Which Subwoofer for B&W 703's!!!

[perla4u]

Hello...Its been a while I logged on to this site and posted something. I have been thoroughly enjoying my B&W 703's for a while now. I only have a 2 channel setup but wanting to upgrade to a full surround sound. I wanted to get a SUB first as my wife (ehheee she agreed wanted this. So, without any delay, let me ask you this question....

For B&W 703's as front speakers, which sub is the best match? Someone earlier suggested a 700 or a 750 but the readers here mentioned 750 would be a better option (both timber matched and the same 7 series).

My question is, would this be a good match for this set? I want a clean (no boomy sound), tight and good bass. Should a 800 series a good consideration for 7 series B&W's? Should B&W is the way to go for a SUB?

Lot of questions. I haven't particularly tried any Sub's, as I don't have time to go and audition (aaaaa good 'ol days). Please share your thoughts. I heard Velodyne and others in few posts here. Would they be a good match for a different company front speakers?

Regards,
Perla

[jam200]

I love my 703s and have two ASW 750s that sound great with them. One word of caution, B&W is eliminating the 700 series, so you need to make a decision quickly if you want to purchase an ASW 750.

The subs provide a strong, clear and tight bass for both recordings and movies. They liven up the room and provide a dimension that was missing from the bass response of the 703s alone.

Hope this helps.

[wgriel]

With subs, I wouldn't worry about a timbre match: you can get a 700 series sub if you want to match the finish, but otherwise there's no compelling reason to stick with B&W for your sub.

There are several companies that specialize in subs, and generally you'll get better "bang for the buck" by going that route: there's nothing wrong with B&W subs, but what you spend on one of them will get usually get you more if you look elsewhere. Velodyne makes some very good subs, as do JL Audio, Rel, Hsu and SVS.

[perla4u]

Thank you for the quick responses:-)

I thought the 700 series is very new from B&W and was only couple of years old. Why is B&W discontinuing the series? Do anyone know any specific reasons? DO I be worried as a 703 owner?

Do I need to look for specific functionality/features in a SUB, if I am considering either a B&W or a non B&W. Please let me know.

Regards,
Perla

[kmcheng]

Do I need to look for specific functionality/features in a SUB, if I am considering either a B&W or a non B&W. Please let me know.

One feature that I find helpful, even though not essential, is for the sub to have both the speaker-wire connection and the coaxial connection. That would give you some flexibility down the road in terms of whether you want to route the source signal through the processor or directly to the preamp. Some users prefer skipping the processor and stick with their 2-channel gears for 2-channel listening.

[sskim]

My sub (SVS PB 12+ which by the way is an awesome piece for the money) has the speaker wire connection but didn't know what they were for. Can you elaborate how one would wire the system using the speaker wire connection? Thanks

[COhifi]

B&W is discontinuing the 700 presumably (and I have been told this my a dealer) to focus on the slimmer models. With more and more people getting flat screen TVs, they think consumers want speakers that look like they match. Also, the new CM series is similar in price and sound.

To answer your question I agree with wgriel that SVS or JL Audio make great subs. When I buy a new sub it will be the JL F113 Fathom. SVS makes great subs for the money, although they can be rather large. Velodyne have a great reputation and for many years were the best subs on the market. I like JL now, but many would still say Velodyne is the best. I would not buy a B&W sub (the other brands just give you more for the money), but that is just me.

If I were you I would take a look at Ebay and Audiogon and see if you can find some good deals.

Happy Hunting!

[bnieman]

First of all, my ASW-750 matches my 703s very well. And I would definitely agree with jam200's assessment. The sub really livens up the room and adds what the 703 is missing (which you don't even know was missing until you hear the sub).

Second of all my dealer speculates the exit of the 700 series as this: B&W was going to have to increase prices again after only a year from taking the 703 speaker from $3,000 to $3,300. He speculated they would have had to up the price to $4,000 a pair in order to keep their margins.

They were then at a crossroads. They had to ask themselves, is there a market for a speaker at this price? And they concluded "no". Consumers willing to invest $4,000 would probably make the small step up to the 804S in the 800 series at that point.

The 700 series has now been replaced with the CM series. The direct 703 replacement is the CM-9 ($3,000/pair). I has the FST midrange and (2) bass drivers but it does not have a free mounted tweeter and probably costs a lot less to make since they don't have to worry about the abnormal shape of the cabinet. I have not heard the CM-9 personally but my dealer says the 703 definitely sounds better which is what I speculated. I would never go back to a tweeter in the box.

The 703s are a special speaker and were a GREAT value while they lasted. The rest of the 700 series was very nice but the 703s were a CLEAR winner. One of the best purchases I have ever made

Anyways, I am off topic. Get the ASW-750, it's very nice and on Audiogon it's a great value too! I picked mine up a couple years ago for $950 locally.

[bigburner]

Hi Perla,

I have an ASW750 and it fits in nicely with my CDM9NTs (the predecessor to the 703). However I think that quite a lot of subs would probably give you satisfaction.

Some subs are better suited to films (movies) than to music. The 750 is good for both, though probably leaning more towards music than films. I think that Rel subs are very musical.

The next time I look for a sub I'll definitely consider JL Fathoms closely too. Please note that I haven't listened to one yet.

Nigel.

[artv4]

a sub with no boomy, tight, and limited distortion sound would be the velodyne dd-12. its a servo controlled sub that delivers less than 1% distortion which provides super clean sound that will match perfect with your 700 series. plus, it has a digital correction. just my 2 cents

[style]

Hi,

I have a B&W750 with my 803D....with HT is not bad...and for the 703 (i had in the past) will give you satisfaction.

The Velo DD15 is sure much better but with the 703 I will go willl with the 750.

Style

[Gianluca]

Although my fronts are 603s3 models, I went with a Sunfire Signature 12 sub. No one seems to bring it much around here, but it is a hell of a sub. If size matters this little sub is an excellent one. If size does not matter it's still amazing.

Gianluca

[perla4u]

Thanks all for your input. I never heard either JL Fathom or Sunfire or others. I did had a chance to listen to B&W subs as when I was buying 703's. I was just reading a review on JL fathom, I read the reviewer compared this with Revel B15 sub. Any one compared and used in a BW setup?

Regards,
Perla

[wettou]

Paradigm Reference Signature Sub 25

Paradigm Sub 25 any one

http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-news/subwoofer-news/paradigm-reference-signature-sub-25-unveiled.html

[emig5m]

Although my fronts are 603s3 models, I went with a Sunfire Signature 12 sub. No one seems to bring it much around here, but it is a hell of a sub. If size matters this little sub is an excellent one. If size does not matter it's still amazing.

Gianluca

+1. I'm space limited, I initially went with a Velodyne MiniVee for my 683s but found that it's limiter would kick in while the rest of my speakers weren't even close to full tilt yet and would pull away volume-wise. The Sunfire gits r' done, goes way low, and maintains that nice small form factor, and is able to keep up volume wise to the rest of my system (while shaking the walls with LFE) with ease.

[KRC]

I have 703's which were an upgrade from an old pair of Mirage speakers, as I was going from two channel to surround I started with 600 series 3 all around. The ASW 600 was the first sub I ever owned and figured they were all the same. I had great enjoyment from it until the 703's entered into the picture. The ASW 600 was never used again when playing my 703's in stereo and when listening to music DVD's, however it is a great sub fro LFE with movies. I say that tongue in cheek as I am sure if I had a better quality with more power, it would mesh better with my 703's, the sub seems to plod along compared to the 703's. What is my point........ if you have high quality L/R do not match it with an inferior (sic) sub and for that matter centre channel. The weakeness will become very apparent.

Kevin