Just thought I'd Share - DM3000's

[tyreman]

if you are lucky ebay but you see them rarely unless you make up and weld rod

[Steve Manning]

Looks like that wouldn't be too hard to make a new set.

[Lafaut]

I'm looking for two grills for these puppies.
(back in the day when i bought them i didn't need them...now with a child on the way...i think it could be beneficial.)

i'm looking around for some months but without succes. Anyone who has an idea where i could find it?

Kind regards.

[tyreman]

Non OEM grille pegs, 8 pack available fit 2000 & 3000
right size and configuration on ebay.ca
fit perfect

[jeepers]

They were available in several veneers.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.eu/Downloads/Product/Archive/ENG_FT00081_DM3000_info_sheet.pdf

I bought a pair in walnut in 1983, my third set of speakers but my first decent set of speakers and really expensive for a person in his early 20's. They were powered by a Yamaha A1000. I replaced them by the 700 series in 2005, replaced those by the old 800 series in 2008 and by the new 800 series in 2011.

[DM3000 Owner]

Hi!
A couple of years ago I was given a pair of DM3000s by my dad, who bought them back in the 80s. He was very sentimental. I can almost image the memories....

However my DM3000 are black and have definately not been sprayed or painted. I have attached a (bad quality) photo.

Best wishes,
Frederik
[IMG]Computer\Apple iPhone\Internal Storage\DCIM\965YOKDJ[/IMG]

I think that they were available in black. Please post a picture. I have some beautiful ebony zebrawood veneer. I may redo these.

[DM3000 Owner]

Wow, this thread is still alive. Sorry to see so many people joining, talking up the speakers then trying to sell the next day. A little transparent. (Not you Fred).

[FrederikMoeller]

Hi!
A couple of years ago I was given a pair of DM3000s by my dad, who bought them back in the 80s. He was very sentimental. I can almost image the memories....

However my DM3000 are black and have definately not been sprayed or painted. I have attached a (bad quality) photo.

Best wishes,
Frederik
[IMG]Computer\Apple iPhone\Internal Storage\DCIM\965YOKDJ[/IMG]

[Staci]

Well, I put them up for sale on Ebay unfortunately I not only don't have room for them, but I also can't afford to have spent as much as I did and not pass them on and get my investment back right now.

I'm going to miss them so much, it makes me a little sick to think about having to pack them up and send them away! I've had some nice Sansui's, Realistic, KLH etc speakers, and I'll never be able to go back now. These truly are miles and miles ahead of anything like that, and so beautiful too.

If anyone is interested in the speakers, I'll be packaging in separate boxes with multiple layers of medium-stuff styrofoam boards over bubblewrap...basically will make it as close to the factory boxes as possible so they ship safely and arrive with no corners crushed. Send me a PM and I'll email back quickly.

So...does anyone like Magnepans? They're more in my "keeper" price range and much more shallow for room space :

[Staci]

Here they are...a little hard to get far enough back to see everything with the sofa in the way so I took them from the sides

[rise888]

Awesome pictures Staci! Can't wait to see the set up pics

[Staci]

Apparently this isn't a very active thread! :P

[Staci]

heycarlos, thanks for the nice long post! I was excited to see a reply and your story was an interesting read

I got mine at an estate sale, paid quite a bit but got some very nice audio equipment I've since fallen in love with. I purchased these with a Tandberg TPT 3011A Programable Tuner, Tandberg TIA 3012 Integrated Amplifier (mounted together into a cherry? wood case, beautiful!), and a Bang & Olufsen Beogram TX2 Linear Tracking Turntable.

The person was the original owner, and the system was sold all together to him by a company called "Audio Consultants" new for over $4000. I have every manual for the equipment and the B&Ws, every inspection sheet, safety instructions, warranty cards, even tools (for the Tandberg equip) and coupling spikes for the B&Ws.

I got everything hooked up this week and was blown away at the sound these speakers produce...everything works perfectly, and so so so clear! The only thing I can find fault with is the glass on the tops has some air pockets or something, maybe where glue under the glass has come unstuck?

I'll take a photo of everything set up and post it sometime this week 8)

[heycarlos]

wow

Wow...what a gorgeous picture, they really add to the room!

I just picked up a pair of these myself yesterday and bought them because they were in amazing condition. I literally do not have the room to keep them, so if anyone is interested PM me an offer. I will post in the classifieds section as well.

where did you find your DM3000?

[heycarlos]

where did you find your DM3000?

[heycarlos]

My first real speakers

Like many of us such a soft spot in my heart for these beasts. I think they were almost 80lbs each.

The DM3000 were the anchors of my very first audio system that I cobbled together in 1990 at the tender age of 21. I had been drooling over audio equipment for a few years spending too much time at places like Hudson's Audio in Albuquerque, NM where I lived.

I found my DM3000s in a pawn shop and bought them for $500 which at the time seemed like a princely sum. Best student loan money ever spent

My DM3000s I think were of the rarer type in that they did not have the glass tops but the plastic ones. I did have one of the tweeter's fail on me once and with forged receipt in hand Hudson's replaced the driver at no cost. God bless those guys I hope they are still in business I would gladly buy from them as they were so cool to me.

I used to show off my DM3000s by putting on a track call "Ted Just Admit It" from Janes Addiction that started off with this wickedly loud drum kit followed by bass guitar. So awesome and not something I've heard duplicated by many speakers since.

I drove them with a large Denon integrated amp. I knew they weren't at their full potential and yearned to buy a beefier Adcom or something similar someday but alas the whole system was stolen from my apartment in 1992 never to be seen again. I still miss those damned things and they are still my reference benchmark for great speakers.

[Staci]

DM-3000 Pics

Just thought I'd post a few pics since I had a hard time finding some while researching

[Staci]

Wow...what a gorgeous picture, they really add to the room!

I just picked up a pair of these myself yesterday and bought them because they were in amazing condition. I literally do not have the room to keep them, so if anyone is interested PM me an offer. I will post in the classifieds section as well.

[rise888]

Thought I'd share a pic of the DM3000s in my home. They've been in my family for awhile and I'm barely older than they are. I remember growing up around these!

[browns1]

I picked up a pair of second hand DM2000's about 8-9 years ago. One of the drivers had stopped working and the previous owner didnt want to deal with it. I removed it and took it to my B&W dealer. They sent it to B&W (Buffalo NY?) and I had it back in about 4-6 weeks. They repaired it for about $50.00.
They still work great. Good luck on your mission.

[tyreman]

The DM3000's were a terrific speaker
I a/b'ed them against the DM2000's when I made my purchase many years ago.
Settled on the DM2000's(another great speaker) and used them for for many years. '86 till couple years ago.
Had m-400 t Carvers in mono on each channel. at that time
The '2000's were the younger brother.

[Salmna]

The orginal parts are definately not available, but there must be a current driver that will work..

BTW I am in Port Perry.. Only about an hour away from you.. Would love to hear those bad boys some time..

Thanks sure, I am trying hard to find a solution!
Will keep you posted!

[stuofsci02]

Thanks for your post . I already have contacted B&W UK & USA and according to them no parts are avaialble for this model. I did ask the lady in UK to see if there is any replacment available but she did not say much on that, may be I should ask them again.
Perhaps, I will wait till some one decides to dismantle their half dead speakers and offer the working parts for sale!
I am in Brampton, btw.
Thanks again!

The orginal parts are definately not available, but there must be a current driver that will work..

BTW I am in Port Perry.. Only about an hour away from you.. Would love to hear those bad boys some time..

[Salmna]

Dm 3000

Thanks for your post . I already have contacted B&W UK & USA and according to them no parts are avaialble for this model. I did ask the lady in UK to see if there is any replacment available but she did not say much on that, may be I should ask them again.
Perhaps, I will wait till some one decides to dismantle their half dead speakers and offer the working parts for sale!
I am in Brampton, btw.
Thanks again!

[stuofsci02]

Salmna,

You best bet would be to contact B&W. They will be able to recommend a current driver that will work. You would be best to replace the same driver on both speakers if possible.

BTW.. Where are you in Canada?

[Salmna]

DM 3000, Drivers help/replacement

Hello, Just wanted to know if you eventually found drivers for your DM 3000?
I recently picked up a pair of DM 3000 apparently in very good condition, but I am finding one of the driver is giving distorted sound. The cone movement produces crackling sound when pushed back wards with fingers. Also, I hear humming sound when the music is off but amp power on. Can this driver be repaired? As I have already checked, these parts are no longer available in UK or USA. I am in Canada, btw.
Can any one help please?

Hello fellow DM3000 connoisseurs...
This is the only place on the internet where people are talking about the B&W DM3000 speakers so I will have a quick input and request too...
I am a B&W user for almost 3 years. My system consist of the 6 series, DM602 S3 in the front, 600 S3 in the rears and a LCR 60 S3 in the middle. 2 months ago I came across a pair of DM3000 speakers and, because the price was really good, I bought them mostly based on their looks (were looking like new....). I had a huge revelation when I installed them at home and found my DM600 S3 sounding like cheap RadioShack speakers compared to the huge DM3000. They really sound like BIG speakers... huge soundstage and oh so sweet midrange...
Unfortunately, 2 weeks later, one of the drivers simply died. Took it off and found that the coil is heavily touching the magnet and, as a result, is burnt. I searched the whole internet and eBay and all on-line marketplaces for a replacement driver and the only one I found was through B&W North America and costs 300$ and is black (the original ones are brown). So... life sucks and I'm without hope.
Now my question… Is there anybody having any knowledge or information of a BZ200 driver (that's the B&W name of the DM2000/3000 kevlar drivers)? Apparently it's a 15Ohm (?!) driver found in the 1983~1985 B&W DM2000, DM3000 and I believe DM14 too. It's a yellow kevlar driver with a black dust cone. Diameter is 6.5" and is mounted with 6 screws... Any information will be rewarded with sincere tears!
Thanks,
Serban

[Salmna]

Hello, Just wanted to know if you eventually found drivers for your DM 3000?
I recently picked up a pair of DM 3000 apparently in very good condition, but I am finding one of the driver is giving distorted sound. The cone movement produces crackling sound when pushed back wards with fingers. Also, I hear humming sound when the music is off but amp power on. Can this driver be repaired? As I have already checked, these parts are no longer available in UK or USA. I am in Canada, btw.
Can any one help please?

[rick lease]

mark first time visitor. i own a pair of dm3000 speakers that i bought in the mid 80's. i haven't used them much in the last 10-15 years. the look and sound great. i live in the denver area. directman@comcast.net

[rick lease]

i have a pair in excellent condition. i would sell them if the price is right. ipaid 1000 apiece back in the mid 80's. never had a problem with them. i live in the denver area.

[rick lease]

b&w dm3000 speakers

first time at this site. i live in the denver area and i bought my b&w dm3000 speakers in the mid 80's. they're in excellent condition and sound brand new. haven't used them much in the last 10-15 years because like everybody else, i got into surround sound and now that i'm in my fifty's i don't listen to music rarely. i've thought about selling them but i wasn't sure what they were worth. i've read some of the other blogs and these speakers are truly special rick lease directman@comcast.net

[lck4629]

I paid 1400 US for my DM3000's

I love them but have not used them for some years because they are too large for my family room. Consequently I am trying to find a good hme for them all. I used them with a Tandberg 3001A tuner, Tandberg 3010 preamp, Thorens MD-mk126 turntable & Pereaux 1150B amp.

I'm at the point now of starting over with a mid-range home theater system. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[spydey550]

I am glad to see this much interest in the B&W DM 3000's. I owned a pair from 1986-1992. I wish I still had them. Anyone interested in selling? Currently I own a pair of 801 model II's. I love them, but I would like the DM 3000's for my bedroom. Also, I read the post on the non-working tweeter. I had a the same sort of problem with one of mine. I was able to repair it on my own back to perfect working order. Let me know if you are interested in further repair.

[marksmessages]

B&W DM3000 Woofer is fried!

Had a problem with my BK amp & left front B&W DM3000. I was able to get a new crossover from B&W, but sadly found out that one of the woofers was toast. No replacement is available according to B&W. Does anybody out there know of a source, or is anybody stuck in my same situation with only a single working speaker? These units are terrific in my home entertainment system & I sure would like to get back up & running. I appreciate any suggestions...

Mark

[JerryV]

DM 3000 Brochure

And there's more! ;x(
DM3000 (and 2000) Brochure

[JerryV]

More info

Hey guys,

I have some more info: the owner manual! Enjoy. :T
Manual DM3000

[DM3000 Owner]

I used to sell B&W speakers back around 1986 and the DM3000's were the ones I liked the most. We had the 801's and even 808's around the store, but it was the 3000's that stole my heart. It's nice to see that they are well remembered here.

Do you have any more info on them? Literature, stories, anything? How much were they back then? How about the others?

[Joe90usa]

I used to sell B&W speakers back around 1986 and the DM3000's were the ones I liked the most. We had the 801's and even 808's around the store, but it was the 3000's that stole my heart. It's nice to see that they are well remembered here.

[DM3000 Owner]

I desperately want my pair to be black, did yours come this way or is there a safe/feasible way to make this happen without it looking like crap?

Glad to see this thread still alive.

These speakers have an oiled finish. Do some research online. You will probably need to use soem sort of solvent to remove some of the oil. Then lightly sand and stain them black (after removing all of the drivers). Painting them black may be an option. I would not do it. I like the wood.

If I was going to go through all of that work, I would prep the surface properly and paint them a piano finish or veneer in an exotic wood like bearl.

Again, this is quite a bit of work and they need to be keepers. People don't seem to realize just how good these speakers are will nto pay for the exotic finish if you ever sell.

[artv4]

I think it uploaded. Its big brother is in teh background.

awesome picture :T

[axboi87]

Black!

I desperately want my pair to be black, did yours come this way or is there a safe/feasible way to make this happen without it looking like crap?

Another pic. Looks new.

[DM3000 Owner]

I think it uploaded. Its big brother is in teh background.

[DM3000 Owner]

Another pic. Looks new.

Those are really beautiful. Mine are in natural wood with the glossy tops. I can't seem to get an image to insert (I resized it to 89kb).

I used linseed oil to renew the finish, replaced the grill cloth and attached wooden feet shaped like the top panel. My wife likes their look more than any other speaker than I have ever owned (even the S800's).

I also reglued the surrounds on each woofer and the passive radiator and replaced the capacitors in the crossovers with new Clarirty Caps (PX Series). Since the capacitor change they have become very different speakers. They throw a 3D image like you would not believe with outstanding separation. They are also smooth as can be on most material. I have been listening to them for a few weeks now. Probably the best audio bargain that I have ever had. :T

[Russ L]

These speakers are before my time. Are there any photos avialble?

Another pic. Looks new.

[DM3000 Owner]

I'm glad that you revived this old thread. I still Have my DM3000's. I reglued the woofer surrounds, replaced the grill cloth, gave them a fresh coat of linseed oil and replaced the capacitors in the crossovers.

These are great speakers. I hooked them up to my main system and wow. I am driving them with a Musical Fidelity A308 CD and A308 Pre and a pair of Bryston 7B ST monoblocks. These old speakers have definite limits, but it is amazing how well they do compared to my N801's. Fantastic imaging, completely disappear and nice bass. Definately short of the big 800 series, but not left in the dust either.

I took them out of the main system and put them in a smaller system with a 100 wpc tube integrated and Philips 963 SA CD player that I modded the power supply on, again, great little system. Not as detailed as teh main system, but warm and bad recordings sound good.

If you ever stumble across a pair of these, buy them.

My wife just furnished the room where the DM3000's were located. Before carrying them upstairs (they are heavy) I decided to put them in my main system again for a few days. I am using the same system as above except with Classe CAM350 amps. I have them about 6 feet from the front and side walls. These speakers are unbelieveable. After making just a few adjustments to the placement (nothing scientific or exact) they just image so well (really impressive 3D imaging) and have a nice mellow bass tone. That combined with the silk dome tweeters makes these really nice to listen to. They remind me of tubes. Every time that I hook these up I am glad that I hang on to them.

[RobP]

You guys may want to give this guy a call and see what he can do for you.

Slice Speaker Service
Kansas City, MO 64117
Phone: (816) 221-8031