B&W 685 vs Floorspeakers

[da_grudge]

HI. I know this 685 it's great and won this year award, but it's not a floor speaker. My question is if it doesn't lack some things that a bigger speaker might have (for classical music for example), or if the size doesn't really matter.

Thank you

 

[Anonymous]

There'll be some essay answers. I'll try to put mine in bullets:

Stand-mounters typically:
-Have more clarity/transparency.
-Deliver the best pace/timing.
-Are more versatile re room placement.

Floor-standers typically:
-Deliver more bass.
-Present better soundstage.
-More versatile re room size.

So in a nutshell, the 685 is superb. BUT IMO, for classical music (orchestral) I feel bass is important. Thus I'd recommend something like the 683 or RS6. However for etudes and other limited or solo arrangements stand-mounters like the M5i or 685 would get my nod. Life is a difficult and confusing ordeal.

 

[Anonymous]

The 685's are such superb speakers, it will leave you wondering if you need anything else. For what it costs, it has no rivals.

My friends were astounded by the sound it produced when they came over to have a listening session.

Highly recommended!

 

[matthewpiano]

685s?? Massively over rated in my opinion and not good value for money given their performance.

In terms of stand mounts versus floorstanders, I've finally settled on stand mounts for their better imaging and sense of pace. All depends what you want.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Thats in your opinion though MP

From what ive read youve never been a massive fan of the 685's where as i think theyre a superb speaker BUT i also think it all depends on what music you listen to and how you have the system set-up

IMO; i dont think the 685's would be at their best for classical, but for modern electronic music where the speakers can be driven hard to give the solid bass weight; i think they fit right in.

Again, IMO, if da_grudge wants good speakers for solid bass weight and to make the classical music soundstage much more open, i dont think he could go wrong with the M/A RS6's.

 

[matthewpiano]

I did say it was 'in my opinion'. I came to my conclusion after hearing the 685s in a massive range of music and with both Marantz and Arcam electronics. They may well be what the OP is looking for but I think its all too easy to go with an award winner without hearing the competition.

Again in my opinion, and after listening to many speakers of different price points, I think you'd have to spend huge amounts more money to improve on the Diamond 9.1s for classical music. They have all the qualities of the Quad 11Ls in terms of clarity and integration but without the slightly veiled quality of those speakers. IMO they are a revelation and one of the all-time best bargains in hi-fi.

If you want floorstanders I would try Rega R3s and R5s or the Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 6. Monitor Audio is a brand whose speakers I've never really got on with (I think there is only really MS who can make metal tweeters work properly) but, given their huge following and the ownership experience of D_A_N_1979 and others, I think you would be mad not to at least audition them.

 

[Anonymous]

I auditioned several speakers at this price range and nothing compared to the B&W 685's, also i listen to a lot of classical and the results are great

I feel i will have to spend a lot of money to better these speakers

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano:685s?? Massively over rated in my opinion and not good value for money given their performance.

I think this is a bit over the top. Cool they didn't suit you but you cannot deny their exceptional ability over a broad range of music. I was one to jump on the 685 bandwagon almost 2 years ago and since spending four times their value on 805s I still cannot believe what exceptional value for money the 685's are.

 

[plastic penguin]

Subjective. . . .that' what makes hi-fi so fascinating and unique.

Personally, floorstanders will always edge it for me.

 

[Anonymous]

Floorstanders? errr, no.

 

[professorhat]

plastic penguin:
Subjective. . . .that' what makes hi-fi so fascinating and unique.

Personally, floorstanders will always edge it for me.

But at the £380 price range?
EDIT - okay, say £450 to throw in a pair of decent stands for the 685s...

 

[plastic penguin]

professorhat:plastic penguin:

Subjective. . . .that' what makes hi-fi so fascinating and unique.

Personally, floorstanders will always edge it for me.
But at the £380 price range?

EDIT - okay, say £450 to throw in a pair of decent stands for the 685s...

Yeah, it is still a personal choice regardless of price. the only real factor as far as towers go is can you accommodate them with room size/shape?

 

[Dave_]

plastic penguin:professorhat:plastic penguin:

Subjective. . . .that' what makes hi-fi so fascinating and unique.

Personally, floorstanders will always edge it for me.
But at the £380 price range?

EDIT - okay, say £450 to throw in a pair of decent stands for the 685s...
. the only real factor as far as towers go is can you accommodate them with room size/shape?
not really since most standmounters once on stands take up the same amount of space as your average floorstander

 

[plastic penguin]

daveh75:plastic penguin:professorhat:plastic penguin:

Subjective. . . .that' what makes hi-fi so fascinating and unique.

Personally, floorstanders will always edge it for me.
But at the £380 price range?

EDIT - okay, say £450 to throw in a pair of decent stands for the 685s...
. the only real factor as far as towers go is can you accommodate them with room size/shape?

not really since most standmounters once on stands take up the same amount of space as your average floorstander

'Yes' and 'No' really. You have to factor in that floorstanders (genearlising) tends to throw out a bigger soundstage and extended bass.

 

[professorhat]

I think you'd struggle find floorstanders, at that budget, which throw out a bigger soundstage and more extended bass than the 685s on a decent pair of stands. That's just my opinion though.

 

[plastic penguin]

professorhat:I think you'd struggle find floorstanders, at that budget, which throw out a bigger soundstage and more extended bass than the 685s on a decent pair of stands. That's just my opinion though.

Monitor Audio RS5, Kef IQ5SE, M.A. BR5?

 

[Anonymous]

The B&Ws had a bad soundstage when I heard them...all of the sound from a tiny little bit in the middle. That was with a Rotel RA-04 and RCD-06 being trashed to their limits though - any speaker with a B and a W on the front needs at least 100 watts to get the best from it.

However, bass depth is superb and quite tuneful too. The 685s were the first pair of hi-fi speakers I ever tried and their bass depth shocked me into submission for the rest of the demo!

 

[da_grudge]

so which amp for the 685?

 

[Anonymous]

Are you not getting the Arcam AVR or are you adding a stereo amp too?

 

[plastic penguin]

da_grudge:so which amp for the 685?

Depending on your budget, the outgoing Roksan Kandy LIII would fit the bill perfectly. If that doesn't appeal then the Rotel RA06 would also be a good match. Both these amps can be upgraded [if needed] by bi-amping a power amp.

 

[Anonymous]

What's the budget? If you can extend a little higher than PP's suggestions the Kandy K2 and Naim 5i come into the firing line.

 

[matthewpiano]

Octopo:
matthewpiano:685s?? Massively over rated in my opinion and not good value for money given their performance.

I think this is a bit over the top. Cool they didn't suit you but you cannot deny their exceptional ability over a broad range of music. I was one to jump on the 685 bandwagon almost 2 years ago and since spending four times their value on 805s I still cannot believe what exceptional value for money the 685's are.

ALL MY OPINION BUT...

The thing is, Octopo, I CAN 'deny their exceptional ability over a broad range of music' because, personally I don't think the 685s get enough right at their price point. I have heard several speakers from the price point below that are substantially more cohesive and consistent, and several speakers which are direct competitors to the B&Ws that easily surpass them in several areas.

There must be something about them that appeals to many many people and, as such, I would encourage anyone to give them an audition and decide for themself. However, if my current run of demos has shown me anything it is that awards and reviews in magazines aren't always very reflective of how good a component is. I have also come to realise that buyers can very easily get rail roaded by a combination of reviews and the dealers' own favourites and get disuaded from trying less obvious possibilities. Consequently I feel it is absolutely vital that anyone buying any new hi-fi should be looking at as many of the possibilities available at their budget as possible, including items which maybe the dealer is less enthusiastic about or which haven't had a review in a magazine.

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano:ALL MY OPINION

Certainly.ÿ

matthewpiano:BUT...ÿThe thing is, Octopo, I CAN 'deny their exceptional ability over a broad range of music' because, personally I don't think the 685s get enough right at their price point.

As we all know this is subjective but I would strongly disagree here. B&W have put a huge amount of time and effort into creating a speaker that is capable of pleasing many ears over a broad range of material whilst dealing with almost ANY electronics. Not many speakers at this price-point do this. In my opinion they should be priced closer to the Epos M12.

matthewpiano:I have heard several speakers from the price point below that are substantially more cohesive and consistent, and several speakers which are direct competitors to the B&Ws that easily surpass them in several areas.

What are they?ÿ

matthewpiano:There must be something about them that appeals to many many peopleÿ

Sure, they are good.ÿ

matthewpiano:and, as such, I would encourage anyone to give them an audition and decide for themself.ÿ

Of course.ÿ

matthewpiano:However, if my current run of demos has shown me anything it is that awards and reviews in magazines aren't always very reflective of how good a component is.ÿÿ

I fully believe this and that's why your opinion, these forums and testing are highly valued.ÿ

matthewpiano:I have also come to realise that buyers can very easily get rail roaded by a combination of reviews and the dealers' own favourites and get disuaded from trying less obvious possibilities. Consequently I feel it is absolutely vital that anyone buying any new hi-fi should be looking at as many of the possibilities available at their budget as possible, including items which maybe the dealer is less enthusiastic about or which haven't had a review in a magazine.

So we see, hi-fi is subjective after all.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Put simply, LOL!

 

[matthewpiano]

Octopo:
matthewpiano:ALL MY OPINION

Certainly.ÿ

matthewpiano:BUT...ÿThe thing is, Octopo, I CAN 'deny their exceptional ability over a broad range of music' because, personally I don't think the 685s get enough right at their price point.

As we all know this is subjective but I would strongly disagree here. B&W have put a huge amount of time and effort into creating a speaker that is capable of pleasing many ears over a broad range of material whilst dealing with almost ANY electronics. Not many speakers at this price-point do this. In my opinion they should be priced closer to the Epos M12.

matthewpiano:I have heard several speakers from the price point below that are substantially more cohesive and consistent, and several speakers which are direct competitors to the B&Ws that easily surpass them in several areas.

What are they?ÿ

Focal Chorus 706v, Quad 11L, Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 2s. The Focals are absolutely stunning all-rounders and incredible value for money in my view. Very neutral and beautifully balanced with plenty of life and air at the top end without ever getting agressive.