QA 2020i + SONY STR-DN1050 to B&W 685 S2

[hybridauth_Facebook_448688722004088]

Hello,

I want to upgrade my speakers from Q Acoustics 2020i to B&W 685 s2 is it worth it ? If I'll sell my AV receiver next purchase will be new stereo amplifier like Cambridge CXA60, or something different..

Now I'm using in 16 square meters room and I'm with lack of bass from QA...

Thank's

 

[Al ears]

Hello,

I want to upgrade my speakers from Q Acoustics 2020i to B&W 685 s2 is it worth it ? If I'll sell my AV receiver next purchase will be new stereo amplifier like Cambridge CXA60, or something different..

Now I'm using in 16 square meters room and I'm with lack of bass from QA...

Thank's

To my mind the 685's are not going to give a whole lot more bass. Can you audition other speakers?

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_448688722004088]

Yes I can but not at home. I just like aesthetics of B&W's and simple design.

 

[davedotco]

Hi and welcome.

I am going to ask the two questions that I always ask in these situations.

Firstly, are you lacking deep bass, below say, 80-100hz or are you lacking bass presence and punch, something that happens at slightly higher frequencies?

Secondly, you say you like the look of the B&Ws, how important is the branding and styling to you?

BTW, what are your regular sources? And give a couple of examples of the music that you play where the performance is lacking.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_448688722004088]

Thank you for response @dacedotco, I'm looking for more deeper and punchy bass, need little bit more impact actually. I think it is problem of driver size and cabinet to compare QA 125mm @ 64Hz vs B&W 165mm @ 52Hz... By the way I dont want bigger speakers than B&W 685 s2, because they are not small at all. It's hard to say about brand. I'm graphic designer, so I care of product design.. I like how B&W looks when grills is off and simplicity of layout... Music source is PC via HDMI, or direct USB input with flac's. Music from classic Andrea Bochelli to Adele or electronic (synthetic)... I do not listen one genre, little bit everything I can describe.. By the way many ears ago I heard Triangle Esprit EZ Comete with some tube aplifier and I was shocked how good they play... They fill more than 25 square meters room with ~3 meters ceilings with full of sound deep bass and clear soft vocals..

 

[davedotco]

It is often very difficult having heard something you really like, the Triangle/valve setup in this case, to match it with something else, an altogether different kind of system in this case.

As always, a lot really does depend on how much you are prepared to change and how much you are prepared to spend. If you can, try and get to a dealer or two and see what they can play you that suits your reqirements, from what you say, I think that you need something a little out of the ordinary to really do it for you.

Although very well specified, I find AV recievers to be rather hit and miss when it comes to music playback, I do not know your particular model but I often find them to lack body and presence on music, despite what appears to be ample power available.

If you are serious about getting a great sound I would be tempted to start again from scratch but in the real world, try and audition alternatives to the B&Ws, maybe even their own CM1s, at this price levels, speakers all 'present' very differently, try as many as you can.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_448688722004088]

I can't say if I'll play some my known music with Triangle. I had audition of never known music, but sound was impressive. Maby I'm wrong I don't know.. Ok I think I should listen many as I can...

 

[davedotco]

I can't say if I'll play some my known music with Triangle. I had audition of never known music, but sound was impressive. Maby I'm wrong I don't know.. Ok I think I should listen many as I can...

There is a similarity of sound between budget systems that to my (and perhaps your ears) constrains the sound within certain clearly defined limits. To get a sound that transcends these limits means either spending a lot more money, maybe on valve amps if they work for you, or looking for something that is off the mainstream yet still affordable.

For example, I generally like the presence and immediacy of active speakers, they offer great value but are limited in how they can be used and in system building. At the other end of the scale I heard a Peachtree setup of hybrid amp (with built in dac) and D5 speakers that I found outstanding in a 'non hi-fi' sort of way. Less than £1500 all in and remarkably big sounding for the price.

These are not meant as specific recomendations but an indicator that there is equipment out there that does not sound like the usual mainstream amp 'flavoured' by the choice of speaker, but offers something rather different.