B&W speakers

[speakerman1]

I have come to like the Brits speakers with the Epos. Over the weekend I started looking at B&W and Kefs. Has any one have opinions on them?

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

I used to own some DM 600 series that sounded great, both bookshelf, one Kevlar, one pre-Kevlar. That was also back in the mid to late 90's when I used to sell them, along with the matrix series etc. I was also present when some of the nautilus line was introduced.

I think overall they provided a lot of detail and refinement but were difficult to enjoy without good amplifier matching, especially nautilus. I never listened to the 801 models of either series which are historically amazing. We sold snell at the time which I would describe as a speaker that would not image and stage as well generally, but would move air more freely and play louder without sounding horrid and usually for half the price of B&W. A poor amp choice and loud volume made some of the B&W line made you want kill yourself.

I remember reading over the matrix 801 stereophile review about how incredible these were but there was a caution about shooting themselves in the foot if they were released to dealers who didn't use the right equipment with them. Easy to do because at the time they were $5k, and it would be easy to drop them into a midfi dealer who didn't carry the best amplifiers for them. That was an eye opener because my shop was always trying to make Adcom work for any of the Matrix/nautilus line and they surely did not.

I guess to sum it up, they are all built to please and seem uncompromising when it comes to the finer details that focus in on recordings. However, the price is revealing the unmusical characteristics of the associated equipment and are unforgiving.

For me, due to budget issues, I tend to lean slightly more towards forgiving speakers that fall more into subtraction when it comes to frequency response issues. Plus I like to feel the music sometimes, rather then just concentrate on a painted picture. I don't know all the rest of the gear you use but I'm guessing you have access to to really top- notch products so you might find something really amazing in B&W. Nice resell if you dont.

Joe

 

[speakerman1]

Yes I was thinking the Cary tubes and the SP 12 I'm going to build. Thanks for your response.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Your welcome. I've heard some epos bookshelves years ago and was impressed, not sure that b&w had anything that bettered them for the money. I've always wanted to listen to kef but never have.

Tubes seem like a nice match to some b&w, but not sure on bigger more demanding models.

What models are you pondering by the way?

 

[speakerman1]

801s or 803s.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Matrix?

 

[speakerman1]

To be honest I can't remember. LOL It will be awhile before I can afford them.
On the Epos they were probably the 12.2s. They do sound great for a bookshelf. They sound alot bigger than they are.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Now I remember the thread below you said you were in love. Those were 801 80's. Pretty much like the matrix 801. I used to think about owning those but I confess I never got to hear that high up the line. Even used they still draw 2k easily.

 

[BlazeES]

The Brits haven't been able to do cars very good, well - since practically forever, but when it comes to audiophile speakers I look nowhere else. I've owned several different sets of KEFs over the years and own B&W's now.

As much as I like KEF's, they started to sound too clinical for my tastes once I stepped up to the B&W train. Older Q Series (Q50's, Q70's... mid-nineties mid-line) are wonderful speakers and can be had for a song if you look hard enough. KEF Reference designs are really sweet but tend to hold their value so prices aren't typically comforting. The newer Q's, circa 2000 and beyond, don't compare in my estimation and I would avoid them.

Older B&W 8xx series are nice too, as are the CDM's. CDMs can be had at exceptionally low prices if you are patient in looking for them.

 

[Rex Everything]

I've read about them but never heard any. I sure would like to though.

I'm into JBL and Klipsch right now so it's a complete different pall park you're talking about.

Please post pics if you happen to get a pair.

 

[speakerman1]

It will be awhile. I'm just looking right now.
Larry

 

[laatsch55]

I would like o put a set of Altec A-7's beside my K-Horns just for shits and giggles.

 

[Rex Everything]

I would like o put a set of Altec A-7's beside my K-Horns just for shits and giggles.

I doubt you'd care for the sound.

 

[laatsch55]

Why???