Bowers & Wilkins Question

[tEh koRnDog 5,000+ posts]

Well Im currently looking into buying a nice set of speakers, and tomorrow I will be going to a local dealer to check out some systems. But I was just wondering if anyone could give me an idea on prices, just so I know what to expect...Im not really putting a price limit on them. Mainly on the the B&W 700 series, 703 Towers. If anyone could give any input...it would be great! Thanks

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[BrianChia 10+ year member]

... *waits for the British Ear to reply* ...

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

The B&W 703 is going to run you about $3300 for a pair.

Also some things to check out is the B&W 683 which runs at $1500 a pair. Great sounding speaker at a pretty good value. Also, check out the CM7 at $2000 a pair. Different sound than the 683 (smoother very musical sound) and the 703 (dry precise critical sound).

I'm not sure what your budget is, but the 683 & the CM7 are more forgiving and cater to mid priced components. With the 703 you won't really reap the full benefit of the loudspeaker unless you get good electronics also. I hate to say it but Rotel isn't really the best for the 703, but will work great for the 683 & CM7. That isn't saying that the Rotel doesn't sound good on the 703, it does. I ran Rotel with my 703 for years but I think the 703 will benefit from higher class brands such as Moon, Classe, and Bryston (all Canadian companies which is kind of weird). But, along with these companies comes more cost.

I guess what you get is pretty budget dependent.

With the 703 if I was laying out a new system and wanted to keep with Rotel I would get the following.

$3300 703

$1700 Rotel RSP-1068

$1000 Rotel RB-1080 or Rotel RB-1092 $2499

If I was going to do a system around the 703 with other options.

$3300 703

$1599 Arcam FMJ C31

$3250 Bryston 4B SST (I would try to find a used one.)

To be honest the Bryston would be over kill unless you want to really maximize and have the money to spend.

IMHO the Arcam preamplifier sounds better than the Rotel. (LOTS BETTER)

Depending on where you go your dealer might only have Rotel products. If this is the case listen and find something you really like and get that. But, if they have other brands be sure to test those out! Make sure you shop with your ears not your dealers opinions. A good majority of the time sales men don't know jack about putting together a good sounding system and will sell you the flashy buttons that you don't need. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif So, shop with the ears and go into the store completely open and willing to listen to everything and anything they have. ALso, bring lots of CDs. Some sales guys will have their own CDs, but they are usually selected to hide the weaknesses of a system. Bring what you will listen to when you are at home.

Also, if you get a chance check out Thiel, Dali, & PMC. They are all very great sounding loudspeakers and to you might sound better than the B&W. Peronally I've become a big fan of the Dali. I'll probably always keep my 703, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have a Dali system someday.

**Just a note for the COCAEDMADs. I told him to listen and get what sounds good to him. So, I'm not telling him to go buy the best electronics because they cost more. So STFU already, I don't want to hear this Audiophile bull shit. K thanx.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

... *waits for the British Ear to reply* ...

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[joetama 5,000+ posts]

I would have posted sooner but I'm a bit rusty on the old prices and had to look them all up.

 

[tEh koRnDog 5,000+ posts]

Thank you for the reply....I definitly will be going in with my ears and what sounds best to me....Im not gonna let some sales guy sway me into anything.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

What is your budget?

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

Sorry threadjack OP, but which Dali speakers have you heard, Joe?

 

[--Navi-- 10+ year member]

B&W makes my martin logans jealous //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Sorry threadjack OP, but which Dali speakers have you heard, Joe?

Euphonia MS5 & Helicon 800 MK2 at CES & locally. (Best speakers at CES IMO, Thiel CS3.7 were next best)

Plus, the DALI & Thiel guys were the nicest guys there too. A lot of the other guys were jerks or weirdos. The DALI guys were especially cool, I stopped in and listened to them and was pretty amazed. They told me to come back and listen anytime. I came back 2 days. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

I've also heard the Mentor 8 locally.

B&W makes my martin logans jealous //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

What do you mean?

Logans are great speakers. Just a different style and sound.

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

Never had a chance to listen to Thiel but I checked out many Dali speakers a couple years ago. I was impressed with the Helicon 400 and 800. After a side by side casual comparison with the Euphonia MS5 and MS4 I could not pick out a "better" speaker even though there is a significant difference in price. Personally I preferred the sound of the Helicons. Compared with other speakers I've tested in that price range they seem like a really good value.

I was underwhelmed by the Mega-Line line array towers. Maybe it was the music, maybe it was the wrong listening environment, or maybe it was the $75,000+ system price tag, but the Helicon 400 seemed much more lively and enjoyable to listen to.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Line Arrays are over rated...

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

Line Arrays are over rated...

Bite your tongue. They are fun.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Bite your tongue. They are fun.

I think they are something you have to have a taste for, sort of like electrostatics and ribbon tweeters.

But, if you like them awesome for you. There is a place for everything. My brother uses PA speakers (which are $5265 a pair) and a Yamaha DM1000V2 ($3500) for his home audio system. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif He likes volume.

I took this picture last weekend when I was home.

That was taken about 40 ft away from the speakers listening to Sammy Hagar.

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

I think they are something you have to have a taste for, sort of like electrostatics and ribbon tweeters.

And one-way speakers. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

But, if you like them awesome for you. There is a place for everything. My brother uses PA speakers (which are $5265 a pair) and a Yamaha DM1000V2 ($3500) for his home audio system. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif He likes volume.

Got DeE BeEz?