B&W kills the 700 series

[sg2]

Hi,

http://www.musikit.fr/ - scroll down to "B&W : LA SERIE 700 DISPARAIT"

[stlfdemt]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I wanted some 704's in a couple of years. I guess I will have to go used.

[george_k]

That's unfortunate was hoping to upgrade to a pair of 703+. A pair of 803's would be too much of a jump from a budget perspective.

[beden1]

Another unfortunate sign of the failing economic times we are all facing today. The 700 Series has a high quality construction that may have become too costly to build within it's pricing structure.

[btf1980]

Unfortunate, but the writing had been on the wall for a long time. With the expanded CM series, especially the CM9 retailing at 3K a pair, I really didn't see where the 700 series could go from there. It was between a rock and a hard place. It was the speaker choice between the economical 600 series and the top of the line 800 series. The CM series has taken that spot now.

On the bright side, it looks like there might be some really great deals to be had on the 700 series from demo units at dealers and on audiogon.

[style]

Hi,

well the new CM series (sure) gave the coup that was missing...

I had a 703 in the past...not my favorite but a good speaker ..

A copy of 705 maybe a good price.... :W

Style

[Briz vegas]

Well my 705 and htm7 aren't going anywhere. They do me just fine for HT duties and I have no desire for anything better. Not a style match for 804 but they have the same timber finish and still look great. CM are just boxes - piano finish is nice but too plain and they just ask for people to put drinks on them. Not something you would do with a 700 series.

[bleeding ears]

Having heard the 700 series and being very impressed, they were just that bit too expensive to contemplate buying over the 600 series.

If the replacement for the 700 series was considerably cheaper, but sounded very similar it would make them much more attractive for those wanting to get something above the entry 600 series and still be affordable.

I assume the repalcement for the 700 series would have to be cheaper, possibly being made in China ? but if they sound as good I dont care where they are made.

I just buy the best I can afford.

I am not aware of what the competition is in the current 700 series price range, perhaps someone could enlighten me so I can go listen to them as a possible alternative to B&W

[emig5m]

Having heard the 700 series and being very impressed, they were just that bit too expensive to contemplate buying over the 600 series.

If the replacement for the 700 series was considerably cheaper, but sounded very similar it would make them much more attractive for those wanting to get something above the entry 600 series and still be affordable.

As a newbie to B&W I would say for certain that if I had the money to afford 700 series, I would just skip over them completely and get the same size equivalent 800 series speaker. I also don't like how that series doesn't have the speaker options that the others do (multiple center channels for example - look at the 800 series, four center channels making for matching up and balancing different speakers in the lineup better). Spending the amount of money on the 700 series over the equivalent 800's is like getting just about to the point of orgasm and not having it! :E :lol: :rofl:

Good riddance 700 series. I know when/if I upgrade from my 600's, it's 800 series, or nothing at all. :T

[btf1980]

Spending the amount of money on the 700 series over the equivalent 800's is like getting just about to the point of orgasm and not having it! :E :lol: :rofl:

That's hilarious, but very well put. :T

[sikoniko]

My dealer was told about this before CEDIA when he found out about the new Rotel series. I'm surprised this is just getting announced...

[hifiguymi]

My dealer was told about this before CEDIA when he found out about the new Rotel series. I'm surprised this is just getting announced...

I don't believe anything was going to be announced until the new CM Series product started shipping. My guess is the CM Series is taking the production space that the 700 Series had used.

Eric

[WI Rotel]

It was to be expected. As others have remarked, the CM series (cheaper) and the XT have made the 7 series irrelevant. The seven was too expensive when compared to those 2 series for what was a negligible sound difference. IMO they could probably cut some of the 8 series too the 801 and 803S and 804 could also get the ax and not affect the product line, plus it would save a lot of money by making a slimmer product line.

[Dmantis]

The cm's are wonderful and I personally like them more then the 700 series. Something to me is just not right with the 700 series. I also liked the older CDm series better.

I'm cool with the 700 series going away. I wanna check out the new cm9's.

Dan

[altanpsx]

700 series are far more better then cm series. Their cabinets are bigger, their sounds and stages are bigger, they are creating better and natural sound then cm series. I am sure 7xx series will be renew and we will see them in 2010.

6xx series are very good budget speakers. But indeed they are budget speakers, and their quality can not compare with neither 7xx not cm series.

[Briz vegas]

It was to be expected. As others have remarked, the CM series (cheaper) and the XT have made the 7 series irrelevant. The seven was too expensive when compared to those 2 series for what was a negligible sound difference. IMO they could probably cut some of the 8 series too the 801 and 803S and 804 could also get the ax and not affect the product line, plus it would save a lot of money by making a slimmer product line.

Sorry Rotel but this does not make much sense. You are suggesting some big holes in the product line.

I wouldn't give the XT series house room as it looks like a cheap lifestyle product to my mind and I don't see any gain over my 705. 803D is 3 times the price of the CM9, thats a huge price difference. Remember that everyone is looking for the best performance within their budget. If my budget is $8k in Australia I would have gone to another brand given the choices you are suggesting

If you are suggesting 50% price cut on the 803D there would be no complaints from me.

[style]

B&W does not leave the series 7 (POINT 7) empty for so long ...
Personally I think now (also for the economy) B&W marketing wants to sell the series cheaper / 6 and new CM .. (even if CM is already a thing apart, great speaker for great sonud..) In a Germany books the Kef XQ40 is more expensive as the CM9!! and the in a test the Kef is the winner?!?

7 series returns to the big even for me, and with a the dream 805d with some pieces as 803S or 804S perhaps out of production?
to have a serie 8 = a truly unique :W .... with a much better series 7...

style

[style]

@Briz vegas,

yes that right....with your 705 and htm7 as front for your HT is sure NO BAD!! :T

but is too important what do you need and waht is yours mains spaekers. You no?

I have the 803Dmains , Htm2D center and 805s rear. (the 805s is a very great speaker! -> and the 705 is as you wrote a good company.../combo..)

for a mains the CM9 (never listen) will be no bad... but the 70x can be better.. --> to be tested...
I can considerthe CM7 as a replacement of rear 805 but I dont do sell my 805s sure...--> they go in my bedroom :T
style

[btf1980]

Sorry Rotel but this does not make much sense. You are suggesting some big holes in the product line.

I wouldn't give the XT series house room as it looks like a cheap lifestyle product to my mind and I don't see any gain over my 705. 803D is 3 times the price of the CM9, thats a huge price difference. Remember that everyone is looking for the best performance within their budget. If my budget is $8k in Australia I would have gone to another brand given the choices you are suggesting

If you are suggesting 50% price cut on the 803D there would be no complaints from me.

Jeez, there's quite a big jump between the 803D and CM9 don't you think?? Not really a fair comparison. Someone looking to purchase the 803D probably would not be considering the CM9, and neither would they be looking at the 700 series either. Someone considering an 804S or 805s + sub probably would look at the CM series. I say this because this was the case with me! I have a CM series system, and when shopping and auditioning, the 700 series was definitely on the table and my previous B&W speakers in a 2 channel set-up were 805s. IMO, B&W did not make the wrong choice.

The XT series are lifestyle speakers, but it doesn't make them bad nor cheap looking IMO. They serve their purpose and are excellent. Not for everyone, I agree.

[Briz vegas]

Correct me if I am wrong but it was Rotels suggestion that they should dump the 804 and 803s that I was responding to. It does leave a big price gap in line up.

I looked at 805s and up as I already had 705.

Regarding the XT looks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me the XT series look like HTIB speakers. Its the slender profile and the alminium finish. There is obviously a market for these speakers, its just not me.

[btf1980]

Correct me if I am wrong but it was Rotels suggestion that they should dump the 804 and 803s that I was responding to. It does leave a big price gap in line up.

You're right, I didn't see that part. In that case, you have a valid point. The price (and performance) gap would be too big.

[emig5m]

It was to be expected. As others have remarked, the CM series (cheaper) and the XT have made the 7 series irrelevant. The seven was too expensive when compared to those 2 series for what was a negligible sound difference. IMO they could probably cut some of the 8 series too the 801 and 803S and 804 could also get the ax and not affect the product line, plus it would save a lot of money by making a slimmer product line.

Actually the 804s and 803s are the two 800 series speakers I would be considering purchasing in the future. Say if a 683 owner wanted to upgrade to 800 series but had a smaller room and needed to keep the size similar, the 804 would be it...

[hifiguymi]

I don't think just killing the 804S or the 803S altogether makes any sense. I would bet B&W replaces the 805S, 804S, and 803S (and matching center channels) with a new 700 Series in a couple of years give or take. I think they should focus the 800 Series to diamond tweeter only speakers and have the 700 Series slot between the CM Series and 800 Series. The current 700 Series is old and has run it's course so it's time it was replaced. That doesn't mean they sound bad but there are other speakers in B&W's line that offer better value. Both the CM Series and XT Series are examples of that. The XT4s, and XT2s, are much better than a lot of people might think due to their looks. Time will tell what happens.

Eric

[sikoniko]

I don't think just killing the 804S or the 803S altogether makes any sense. I would bet B&W replaces the 805S, 804S, and 803S (and matching center channels) with a new 700 Series in a couple of years give or take. I think they should focus the 800 Series to diamond tweeter only speakers and have the 700 Series slot between the CM Series and 800 Series. The current 700 Series is old and has run it's course so it's time it was replaced. That doesn't mean they sound bad but there are other speakers in B&W's line that offer better value. Both the CM Series and XT Series are examples of that. The XT4s, and XT2s, are much better than a lot of people might think due to their looks. Time will tell what happens.

Eric

didn't the CM series go away for a few years? Perhaps they like to swing the 700 series in and out with the CM series as the market demands?

what I heard is eventually all of the speakers in the 800 series will have diamonds and 1 speaker will probably be removed for redundancy sake. They will keep the name 804 but it may look like the 803s, or it may look like the 804s. that was still TBD.

[hifiguymi]

The CM Series did go away for a short time but it wasn't that long. When it was reintroduced it was only one model, the CM1, and then expanded. It may have seemed longer because of that.

I don't know if the 700 Series will come back or not but I would hope so. There is quite a bit of equity in than nomenclature. As much as I like the 800 Series it always seemed odd to me that it is the broadest, and by a wide margin, line B&W makes.

Again, time will tell what they decide to do.

Eric

[george_k]

I'm wondering if I should trade in my 703's for a pair of 805's and a PV1.

I agree that they should split the 800 lineup as you have speakers in that family that cost over $10k as well as speakers that cost $4k and less.

[ray5]

Another unfortunate sign of the failing economic times we are all facing today. The 700 Series has a high quality construction that may have become too costly to build within it's pricing structure.

That's exactly what my dealer told me. the 700 series cabinets are still being made in UK and the 600 ones and CM in China. So it's very expensive or profit margins smaller. So they are shutting it down to make CM's in China. Nobody knows if the 700's will be back.

[btf1980]

That's exactly what my dealer told me. the 700 series cabinets are still being made in UK and the 600 ones and CM in China. So it's very expensive or profit margins smaller. So they are shutting it down to make CM's in China. Nobody knows if the 700's will be back.

The CM series are made in the UK.

[ray5]

The CM series are made in the UK.

I mentioned the cabinets not the whole unit.

[N2siast]

The cabinets are made in Denmark. The CM7s are Danish, which leads me to believe all the CMs cabinet comes out of the same factory.

[aquaanox]

The cabinets are made in Denmark. The CM7s are Danish, which leads me to believe all the CMs cabinet comes out of the same factory.

Im confirming that the CM-9 is assembled in China, vs *made in china*, and the cabinets for the wood veneers anyway are made in Denmark.

[Dmantis]

700 series are far more better then cm series. Their cabinets are bigger, their sounds and stages are bigger, they are creating better and natural sound then cm series. I am sure 7xx series will be renew and we will see them in 2010.

6xx series are very good budget speakers. But indeed they are budget speakers, and their quality can not compare with neither 7xx not cm series.

Wwe must have listened to 2 completely different speakers. When I listened to them, I felt like they where broken or something has changed. Like the corssover points where set wrong, or there was a hole between the highs and mid range. I was shocked on there sound quality. I much prefer the CDM9Nt's.

Dan

[altanpsx]

Wwe must have listened to 2 completely different speakers. When I listened to them, I felt like they where broken or something has changed. Like the corssover points where set wrong, or there was a hole between the highs and mid range. I was shocked on there sound quality. I much prefer the CDM9Nt's.

Dan

7xx series are better then cmxx series. There is no subjectivity here. This is the truth. Also they are more expensive then cmxx series. Can u imagine b&w price better series cheaper ????

[Lewisimo]

I have to agree with the above comment here...

I recently listened to the CM9's in my local store, and also the 600 series, before deciding to buy a used pair of 703's for a little bit more money. The CM's sounded excellent, there is no denying that, but they just didn't have the same 'class' as the 703's, and personally I think the chrome surround on them looks a little tacky - it all depends on your personal taste of course. I like how large the 703's are, they look like they mean business, and when you listen to them that confirms that. With regards to the comments above about going to the 800 series rather than consdiering the 700 series, that seems ridiculous as the 800 series are FAR more expensive than the 700 series, and the CM series etc.
I guess at their price point they weren't making much money for B&W, and that's primarily why they are in the game, to make money. Also some of the newer speaker ranges are starting to be assembled/made (read into it what you like) in China, and that disturbs me, especially given the current ecomonic climate in the UK. They should be trying to harness the trade in our country to aid growth, not sending it overseas. Another reason why I am pleased with the 703's! I am happy to say my entire set up is designed and made in the UK! *waves flag*

[george_k]

7xx series are better then cmxx series. There is no subjectivity here. This is the truth. Also they are more expensive then cmxx series. Can u imagine b&w price better series cheaper ????

Like he said speakers must have been broken. I compared the 703's to the CM7's when I was shopping for an upgrade to my 603's. I bought the 703's blindly based on what I heard from the 704's. The CM7's just couldn't keep up with the 704's and I honestly didn't hear that much of an upgrade between the 603 and CM7.

[aquaanox]

So any news on whatz to replace the 700 series ?

[bigburner]

If you are suggesting 50% price cut on the 803D there would be no complaints from me.

They should do a special release at that price for Australia and New Zealand because... well... ah... hmmm... I'll think of something soon, but I'll buy a pair when they do.

Nigel.

[Industrial]

....CM are just boxes - piano finish is nice but too plain and they just ask for people to put drinks on them. Not something you would do with a 700 series.

This is very true. When I had cheap technics speakers no one went near them. Now that I have some CM speakers people want to put stuff on them or talk with their hands near them (already had one knocked over and scuffed up) or general just want to walk into them (happens more then you would expect). I just don't know why!!?