Dali Zensor 3 vs B&W 685 S2

[ChrisIRL]

Hi All ,

Has anyone auditioned/ owned both of these speakers and what do you think please?

On paper at least they seem very similar, everything from specifications, cabinet and driver size, build quality and finish. The WHSV reviews were equally postive about both speakers with them having many shared traits it would seem.

I personally own the Dali's and love them, sound great from my NAD D 3020.

If not for the £300 price difference I would imagine these speakers might be direct competitors! So what does £300 extra get you?

Any thoughts/ opinions?

Thanks, C.

 

[Cypher]

Maybe the B&W speakers are a little bit better (have not heard them) but if you like the Dali Zensor 3.........why not keep them ? I've heard the Zensor 3 a couple of days ago and was really impressed. Awesome speakers.

 

[ChrisIRL]

Agreed, they are brilliant speakers and I most probably will keep them.

From what I've researched I think these speakers might have similar characteristics and I was just curious if anyone found that the B&W's enhanced the positive aspects of the Zensor 3's, being in a higher price bracket you would hope so (doesn't always work like that I know!)

The WHFSV reviews of both speakers, while equally positive do give the impression that the B&W 685 S2 are a class up from the Zensor 3. Could be a relatively cheap future upgrade which retains and improves all that I like about the Dalis.

Thanks for your comment, C.

 

[troopa85]

If you want something noticeable better you should look at B&W CM5 or similar, else I would just keep the Zensor 3.

 

[Esra]

I would give the 685´s an audition,i can imagine you would hear the difference what you could like.I auditioned Dali Zensor 7 vs. 685 S2 and would much prefer the B&W soundwise.

 

[tosha1962]

Hi I am testing HI -Fi for about 40 years.I have 685s & had dalis . Bring them home and test them that is the only way it YOUR preference ! I had B&W 801 on MC2205 & sounds better on classe amp ????? for me so just listen! We can adviese or express opinoions but only U can judge ! DO NOT SELL OLD equpment before testing one against each other!

Sound Techncian

Zoran

 

[matthewpiano]

I've owned the 685s (not s2) and the Dali Zensor 3 and personally preferred the Zensor 3, though IMO neither compared to the Dynaudios I have now. Of the two you mention the Dalis are less tiring over long listening sessions and sound more natural, in my experience and in my room.

 

[ChrisIRL]

Thanks everyone for your input! Nice first post

Through my own fault I've unintentionally turned this into a 'should I upgrade to B&W 685 s2’ thread. I'm genuinely just curious about sound quality differences between the two. Perfectly happy with the Zensor 3!

I just feel that these speakers are similar in so many ways they warrant a comparision, a head to head perhaps?

Thanks again, C.

 

[ChrisIRL]

Correction sorry!!

The price difference is £200, not £300. (had euros in my head)

The Dalis are still in the "budget" bracket however so I have not found any direct comparisons of the two.

Of course I ask because an upgrade would be possible if justified. Unable to demo the B&W's here.

Thanks again, C.

 

[ChrisIRL]

So, to satisfy my curiosity I got my hands on a pair of B&W 685 S2 for a home demo. After approx 10 hours so far of comparing the two speakers using a variety of music genres I must say I'm a bit undecided, but with a slight leaning towards the Dali's. The 685’s are undoubtedly much more detailed in the highs, the mids are fairly similar in both, but the Dali's have better bass to my ears at least. The Dali's can hit really low, almost subwoofer levels even at moderate listening levels. The 685's nearly get there too but are just shy. Bass quality is better on the 685’s but you miss that slam the Dali's bigger driver can produce. I'm not a basshead by the way, the Dali's hold back on the bass quantity and have nice bass quality too when called for.

Overall I feel the Dali's can be a more exciting listen and are more flexible with different music styles. The lack of upper detail that you are not even aware of unless doing a comparision isn't too big a deal because they are such fun to listen to. They sound a bit faster than the 685’s and are a bit snappier with nice punch. Soundstage is pretty much the same, maybe slightly bigger with the 685’s, but nothing in it really. Stereo effect is a bit better with the 685’s.

I contacted the dealer who kindly allowed me to demo the 685’s to arrange their return. He has decades of experience in HiFi and be was genuinely surprised. While he has not heard the Zensor 3 he is familiar with them and feels the 685’s should sound better. He asked me to allow more burn in time for the 685’s. His in store demo 685's and fresh out of the box ones are like different speakers in his opinion.

I will give them the weekend but I think the Dalis will still edge the win ( in my opinion, with my ears, with my amp, my cables etc. etc. etc. )

Lets not forget the €250 price difference too.

 

[Esra]

🙂 let them :rockout: and :boohoo: for at least 2 days,you will hear the difference as your dealer is right. A bit here a bit there better and there you are why they are more pricey.

 

[manicm]

I had the 685 S1s, and while they initially seemed to lack excitement turned out not to be a lack of punch, but that they were a rather insightful speaker, one of the other magazines described them as 'ethereal'. And they indeed sound very atmospheric with say Goldfrapp's Felt Mountain.

I too would say give the S2s a few days, but it's what sounds good to you, and as you say 200 quid is not be sniffed at. Either way enjoy!

 

[ChrisIRL]

Ran them pretty much all day yesterday well into the small hours in the background and again this morning. Only sat down early this evening then for a proper listen again. I must say they have changed quite a bit. Seriously impressive sound! Full and warm but with massive amounts of detail. The clarity is great too, has that just right mix of warm yet clear sound. The occasional sub woofer like lows that I was only getting with the Dalis are now present, even at moderate listening you can feel it through the floor. Bass in general has improved too, far more tuneful and present.

B&W suggest 15 hours burn in time. Double that I think is more accurate.

I am using a NAD D 3020 with them, seems a great pairing, no power issues and brings out the speakers characteristics very well.

Dalis still brilliant but it could be swinging B&Ws way now, and if they continue to improve as they have already it'll be no contest really.

 

[Thropplenoggin]

I wonder why this B&W 600 series only comes in black and white finishes. I like the cherry finish on the previous iteration.

 

[Esra]

😉 now get your hands on a pair of Focal Aria 906 if in budget and if you like the looks,which are proper competition to the 685

 

[Blackdawn]

What about the Dynaudio Dm2/7, Focal Aria 906 and Mission SX2 - has anyone compared these to the Dali zensor 3 or B&W 685s2?

 

[Thropplenoggin]

Hopefully Matthewpiano will reply: I'd like to know what he thinks about his Dynaudio DM2/6s compared to the Zensor 3s. Dynaudio is a brand I don't know much about except that they are expensive and highly-rated.

 

[matthewpiano]

Erm.... To be honest I'm not totally sure how best to answer!!

The Dynaudios are brilliant in that they do all the technical things much better than any of the Dali speakers I've had. Really solid soundstaging, beautifully integrated, very articulate. With good amplification behind them they do, in some senses, almost disappear. They are however demanding of the space around them. They really do need the 50cm from boundaries that Dynaudio recommend and they are more sensitive than any other speaker I've owned to the amount of toe-in you use.

The Dalis are a warmer sounding speaker, not as precise, and they don't ever quite give the sense of disappearing. They are much like the smaller Zensor 1s and Lektor ranges in that sense. They are not as overtly detailed and they don't seperate everything out as much. It is a bigger sound. Strangely, despite the larger bass driver, they are less sensitive to placement and you can (within reason) stick them in position, firing straight ahead, and they sound great.

Is one 'better' than the other? Hard to say. The Dyns are speakers to be admired. The Dalis are speakers to love - more like an old friend. You get to know their foibles but you love them all the same, and they get you well and truly swept up in the music.

 

[peterpiper]

Interesting, I am seriously thinking of the Dali for my MCR610, my Tannoy V4 sound good with this system, but something is not quite right in the mids, its the speaker placement /room acoustics without a doubt. I feel they need more space, I had them in the lounge downstairs were they were fine, until I saw a pair of AE109 on gumtree for a good price, (my favourite budget floorstander of all time)

Now the V4 are relagated to the second system, the room is roughty 4m sq , I think the tannoys will go on gumtree and the money towards smaller speakers, but I am reluctant to give up that bass, will the dali zenzor 3 be more suitable then the zenzor ones in this situation, The dynaudios are on a good deal in richers atm, but i feel the MCR610 would not give the best for them, even though WHF experimented with speakers in the four figure bracket with the marantz MCR603(basically the same) and got surprisingly good results.

What about the new AE101 series bookshelfs, I am a big fan of AE's sound

 

[Vladimir]

Hi I am testing HI -Fi for about 40 years.I have 685s & had dalis . Bring them home and test them that is the only way it YOUR preference ! I had B&W 801 on MC2205 & sounds better on classe amp ????? for me so just listen! We can adviese or express opinoions but only U can judge ! DO NOT SELL OLD equpment before testing one against each other!

Sound Techncian

Zoran

Welcome aboard Zoran.

Pozdrav,

:wave:

 

[mikaeil]

Hi,

Could you please tell me How the depth of the soundstage is in both Dali zensor 3 and B&W 685 S2?

I really appreciate it.

 

[manicm]

Hi,

Could you please tell me How the depth of the soundstage is in both Dali zensor 3 and B&W 685 S2?

I really appreciate it.

I can almost certainly say the 685 S2 will have greater depth, but then it is pricier too.

 

[mikaeil]

Thanks.

do dalis have depth either?

 

[manicm]

Thanks.

do dalis have depth either?

Yes of-course, I've heard them and they're not bad at all, but the 685s will give a bit more in that department.

 

[mikaeil]

Thanks a lot.