Sonus Faber vs B&W

[maranellofan]

Hi,

I´m hoping for some advise, in fact i´m in a great doubt ... I sold my previous main speakers - Mission 782, and now i´m in the dilema of buying a second hand Sonus Faber Concertino (not domus series), or a brand new B&W 685, and since i don´t have the chance of making a direct comparison, i would like to hear your opinions.
My system:

Receiver: Rotel-rsx1057;
Central speaker: Mission 77c1 (to be sold also);
Surround speakers: Eltax ht-2;
Subwoofer: Rel Quake;
Cd player: Marantz SA 7001;
Dvd Player: Denon dvd-2200;
Lcd: Panasonic Tx-Lx 32

Regards.

 

[Anonymous]

The SFs are a different class of speaker really, although the 685s are very good for their price range and justifiably popular. Its not really a fair comparison (the SFs are more than twice the price when new). The B&Ws will give you more bass extension but that won't neceassarily be an advantage for you if you use your Rel appropriately. You would want to check the condition of the SFs before buying obviously, as they're second hand. Presuming there's nothing wrong with them, there is really no contest in terms of quality. The treble is especially glorious, even tighter and sweeter than the auditor M and probably among the best in the <5,000 bracket.

 

[Anonymous]

I can only echo what ikev has said. The SFs are in a totally different class to the 685s which I don't think even B&W would pretend could come close. Incidentally, I've heard the Concertinos with a Rotel amplifier, and they seemed pretty well suited.

I bought my Minimas second hand on ebay and, beyond a couple of minor cosmetic issues since fixed, they're fine. Bear in mind, too, the SFs tend to keep their price if you decide to sell on.

 

[maranellofan]

Thank you guys,
i must say iïm not that surprised with your opinions, in anycase i find strange when ikev says that the Concertinoïs had (when new) almost double the price of the 685s.

Back in 1997 the Concertinos in Portugal had the price of 169.000$00 (850 Eur) and the 685s nowadays retail price is 599 Eur.

Nevertheless i also hope that my Marantz SA7001 helps in the overall outcome.

 

[Anonymous]

The Marantz SA 7001 is well suited to SFs. Mind you, I'm biased since I have one.