b&w 685......not sure what to think....not great...

[mushroomgod]

Well, iv jest taken ownership of a pair of 685s, they looks wonderfull...but the sound, theres something not quite right....

Its hard for me to put my finger on, when listedning to just vocals, the sound its A1+++ perfect - clean as a wistle, and beats my old tanoys quite a bit. But, when the sounds a bit more detailed somthings strugling, sounds are harder to make out, its sounds a bit muddled and unclean, not really any better than my tannoys (its also not any worst), but I was expecting more of a leap.

It could be that the speakers are not the weak link in the chain though, but my amp and my not so expensive 8 year old speaker cable, the Amp itself if an old Sony STR-DB930 which is an AV amp (and which I will be replacing with eaither Nad or CA in a week or two), it is in 2 channal mode . It could be that the speakers need time to loosen up, I really dont know.

Any ideas?

 

[chebby]

Your speakers should sound pretty good from the box and get better as they settle in.

Wait until you get the new amp before slinging them out though

Obviously you listened to all this new stuff together first when you had it demo'ed and the dealers demo gear probably would have all been run-in.

Dont worry about the cables. Just re-terminate them if you are concerned. Reveal some fresh copper and get the plugs re-soldered and they will be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe your last speakers were limited by the amp as well as these. As Chebby said, give it some time.

 

[SteveR750]

Are they run in yet?? Makes a huge difference, and takes a good 2-3 weeks

 

[lordmortlock]

Don't worry mushroomgod a nice dedicated 2 channel amp will get them singing.

 

[matthewpiano]

Get the amp and I think you'll be much happier. With those speakers I'd go down the NAD route personally. The Sony receiver is strangling them.

 

[JoelSim]

Couldn't agree more. Wait til you get a 2 channel amp and they will sing.

ÿ

 

[Clare Newsome]

Totally agree re the amp. It's also worth mentioning that sturdy stands are a must to get the best from these B&Ws.

 

[lordmortlock]

Will the OP get away with a cheaper stand like Soundstyle or Atacama nexus or would it be better to jump right in at Partington dreadnought levels of sturdy?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Soundstyle Z2 - although a superb budget stand - is a little lightweight here. Partingtons ideal, but Atabite-filled Atacama Nexus 6 would be OK, and their more attractive siblings - the Aurora 6 - a less industrial alternative!

 

[matthewpiano]

When I tried the 685s at home for a few days they worked very well on my atabite filled Atacama Nexus 6 stands.