B&W Owner's Thread - Page 96

Hi,

The speakers are the older Nautilus 804s. But the stands will also work with the 804S speakers. The stands are from Sound Anchors in Florida. I have the taller floor stands up front and the standard height stands for the rears. They only sell the standard height stands now as a standard stock item. But you can ask them to custom make any height stand you want. These things are solid and have a lot of weight behind them.

As far as improvements to sound quality, I can't really comment. I bought my first pair of N804s used which had the tall Sound Anchor stands included with them. I've used them that way ever since I got them. I added the rear Sound Anchor stands more for increased stability than for any real sound improvements after a couple of....ahem....accidents with people visiting. With the stands, the speakers are definitely more stable and tipping them is a bit tougher.

i'm gonna use bedliner as my finish...I'm not doing veneer this time. Will look like this finish:



alternatively, I may just go with a coarser bedliner finish..requires less coats, and it's cheaper

Original Post by ADM (I neglected to click the include reply option
I see that you have the DS3s. How do you like them? Also where are they deployed in terms of your seating and the walls?

Currently, my set up is:
Front: B&W 604-3s
Center B&W LCR600
Surround: Hsu STF-3
Rears: Lafayette -Criterion 50 (40 year old 3-way on floor in each corner)
Harman/Karman 7200 AVR

Considering adding the the DS3s to either replace the current rears or conceivably having both with the DS3s raised in the corners above the 50s.

Unfortunately due to my having doorways on the rear wall at the point/adjacent to the 50s, the only option for the DS3s are above the entrances.


...Mark


Sorry for the delayed post. I have been very pleased with my surrounds. At first I was a little unsure since the sound coming out of them was not very obvious, but then I realized that that was the point. From the attached images, you can see that the builder did me no favors on the placement (too high and too far into the corner), but the speakers do their job very well. Anyone building a house in Dallas (or looking for a recommendation of who to use, or NOT use, send me a private message and I'll share my perspectives). I eventually hooked up with a knowledgable, skilled, and ethical individual and the story ended very happily. I initially ran the DS3's with the LCR600 and 602.5's, and they matched very well.Attachment 113254

Attachment 113255

Attachment 113256

Actually, I am not sure which version I have...I don't seem to have any letters or numbers the match what you describe, so that would be a difference. Where on the DVD should I look for that?

At first the 683's seemed too heavy in the bass, but not anymore. So either there is a big difference after the break-in period or my ears are getting used to the new sound...maybe I have just been lucky with the DVD's and Blu-Ray's that have been arriving in the mail lately. Regardless, even if my ears are confused, my eyes can still see that there is not a lot of movement.

Your absolutely right...and a genius to boot. You should never underestimate the beauty of natural light, but what do you do at night when the sun goes down? I guess that means that we all need TWO rooms?! One like yours for day time viewing, and another, more theater centric, with screen, projector, etc.

You think our wives would mind?

I would love to see a photo of these famous bungs that go into the ports at the back of the CM7s, could you upload a pic.

JG

I ordered a pair of B&Ws 804S and the HTM3S center about 2 weeks ago, along with the Sound Anchor stands for the 804S and their SDACC center stand. Everything was delivered to the dealer 10 days ago, but the center SDACC stand was delayed and should be there this week.
I haven't seen any comments regarding the adjustable SDACC stand, so I hope it works well.

Wow, those look about 12-15" higher than they should be, but as long as they sound OK. Are you using them in bi-pole or mono-pole mode?

Hi All

My system is as follows:
Amplifier: Yamaha RX-V3800
Front: 683
Centre: HTM61
RearS3
Sub: ASW610

My problem is that the sub does not come out of standby mode and I have to leave it on permanently. I have set my front speakers to large with a crossover frequency on the amp set at 120.

Is there anything I can do to rectify the problem

The system works perfectly once the sub is on.


Rgds

Hello fellow B&Wer's. I purchased a new setup about this time last year and I have really enjoyed it. I am about 60% HT and 40% music content wise. I am looking to upgrade from 5.1 to 7.1 soon and would like to solicit some opinions as far as which speakers I should go with for the surround back channels. My room is medium sized, I suppose. It measures 16' wide by 20' long. I have attached a crude MS Paint overhead view of how my listening area is set up. My system components are as follows:

Cambridge Azur 640R Receiver
AudioQuest Interconnects and Type-8 speaker wire
B&W 683s
B&W HTM62
B&W DS3s
Paradigm Siesmic 12
Belkin PF60 Power Console
PS3 for Blu Ray playback
Cambridge 840C
Samsung HL-S6187w HDTV

There are a few other various pieces, but those are the most important ones for my purposes here.

What would the best matching set of surround back right/left speakers be? I have considered another pair of DS3s but I am unsure as to whether or not the dipole dispursement is necessary or the difference in cost is even necessary over a pair of 685s or 686s. I would prefer to wall mount them on the rear wall at or around the same height at my side surround DS3s which are about 4 inches from the ceiling (8' ceiling). Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

i have the 686s they work and sound great, i would say for the amount of material that goes threw those extra 2 rears you should just go with the cheaper 685 or 686. Remember that you can turn off dipole via the switch on those DS3s. You can also wall mount the 686s and prob the 685s too, they have a bracket on them, i use mine on stands.

Thanks for the prompt response. I do realize that the DS3s can be placed into monopole mode, and as they are a great wall mount solution, they unfortunately weigh in at almost double the cost. I was really leaning towards the larger 685s largely for 2 reasons. Both the 685s and smaller 686s are ported, but the 686s are ported in the rear (685s are ported in the front) which would leave less room for mounting purposes as well as the fact that it would increase potential reflections from the rear of the speaker. The 685s have larger mid/bass drivers (6.5" versus 5") so it can handle more content. Some of the DTS 7.1 MA discrete content does get fairly demanding of them from time to time - I have listened to some 7.1 setups to see if I would be interested in it for my own HT. Do you have any pictures of the brackets? I would be delighted to have a wall mounted solution over a speaker stand for rear image consistency as well as room demands (there is a closet door in the left rear of the room). Thanks for your reply!

Yep, they're at least 12" - 15" too high. I've tried it both ways in the past, and will undoubtedly try it both ways again in the future, but for now the more difuse sound of bi-pole seems to work a little better. Of course they might sound even better properly placed, but at some point you have to stop fiddling and start listening.

As you can see from the images in my post, mine are too far into the corner. Generally, it isn't an issue and sound moves seamlessly from front to back, but there times (Band of Brothers - Day of Days) where the sound is obviously in the upper corners of the room and not just behind us somewhere. Based on your diagram of a rectangular listening position, I would think that placing the rears just inside the extreme left and right of the listening position would be the place to start. Then follow the advice of your ears from there.

You might try the two side surrounds in bi-pole mode and the two read surrounds in mono-pole. I've read people get a nice sound with it setup that way.

you can sort of see the bracket in this picture, i wouldnt see why they would be any different for the 685s

I see a red x

EDIT: Nevermind, work computer blocked it since the link was from facebook. Looked at it on my iPhone and the picture loaded fine.

Thanks for posting that. Does the bracket allow for the speakers to be aimed in any way?

its working for me, check your browser settings, are images being blocked?, refresh?, is anyone else seeing an x?

I can see it, and I am over here in Ireland!

JG

no its more like a heavy duty picture hanger

I sent you a pm.

Hello Guys & Jake
Sorry it took me a while just got My first ever speakers 685 for main front with a Marantz SR7002 ,Monster HTS2600, bought them like 2 months ago & haven't stop talking about then till now next week Going to buy Velodyne DD12 for sub & then OFCOURSE B&W CENTER thinking about the HTM61 any ideas(since you cant go wrong with any B&W in my opinion)in the future moving the 685's as Rears & have to buy towers but have No Idea which pair 700's, 800's ,or last high 600's model KUDOS FOR THE THREAD father (rest in piece)& sister are musicians so Sound quality are most important HT 43% Music 47% gaming 10% .
For all the "bashers" of B&W i haven't even looked there way & even known the excited to my def ears (lol). right now only in a 1 bedroom Apt. with my wife & the neighbors come & ask my to lower the volume from -13 to -20 only from the pair bookshelf's -WOW ... can't wait to move to a small house god willing & have a dedicated room for my ""toys"
All the best & waiting to hear reply's for my next purchase ... ?

TheEdge64
New Member

Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4

Big Grin B&W Rule !
Hello Guys & Jake
Sorry it took me a while just got My first ever speakers 685 for main front with a Marantz SR7002 ,Monster HTS2600, bought them like 2 months ago & haven't stop talking about then till now next week Going to buy Velodyne DD12 for sub & then OFCOURSE B&W CENTER thinking about the HTM61 any ideas(since you cant go wrong with any B&W in my opinion)in the future moving the 685's as Rears & have to buy towers but have No Idea which pair 700's, 800's ,or last high 600's model KUDOS FOR THE THREAD father (rest in piece)& sister are musicians so Sound quality are most important HT 43% Music 47% gaming 10% .
For all the "bashers" of B&W i haven't even looked there way & even known the excited to my def ears (lol). right now only in a 1 bedroom Apt. with my wife & the neighbors come & ask my to lower the volume from -13 to -20 only from the pair bookshelf's -WOW ... can't wait to move to a small house god willing & have a dedicated room for my ""toys"
All the best & waiting to hear reply's for my next purchase ... ?

You are definitely on the right track! I am sold on B&W and have three seperate systems: 801's, 804's and 603's in different applications. If you have not done so already, you might check out The Sound Factor here in LA (in Encino and Pasadena) where you can listen to the different models.

Hopefully, you can move out of your apartment soon, outherwise you may have neighbors pounding on the walls!

Hi

I'll be getting my first pair of speakers - the B&W 685s in a couple of weeks and I can't wait! I chose the 685s since I'll be mainly using them for music and I need them for a very small room. Right now I'm trying to decide which receiver to get. I want a stereo receiver since I don't plan on expanding to a 5.1 anytime soon. The dealer was offering a really good deal with the Denon DRA-297 but I wanted to research other receivers before making the purchase. The Denon was the only receiver I could audition them with and I was wondering, what would you guys recommend? I'm trying to decide between the Denon 297, HK 3390 and the Marantz SR4021.

Need some advice. I own a pair of N802's. I have never really thought they were that great especially when I compared them to my old Matrix 802's.

I am finally upgrading my processor and switching over to balanced interconnects. As I do this I am starting to question my AMP. I have a sunfire signature 5x405 amp.

Does this amp have what it takes to power a pair of N802's? Should I consider using 4 of the 5 channels to bi-amp the speakers - would that help?

Or should I use that amp for my surrounds and purchase something else to drive my N802s?

I don't want to break the bank on amps - is there is a good two channel amp or two mono blocks that will "show" me what the N802's can really do?

I look forward to hearing what everyone here has to say.....

PS - I have already put the N802's on some sound anchor stands - and I think that has helped a bit.

Hi !

My setup is:
front - DM602 S3
center - LCR60
surround - DM601 S3
sub - ASW 600

These are my first 5.1 speakers and because of that I'm not sure if I configured correctly all that staff. They will be used mainly for the home cinema purposes.

Here are my settings: front speakers are set to large, center and surround - small.
Crossover frequency is set to 80hz (my amp allows 80-120hz for all channels).
SW mode set to norm (+main also available)
LFE - 0db, cinema eq - off.

And now sub - my biggest concern is a low-pass filter frequency control (40-180), and defeat switch (in/out). Manual says to set it to "out" for home theatre, and then frequency control is irrelevant.
For 2-channel audio they suggest to set defeat switch to "in" position, and low-pass to -6db frequency of the satellite speakers.
Frequency range of my speakers at -6db is:
40hz and 42kHz for 602's
48hz and 42kHz for 601's
50hz and 30kHz for lcr60

So if I understand it correctly I should set low-pass filter to 50hz ?
Feel free to comment my current settings, maybe there is something I did wrong... thanks in advance for any reply.

I need to sell my HTM3S. Any interest?

What have you done to treat your room acoustics? If the answer is "minimal" or "nothing" then you should consider that as the next step.

Ditto. The room will have far great influence on sound quality than any change of amp will. Save your money for a while if you have to, but amps come after rooms in the priority of things. I just went down the same road with my system. Trying different amps and cables and whatnot, but I ditched that after not realizing much gain in SQ and put all of the amp money into the room, and then some. The payoff was a signifcant increase in clarity and neutrality.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1047573