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B&W DM603 S3 Speakers, Impression?

11533 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Wolfy701, Sep 10, 2014

stepmback

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2009

I have not heard these exact pair of speakers but have heard several other B&W speakers and really like the sound. I have an opportunity to get a used pair of these speakers delivered for about $500.

I plan on using them in my HT along with a sub. I am looking for a warm crisp sound..... can someone describe the sound of these speakers? How do you like them? I will be using a yamaha receiver pushing a rate 130 watts per channel.... but I don't listen to HT screaming loud anyways. Just looking for a crisp sound with lots of depth.

Thanks

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wgriel

· #2 · Jul 23, 2009

I used to own a pair of these and absolutely loved them. $500.00 is a good price.

They are a nicely balanced speaker, tending to a bit of warmth in the mids but presenting good detail. I found them very easy to listen to without a hint of harshness. I used them in a 2 channel system, but they'd be great as L&R in a home theater.

The only issue that I could foresee is that they are a discontinued model and it could be a trick finding a matching center. Although I have seen both of the center channels for this series for sale used periodically.

While I know reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt, this subjective review matched my experience with the speaker pretty accurately. It also measures pretty well for a speaker in its class.

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stepmback

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by wgriel /forum/post/16875975

I used to own a pair of these and absolutely loved them. $500.00 is a good price.

They are a nicely balanced speaker, tending to a bit of warmth in the mids but presenting good detail. I found them very easy to listen to without a hint of harshness. I used them in a 2 channel system, but they'd be great as L&R in a home theater.

The only issue that I could foresee is that they are a discontinued model and it could be a trick finding a matching center. Although I have seen both of the center channels for this series for sale used periodically.

While I know reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt, this subjective review matched my experience with the speaker pretty accurately. It also measures pretty well for a speaker in its class.

Thanks for your feedback and the link (review). You brought up my next question, which is matching a center to the L/R. Can you recommend a couple of center speakers (even if discontinued) that would be a good match?

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aquaphile

· #4 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmback /forum/post/16875732

I have not heard these exact pair of speakers but have heard several other B&W speakers and really like the sound. I have an opportunity to get a used pair of these speakers delivered for about $500

+1 for those being worht $500. i have a pair of the DM602.5's which was a recent purchase. i was lucky enough to find them sitting around as b-stock at a local dealer. i LOVE my DM602.5's, i can only imagine the DM603's, or the DM604's!

after about 3 months, the only complaint i can think of would be a slight lack in the bass deptartment, but the 603's have that 2nd woofer, so it wouldnt be an issue. other than that, which can be fixed with a sub, they absolutely rock!

Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmback /forum/post/16876069

Thanks for your feedback and the link (review)Can you recommend a couple of center speakers (even if discontinued) that would be a good match?

i believe youl want the LCR60 or the LCR600, which have MSRP's of $350 and $500. spend some time at www.hometheaterstore.com they still have that generation 600 series on their site, so youll be able to see whats out there. also, they include prices, so if you come across somehting used, youll realize what kind of deal your getting.

and one last option: on B&W's website, they have the 'product archive' and you can download the entire series' brochure on PDF. so that will show you everything offered (at the time) to go with your DM603 S3's

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wgriel

· #5 · Jul 24, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by aquaphile /forum/post/16876177

+1 for those being worht $500. i have a pair of the DM602.5's which was a recent purchase. i was lucky enough to find them sitting around as b-stock at a local dealer. i LOVE my DM602.5's, i can only imagine the DM603's, or the DM604's!

I think a number of 602.5s were discovered in a warehouse somewhere some months back: at my local dealer, he suddenly had a bunch of them long after they had finished selling off all the S3 stock. This included a finish that I had never seen over here: I don't remember what they called it, but it was almost a "rosenut" kind of finish. Previously all we had was ash black or sorrento.

I spent some time listening to a pair just out of interest and I was impressed. I don't recall what they were being sold for, but I remember thinking it was a great deal. I simply had no need for another pair of speakers, otherwise I would have snapped up a pair.

Quote:
after about 3 months, the only complaint i can think of would be a slight lack in the bass deptartment, but the 603's have that 2nd woofer, so it wouldnt be an issue. other than that, which can be fixed with a sub, they absolutely rock!

The 603s have excellent bass extension for a speaker of their size. Of course, you'd still want a sub for any movie watching, but they can produce a surprising level of articulate, clean bass. Overall, I found the 603s to be a delightfully balanced speaker.

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aquaphile

· #6 · Jul 24, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by wgriel /forum/post/16880930

I don't recall what they were being sold for, but I remember thinking it was a great deal

less than the price of a new pair of 686's for me

and yes, i DO mean the 686's

OP, i think the general opinion here is to go for it! seeing as thats the "most recent previous" series, you shouldnt have a problem finding a center channel to match

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cwall99

· #7 · Feb 6, 2013

I have a pair of the DM603 S3, and I agree, they're a wonderful speaker.

I use mine with a B&W LCR600 S3 as the center. Same tweeter. Same midrange and the LCR600 uses an additional matching driver for its low end/woofer.

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Samir Cerimic

· #8 · Oct 1, 2013

Best sounding speakers i heard up to now!Up to now i whud sey this only about KEF Q 75,or 65.2,but BW is far bether!If you have a chanse,get them,you wont be disspointed!

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Wolfy701

· #9 · Sep 10, 2014

What's a fair price to pay for a pair of DM603 S3?

I saw 2 ebay listings for $799 and $650.
I am thinking to offer $600.

Thanks,
Wolfy

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