703 twice as expensive as DM604S3, are them also a lot lot better?

[b&w fan]

I am facing that dilema, not being able to listen to both of them and compare on site, I would like to have your valuable comments ...

They will be used for music (2 channels): Latin, Jazz, some classics ...

[rav934]

Be brave and go with the 804s

[nikos]

I own the 604S3's... I was able to listen to the 700 series. Not sure which one cause it was a while back. But a pair of 703's will sound better than a pair of 604's all else being equal using quality gear.

I would say the 700 series has more detail. The scene that the dealer showed me both ways was a clip from the Aviator where he runs his hand against the bare metal of the plane. There is a great audible difference..... Now don't expect every time you double your money, you'll be doubling performance.

You'be reading the forums now enough to have caught some of the talk about to raise a decibel or 3 (cant remember) you need to double the Watts...

I bought the whole 600 series set for 60-40 Audio/Theater use.
To get the whole 700 series would have been VERY expensive (read: impossible) and out of my budget.
I'm doing what lots of people are doing starting at the 600's and build up to eventually own the 800 series....

Since you have to go through this much hassle to get your speakers to begin with...you should atleast get the 703's if not....sacrifice somewhere else and get the 800 series speakers (Damn those budgets)

I still haven't taped into the 604's ability and I'm very satisfied and WOWED by their ability to produce bass.
Others might correct me but for your type of listening the 703's might not be the best match.... Anybody ???

I listen to exclusively electronic dance music that is heavy bass friendly.

Good luck and enjoy this hunt for the right speakers as much as you can. Once you buy them you'll have too much time on your hands and not know what to do with it.
Other than start planning your next purchase ofcourse

Nikos

[Grasynoll]

Having recently gone from the 600 series to the 700's to the 800's I can tell you that even though the 600's are a great buy, the biggest difference I noticed was between the 600's & the 700's. All great speakers ,but I'd go with the 700's.

[Joey_V]

That magical FST driver does wonders for the 703. A truly great speaker!

[grit]

For 2-ch music, the 703 is an excellent speaker (they're great all around, but I'd not recommend them for a 5.1 system due to other speakers being mis-matched). As others have stated, if you can squeeze the 804's, I'd wholeheartedly recommend them instead. It'll be a long while and several electrical component upgrades later before you feel the need to replace them. The 804's probaby represent the best value (IMO) for quality in B&W's product line (starting at the 700 series and up).

[b&w fan]

Thank you very much!

For 2-ch music, the 703 is an excellent speaker (they're great all around, but I'd not recommend them for a 5.1 system due to other speakers being mis-matched). As others have stated, if you can squeeze the 804's, I'd wholeheartedly recommend them instead. It'll be a long while and several electrical component upgrades later before you feel the need to replace them. The 804's probaby represent the best value (IMO) for quality in B&W's product line (starting at the 700 series and up).

How much are the 804 s?

[bvk_houtx]

The 804S's are $4000 ( US ) per pair. I am also thinking of purchasing these but the price is making me think twice. I want to build a home theater setup using 3-way speakers but I may have to delay this for a little longer.

[Trevor]

In the end get what you really want. If you stick with the 703 and really wanted the 804S then you will have buyers remorse for a long time. Although, this also depends if the 800's are within your budget range. I too started out with the 602 3 and moved to the 604 s and loved the way they sounded. After about a year I was ready to trade up to the 703's. I listened to both the 703 and 804'S and really liked the 804'S sound and clarity.I personally did not like how the 703 high end was so clear it actually hurt my ears when I listened for awhile. This my be due to my equipment but I did not know when I was going to upgrade the components. Even with that I was ready to go with the 703 due to the price difference of about 1600 dollars but I got lucky and someone traded in a 6 month old pair of the 804s which I got for 3100. Just remember that the initial cost is not expensive if you spread out the cost over the life of the speaker. Also consider the cost benefit of having the better speaker. Maybe take some of your budget from another area to cove the additional costs. I try not to eat or go to the bars due to the amount of money you spend doing these things. Don't get me wrong I like to hang out but just do it at my house or friends while saving money and listening to a really nice stereo. Take your time and make a decision that best fits your needs and wants. In the end you will be happier and hopefully not have buyers remorse.
Good Luck
Trev

[dknightd]

In my opinion the 604s3 is the best bang for the buck in b&w's lineup.
But, the 703 is significantly clearer and more transparent. To my ears the 703 reproduced acoustic instruments much more convincingly than the 604. Are they twice as good, probably not even close, but they are obviously better IMO. Both require an amplifier that can deliver lots of current. The 703 is a little more forward than the 604 (I think the fst driver in the 703 is a little weak around 1000hz and has a peak at around 4000hz - this makes its balance sound a little on the bright side) but I don't think the added clarity is due to this more forward balance, it is very real. Even with this slightly forward presentation, the fst midrange is the best I heard in any speaker I listened to (though I didn't listen too much far above what I could afford). The 703 will not be as tolerant of bad recordings, but with well recorded music they are very nice. I basically had it down to three speakers,
b&w 604, paradigm studio 100, b&w 703 - pretty much in the order
of both price and preference.
I ended up buying the 703's even though it pushed my budget a little more than I would have liked. They sounded the best of what I could reasonably afford, plus they looked the nicest I did prefer the 804, but, got a very good deal on the 703 and couldn't push my budget any more.
There are two options, buy cheaper now planning to upgrade soon, or get the best you can possibly afford and hope to live with them for awhile. I chose the latter.

[dknightd]

p.s. Keep aside a little money for room acoustic treatments.
It is amazing what a couple of hundred dollars of rigid fiberglass
boards (and fabric to cover them) will do for you.

A good place to start is

http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

I put 2'x4'x6" of 3lb/ft**3 glass in the two corners behind my speakers (hey, they have to be spaced away from the corner anyway so you might as
well use that space for something), and 2'x4'x4" at the first reflection points.
It made a huge difference. But I probably need even more braodband
corner traps to settle down the bass in my room.

[rav934]

Keep an eye on Ebay. I'll be listing my new cherry 804s.

Already itching for the next upgrade...darn!

[darrill]

I listened to some 703's at a local dealers in both a HT configuration and in 2 channel but did not like them. Then I heard them at another dealers in a 2 channel set-up and was very impressed. Unfortunately he also had a set of 804's there as well and IMO there was a world of difference between these and the 703's: bass was much better and the mid-range was much more open. I brought my wife back with me the next week and we both agreed that the 804 was much superior. But on this occasion the dealer also had a pair of 803D's set-up and though we did not find as big a gap between the 803D's and the 804 as we did between the 804 and the 703 we did find that the bass was fuller and that there was better clarity or separation in the mid-range. The diamond tweeter was also a revelation. Now that we have lived with the 803D's for a few weeks I am continually amazed at their quality. They broke the bank but the sound is beautiful. We find we listen to music at a higher volume, it is less fatiguing and new sounds are being heard on music we thought we knew well. The very natural bass produced by the 803D's is particularly enhancing for classical music. I believe that any of the 600, 700 or 800 series speakers will serve you well but buy the best you can afford as you will then be happy to keep them for years.

[grit]

I listened to some 703's at a local dealers in both a HT configuration and in 2 channel but did not like them. Then I heard them at another dealers in a 2 channel set-up and was very impressed. Unfortunately he also had a set of 804's there as well and IMO there was a world of difference between these and the 703's: bass was much better and the mid-range was much more open. I brought my wife back with me the next week and we both agreed that the 804 was much superior. But on this occasion the dealer also had a pair of 803D's set-up and though we did not find as big a gap between the 803D's and the 804 as we did between the 804 and the 703 we did find that the bass was fuller and that there was better clarity or separation in the mid-range. The diamond tweeter was also a revelation. Now that we have lived with the 803D's for a few weeks I am continually amazed at their quality. They broke the bank but the sound is beautiful. We find we listen to music at a higher volume, it is less fatiguing and new sounds are being heard on music we thought we knew well. The very natural bass produced by the 803D's is particularly enhancing for classical music. I believe that any of the 600, 700 or 800 series speakers will serve you well but buy the best you can afford as you will then be happy to keep them for years.

Hehe, yup, you hit the nail on the head. If this was for HT, I'd make a completely different recommendation. For music, Darrill's summary is very accurate. Take it from someone who's made this mistake. I *LOVED* my 703's, but they only lasted me 1 year until I upgraded.

[bvk_houtx]

Grit,
Just curious, what would you recommend for HT?

[jim777]

Although I would not recommend 703's if the long term goal is 5.1, they are very fine speakers if you use good electronics, they will shine! I think that most people unhappy with 703's heard them with the bad electronics. Try a pair of 703's on a little McIntosh integrated, like the new MA6300...

[b&w fan]

The 804S's are $4000 ( US ) per pair. I am also thinking of purchasing these but the price is making me think twice. I want to build a home theater setup using 3-way speakers but I may have to delay this for a little longer.

yeah ..., The price will make think and think more than twice.

However I dont want to think what would happens if my wife finds out that I expended 4000 dollars in a pair of speakers. I dont know how your wives behave on this matter, but for mine this is all a complete waste of money. I am envious of those people saying things like this ...:

" ... I really wasnt sure about buying the 703 or the 804 so I decided to pick my wife up and return to the store with her for an extended listenining session. After auditioning both of them she turned to me and told me ... "We have to have the 804s ...!!!""

Is that your case?

[grit]

Listen to your wife!

I just posted a LONG thread in the Club Rotel forum about B&W 703's being mismatched to the HTM7. I can't tell you enough that the 804's are the right choice. You can add the appropriately matching center and surounds at any time. In short, there IS NO GOOD center channel match for the 703's.

Which, brings up my recommendation that was asked for in regards to HT. Depends on your budget. In a perfect world, I'd say start at 804's with the HTM3S center and DS8S surrounds. If that's out of your budget and you MUST have 5.1 *now*, I'd go with 705's on stands x4 and an HTM7. This will give a nice, even sound with little to no mismatching, and with a sub, will provide good music for casual listening. If B&W made a HTM7F center with the FST driver and crossover that matched the 703's, I'd recommend that + DS7 surrounds and live with the mismatch from front to back. For HT, the front 3 have got to match as best as possible.

[b&w fan]

What?!!

Listen to your wife!

I just posted a LONG thread in the Club Rotel forum about B&W 703's being mismatched to the HTM7. I can't tell you enough that the 804's are the right choice. You can add the appropriately matching center and surounds at any time. In short, there IS NO GOOD center channel match for the 703's.

Which, brings up my recommendation that was asked for in regards to HT. Depends on your budget. In a perfect world, I'd say start at 804's with the HTM3S center and DS8S surrounds. If that's out of your budget and you MUST have 5.1 *now*, I'd go with 705's on stands x4 and an HTM7. This will give a nice, even sound with little to no mismatching, and with a sub, will provide good music for casual listening. If B&W made a HTM7F center with the FST driver and crossover that matched the 703's, I'd recommend that + DS7 surrounds and live with the mismatch from front to back. For HT, the front 3 have got to match as best as possible.

I cannot listen to her advise on choosing a home stereo unless I be willing to get it at Walmart.

[alpina]

I just posted a LONG thread in the Club Rotel forum about B&W 703's being mismatched to the HTM7. I can't tell you enough that the 804's are the right choice. You can add the appropriately matching center and surounds at any time. In short, there IS NO GOOD center channel match for the 703's.

sorry grit,

didn't realise you posted here so please forgive the double post

"this is indeed a very expensive hobby you boys have. we thought we were breaking the bank by looking at the 703s

if for some reason insanity sets it between now and our purchase, how will 804s with htm3s with 705s with aws750 match up? for comparison purposes we are now seriously considering 703s with htm4s with 705s and aws750"

cheers,

julie

[rav934]

I use 804s speakers in front....set them up correctly (about 20 inches to the outside edge of your screen) and you can punt on the center channel. Just sit in the sweet spot...my kids sit on bean bag chairs in front of my wife and I......all is well!

[grit]

" ... I really wasnt sure about buying the 703 or the 804 so I decided to pick my wife up and return to the store with her for an extended listenining session. After auditioning both of them she turned to me and told me ... "We have to have the 804s ...!!!""

Sorry, I didn't read close enough. Thought this was YOUR quote.

[grit]

sorry grit,

didn't realise you posted here so please forgive the double post

"this is indeed a very expensive hobby you boys have. we thought we were breaking the bank by looking at the 703s

if for some reason insanity sets it between now and our purchase, how will 804s with htm3s with 705s with aws750 match up? for comparison purposes we are now seriously considering 703s with htm4s with 705s and aws750"

cheers,

julie

I think you never manage to buy the perfect setup from the get-go. You need to expect that you'll want to upgrade stuff at some point. I'm still voting for symetry for the front 3. But consider the SIZE of the HTM3S. Can you place it well somewhere? it's WAY too big to go on top of a TV. I think the 804/HTM4S is a better combo than the 703/HTM3S. In a perfect world, I'd find a way to squeeze that HTM3S in with the 804's, even at the expense of the 705's, for now. If you really want to keep SOME surround speaker in there, I'd go so far as to look into the CDS6 S3 surround speakers, IF it will allow your budget to fit that HTM3S in. Once you get the 804/HTM3S, it'll be a LONG time before you'll want/need to replace them.

I kinda forgot to ask... what electronics are you considering?

[alpina]

I kinda forgot to ask... what electronics are you considering?

hi garrett,

we are currently renovating and ht/living space is about 4 weeks away from completion - biggest issue here is customising av rack

so far we have Pioneer PDP-506HD, Sony DST-HD500, Pioneer DV-989AViS, Yamaha RX-V2600, Logitech Harmony 880 as per my signature

intention is to preout from the 2600 as we really wanted the 2600 for processing/upscaling/hdmi. the rotel advise thread is for another day once i get speakers sorted. originally was thinking 1075 then 1095 and now considering 1077, perhaps biamping 804 or 703 and running center and rears. will then use 2 amps off 2600 for zone 2 for outdoor use.

think ive pretty much locked in 705s and aws750 - just need to finalise front end

regards,

julie

[b&w fan]

Thanks to you all

Thanks a lot for the time to write your comments. They are indeed helpful and fun to read!

[dknightd]

Let us know what you decide, and how you decided. Might be useful
for the next person to come along. . .

[b&w fan]

Let us know what you decide, and how you decided. Might be useful
for the next person to come along. . .

I decided to buy the 703. I am sure it will last me several years free of "buyer remorse". With respect of the DM604S3 I have read lots of good comments about them, but I guess that I might fall into an upgraditis disease that I consider most of the times wasteful (at least on my case it gets addictive and very hard to break). The 703 seems to fit just fine the kind of music I like to listen to.

However, it is an ultimately visual decision since it is based of what I read in this forum and based on your valuable comments. I have not had the chance to listen to any of them!.

I do appreciate your input, it is always interesting, I always learned from everyone of you. Thank you very much and I will now make a lot of questions about the accompanying electronics.

[jim777]

"They will be used for music (2 channels): Latin, Jazz, some classics ..."

With the right choice of electronics, your 703's are going to be great for 2ch latin/jazz/classic music :T

Just a little advice: the 703's take a long time to break in (weeks or months) so don't scare away at your first listenings - Treble will settle down at first then bass will become more natural with time.

But I have mine for almost a year now and they are great!

[bulitnv]

Or, just think what your wife will say when you just spent $2500 on the 703s only to find out you need the 804s @ $4k

yeah ..., The price will make think and think more than twice.

However I dont want to think what would happens if my wife finds out that I expended 4000 dollars in a pair of speakers. I dont know how your wives behave on this matter, but for mine this is all a complete waste of money. I am envious of those people saying things like this ...:

" ... I really wasnt sure about buying the 703 or the 804 so I decided to pick my wife up and return to the store with her for an extended listenining session. After auditioning both of them she turned to me and told me ... "We have to have the 804s ...!!!""

Is that your case?

[grit]

hi garrett,

we are currently renovating and ht/living space is about 4 weeks away from completion - biggest issue here is customising av rack

so far we have Pioneer PDP-506HD, Sony DST-HD500, Pioneer DV-989AViS, Yamaha RX-V2600, Logitech Harmony 880 as per my signature

intention is to preout from the 2600 as we really wanted the 2600 for processing/upscaling/hdmi. the rotel advise thread is for another day once i get speakers sorted. originally was thinking 1075 then 1095 and now considering 1077, perhaps biamping 804 or 703 and running center and rears. will then use 2 amps off 2600 for zone 2 for outdoor use.

think ive pretty much locked in 705s and aws750 - just need to finalise front end

regards,

julie

Hi Julie,

I asked because I was concerned about having enough amplification to enjoy the speakers. An awesome set of speakers won't sound good at all without a great amp to power them. I know the 1075 is plenty for the 703's (that's what I had). I'm not entirely sure about how it'd handle the 804's, but I believe you'd be fine. Just wanted to make sure.

[b&w fan]

Since you have to go through this much hassle to get your speakers to begin with...you should atleast get the 703's if not....sacrifice somewhere else and get the 800 series speakers (Damn those budgets)
Nikos

Nikos: that is exactly what I am going to do, going to buy the 703s. I must tell you, however, that although I'm not feeling buyer remorse, I'm still extremely curious about the 604 given the huge support that B&W fans give to that model. Unfortunately there is no a B&W distributor in the country I am currently working in, so I think I better make sure I dont feel like upgrading the speakers for a while.

Thank for your advise, it made me reconsider my previous thoughts.

[norpus]

Nikos: that is exactly what I am going to do, going to buy the 703s. I must tell you, however, that although I'm not feeling buyer remorse, I'm still extremely curious about the 604 given the huge support that B&W fans give to that model. Unfortunately there is no a B&W distributor in the country I am currently working in, so I think I better make sure I dont feel like upgrading the speakers for a while.

Thank for your advise, it made me reconsider my previous thoughts.

Good choice on 703 vs 604.
The 703 is a wonderful speaker - very clear and detailed. They were going to be my next upgrade until some 800 series fell into my lap last week and I could not resist temptation. My 603 have been relegated to HT only duties now.

[b&w fan]

Good choice on 703 vs 604.
The 703 is a wonderful speaker - very clear and detailed. They were going to be my next upgrade until some 800 series fell into my lap last week and I could not resist temptation. My 603 have been relegated to HT only duties now.

Yes! I think they will be my speakers for at least a couple of years: I promise not to drop by any B&W dealer!!!

[b&w fan]

thinking about the electronics now ...

"They will be used for music (2 channels): Latin, Jazz, some classics ..."

With the right choice of electronics, your 703's are going to be great for 2ch latin/jazz/classic music :T

Just a little advice: the 703's take a long time to break in (weeks or months) so don't scare away at your first listenings - Treble will settle down at first then bass will become more natural with time.

But I have mine for almost a year now and they are great!

What electronics are you using with your 703s? any recommendation for 2-channels and that kind of music?

[jim777]

What electronics are you using with your 703s? any recommendation for 2-channels and that kind of music?

I use a McIntosh MA6500 integrated amp and a MCD201 stereo SACD/CD player. Before getting the MCD201, I had a Rotel RCD-1072 CD player. I didn't really appreciate the 703's before listening to them through the MA6500 instead of Rotel amplification. The RCD-1072 is great for the price and can do the job. Let's say that the RCD-1072 was my week point (even if very very good) but the MCD201 is a little overkill...

One advice, just don't listen, never, to B&W diamonds on a McIntosh amp&pre... :twisted:

any recommendation for 2-channels and that kind of music?
I don't understand.... Listen to what you like! :B