-comings"?

There are lots of people on these forums who are critical of the sound of my speakers, (Klipsch Reference Series), yet *I* love their sound... so who cares what they think.

Now, OTOH, if you listened to the BW's in the store and liked them, but they sounded different when you got them home, that's another story. Then the problem is likely your room, and your best bet is acoustic room treatments, (as another poster suggested). If you don't want to treat the room, it's likely that you won't find *any* speaker that will sound good in it.

Just my $0.02.

Craig

1st: I'm damn glad it's the weekend and Pulliamm doesn't have access to the forum.

2nd: I'd keep playing the speakers - get 'em loosened up a bit more.

3rd: Ensure that the speakers are properly placed. For example, B&W might recommend that they are placed 18" from the back wall and 24" from the side walls to sound proper.

4th: Ensure that the speakers are at the correct height. Not sure what you're using for stands, but getting a stand that's between 22" and 28" - to get the tweeter at ear height is what you should be looking for.

5th: I can't bear monitor or bookshelf speakers without a bit of sub to pull up the low end. Again, though, this is just preference.

1st: I'm damn glad it's the weekend and Pulliamm doesn't have access to the forum.

Isn't that the truth.

Buyer's remorse??? Because of some other people's opinions on a speaker forum??? That's just plain silly! You don't state whether you actually *like* the sound of the speakers. Do *you* hear any "unnatural colorations" or "glaring short-comings"?

There are lots of people on these forums who are critical of the sound of my speakers, (Klipsch Reference Series), yet *I* love their sound... so who cares what they think.

Now, OTOH, if you listened to the BW's in the store and liked them, but they sounded different when you got them home, that's another story. Then the problem is likely your room, and your best bet is acoustic room treatments, (as another poster suggested). If you don't want to treat the room, it's likely that you won't find *any* speaker that will sound good in it.

Just my $0.02.

Craig

This is the best advice you're gonna get OP; relying on other people's opinions is a waste of time. I've heard a lot of gear that people rave about that I thought was nothing more than okay and I'm sure it works the other way around.

Bottom line, if you like the music coming out of your system, that's the only thing that's important. You're buying the system to make yourself happy, not to go with the sheep.

OK guys, give PULLIAMM a break - he's not the only one with strong brand opinions in this neck of the woods... :D

Thanks for all of the input. I do love these speakers more than anything else I can audition locally in the price-range. I suppose that is what matters most. I also like the idea of being able to upgrade to a separate amp someday to get even more from them.

I am using radio-shack 16 gauge speaker cable. Would the cheapest upgrade be to get better cables, or are cables BS as i suspect?

On a side note, I love the AVS forum. It's good to know there are people out there that apperciate music so much.

Thanks for all of the input. I do love these speakers more than anything else I can audition locally in the price-range. I suppose that is what matters most. I also like the idea of being able to upgrade to a separate amp someday to get even more from them.

I am using radio-shack 16 gauge speaker cable. Would the cheapest upgrade be to get better cables, or are cables BS as i suspect?

On a side note, I love the AVS forum. It's good to know there are people out there that apperciate music so much.

If your runs are longer then 25' I would recommend 12 gauge. 14 gauge for shorter runs.

Thanks for all of the input. I do love these speakers more than anything else I can audition locally in the price-range.

Then you made a great choice! Don't be swayed by anyone else's opinion, especially opinions on an on-line forum like this. Lots of people love the speakers you have, lots of them don't. What's more, people tend to overstate their case when expressing said opinions.

And fwiw, I would love to have 704s!


I am using radio-shack 16 gauge speaker cable. Would the cheapest upgrade be to get better cables, or are cables BS as i suspect?

On a side note, I love the AVS forum. It's good to know there are people out there that apperciate music so much.

the cables you've got are fine unless you are doing long runs. This link (http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable) is a guide for run length vs gauge.

Bill

I do love these speakers more than anything else I can audition locally in the price-range.

You've answered your own question.

Don't give it another thought.

Now go throw something you love in the DVD and/or CD player & enjoy your speakers.

Well said Fnord.

Poor Pulliamm..... :)