B&W Owner's Thread - Page 415

Whether you want to listen to stereo sources via matrix multi-channel(i.e. Dolby Pro Logic, dts Neo, THX, etc) is up to you, it's a personal thing. I love using the Logic 7 surround processing from my Lexicon MC-12B on stereo sources but also really enjoy listeing to just my 802's and stereo subs on stereo sources as well. If I wanted to also remove the subs on stereo sources all I have to do is engage the bypass mode by that also turns off room correction, etc. which I prefer to keep on.

Providing you have a multi-channel speaker system, for discrete multi-channel sources such as movies make sure your Marantz is passing those signals without mucking things up because it is possible to down mix a surround sound signal to stereo or even mono if you engage those modes. If you only have a left, right and a center speaker which I think you are saying you do then the discrete surround signals need to be down mixed into the speakers you have and if you are using HDMI this should be happening automatically as when you set up the receiver you should have told it you don't have any surrounds and the surround signals that would normally be going to the surround speakers get re-directed to the other speakers, mostly to the left and right speakers.

As to your question about stereo music playing through all of the speakers, that will depend on the capabilities of your Marantz and the surround modes. For example the Logic 7 in my Lexicon will take a sterreo signal and expand that to a complete 7 speaker array. I think using Dolby Pro Logic will take the signal and put it to the surrounds but not the center, I could be wrong as it's been a while since I have used my Pro Logic IIx mode and THX may work the same, again I haven't used my THX Ultra mode for years so I'm not sure.

CM9s FTW.
(these are mine, upgraded from some polk monitor 70s.)




Powering them with a Rotel RB-1070.

dude awesome!!! looking good esse!
only think you need now is a series LCD TV to go with that bad setup!
go sony, go 60"
good luck to you bro.

LOL, I started out with a pre-amp... It's a slippery slope... Really good to hear you are happy with your new system.

nice set-up seth!

I'm trying to figure out which 600 series center goes best with my setup. I won't consider anything but B&W 600 series because of timer matching and OCD.

I have 685's and ASW610, I believe. Right now I went with the 685's instead of the 686, and the 610 instead of the 608 or whatever, so that's what leads me to thinking I should get the bigger center, but B&W doesn't necessarily reflect that logic on their website. My room is small but I'm keeping the future, and a bigger room in mind. So which 600 series center should I go for? I forget the models but the lower end is about 450 and the higher is about 650. I know they have a different speaker configuration.

TIA!

I would go with CMC2 and 683 for L/R.

I would listen to jima on this one. for home theater most of the good stuff needed to draw you into a movie comes from the center and sub

But I already have L/R speakers, and I don't want a center that doesn't match.

The CMC2 will work well with your 685s. The HTM62 and HTM61 centers aren't well reviewed. If you don't want to go with the CMC2 the next best thing would be to use a single 685 as your center.

I'd be interested in hearing from fellow B&W 804 diamond ( or 803 Di) owners on what amplification gear they are using to power their speakers. I have been using two Rotel 1572 amps (250 x 2) to power my front three but I'm not convinced I'm hearing the best for the money I have.

So what are you guys powering them with?
Edited by SugarmillMan - 12/25/12 at 8:08am

You can see my setup in my signature, I am using a Musical Fidelity A 5.5 stereo amp in HT bypass mode.
Far more musical than the 1572 which I own too.
There are some members who will insist amps don't matter, so YMMV depending on what you believe.

Find the CM9 too bass heavy to the point i hear a hum every now and then. Do CM9 owners use the plugs in the hole in the back and has that helped.
I was thinking of getting a sub woofer so i can control the bass levels . Any other suggestions would be great. These speakers are paired with peachtree novapre and peachtree220 amp.

Thanks,

Sub woofer for CM9. Folks can you suggest sub woofers you are pairing with your CM9. Trying to get an idea if that is a good plan. 2.0 system only used for music.
Thanks,

How far are the speakers from the back wall? That is the only way I could see them being boomy. Also, how far from side walls?

Hi. I'm brand new to the forum and looking for advice from B&W owners in order to get the correct center speaker for my set-up.
I'm currently listening primarily to music and to cable tv with a pair of B&W DM603 S3's for L and R, and a newly purcased SVS PB12-NSD sub. Now I'm looking for a decent center speaker and don't have much knowledge about what B&W models I should consider.
I see recommendations for LCR600 S3's but can't find any. I have found a preowned HTM 62 but don't know if it's a good match. Any other suggestions?
Any advice is welcome and appreciated!!
Thanks in advance..

You should find some help here.

Thanks. I DO believe that amps make a big difference in sound quality. However, I haven't heard about these MF amps before other than what I read on their website. Does anyone else use these amps also?

Hi - PM sent

I feed the my with the 1582, I will keep out of a class D amp with the diamond it is not the best way to amplification for this speakers. it's too harsh for my taste. You could try a class AB or A if you want get better music performance.
Edited by leo2498 - 12/26/12 at 6:13am

My 802D2 sound fabulous with my ATI AT3005 amp.

Others say Bryston, Parasond, Classe, Anthem, McIntosh sound great.

But keeping your B&W 2ft-3ft from the walls, bypassing Room Correction/ EQ/ DSP, using great subs like Funk 18.0 or others, and using better music will also help.

So how did your 804D2 sound BEFORE you bought them (during audition)?

I believe the rule of thumb is to get the Center speaker that has the same size & material tweeter & midrange of your main front L/R speakers.

For example, if your mains have 1" aluminum tweeter & 6.5" aluminum midrange, then try to get a Center speaker with 1" aluminum tweeter & 6.5" aluminum midrange as well.

Four years ago I replaced my old B&W DM603 speakers in the living room with 804S/HTM3S for home theater setup with Outlaw Audio pre-amp and amp.
Last week I decided to replace my aging JBL Media 3 PC speakers, as the left speaker cuts out every couple minutes, and the volume nob doesn't work great.
So I decided to go with the B&W MM-1 from Best Best ($500).

For the price, I'm not impressed.
First off, there is the "background hiss" that everyone else hears and complains about when they are powered on, but that doesn't bother me too much.
What I don't care for is their "boxed-in & closed" sound, and when playing any type of orchestral/coral music with a lot going on - everything starts to sound muddy together, no definition between instruments.
I did an A/B compare with the MM-1 and my JBL Media 3, and the JBLs sounder fuller, more open, and better instrument separation.
So these MM-1s are going back.

Now trying to decided what to replace them with, as I'll have to go separates.
Something like the B&W 686/685/CM1 or Martin Logan LX16 for speakers and a separate integrated amp such as the Marantz PM5004/6004 or Onkyo A-9050.

Suggestions?

I wouldn't use ANY of speakers you mentioned as computer speakers. None are designed for close range listening. Go get Adam A5X. I know many people bought them and are very happy. They are a little pricey, but do not need separate amplifier.

Thanks for both suggestions. I was never comfortable powering my 804D2s with Class D amps so I'm glad to hear there are others sharing the same sentiment.

When I decided to buy B&W speakers, my local Florida dealer had only a single pair of CM9s set up in a listening room, powered by a fairly high end receiver, name unrecalled. Nothing else. I ordered my 804Diamonds after reading and reading about them, including advice from this forum. So far, I'm pleased with their musicality but feel I have to step up to a better class AB or A amp. I'd love to buy a McIntosh, Bryston or Classe but probably would have to sell my home to get one of those. I am seriously thinking about something from Parasound, as it might be in the 2013 budget somewhere. Do any of you guys have any Parasound Halo amps in use?
Edited by SugarmillMan - 12/26/12 at 7:17am

BTW Sugarmillman:
Do you find the 804D bright sounding?
Especially with the current setup you have?

Recommend A21 or A31 Parasounds or AT3002 or AT3003 ATIs. Won't find the Parasounds bright and ADTG can probably vouch for the ATIs

I can highly advise the use of AB internation cinema se range of amps. I have gone from Rotel 1575, bel canto ref 1000 mono blocks, denon poa a1hd, emotiva xpa5 and now the ab Amps. They are here to stay! Perhaps until I dem the new datasat offerings, made by ati to their top spec.

But I use 3x500w se ab amps into front three, 802d and htm2d ( next month to be htm1d) and 4x 200w to SCMS and 805s. The grip and mid range and bass punch is just awesome from these ab amps. I really cannot advise them enough.

The worst amps from my recent year have been the emotiva. They just did not sound all that great. Fine for mid range gear but my system got them to clip on high transients etc.

AVSouth? Yes; don't often setup the B&W gear there.

I'd be interested in hearing what people who have gone that route think. I have the 683's with a HTM62 now and considering a upgrade to the CMC2. As an aside is it just me or do you not get nearly as much for your center dollars as you do with other well regarded brands?