Need input - 1075 or 1095 to drive B&W 700s

[grit]

I'm using 703s, HTM7, and 705s for a 5 channel HT system w/music secondary. I'm going to use either a 1068 or 1098 processor. The question I have is this: Will the 1095 make a noticeable difference over the 1075? I'm at the end of my budget, and I can afford to either replace an entry-level ($200) velodyne sub with the matching B&W ASW700, or change the amp from the 1075 to the 1095 (or get the 1098 processor instead of the 1068).

As for upgradeability, I'm only concerned about how it all works together now, and making the best use of my money.

Any experience/input would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

Garrett

[Aussie Geoff]

Grit,

Should be an interesting thread...

My 2 cents:

• For HT the sub will make the difference
• If you like B&W stretch to the ASW750 (eat noodles for a week!) it has way better bass than the 700 for not much more $
• Alternatively consider the SVS PB-Plus/2 (HERE for $1199 for some serious bass. Try a search in Club B&W for some more info such a this POST by Blazemaster.
• The 1095 is more an investment in the future - allowing you to further upgrade your speakers. But unless youy have money comming in soon, given that you are a mainly HT guy - I see the best bang for buck in the 1075 and Sub combo

Geoff

[grit]

I got to demo the 703s on a Rotel 1070 and 1080 amp yesterday. At first, I couldn't describe it, but the 1070 just made me shake my head 'no'. After a while, I was better able to describe the 1070 as sounding more "compressed" and less articulate than the 1080. In particular, there seemed to be some reverberation at lower end sounds (100-400 Hz range) with the 1070 that went away with the 1080.

So, how will these amps compare to the 1075 and 1095? The wattage output is rather similar, but there are other statistics I don't understand that are different. On top of that, I think someone mentioned the 1080 "sounds different" than the 1095.

Again, I intend to listen to 2-channel music as well as 5 channel home theater (perhaps 7 channel one day). And on occasion, I'll use the 5 channel stereo mode, but I'm not as concerned about how that will sound. I'd hate to go with the 1075 for the center & surrounds, and the 1080 for the fronts, and find out that the sound coming from the front L/R is different than the center (and rears) b/c the amps are inherently different.

[Aussie Geoff]

Grit,

What a great explanation of what you heard! :T

The "reverberation at lower end sounds (100-400 Hz range) with the 1070 that went away with the 1080" will most likely be the audible artefact of the difficult current drive demands placed on the amplifier by B&W (and a lot of other reflex speakers) as the bass impedance drops way down above the driver / tuned port resonant frequency. This is usually combined with complex inductance / phase angle up to about 400Hz when the crossover to the FST midrange occurs.... You hearing it go away with the 1080 is most likely the 1080s extra current drive being able to cope better with the difficult load...

The extent to which people hear this and it annoys them varies... However if you hear it is it real - which is why many people like (me) like high current amplifiers on their speakers, especially the higher end B&Ws...

So re your amplifier question - it has to be the RMB-1095 not the RMB-1075 for you... (And I’d listen to the RMB-1095 to make sure you like it if you can). If you were going 7.1 then I'd even consider a RB-1080 for the fronts (or like I am 99% likely to do) a RB-1090!!

Geoff

[grit]

Thanks Geoff.

I was giving some consideration to getting the 1080 for the fronts, and getting the 1075 for the center/rears. I've read that having a dedicated L/R is better for music, and the 703s statistically have a much higher current requirement than the HTM7 and 705s.

It would seem the 1095 might be wasted on the center/rears, and if getting a dedicatec stereo amp will make for better stereo sound (vs the 1095), then that'd seem the best choice.

Anyone got any experience hearing the 1095 vs 1080 (my dealer won't be back until after CES).

[Andrew Pratt]

I'd likely lean towards the 1080/1075 combo for amps...you could bi amp your mains or center until you went to 7.1 for the time being. I'd also then upgrade the subwoofer vs getting the 1098. A good subwoofer is the foundation your sound is built on and shouldn't be the weak spot in your speaker line up. If it were me I wouldn't buy a "brand" name sub either as there's better deals to be had from online only companies like SVS and HSU.

[PewterTA]

I've got the 1095 and 1080!!!

Right now I haven't had time to do a real good comparison between the two, but they seemed to work very very similiarly. I think what I'll end up doing while I have the 5.1 setup, is using the 1080 to push the L/R along with the 1095 and have them biamped. I'm just not sure if I want the 1080 pushing the High/Mids or the Lower bass drivers. Have to just play around and see.

From what I can see from the two, I'm guessing the sound stage is a little bit more opened with the 1080. To me it doesn't seem that the imaging is as focused as the 1095, when listening to stereo mode singer's voices really seem to be coming from the center channel (even though the Center isn't active), to me the 1080 doesn't seem to give me that type of impression on the music, but it does seem to keep better control of the bass going to each speaker.

So it's a tough call, I might (because of what I said above) probably use the 1095 for High/Mid range, and the 1080 for the bass.

Oh and I like Andrews idea!!! Definitely get a nice sub if you can, and have to back off a little on the other stuff to afford it!

[grit]

Any recommendations for subs? I don't have the space or the ability (condo) to play a sub very loud... it'll have to be somewhat modest. I was looking at the B&W ASW700.

[Andrew Pratt]

it'll have to be somewhat modest

I'm sorry I'm not familar with that term :B

Seriously given that budget I'd recomend any of the following...

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_boxes.htm

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_cylinders.htm

http://www.adireaudio.com/TextPages/...eFrameText.htm

http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofers/pre_finished/pinnacle_index.shtml