HTM7 - can it be remade to match 703's?

[grit]

I've found the same problem lots of other B&W 700 series owners have... the HTM7 is matched for the 704's, not the 703's. So I'm left with figuring out a solution and I've come up with only one good answer so far - buy an 800 series center channel.

Then something occurred to me the other day - What if you purchased a FST driver and the corresponding crossover and replaced the driver and crossover of the HTM7? Can it be done in the first place? What does it cost? Would it sound bad because the cabinet was designed for a different driver and crossover? And does anyone have any idea what it'd cost?

I'd love any input anyone can offer.

[weijst]

Speakers featuring an FST driver have a 'tightening screw' on the back of the cabinet (then again, do the 703, old HTM1, new HTM3 and HTM2D have one?). Don't know if you were planning to cut out a hole out of your HTM7 cabinet aswell...

Second: The FST driver is a MIDrange driver. When you replace the 'regular' driver of the HTM7 (which is a mid/bass driver) your modified HTM7 won't really be able to reproduce lower frequencies, which even if you're using a sub, might not be desirable...

I like your way of thinking though! :T

[grit]

Speakers featuring an FST driver have a 'tightening screw' on the back of the cabinet (then again, do the 703, old HTM1, new HTM3 and HTM2D have one?). Don't know if you were planning to cut out a hole out of your HTM7 cabinet aswell...

Second: The FST driver is a MIDrange driver. When you replace the 'regular' driver of the HTM7 (which is a mid/bass driver) your modified HTM7 won't really be able to reproduce lower frequencies, which even if you're using a sub, might not be desirable...

I like your way of thinking though! :T

I thought it might be worth trying. My 703's do not have that screw on the back that the 800's do, so I'm thinking they must just use the FST driver in the 703's by securing them at the frame (perhaps why they can charge less than the 804's).

But yeah, my concern was the cabinet... certainly designed for a different crossover. I just HATE that the center doesn't sound as good as the sides.

Funny stuff here - Just bought my system (703's, 705's (surround), and HTM7, Rotel 1068, Rotel 1075, Rotel 1060 DVD) last year, and it replaced Boston Acoustic speakers, Denon receiver and DVD player. Since then, I've replaced cables, interconects, and added a dedicated Rotel CD player. When I bought the system, I thought the center integrated beautifully. I think my hearing has matured and I've become USE to the detail, so I expect to hear it (and I love that!)

The other thing I blame is music. I use to think I'd just listen to music as filler. With this system, I SIT DOWN to listen to music, and LOVE IT!. Well, my 703's go a long way to producing better sound than the 704's, 705's, and HTM7 can. I think if I'd gotten the 704's, I'd never have known. Now I wish I'd gotten the 804's.

[dan87951]

I would just use a HTM2 or HTM1 without modifying it. Why redesign the wheel? Taking a speaker out of one cabinent and puttint it into another will change the sound greatly! I used a set of 602's with a CDMCNT for many years cause I didn't like the 600 series channel at all, it blended nice with my setup.

[grit]

I'm thinking the best thing to do at this point is plan my upgrade now... decide what front 2-ch speakers I want (a year or two down the road), and purchase the matching center channel now. Shouldn't be too problematic, since I'll probably get the 804S, 803S, or 803D.