Surround speakers to add to stereo system

[admin_exported]

Hi, any advice on this topic would be very much appreciated.

I have two B&W DM 603 S2 floorstanders that I use for stereo. I am happy with these, but I want also to move to multichannel. I understand that it is recommended that the centre and rear speakers be "of the same character" as the fronts. But what does this actually mean? It can't mean (surely) that I must buy only floorstanders, but does it mean that I must buy a B&W centre and B&W standmounts or can I be a bit more flexible than this? I take it that style speakers, even if by B&W, are also out of the question.

Thanks

 

[Clare Newsome]

I'd certainly recommend a dedicated centre speaker from the same B&W series: the front three speakers in a surround package are the most crucial to match (but you'll be relieved to know you don't need floorstanders all round!) You could get away with smaller B&Ws for the rears, though you may have to accept a slight compromise in surround cohesion.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for this advice. My problem now is that I won't be able to find a centre speaker in the same series, perhaps there isn't such a thing and if there is, unless I come across it second hand, I won't find it. Would the B&W HTM61 centre be okay, or would you advise me to get rid of the speakers I have and get a properly matching set?

Thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

I should also have said that I have a Plinius 8200 amp and a Musical Fidelity A3.5 CD player and well as a DVD player that's just got to go.

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

I had 603s a few years ago and the matching centre at the time was called the CC6 which you can get for next to nothing on ebay. The modern equivalent would be this:

http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/display.aspx?infid=2321&sc=ht