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Hey gang,
Thought I'd throw some comments out, maybe spur a discussion. I started putting together a surround sound system earlier this year....added a set of maple B&W 704 (fronts) and HTM7 center to an older pair of ADS L570's (backs) to get myself started.
Well, a few weeks back I had the opportunity to pick up a set of the N805 with stands for a decent price, so figured why not. They replaced the ADS L570's in the rear. I know, I know, that's kinda funky using the 704's up front with 805's in the back. But it's all in fun, right?
Well, as a surround sound system it's pretty amazing - no complaints. And it should be, for the kind of money involved.
Where it gets interesting is when I decided yesterday to spend several hours really comparing the 704's to the 805's for stereo and multichannel DVD-A listening. My thinking was, if I really liked the 805's a lot, I could always sell the 704s and HTM 7 and just get another pair of the 805s and an HTM2 (used, the money works out about the same).
The comparison is also relevant on the board, because I recall someone asking about the 704 vs. 805, simply because the costs were fairly close.
Anyway, the comparison was interesting but tough. Both speakers sound outstanding, but for different reasons and with different music (yes, that's stating the obvious).
The 704's have a fuller sound, more bass punch, and are more laid back than the 805s. They disappear into the room, but not to the extent that the 805's do. The 805's on the other hand just about disappear completely, are very forward, and create this amazing spaciousness that makes the music simply come alive. Hard to explain, but music from the 704 sounds like it's coming from a speaker. A nice speaker, but a speaker nonetheless. Music from the 805 sounds like it's coming out of....well, not like it's coming out of a wooden box the size of a monitor. It surrounds you, like it's coming out of the walls and the ceiling. It's an amazing sensation, and testament to the greatnest of the N805.
With female vocals, like Allison Krauss, or Jacintha, or Patricia Barber, the 805 sounds much nicer than the 704. Same for jazz/percussion, like Diana Krall's "Girl in the Other Room". If someone told me they were heavy into jazz, I'd tell them to run (not walk) and buy a set of the 805s. It would be love at first listen.
On the other hand, the 704 really makes rock and roll sound good. From Def Leppard's "Bringing on the Heartbreak" to Liz Phair "Rock Me", the 704 sound right at home. Balanced, full, detailed, and with that kick in the ass we all love so much. If someone told me they owned every AC/DC album ever made, or were a Ryan Adams and Sarah McLachlan fan, I'd tell them to opt for the 704.
But what if you're like me...and go from Liz Phair to Def Leppard to Patty Griffin to Allison Krauss to Metallica? Now that's a conundrum. Of course, I'm not complaining as this is a nice dilemma to have. And the 2 pairs combined do sound very nice with DVD-Audio. The 704 up front give the music punch and body, while the 805s have that nice airiness and treble on top.
But if I had to choose one over the other...or even in trying to decide whether to sell the 704's in favor of a 2nd pair of 805, it's a very difficult decision. If someone were asking that question, I'd have to ask them what kind of music dominates their CD collection, and what characteristics they look for in their sound.
Maybe my spitting all this out might help someone else who's considering B&W speakers in the near future, so there you have it.
BCGator
Thought I'd throw some comments out, maybe spur a discussion. I started putting together a surround sound system earlier this year....added a set of maple B&W 704 (fronts) and HTM7 center to an older pair of ADS L570's (backs) to get myself started.
Well, a few weeks back I had the opportunity to pick up a set of the N805 with stands for a decent price, so figured why not. They replaced the ADS L570's in the rear. I know, I know, that's kinda funky using the 704's up front with 805's in the back. But it's all in fun, right?
Well, as a surround sound system it's pretty amazing - no complaints. And it should be, for the kind of money involved.
Where it gets interesting is when I decided yesterday to spend several hours really comparing the 704's to the 805's for stereo and multichannel DVD-A listening. My thinking was, if I really liked the 805's a lot, I could always sell the 704s and HTM 7 and just get another pair of the 805s and an HTM2 (used, the money works out about the same).
The comparison is also relevant on the board, because I recall someone asking about the 704 vs. 805, simply because the costs were fairly close.
Anyway, the comparison was interesting but tough. Both speakers sound outstanding, but for different reasons and with different music (yes, that's stating the obvious).
The 704's have a fuller sound, more bass punch, and are more laid back than the 805s. They disappear into the room, but not to the extent that the 805's do. The 805's on the other hand just about disappear completely, are very forward, and create this amazing spaciousness that makes the music simply come alive. Hard to explain, but music from the 704 sounds like it's coming from a speaker. A nice speaker, but a speaker nonetheless. Music from the 805 sounds like it's coming out of....well, not like it's coming out of a wooden box the size of a monitor. It surrounds you, like it's coming out of the walls and the ceiling. It's an amazing sensation, and testament to the greatnest of the N805.
With female vocals, like Allison Krauss, or Jacintha, or Patricia Barber, the 805 sounds much nicer than the 704. Same for jazz/percussion, like Diana Krall's "Girl in the Other Room". If someone told me they were heavy into jazz, I'd tell them to run (not walk) and buy a set of the 805s. It would be love at first listen.
On the other hand, the 704 really makes rock and roll sound good. From Def Leppard's "Bringing on the Heartbreak" to Liz Phair "Rock Me", the 704 sound right at home. Balanced, full, detailed, and with that kick in the ass we all love so much. If someone told me they owned every AC/DC album ever made, or were a Ryan Adams and Sarah McLachlan fan, I'd tell them to opt for the 704.
But what if you're like me...and go from Liz Phair to Def Leppard to Patty Griffin to Allison Krauss to Metallica? Now that's a conundrum. Of course, I'm not complaining as this is a nice dilemma to have. And the 2 pairs combined do sound very nice with DVD-Audio. The 704 up front give the music punch and body, while the 805s have that nice airiness and treble on top.
But if I had to choose one over the other...or even in trying to decide whether to sell the 704's in favor of a 2nd pair of 805, it's a very difficult decision. If someone were asking that question, I'd have to ask them what kind of music dominates their CD collection, and what characteristics they look for in their sound.
Maybe my spitting all this out might help someone else who's considering B&W speakers in the near future, so there you have it.
BCGator
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