Sound to warm amd polite..advice needed!

[admin_exported]

I have the NAD C352 PAIRED WITH THE C 542 CD player and some new B&W 685 speakers. I have only had the speakers a couple of days, but my first impressions are as a whole that system produces a big soundstage and is very very detailied.

Listening stuff like Amy Winehouse is amazing, huge sound stage and the warmth in the sound helps this particular recording, like wise with the Corinne Bailey Rae CD.

However on many other recordings detailed as it may be, it just sounds too polite and laid back.

If i put CD like Cast on or the Charlatans the sound is far too warm and cuddly, almost as thougth are playing an acoustic set! Its a really polite sound with no weight in the bass or edge to the sound.

B&W states in its handbook that the speakers take about 15 hours to run in, so maybe I am being a bit hasty!

If the sounds remains the sound would I be better changing the CD player for something with a grittier sound or the speakers? Are the 685 regarded as laid back? Would the RS1's be a better bet? I have a preference for keeping the NAD pair if possible!

 

[Anonymous]

Speakers do take several hours to come on-song, particularly in the bass area. Having said that, the B&Ws may be a bit lush on the back end of all that NAD gear. There is nothing wrong with the cdp or the amp, both cracking bits of kit punching far above their weight. Try some silver or silver-plated copper cables and perhaps a silver spiral interconnect.

 

[amarocknrollstar]

You would appear to be as eager to jump the gun as I am! I would suggest waiting for the speakers to run in. Why not leave them running whilst you are out at work/ college/ uni/ the shops etc. Then give it a listen. I've always seen Nad as an amp company really, though their CD players have been getting great reviews of late. If changing anything I'd audition new CD players, however, wait for the speakers to run in and maybe try adding a dac to your system first to bring out those dynamics.

 

[drummerman]

Its the speakers. Unfortunately your second choice, MA RS1's are hardly a step up from what you have, no offense. Some people will no doubt disagree. Yes, your B&W's will improve a little but not that much.

I would look at Epos M5, 12.2, now available at great discounts or their successors with an i, either one more detailed and dynamic than your choices. For a little more money, also consider Rega R3's. Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Please be a critical as needed!, they are only boxes they dont have feelings! lol!

I doubt the B&W' 685's will improve that much either to be honest. Have never tried the Epos M5's or M12'S why do you rate these above the RS1's and the 685's? How would you characterise all the speakers mentioned?

Cheers

Steve

 

[drummerman]

Speakers dont have feelings but people that own them do

.

Post an answer in the morning. Been a long day.

 

[hifikrazy]

You did not mention what cables you're using, but I would go with the earlier suggestion to try some silver speaker cables. I wouldn't even consider replacing the 685.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm in a very similiar situation. I have an arcam alpha 8 integrated amp with a arcam 8se cd player hooked up to the 685's. A recent upgrade to some QED Silver Anniversary XT biwire speaker cables has helped a *lot*. The sound is much cleaner, and fair bit brighter, and definately more edgy/exciting.

The B&W's are good speakers, but as one of the editors has said, you can't add something that isn't there in the first place, so think about changing something else if it still sounds boring. I certainly am considering parting with the arcams. Perhaps changing the amp alone will help, I remember testing out a NAD C370 amp and it was about the warmest sounding thing I'd ever heard.

 

[drummerman]

I find the 6 series from B&W rather dull with an un-focused sound. The treble is'nt exactly world class either no matter how 'super-high-tech' they dress them up. Its just another HT speaker. Thats not necesseraly a unique situation for B&W as MA's silver range have rather severe shortcomings too compared to others at around the price. By the way I love B&W's more upmarket speakers so its not an assault on them per se.

Both of course offer higher range products and there has to be a difference both in sound and materials used to those. In B&W's 6 series case that manifests itself with inferior crossover components and downgraded cabinetry. The drivers are'nt the same either. Similar for MA.

This is where Epos and to an extend Rega differ. Most of their products use similar materials, design and have comparable sound too. They differ mostly in size and number of drive units used. It also means you dont get a 'compromised' product if you spend less. More a 'down scaled' one.

If you can, I would listen to the above speakers first before contemplating changing anything else. Of course you can improve your amp/player too but I'd leave that for another day.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Two pence if I may.

I'd be inclined to look at your source and how it's getting to your speakers.

Have you had a demo of the B&W's with another AMP & CD Combo?

What Speaker cable are you using?

It sounds like you prefer a brighter sound.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Can I ask what speaker stands you're using? As we've said in reviews (and numerous posts here), you only get the best out the B&Ws (and that includes bass weight and punch) with really solid stands.

 

[amarocknrollstar]

You on speaker stand commission Clare? 😀

 

[Anonymous]

Yep.......Clare is on a mission to see the whole world with good solid speaker stands it seems lol

What a babe!!!

 

[d_a_n1979]

With regards to your set-up:

The NAD amp and CDP combo are very good and will make the B&W speakers sing BUT...

As Claire said you need to have them on good, mass-loaded stands so something like the Atacama Nexus 6's, SE20's or the SE24's would be good (you can usually find good examples on Ebay) and its best to load stands with atabites ive found. You could look at more expensive stands like the Partington Drednoughts, very good but pricey.

With regards to the 685's, i think theyre great speakers and will suit your music down to a tee. BUT... (again)

They will need a lot more than 15hours to run in, i would say that you wont hear the best from your speakers until at least 50hours playing time has gone by, making sure you dont drive them 'too' hard in that time (no more that the volume at 9 or 10 o'clock on your amp). Also, as someone mentioned above, i'd try QED Silvery Anniversary speaker wire and 'bi-wire' your speakers using 2-4 (2 - L&R out of your amp feeding all 4 connections on the speakers (making sure youve removed the connection posts) so feeding the HF and LF seperately and not via the binding posts.

What interconnects are you using? I'd suggest either QED Quenex 3 or Chord Crimson. Both will open up the sound stage more.

 

[a91gti]

If you want to beak them in quick put them face to face(not touching),wire one out of phase and leave them to it for a day or so at a high but not silly volume.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Claire

I am using some apollo stands, they are one up from the entry level ones i think, they are fully welded and have a chamber for adding sand.

I am also using QED Silver anniversary cable with QED Qunex 4s inteconnects.

 

[Anonymous]

Would the NAD pair be up to driving a pair of Epos m12.2 do you think? I did listen to pair a few years ago driven by a Rotel 1062 amp that sounded pretty good

 

[drummerman]

[quote user="starshaped69"]Would the NAD pair be up to driving a pair of Epos m12.2 do you think?[/quote]

Yes. Epos tend to be a little bit 'more honest' than some others when it comes to spec their products and the old reputation that the companies products are difficult to drive is undeserved nowadays.