Pictures of your B&W Set-up

[RebelMan]

Ok so the plinth - this is supplied by B&W. I tried it on, tried it off - didn't really make much difference to the sound quality, so it was purely an aesthetic thing. It has a 1inch rider between the speaker and plinth, then another 1.5inch on spikes.

They are supplied with both rubber feet and spikes. I currently have them sitting on spikes which sit marginally higher than the rubber feet, which give the floating illusion. This works best for me - I think they look great, and there is no compromise in sound quality. The spikes screw directly into the base of the speaker, no problem!

Nice pics Jack and that the 683s are working out for you! :T

Personally, I like the look of the plinths. Aren't you concerned about spiking your wood floor without them?

[Guest]

Hi Mrhviid

They are amazing speakers for the money - never heard anything this good at this price.

Ok so the plinth - this is supplied by B&W. I tried it on, tried it off - didn't really make much difference to the sound quality, so it was purely an aesthetic thing. It has a 1inch rider between the speaker and plinth, then another 1.5inch on spikes.

They are supplied with both rubber feet and spikes. I currently have them sitting on spikes which sit marginally higher than the rubber feet, which give the floating illusion. This works best for me - I think they look great, and there is no compromise in sound quality. The spikes screw directly into the base of the speaker, no problem!

I can't really recommend them enough. Been enjoying them for over a week now - they are MEAN! powerful, detailed, never harsh or bright (which is strange, because I keep hearing people saying that the 685s are bright?! rubbish, provide them with decent amplification and you will never hear a single bright sound) - demo them, I can't see how anyone would be disappointed at this price point.

Thanks

Hi Jack.

Thanks for the answer.

Yes I auditioned them too. And they really amazed me. I listened to them next to some 700 seriers speakers. I personally think B&W are giving their own 700 series too much competition with these. But hey... thats our gain.

Right, its settled then. Im gonna go for the 683's next week...

Btw, I did a direct comparison between the 683's and the 684's. In my oppinion the 684's are crap compared to what you can find in that price range from other brands of loudspeakers. Just as good the 683's is, just as bad does the 684's seem. Its like the 683's and 684's arent even in the same lineup or from the same company. Its really eerie...

Once more. Gratz on the nice speakers. I envy you... *goes back to thesis writing in a dark, silent and evil place where hifi doesnt exist*.

Regards
Mrhviid

[jack667]

Rebelman - yeah I see what you mean about the plinths. I guess with more breathing room they would look great! But seeing as my listening space is kinda small, they just take up too much room! As for the flooring - it's only cheap veneer - not the end of the world!

Mrhviid - see, I said this about the 700 series and a lot of people commented saying that B&W would never put their own product to bed. Well I disagree, although I don't think they're putting anything to bed, but what with the CM and new 600 series, it's definitely a close call now. I have read in many places that the 683 is actually more comparable with the 804S, with no mention whatsoever of the 703.

I have never heard the 684s - looks like the same driver for midrange and bass though? Which also looks like the driver from the 685. I dunno, I loved the 685, but I don't know how it would work using the same driver for lower frequencies in a floor standing model.

Let me know how you find the 683s! Interested to know... PS what amp will you be using with them?

Thanks,

Jack

[Guest]

I have never heard the 684s - looks like the same driver for midrange and bass though? Which also looks like the driver from the 685. I dunno, I loved the 685, but I don't know how it would work using the same driver for lower frequencies in a floor standing model.

Let me know how you find the 683s! Interested to know... PS what amp will you be using with them?

Thanks,

Jack

Yeah thats odd. The 683 and the 685 rocks, the 684 and the 686 less so...

About the amp. Im not really sure yet. Firstly Im gonna hook them up on my old Pioeneer 812, but that one will be relpaced very soon too. Prolly with Onkyo 605 or Denon 2808/2308.

The 683's require lots of juice to really strut their stuff. At least that was my impression.

Regards
Mrhviid

[jack667]

Yeah the more power the better - Luckily, I am totally in love with my amp and it's more than powerful enough for me.

I'd love to hear how you get on with the 683s.. thanks

[Ron526]

Hi Jack,
Did you purchase the plinths from a dealer, if so what was the cost?
I like the look of them in your system.
Enjoy, Ron526

[number95]

number95,

that's one sick looking sysem in a good way. What does it sound like with all those tubes and the 800's. what kind of watts per channel?

Hi Indytown,
I am glad you liked my system. The amps are 600watts/ch. I might say, given right source of amplification B&W rules, no matter it is tube or solid state. It is a choice of musical preferences perhaps. With these amps, my N800s have never been better.

[jack667]

Hi Jack,
Did you purchase the plinths from a dealer, if so what was the cost?
I like the look of them in your system.
Enjoy, Ron526

The plinths come with the speakers!

Thanks

[george_k]

Just finished setting up my new 703's:

Sources:
Squeezebox v3
PS3

Amp:
NAD T-752 (need to upgrade this next)

I also need to get a bigger tv, it looks so puny next to the speakers

[Tony1]

My setup

Bryston SP1.7 and 9BSST

4 805s
1 HTM2d
1 ASW825

[sikoniko]

how well does the htm2d integrate with the 805s?

[marsboer]

Here is some pictures from my B&W 802D setup.
The amplifier on the pictures is NAD M3 but I am currently waiting for my new Electrocompaniet AW400 monoblocks together with the EC 4.8 pre-amp.

I will put up some new pictures when the new gear arrives.

[marsboer]

Hehe, not the tiniest of pictures.. :B

[Luke Skywalker]

Pretty, very nice!

:T

[Luke Skywalker]

Current photo, new Wild LCD.

[Pedro]

Nice view Mr Skywalker

[fredBelgium]

Marsboer, very nice ! :T

[jericho]

Nice setup Marsboer

[jack667]

marsboer - I am soooo jealous. What's that NAD amp like?

[ShadowZA]

Superb setup, Marsboer :T :T :T

[marsboer]

Thank you very much, everyone!

The M3 is very good for the asking price. It has a very relaxed sound with no hard edges but with lots of details and very good imaging. Of course there are better amplifiers out there, but it will cost you more. I'm only replacing it because I love the extremely organic sound from Electrocompaniet.

AW400 monoblocks


EC 4.8



You probably noticed the platforms my 802D's are standing on.
The platforms are Auralex Grammas, and they are absolutely the best investment in my setup ever. Not only did the bass become more tight and precise, but they did wonders for everything else too. Much more air between instruments, and improved imaging. I have never gotten such improvements from spikes. The looks aren't so good though, but they fit nicely under my 802Ds.

[Avairen]

Well, originally planned to go for the 805s, and somehow here I am with a pair of 683s instead. I can't complain, it's all I could afford, and I was in love with the 685 sound, so this is just one step better!

Bass is deep and powerful and that FST midrange is all its cracked up to be :B :B :B

sorry if someone has asked you this and I just didn't see it but what model samsung tv is that? It looks a lot like the 4061 or 4065.

[jack667]

Hi Avairen,

It's the samsung LE40R73

Thanks!

[Russ L]

Thank you very much, everyone!

The M3 is very good for the asking price. It has a very relaxed sound with no hard edges but with lots of details and very good imaging. Of course there are better amplifiers out there, but it will cost you more. I'm only replacing it because I love the extremely organic sound from Electrocompaniet.

AW400 monoblocks


EC 4.8



You probably noticed the platforms my 802D's are standing on.
The platforms are Auralex Grammas, and they are absolutely the best investment in my setup ever. Not only did the bass become more tight and precise, but they did wonders for everything else too. Much more air between instruments, and improved imaging. I have never gotten such improvements from spikes. The looks aren't so good though, but they fit nicely under my 802Ds.

Amazing setup. The Electrocompaniet Amps were originally designed to power the B&W 800 series speakers. I'd love to get my hands on one of their integrated amps for my system. Wish I could hear the combo you have but unfortunately no Electrocompaniet dealers in my area. Enjoy! Regards, Russ

[Race Car Driver]

http://www.electrocompaniet.no/products/power-amp/AW400.html

Hrm..

marsboer... very nice setup!

[caleb]

Tweeter covers

Very nice marsboer, but a word of caution.

I see that on your front speakers you have removed the grille from the tweeters.

If this was just for the photos - fine, but I would STRONGLY advise putting them back if you are using them like this for listening.

Reason is that the diamond tweeters will shatter is you even look at them in the wrong way :x let alone someone brushes against them accidentally.

[quan325i]

Very nice marsboer, but a word of caution.

I see that on your front speakers you have removed the grille from the tweeters.

If this was just for the photos - fine, but I would STRONGLY advise putting them back if you are using them like this for listening.

Reason is that the diamond tweeters will shatter is you even look at them in the wrong way :x let alone someone brushes against them accidentally.

Do you work for Intel in Folsom?

[jack667]

With the lights down! also, I built a new isolation platform today (wood on spikes!) - works great, looks great..

[joetama]

Nice lights... Adds a neat touch...

[marsboer]

I always run with all the grilles on.
I only took them off to get nice pictures

I have 4 years of insurance left which covers just about everything, so I am not worried if anything is broken :B

[jack667]

Nice lights... Adds a neat touch...

Thanks! It's great in here at night... super nice atmosphere to listen to music

[Chatterbot]

With the lights down! also, I built a new isolation platform today (wood on spikes!) - works great, looks great..

Didn´t know it´s Christmas already :P

..just kidding, nice atmosphere there :T

Cheers,
G.

[Relentless]

Final main speaker upgrade. :lol:

[Race Car Driver]

Final main... possibly

Looks very nice, however you and I both know that that is not your final upgrade...

I still do not see an HTM1D

Very badass

[Relentless]

Final main... possibly

I still do not see an HTM1D

that is why I didn't write final front stage upgrade. :B

[RebelMan]

Final main speaker upgrade. :lol:

Very, very nice Lou! Congrats! :T

The race is on to the HTM1D. :B

[Chatterbot]

Final main speaker upgrade. :lol:

Nice setup. Badass Speakers ;x(

Was it your intention to place the bass-absorbers this way?
Normally the long side should face the room´s edge...

Cheers,
G.

[Relentless]

Nice setup. Badass Speakers ;x(

Was it your intention to place the bass-absorbers this way?
Normally the long side should face the room´s edge...

Cheers,
G.

I have always read that you treat the corners first then the first reflection spots. This is what I have done except for the ceiling at this point.

[caleb]

Do you work for Intel in Folsom?

Yes - Ive been there for about 6 months now - why do you ask?

[Chatterbot]

I have always read that you treat the corners first then the first reflection spots. This is what I have done except for the ceiling at this point.

You misunderstood... sorry for my bad english. A picture shows more than thousand
words:


As you can see: the corner-blocks shoud be placed with the long side showing
to the corners of the room. This should increase the performance of absorbtion,
so they say...

Greets,
G.

[Relentless]

now I see what you mean. The traps in the front corner are not the triangle type traps, they are panels about 6" deep. I do have triangle traps in the rear corners though, so I will try turning them towards the corner when I am re-calibrating my subs for movies and see how it effects the FR on the SMS-1.

[marsboer]

I finally got my AW400s

Some pictures of my current setup:

[Briz vegas]

:jawdrop: party round your place me thinks arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty: arty:

[Pedro]

my goodness Marsboer, this amps are incredible. I´ve heard AW180, and i felt great punch, cant imagine how excelent the 802D are sounding

I´m searching a amp for my 803D´s and, i´m looking also for this amp. How much cost the pair of them??

[Chatterbot]

@marsboer:

WOW ;x(

The only thing to complain about is the power-cords to the lamps on the wall.
...they should be hidden. Looks like you have wall-panels. Should be no problem
to hide them behind the wall?

Cheers,
G.