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B&W Owner's Thread - Page 372

post #11131 of 13875
5/23/12 at 6:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by B&W_Elit3 View Post


I own a pair of 683's myself and love them (got them for the employee discount when I worked at Magnolia )I wish I could afford a pair of 803's. There is a local high end home theater store called The Sound Room where I could listen to the Paradigm and Klipsch speakers you mentioned but I don't know of anywhere I could listen to the others, but I appreciate the tips.

I believe that's because some of the brands he listed were "online only".

Obviously music is very much a taste thing. While Marty says the CMs sound like the highs have been covered up with a towel, others may find brands like Klipsch and Paradigm very harsh and fatiguing. In fact the man who sold me my CMs owned paradigms studio 100 before that. I asked him how how they sounded and he described them as overly "bright".

I tried the studio 100s and they performed well, but I didn't leave the demo thinking "wow I need to get rid of my CMs for those".

I would love to demo some Salk or Ascends but just don't know anyone that has any. Personally the only speakers that I have come across that I thought was SIGNIFICANTLY better than my CMs were the 800 series.

Also, the CMs may be overpriced, but what speaker isn't. We're talking about fairly high end brands that consumer electronics stores mark up 50% or more! That's a reason I chose to search the used market for almost all my gear. I think Marty would agree that along with purchasing online is the best way to find value in speakers.
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post #11132 of 13875
5/23/12 at 7:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmaschm View Post


I believe that's because some of the brands he listed were "online only".

Good point, I'm somewhat cautious of purchasing audio I haven't gotten to demo myself, and doing a 15-30 day trial on multiple brands of online only equipment could be a pain.
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post #11133 of 13875
5/23/12 at 7:47am
I only considered speakers I could audition (for me I went local). As far as the CM's being lifeless or having a towel thrown over the high end, I don't find that to be the case. I'm coming from 16 years of living with '90's Klipsch era speakers which are anything but dull and muted in the high end.

To give an example I was just enjoying DSotM (the Quad mix) last night from the recent Immersion set. Rick's Hammond sounded amazing and Dave's guitar work on Money just screams. This is an album I have listened to a lot and if there was anything missing in the presentation I'd notice. The guitar work I mention in Money especially stresses the high end of the speaker. The CM's handled this excellently, the highs come through strong and well defined without breaking up or becoming shrill. The CM's also create a soundstage as wide as the Klipsch's, but with more detail and accuracy. Which really surprised me when I was auditioning speakers. I was skeptical a non horn could image as well. When I first decided it was time to replace the Klipsch's I thought another horn loaded or perhaps a ribbon speaker would likely be my preference. But I went in with an open mind and a year later ended up with the CM's. The brands Marty mentions may outperform the CM's or may just fit his criteria better. I can't say without an A/B comparison.

It's always in your best interest to listen to as many speakers as possible. Record what you like and don't like. Listen again. Narrow it down until you find your perfect speaker.
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post #11134 of 13875
5/23/12 at 9:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeahrens View Post

I only considered speakers I could audition (for me I went local). As far as the CM's being lifeless or having a towel thrown over the high end, I don't find that to be the case. I'm coming from 16 years of living with '90's Klipsch era speakers which are anything but dull and muted in the high end.

To give an example I was just enjoying DSotM (the Quad mix) last night from the recent Immersion set. Rick's Hammond sounded amazing and Dave's guitar work on Money just screams. This is an album I have listened to a lot and if there was anything missing in the presentation I'd notice. The guitar work I mention in Money especially stresses the high end of the speaker. The CM's handled this excellently, the highs come through strong and well defined without breaking up or becoming shrill. The CM's also create a soundstage as wide as the Klipsch's, but with more detail and accuracy. Which really surprised me when I was auditioning speakers. I was skeptical a non horn could image as well. When I first decided it was time to replace the Klipsch's I thought another horn loaded or perhaps a ribbon speaker would likely be my preference. But I went in with an open mind and a year later ended up with the CM's. The brands Marty mentions may outperform the CM's or may just fit his criteria better. I can't say without an A/B comparison.

It's always in your best interest to listen to as many speakers as possible. Record what you like and don't like. Listen again. Narrow it down until you find your perfect speaker.

What amp did you go with?
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post #11135 of 13875
5/23/12 at 9:21am
I've been using a Rotel 1075 for some time (the preamp is Integra 9.9). It seems to feed the CM9/CMC2/CM5 combo just fine. I am considering an Emotiva XPA3 for the main channels at some point. Not because I think the Rotel is lacking, but to get enough amplification for 7.1. I have a 2ch Parasound, but I really want to keep the front 3 channels on the same amplification. The center does so much of the work it just doesn't seem wise to short change it.
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post #11136 of 13875
5/23/12 at 9:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeahrens View Post

I've been using a Rotel 1075 for some time (the preamp is Integra 9.9). It seems to feed the CM9/CMC2/CM5 combo just fine. I am considering an Emotiva XPA3 for the main channels at some point. Not because I think the Rotel is lacking, but to get enough amplification for 7.1. I have a 2ch Parasound, but I really want to keep the front 3 channels on the same amplification. The center does so much of the work it just doesn't seem wise to short change it.

I thought about Emotiva, I just really like Rotel and I'd be taking a chance on if I'd like the Emotiva or not, plenty of ppl do seem to enjoy it though...
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post #11137 of 13875
5/23/12 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by B&W_Elit3 View Post


I thought about Emotiva, I just really like Rotel and I'd be taking a chance on if I'd like the Emotiva or not, plenty of ppl do seem to enjoy it though...

I like my Emotiva IPS-1, the only thing I don't like is that it is a 1.5 height unit and they don't make the black trim in that size.

As far a Rotel goes, I've never owned one so I don't know what I'm missing. I've heard great things though.
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post #11138 of 13875
5/23/12 at 10:44am
I don't think that Rotel makes a comparable 3ch amp, which is why I am looking at Emotiva. There is a 6ch Rotel amp in the same vintage as the 1075 that can be bridged to 3ch, but it's a much smaller amp so I am dubious of it's capabilities.

The 1075 is a real workhorse. It seems to handle the CM's very well and they're reputed to be a bit power hungry.
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post #11139 of 13875
5/25/12 at 11:40am
just a quick question has anyone used the foam plugs in theyre 685, and 0r 683 speakers if so, Opinions thanks
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post #11140 of 13875
5/25/12 at 1:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by william06 View Post

just a quick question has anyone used the foam plugs in theyre 685, and 0r 683 speakers if so, Opinions thanks

I completely plugged 685, and used foam to to reduce crossection of 683. That sounds best in my HT setup. Crossover is set to 80 Hz for 685 and 60 Hz for 683.
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post #11141 of 13875
5/25/12 at 2:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ap1 View Post

I completely plugged 685, and used foam to to seduce crossection of 683. That sounds best in my HT setup. Crossover is set to 80 Hz for 685 and 60 Hz for 683.

Thanks you for your feedback. Do you use anything like audessey or macc in your system. And if you do did you set the crossovers after the auto set up. I did put the plugs into the 683 this afternoon and just have listened to some 2 channel music I do like it as I have it on direct for that the crossover is running them at full range. Sounds pretty great so far. The dispersion on these speakers if very nice.
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post #11142 of 13875
5/25/12 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by william06 View Post


Thanks you for your feedback. Do you use anything like audessey or macc in your system. And if you do did you set the crossovers after the auto set up. I did put the plugs into the 683 this afternoon and just have listened to some 2 channel music I do like it as I have it on direct for that the crossover is running them at full range. Sounds pretty great so far. The dispersion on these speakers if very nice.

When you say you have the crossover running them at full range what exactly do you mean? Is you avr using them as LARGE speakers or SMALL
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post #11143 of 13875
5/25/12 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by B&W_Elit3 View Post

When you say you have the crossover running them at full range what exactly do you mean? Is you avr using them as LARGE speakers or SMALL

large but when I use direct I believe even if they were set to small direct or pure bypasses that.
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post #11144 of 13875
5/25/12 at 2:15pm
Whether or not the foam plugs improve things will depend on a lot of things, including how close your speakers are to a back wall or corners. For example, putting any speaker into or near a corner will emphasize the bass. If it's too much, the plugs will help.

Audyssey will try to correct for room response, but it's always better to find the best possible placement for your speakers before running Audyssey.
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post #11145 of 13875
5/25/12 at 2:18pm
On some systems, DIRECT or PURE will send a full range signal to your fronts AND bass to your sub. You get double bass--usually not a good thing.
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post #11146 of 13875
5/25/12 at 2:29pm
Yea I would recommend recalibrating the system with everything set to small, the frequency range is good though. My 683's are either at 50 or 60Hz and I tested the other frequencies and it was the most full.
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post #11147 of 13875
5/25/12 at 2:43pm
I have an onkyo tx-nr3009 when I run audessey it automatically sets all the crossovers no matter what you set them at. You can change them after the set up. It left my 683's at 40 and my surround 685's at 40. The double bass is off. When I put it in two channel direct I do set the subwoffers to off so it is just the receiver running the full range 683's . The reason I brought up the plugs is I am about 3ft from the back wall but 2' off the side walls due to the size of my larger projection screen. The plugs do cut back on the boom in the base a bit. I have yet to plug the 685 as I do not find them an issue but I probably eventuallly will. They also are up on the plinth with the spikes on thick carpet.
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post #11148 of 13875
5/25/12 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by william06 View Post

Thanks you for your feedback. Do you use anything like audessey or macc in your system. And if you do did you set the crossovers after the auto set up. I did put the plugs into the 683 this afternoon and just have listened to some 2 channel music I do like it as I have it on direct for that the crossover is running them at full range. Sounds pretty great so far. The dispersion on these speakers if very nice.

I use Audissey for digital sources and direct mode for TT. Both sound good. I adjusted crossover frequency after calibration, which recognised 683 as full range.
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post #11149 of 13875
5/26/12 at 4:40am
I think I am going to try your crossovers for the 685, and 683 I do like what the foam does to the 683 .
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post #11150 of 13875
5/26/12 at 1:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by william06 View Post

I have an onkyo tx-nr3009 when I run audessey it automatically sets all the crossovers no matter what you set them at. You can change them after the set up. It left my 683's at 40 and my surround 685's at 40. The double bass is off. When I put it in two channel direct I do set the subwoffers to off so it is just the receiver running the full range 683's . The reason I brought up the plugs is I am about 3ft from the back wall but 2' off the side walls due to the size of my larger projection screen. The plugs do cut back on the boom in the base a bit. I have yet to plug the 685 as I do not find them an issue but I probably eventuallly will. They also are up on the plinth with the spikes on thick carpet.

William how far away do you sit from your front speakers. You may have already stated this, but I was just curious.
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post #11151 of 13875
5/26/12 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by matts View Post

william how far away do you sit from your front speakers. You may have already stated this, but i was just curious.

14'
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post #11152 of 13875
5/26/12 at 11:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by william06 View Post

14'

Man I wish my current room was large enough to sit 14' feet away I sit about 10' feet away and that leaves me with about 3 feet of space behind my listening seat before the rear wall. I have thought about moving my speakers a little closer to the wall, but I don't know what it would do to the low end. I guess tomorrow is as good as any day to find out.
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post #11153 of 13875
5/27/12 at 2:50am
Any thoughts on how a Denon 2311 and B&W 685s would match?
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post #11154 of 13875
5/27/12 at 2:53am
Hi all,

Im having to downgrade my 600 5.1 series to just using my 685s in stereo. This is for movie watching. Do I then need to use Audyssey?
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post #11155 of 13875
5/27/12 at 4:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesP1701 View Post

Hi all,

Im having to downgrade my 600 5.1 series to just using my 685s in stereo. This is for movie watching. Do I then need to use Audyssey?

Audyssey does room correction for however many channels you use. Why not use it for stereo?
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post #11156 of 13875
5/27/12 at 5:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesP1701 View Post

Any thoughts on how a Denon 2311 and B&W 685s would match?


I think that combo would be great. I actually used to own that same Denon avr-2311 before I eventually upgraded to my current receiver, which is a Denon avr-3312. The B&W 685's sound really good to me, and, in my opinion, they are a good value.
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post #11157 of 13875
5/27/12 at 5:28am
Hi friends
My first post here in this thread.
I have a pair of 805s driven by a Musical Fidelity A 5.5 and the source is a Oppo 83Nuforce.

It's a very balanced system, bordering on the warmth side..

I was eyeing a pair of 804Diamonds. Just soliciting some opinions on how much better are they, and will the 804D be ok in a 10ft wide, 16ft long, 10ft high living room?

Will I get significantly more scale, and sound or it's more of a tad more? The cost is quite a lot as I got my 805s for a good price.
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post #11158 of 13875
5/27/12 at 5:30am
Oh, I recently acquired a BNIB HTM4s centre too, and will that be an issue with the newer 804D?
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post #11159 of 13875
5/27/12 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by petetherock View Post

Hi friends
My first post here in this thread.
I have a pair of 805s driven by a Musical Fidelity A 5.5 and the source is a Oppo 83Nuforce.

It's a very balanced system, bordering on the warmth side..

I was eyeing a pair of 804Diamonds. Just soliciting some opinions on how much better are they, and will the 804D be ok in a 10ft wide, 16ft long, 10ft high living room?

Will I get significantly more scale, and sound or it's more of a tad more? The cost is quite a lot as I got my 805s for a good price.

Your room dimensions look fine for the 804D's. I cannot speak of the 805s's, but I own the 805D's and 804D's. I use 804D's up front and 805D's to the rear. To me the 804D's add more bass and a little more extension to the lower end. The 804D's also have a dedicated midrange driver, where the 805's have one woofer that shares mid/bass. In this regard the 804D's will have slightly better separation, and staging as you are not asking one 6.5" woofer to do two jobs and cover such a wide frequency range.

IMO If I was going for a 5.1 HT setup, then of course I would by both 805 and 804 and then add center HTM2 or 4 and then sub and call it a day. If on the other hand I was looking only for a stereo rig (2.1 or 2.0) I would go with 804D's. In your case since you already have the 805s, which I would assume are very close in performance and tonal balance to the 805D' - the cleaner more refined treble would probably be the major difference, but I am sure that the difference is not night & day. I would get the 804D's for the better bass/extension in FF and the slightly cleaner midrange. Especially since the difference in price would be going from ($5K for 805's to $7.5K for the 804's.)
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post #11160 of 13875
5/27/12 at 11:56am
Hey, I want to buy a m1 to HT central. I could see in some internet iamges that does exist some of them with the mark "B&W" that is still in strait upside even thouh the speaker is placed horizontaly. But I can not find it to sell as a different speaker than the other vertical, I mean with a different orientation of the mark or name "B&W" that is written on the speaker. I ask the fnac salesman Here in coimbra portugal and he does not know nothing about it.
It gives a feeling that something is out of place when the name "b&w" is in a wrong orientation...
Anyone could clarifie the issue?
Thanks.
Everton
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