Question B&W 706

[TrevC]

Has anyone heard the B&W 706 speakers? All opinions welcome.

 

[Al ears]

Has anyone heard the B&W 706 speakers? All opinions welcome.

Presumably you mean the new 706 S2?
or do you mean the original version?

 

[Ris101]

Hi. I've been using them for the last few years. I use them in conjunction with a rega elex r, bluesound node 2i and project turntable.

In general I'm very happy with them, clarity and detail is excellent. I had demoed a lot of speakers and these fitted well. It is a fairly warm sound, positioning is key and speaker cable also helped to improve this. Source and type of music makes all the difference, if you like lots of harsh grungy music then not the best. I listen to all types of indy, rock n roll, folk and electronic. My only itch is the turntable!!

Happy to answer any questions.

What amp are you looking to use them with?

 

[TrevC]

Presumably you mean the new 706 S2?
or do you mean the original version?

I mean the S2, the new version.

 

[TrevC]

Hi. I've been using them for the last few years. I use them in conjunction with a rega elex r, bluesound node 2i and project turntable.

In general I'm very happy with them, clarity and detail is excellent. I had demoed a lot of speakers and these fitted well. It is a fairly warm sound, positioning is key and speaker cable also helped to improve this. Source and type of music makes all the difference, if you like lots of harsh grungy music then not the best. I listen to all types of indy, rock n roll, folk and electronic. My only itch is the turntable!!

Happy to answer any questions.

What amp are you looking to use them with?

It's an elderly Sony. 60 watts per channel. Would you describe them as bright sounding, like the 606 anniversary?

 

[Ris101]

I personally don't they are, I don't like bright. But they can lean that way if they are not partnered very well.

They will probably sound very similar to the 606 , just more detailed. Used to have 685 s2 with the rega and also enjoyed that. Before that I had cyrus amps and they really were bright with b&w

 

[TrevC]

I personally don't they are, I don't like bright. But they can lean that way if they are not partnered very well.

They will probably sound very similar to the 606 , just more detailed. Used to have 685 s2 with the rega and also enjoyed that. Before that I had cyrus amps and they really were bright with b&w

Thank you. I feel a purchase coming on!

 

[Al ears]

I personally don't they are, I don't like bright. But they can lean that way if they are not partnered very well.

They will probably sound very similar to the 606 , just more detailed. Used to have 685 s2 with the rega and also enjoyed that. Before that I had cyrus amps and they really were bright with b&w

I had the original 685's which I liked, didn't like the 606, and haven't heard the S2 version of the 706

 

[Al ears]

Thank you. I feel a purchase coming on!

Presumably you cannot get to audition yourself?
I have read some reviews that rate the smoother top end of the 705's over and above the 706's

 

[TrevC]

Presumably you cannot get to audition yourself?

In a shop? I find it hard to tell how good anything is that way. Years ago I bought some KEF speakers that sounded great in the shop, but when I tried them in my room they had huge overblown bass. Fortunately I was allowed to swap them for Celestions.

 

[Al ears]

In a shop? I find it hard to tell how good anything is that way. Years ago I bought some KEF speakers that sounded great in the shop, but when I tried them in my room they had huge overblown bass. Fortunately I was allowed to swap them for Celestions.

yes it can be difficult. I use a dealer audition to cut out the obvious ones that aren't going to do it for me at all, find something that might, and then see if they're up to a home audition.
PS: I have never heard a bad Celestion speaker

 

[Florestander]

I auditioned these at a dealers, partnered with a Musical Fidelity M6 amp. For me, they sounded very warm and inviting musically, with good staging for speakers in this price range. In the end I dis not purchase them as I perceived a bit more 'bass' than I would have expected to hear and I am seeking a more 'natural ' sound (such as you may experience from a monitor type speaker. ( I use these terms in the context of my understanding as a relative novice, notwithstanding that others on here may disagree with my choice of adjective!). I have to say though that my daughter loved them. She is muc younger and probably hears more than me though to be fair - and she certainly has different musical preferences. - However, she is not stumping up the cash, so doesn't get to choose!

 

[rainsoothe]

@TrevC you should really try the Revel Performa M 106 if you can give them enough space behind them. Imo, they do what B&W do but better (imo), they have a huge sweet spot and sound fantastic whatever you throw at them.

 

[Fishheskettpark]

I have the 706 S2s partnered with a Naim Uniti Star. Whilst I am not an expert I find them to be on the warm side of neutral but that is pretty much what I prefer. I did find that speaker cable made a huge difference finally settling on some Chord Shawline X that I managed to pick up second hand on eBay for not too much. Long run in for both Naim and 706s necessary as either they improve with age Or your ears get used to the sound. My room is furnished with lots of sofas and carpeted and I think this helps.
I did try the 705 S2s which was definitely smoother but didn’t have as much punch as the 706s plus I felt the decoupled tweeter was too much of an invite to sons drunken mates and toddlers so they went back.