Please Help: HTM61 or 62 with 685?

[frog2frog]

Hi All

I am a newbie with speakers. I am planing to get the B&W685 for my L&R ASW610 for sub, but not sure which centre (HTM61 or 62) to match it with.

I know B&W suggest using HTM62 with the 685. In terms of spec, the HTM61 has the FST midrange and it goes as low as 38Hz. Also the 685 has 1x ø165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass / midrange while HTM61 also has 1x ø165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass. So I was thinking they should match better than HTM62 since the 62 only have 2x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass / midrange. with the same cone size, would it match better? and with the additional 1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar® cone midrange for the HTM61 would it improve the sound?

Therefore, I am thinking to get the HTM61 for my centre.

Just want to know if this will be a good setup? anyone has this setup? will the HTM61 or 62 give me better sound when I match it with 685? any suggestion will help.

Thank you very much.

[Ken49r]

Is this system going to be used for Multichannel music along with HT? If so, you probably won't be pleased with a mismatched front end. Most likely HT will not benefit from it either. If your dealer has the HTM61 for you to demo when you get your 685's, then you could hear and decide if your willing to put up with the sound difference.

I have seen some systems on here with mismatched front speakers, usually because they are in the middle of upgrading to a fully matched front end.

[hifiguymi]

I'd go with the HTM62. The HTM61 is enough different with the FST midrange that I'd not do that one.

Eric

[Iron Man]

HTM61 is primarily made to match 683. I'd go for HTM62.

[frog2frog]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Since I am new to speakers, I am not too sure how I should pick.

From looking at the spec. the 685 has 1x ø165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass / midrange while HTM61 also has 1x ø165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass so I was thinking they should match better than HTM62 since the 62 only have 2x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass / midrange. with the same cone size, would it match better? and with the additional 1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar® cone midrange for the HTM61 would it improve the sound?

Thanks

[dknightd]

B&W suggests using the htm62 with the 685 bookshelves

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2356&sc=ht

I assume they have a good reason for this (probably because the
fst driver in the 61 really only matches the 683).

Another alternative would be to use three 685 across the front - they'll match perfectly

[Ken49r]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Since I am new to speakers, I am not too sure how I should pick.

From looking at the spec. the 685 has 1x ø165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass / midrange while HTM61 also has 1x ø165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass so I was thinking they should match better than HTM62 since the 62 only have 2x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar® cone bass / midrange. with the same cone size, would it match better? and with the additional 1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar® cone midrange for the HTM61 would it improve the sound?

Thanks

If you want a system with the FST midrange why not go with three HTM61 up front? (L/C/R) It's a full 3 way and should sound well balanced across the front. The HTM61 can be used in a vertical or horizontal position. I'm new at this myself but I'm sure the more knowledgeable here could give an opinion or two if this would be a good setup.