Help me to choice a B&W loudspeaker

[admin_exported]

Hi,

My budget is up to $1500 and the current candidates are B&W 705, CM1, 683, 685. Because the local store don't have whole of them to illustrate to me, I think I have to go to another bigger city to listen. So, that's why I want to get some of your opinions here.

I found the most reviews on 705 is very good, but few are not because some people think that the 705 is too bright and they think it might have something to do with it's too high and unusual crossover of 3700Hz between tweeter and woofer. So my first question will be: does the 705 really so bright? I will mainly be listening classical music including symphonies, concerts/sonatas, solos, operas and so on.

The second question is: if 705 is too bright, how about the CM1? Will be a problem its too small dimenstions? I think it will be hard to image presenting a symphony from such a small box, but I am not sure about it.

Third: How do you compare 683 to 705 or 683 to CM1? which is better? And, does the 683 bright or soft?

Last but not the least, What's the producing country of these models? I heard some of which are made in China but don't know more about that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[gregory]

to be honest only a demo will answer your questions and what kit are they going to partner. b&w are made in england and have a very good pedigree. the 600 series may be made in china but i dont believe this to be true.

 

[Thaiman]

I would go for new 600 serie unless you willing to go as high as 800s.

 

[Clare Newsome]

[quote user="narke"]
Last but not the least, What's the producing country of these
models? I heard some of which are made in China but don't know more
about that.

Thanks in advance.

[/quote]

Having visited numerous speaker factories around the world, and listened to the results of all, we've found there really is no difference - sonically or in terms of fit/finish - as to where speakers from a reputable manufacturer (with good quality control) are made.

 

[Anonymous]

Are you by any chance trying to avoid China on ethical grounds? I would if I could ... but Chinese components are likely to be in lots of gear, so its more or less mission impossible.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Clare Newsome"][quote user="narke"]

Last but not the least, What's the producing country of these models? I heard some of which are made in China but don't know more about that.

Thanks in advance.

[/quote]

Having visited numerous speaker factories around the world, and listened to the results of all, we've found there really is no difference - sonically or in terms of fit/finish - as to where speakers from a reputable manufacturer (with good quality control) are made.

[/quote][quote user="Clare Newsome"][quote user="narke"]

Last but not the least, What's the producing country of these models? I heard some of which are made in China but don't know more about that.

Thanks in advance.

[/quote]

Having visited numerous speaker factories around the world, and listened to the results of all, we've found there really is no difference - sonically or in terms of fit/finish - as to where speakers from a reputable manufacturer (with good quality control) are made.

[/quote]

I find some Sony products now that are made in China have lower quality than when it was Made in Japan. How do I base this on? Well the products now spoil faster. So I doubt whether quality is the same. I buy loads of gadgets, so I know. My Sony DVD player that is made in Japan still works fine since 1994.

Planned or invited visits to numerous factories is completely different from surprising spot checks.

Like when a restaurant calls a journalist for a food review, the food and cleanliness/hygiene of the restaurant becomes impeccable.

But if the food review journalist does a spot check, totally different scenario and results appear.

Its not a performance issue. I think performance remain the same. I am talking about quality and safety. China made stuff don't last long. And some produtcs are dangerous too like those dolls that have dodgy paint on them due to corruption and dodgy enforcement.

Maybe the speakers or the remote have dangerous paint on them that contain formaldehyde which enters your skin over time.

Have you not read the cries of the whole world about the dodgy chemical stuff in their products? So go ahead and buy China stuff.....

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Claims-Chinese-clothes-show-formaldehyde/2007/08/20/1187462133044.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/20/2009811.htm

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/chinese-textiles-could-pose-cancer-risk/2007/05/20/1179601244347.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20254745/http://www.theage.com.au/news/World...ow-formaldehyde/2007/08/20/1187462133044.html

 

[Clare Newsome]

As I stated clearly, it depends more on the company and its quality control methods.

If you've found a consumer electronics product that's "dangerous", we'd obviously love to hear about it so we could bring it to peoples' attention.

Oh, and I think the EU would like to know, too, being as they do spot-checks on products being imported to check they conform to European safety regulations on hazardous materials (yes, we have those- unlike the Australian examples you quote above).

 

[Anonymous]

The companies involved are big names and not dodgy back street makers of transistor or integrated circuit boards. From toys to shirts and from food to towels and electronics

So, what assurance is there that a top European speaker manufacturer will adhere to strict manufacturing and safety regulations?

Even if they do, how are we to be sure that their manufacturing arm in China, run by Mr Lim Fatt Seah also adheres to strict safety measures?

Next time you hold that China made remote with your damp hands, think twice.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Maybe we ought to start a conspiracy theory thread

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="ganeshkualalumpur"]Next time you hold that China made remote with your damp hands, think twice.[/quote]

Why? What will happen?

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Eddy Current"]
[quote user="ganeshkualalumpur"]Next time you hold that China made remote with your damp hands, think twice.[/quote]

Why? What will happen?

[/quote]

Some China stuff, the paint used, contain lead

 

[rich51080]

I would go for 705 as I was gonna upgrade to 805 but found the differences not that great after comparisons. The seperation/imaging is truly great for the price. I would not say the 705 are bright, They are known for being tonally accurate and neutral. If the cd is recorded with lots of treble it will reply it with lots of treble. I am not gonna upgrade my speakers as i truly believe the difference i heard is not worth the extra funding.

705 speakers are an all round speaker. Classical, rock, jazz - good for all these.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="rich51080"]
I would go for 705 as I was gonna upgrade to 805 but found the differences not that great after comparisons. The seperation/imaging is truly great for the price. I would not say the 705 are bright, They are known for being tonally accurate and neutral. If the cd is recorded with lots of treble it will reply it with lots of treble. I am not gonna upgrade my speakers as i truly believe the difference i heard is not worth the extra funding.

705 speakers are an all round speaker. Classical, rock, jazz - good for all these.

[/quote]

Some user review articles said that 705 is somehow bright. That's what make me hesitate. How about you guys's thinking/felling on the `bright'? Is it a big deal for classical music?

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Thaiman"]
I would go for new 600 serie unless you willing to go as high as 800s.

[/quote]

Thanks. Did you mean that 7xx serial don't add much of value? Someone just said, 685 is not well build in term of insides and finish, its sonical may be good, how you think about this? And, I interest how much difference is there when compared to 705.

 

[hifikrazy]

[quote user="ganeshkualalumpur"]
[quote user="Eddy Current"]
[quote user="ganeshkualalumpur"]Next time you hold that China made remote with your damp hands, think twice.[/quote]

Why? What will happen?

[/quote]

Some China stuff, the paint used, contain lead
[/quote]

You can't be really that paranoid. Lead paint in toys are dangerous because kids may ingest them. But lead from remote controls entering through the skin of your hands is a little far fetched. Anyway, I think remote controls are seldom painted.

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="hifikrazy"]Anyway, I think remote controls are seldom painted.[/quote]

Mine is

I can't be doing with this 'Chinese products are rubbish' nonsense. Every country in the world makes great products and rubbish products. China makes great products and rubbish products cheaper, that's all.

If you want to take an ethical stance on China, go right ahead. Good luck.

 

[hifikrazy]

Not getting into the East vs West debate again which has been discussed elsewhere in this forum, a review that I read of the new Quad ESL 2805/2905 (which apparently is one of the best speakers you could possibly buy) stuck in my head. The reviewer said that by moving their manufacture to China, Quad was able to raise the quality of the speakers beyond what was possible when their previous models were made in England. And that same sentiment was echoed in various other reviews of the speakers.

 

[nads]

[quote user="narke"][quote user="Thaiman"]
I would go for new 600 serie unless you willing to go as high as 800s.

[/quote]

Thanks. Did you mean that 7xx serial don't add much of value? Someone just said, 685 is not well build in term of insides and finish, its sonical may be good, how you think about this? And, I interest how much difference is there when compared to 705.

[/quote] i can not comment on the 705's but the 703's do need a bit of power to get them working well, the 805's were very good but did not give the sound i wanted. But i have to say that my budget was ok for either the 703's or the 805's with B&W stands. so it will comedown to your kit and your ears.