Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2
- Thread starter Art K.
- Start date
Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
I'm gonna' have to check out the new B&W line at the dealer in my area. Been a while. I AM particular about highs though. That's why I love the old Wharfie models, because they have a smooth leading edge and all that.
For home theater, I have something I'd like to try at least. I want to use my W90's for HT, but I want to incorporate a center channel somehow, and I was tempted to try a single alnico W60 hooked up to the center channel output (It says it combines the L & R channels into one, so if that's essentially what a modern center channel does, then fine, but I was never certain about that. The W90's are pretty-amazing with the "Cars" blu-ray. I play that every once in a while. Sounds surprisingly-good.
For home theater, I have something I'd like to try at least. I want to use my W90's for HT, but I want to incorporate a center channel somehow, and I was tempted to try a single alnico W60 hooked up to the center channel output (It says it combines the L & R channels into one, so if that's essentially what a modern center channel does, then fine, but I was never certain about that. The W90's are pretty-amazing with the "Cars" blu-ray. I play that every once in a while. Sounds surprisingly-good.
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Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
That may be the music they were designed for. The Dentons for Rock and Roll
I should just keep em all then doncha think!
You knew that all along.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
:yes:
Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
Yeah, if you look at a speaker like, say, the Yami NS-1000, it's a stellar speaker for classical, jazz, and solo piano music due to it's clarity and sense of presence, but I wouldn't think of it as the best choice for the kind of music I listen to most (classic-rock/psychedelic-rock, funk/soul, Motown, etc.), mainly due to it's extremely-transparent nature. Might be good with modern electronic music though, but for most of my music, I really prefer a speaker with some warmth. Not necessarily forgiving, but something with a little life to it. The kind of speaker that saves you that first beer, you know what I mean? Best way I can think of to describe it.
If you want to play rock with 685s, just add 15-18" sub. That is all you need, you will feel PRaT too. They won't hide poor record mastering though.That may be the music they were designed for. The Dentons for Rock and Roll
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
Don't need a sub to play rock. The B&W's are a fine all around speaker. Just have to be patient and run them in. I don't use a sub with any speaker and enjoy every genre of music. I have nothing against subs, for someone else, not for me. To assert that all you need to "feel" PRaT is a sub is simply not true.
A good loudspeaker allows you to enjoy all of your music, poor mastering or not. That is always what I am looking for. Good resolution, tonality, timing and non fatiguing.
Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
I got the impression that he meant the B&W needed a sub to sound good with rock (whether that's the case or not).
But in terms of being a warts-and-all speaker (or not), that's the thing I love most about the old Wharfedales from the '50's and '60's. They have that "enjoyment factor" that makes you wanna' get up and shake your groove thang (Makes you wanna' freaky-deaky). That's gotta' be there, for me at least. University has it too, very-much so. KLH as well, and that's the sort of thing I want out of a modern speaker.
But in terms of being a warts-and-all speaker (or not), that's the thing I love most about the old Wharfedales from the '50's and '60's. They have that "enjoyment factor" that makes you wanna' get up and shake your groove thang (Makes you wanna' freaky-deaky). That's gotta' be there, for me at least. University has it too, very-much so. KLH as well, and that's the sort of thing I want out of a modern speaker.
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You do need sub with 685. They do not have much output below 60Hz, and are not very linear below 100.
Good speakers truthfully reproduce what is recorded. In most case it means that poorly made record is unlistenable, as sound defects are obvious. If speaker hides defects (adding its own distortion on top) it is not truthful to the source.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
YOU NEED A SUB, I DO NOT. Can I make this any clearer. Should I draw you a picture.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
I knew what he meant. He is wrong.
Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
Guess that means Led Zep II, Let It Bleed, Sgt Pepper,, and Are You Experienced are out.
If everybody ran ultra-transparent, 100% true-to-source speakers, many of us could throw out a good 50% of our music collection. And besides, isn't most popular music, contemporary or otherwise, mastered to sound good through less than perfect speakers/stereo systems?
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Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
Here is the deal. I am not trying to reproduce a live rock concert in my living room. I have never heard a stereo...no matter how many subs and please don't forget that I have owned and used more high end, high quality subs than many here have seen...reproduce the sound I heard when I saw Wilco live. A live rock concert in a good venue with a good sound guy simply can't be had at home. All I need to do is suspend disbelief, briefly, for me. What it takes to suspend disbelief is very personal and different for everyone. Some folks may need subs others do not...that simple, really.
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Gang-Twanger
Resident Wharfedaliophool
You'll have to forgive me... I'm the group-saver type, you know? Always (Well, not ALWAYS) trying to keep things on an even keel. Character defect. Sometimes I try to change the subject, and if that doesn't work, I'll just say something benign like, "Everybody's got their own version of perfect", and if that doesn't work, I'll just make a joke.
:scratch2:
Sorry... I got nuthin'.
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Most rock concerts I've been so far had rather poor sound. Loud - yes, but quality - mediocre. I can reproduce at least smaller venues sound using my system. My speakers are more expensive than 685 though.
I do use 685 as surround in my family room setup though, so I am familiar with the sound. All 600 series was designed with assumpton that subwoofer will be used, so no reason reject it. Properly integrated sub greatly improves sound of almost any speakers.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
I haven't spoken with the designer of the 685's personally. I do know that the reviews I have read were of them without a sub. They have been universally praised without a sub. I use a sub in my HT. Have nothing against them for the umpteenth time. I have owned and properly integrated subs from Martin Logan, Paradigm, REL, B&W, Hsu, SVS, Era Design and many more...it is not something I need or want...not hypothetically...from experience.
HappyT_Harry
Arcam Asylum
Art, do you have any stand recommendations? I know from reading past threads of yours that you've been through a few. So far I have looked at Pangea and various ones sold from Parts Express.
KeninDC
Hazy Cosmic Jive
There is no mention of this assumption or the need for a subwoofer in B&W's literature on the 600 series. Your source?
Art: The 601, series 2 speakers were my first decent speakers oh so many years ago. I'm intrigued by the de-coupled tweeter in the new 600 series and am enjoying this thread.