B&W shortage

[d_a_n1979]

Well after speaking to a number of suppliers today and receiving an email from B&W as well; it appears that there is a shortage of the B&W 685 speakers in the UK currently.

Its obvious that the What Hifi team have done a good sales spiel haha... Not good for those who want the speakers!

Fortunately i have managed to get a pair today!

Never thought that'd happen TBH; didnt think someone like B&W would run short on speakers!

 

[Anonymous]

STILL a shortage??!!!

I ordered a black pair just before christmas and had to wait a month for them.

Still, it's very good to hear in a way. I'm glad we're not hearing we can't have them because B&W have become yet another victim of the recession!

B&W deserve all the rewards they get in return for making such damn good stuff.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Yeah; they have said it could possible be mid-March to May time when they get the next lots in!

Maybe thats what happens when you move the base to China!

 

[Clare Newsome]

FYI, I've asked B&W for further clarification on this issue.

 

[Frank Harvey]

If the pound weakens any further, it might be worth shifting overseas manufacturiung back to the UK!

 

[d_a_n1979]

Clare Newsome:FYI, I've asked B&W for further clarification on this issue.

Thanks Clare

I have the email from B&W if you wish me to forward that on to you?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Yes please - if you email it here for my attention, that'd be great.

You could, of course, also cut/paste the key contents right here.

 

[d_a_n1979]

*** As requested ***

Hi Dan,

Many thanks for your email enquiry regarding a delay in supplying B&W dealers with the popular award winning B&W 685 loudspeakers.

We are experiencing delays on the B&W 685 loudspeakers in each colour and hope to fulfil dealer orders as soon as possible.
The light oak finish are expected around mid-March.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may be causing you and thank you for your patience.

with kind regards
Stephen Wheatley
Product Support - UK Sales
B&W Group Ltd.
Dale Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 2BH

 

[d_a_n1979]

Clare Newsome:
Yes please - if you email it here for my attention, that'd be great.

You could, of course, also cut/paste the key contents right here.

Both done

 

[Andrew Everard]

Email received and passed on to Clare

 

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

Clare has been in touch as she said. I would have posted earlier, but as mentioned in another thread I was actually down at the What Hi-Fi? offices dropping off the new CM5s.

Okay, 685s. Yes, there is a shortage at present, although it's for good reasons rather than bad ones. Worldwide sales of the 685s in December and January far outstripped our projections for this period, which has obviously left us a bit short of stock.

We are doing our best to catch up, and as things currently stand we have batches of 685s going into our distribution hubs around the world on a weekly basis.

What this means in practical terms for people in the UK (and worldwide) is that any orders for 685s placed in January, should be delivered in the next few weeks.

I hope that clears things up a little, and we are obviously very sorry to customers who have been kept waiting.

Regards

Shaun

 

[Anonymous]

Fantastic speakers, I got mine in black in 5 working days from Sevenoaks SAV Bromley.

ÿ

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

This is for real. Ordered via Audio T 686's , ASW 608, CM Centre and 685's in January - still waiting for 685's !

Having to use BR1's as rears until the 685's arrive !!

 

[manicm]

Mine in Wenge look great, smooth finish.

 

[Anonymous]

In the current economic client it's dangerous to tie up too much working capital in inventory. I feel a shift towards a more 'made to order' or a more reactive approach to short term demand patterns is the way a lot of firms will survive.

 

[Anonymous]

Shaun Marin:
Hello everyone,

Clare has been in touch as she said. I would have posted earlier, but as mentioned in another thread I was actually down at the What Hi-Fi? offices dropping off the new CM5s.

Okay, 685s. Yes, there is a shortage at present, although it's for good reasons rather than bad ones. Worldwide sales of the 685s in December and January far outstripped our projections for this period, which has obviously left us a bit short of stock.

We are doing our best to catch up, and as things currently stand we have batches of 685s going into our distribution hubs around the world on a weekly basis.

What this means in practical terms for people in the UK (and worldwide) is that any orders for 685s placed in January, should be delivered in the next few weeks.

I hope that clears things up a little, and we are obviously very sorry to customers who have been kept waiting.

Regards

Shaun

Dear Shaun,

Are the B&W production facilities in China owned by B&W or are they merely subcontractors who produce B&W products based on the required specifications?

What is the most popular finish/colour for the B&W 685s in the UK and worldwide?

Are there any plans to launch a replacement to the M-1s in 2009?

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not Shaun but I do know that the production facility was specialy built by B&W and the staff are fully trained to B&W's obvious high standards. And it shows; the fit and finish detail etc. on my 685's are 100%

I'd say the most poular colour worldwide would definatly be close beween either cherry or black as the light oak's not available in the US for some reason. And the Wenge's a bit of an aquired taste.

 

[manicm]

ARW77:

I'm not Shaun but I do know that the production facility was specialy built by B&W and the staff are fully trained to B&W's obvious high standards. And it shows; the fit and finish detail etc. on my 685's are 100%

I'd say the most poular colour worldwide would definatly be close beween either cherry or black as the light oak's not available in the US for some reason. And the Wenge's a bit of an aquired taste.

I have the Wenge and promise you it looks better than in pics, and somehow also a smoother finish than the Red Cherry at my dealer. In short it looks great, contrasts well with the black fascia, don't discount it.

 

[d_a_n1979]

The wenge finish is lovely

My other half has that finish on her CM7's.

Happily my B&W 685's in Light Oak landed today!

 

[John Duncan]

Until I was in a dealer the other week, I always though it was pronounced wendge, which sounds a bit rude. Apparently it's wen-gay....

 

[Ajani]

d_a_n1979:The wenge finish is lovely

My other half has that finish on her CM7's.

Happily my B&W 685's in Light Oak landed today!

You have 685s and your better half has CM7s? Cool... so few women seem interested in HiFi (especially my wife).... so it's just strange to meet a forum member whose better half has the better speakers...

Note: I really hope my comment doesn't sound offensive - that's definitely not my intent..

 

[Minigill]

I am a female and have 685's ! Not much room for anything bigger ! Been into Hifi/AV since I was a young girl !!

 

[Ajani]

Minigill:I am a female and have 685's ! Not much room for anything bigger ! Been into Hifi/AV since I was a young girl !!

Very Cool... on my regular audio forum, we can count the number of active female members on one hand... And most of them never actually discuss any audio (they tend to frequent the off topics section and occasionally HT).... I'm glad to see that more ladies are taking an interest in this hobby.... Now if only I could could convince my better half....

 

[d_a_n1979]

Ajani:
d_a_n1979:The wenge finish is lovely

My other half has that finish on her CM7's.

Happily my B&W 685's in Light Oak landed today!

You have 685s and your better half has CM7s? Cool... so few women seem interested in HiFi (especially my wife).... so it's just strange to meet a forum member whose better half has the better speakers...

Note: I really hope my comment doesn't sound offensive - that's definitely not my intent..

Well yeah; but not technically true as I have the B&W XT surround sound system (XT8's / XT2's and the XT centre) in the main living room along with the PV1 sub and a massive Onk AV receiver with an Arcam Alpha 10 integrated as the fronts 'stereo' amp when its called for

The B&W 685's are for the dining room set-up; needed to be good standmount speakers but powerful enough to fill the room if necessary.

 

[matthewpiano]

Thats one house full of serious audio gear you've got there Dan!

Glad you got your 685s. Let us know how you find them with the NAD gear once they've run in.