Time to downsize from Bowers 602s3 Speakers

[Binman]

I've had my Bowers & Wilkins 602S3 for some years, and I really do like them. Alas, its time to get some smaller speakers, as these are just too big and are not compatible with a toddler.

Budget for new speakers is £350 maximum.

So, whats out there that I should put on the shortlist?

Requriements:

- Size is important - roughly 250 wide by 350 tall or smaller.

- Placement - they will be placed on furniture with about 10-15cm space at the rear.

- Sound - I like the levels of bass the 602s3 produce, but I'm resigned to the fact that smaller speakers probably mean less bass.

- Music - Mainly electronic type stuff (think old daft punk, lcd sounsystem) & my wife listens to mainly hiphop (Jay-Z, Kanye, etc)

I have a Rotel RA-02 amp + Rotel RB-06 poweramp, source is a Squeezebox playing FLAC.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Binman

602S3's are excellent speakers. Good old B&W

Anyway Monitor Audio's BX2's should do the trick

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Binman]

Thanks. I'll put them on my list (which is now 1 item long!)

 

[Overdose]

I've had my Bowers & Wilkins 602S3 for some years, and I really do like them. Alas, its time to get some smaller speakers, as these are just too big and are not compatible with a toddler.

Budget for new speakers is £350 maximum.

So, whats out there that I should put on the shortlist?

Requriements:

- Size is important - roughly 250 wide by 350 tall or smaller.

- Placement - they will be placed on furniture with about 10-15cm space at the rear.

- Sound - I like the levels of bass the 602s3 produce, but I'm resigned to the fact that smaller speakers probably mean less bass.

- Music - Mainly electronic type stuff (think old daft punk, lcd sounsystem) & my wife listens to mainly hiphop (Jay-Z, Kanye, etc)

I have a Rotel RA-02 amp + Rotel RB-06 poweramp, source is a Squeezebox playing FLAC.

Your budget, is that with or without funds from selling other equipment? Do you want new or happy with used?

£350 should get you a good used pair of Mackie HR624 monitors. Your RA-02 has a pre-out, so you could dispense with the power amp, which in turn frees up more cash for other things like music.

 

[Peter Kudelstaart]

Hallo Binman,

As your Rotel has a pre-out you might consider using a subwoofer too boost your bass. You could buy your speakers first and add a subwoofer later if you find bass insufficient. With your budget you could get a couple of speakers for 150 to 200 pounds new. A subwoofer is quite expensive for what it does (just provide bass). You can get a new one for about 100 pounds.

I can't advise you on speakers as I do not listen to your style of music. However there are plenty too choose from. As the placement is near a wall you should look for speakers whith a front ported bass too avoid too much boominess (is that correct english?). My last piece of advice is to get out and listen first before you buy.

 

[Binman]

Oh and I'm happy buying used too. Also I think the idea of a sub at a later date may be OK, unless I go down the active route and sell my amps.

 

[Binman]

My budget does include selling my speakers. However if I go down the active route I would probably sell both my amps as I only use a squeezebox as a source. The squeezebox has its own volume control.

I have been looking at reviews on what HiFi and they recommend Q Acoustics Concept 20. The Monitor Audio ones recommended above are £100 cheaper though. But I wouldn't want to go down a step in quality from my current speakers.

 

[plastic penguin]

I've had my Bowers & Wilkins 602S3 for some years, and I really do like them. Alas, its time to get some smaller speakers, as these are just too big and are not compatible with a toddler.

Budget for new speakers is £350 maximum.

So, whats out there that I should put on the shortlist?

Requriements:

- Size is important - roughly 250 wide by 350 tall or smaller.

- Placement - they will be placed on furniture with about 10-15cm space at the rear.

- Sound - I like the levels of bass the 602s3 produce, but I'm resigned to the fact that smaller speakers probably mean less bass.

- Music - Mainly electronic type stuff (think old daft punk, lcd sounsystem) & my wife listens to mainly hiphop (Jay-Z, Kanye, etc)

I have a Rotel RA-02 amp + Rotel RB-06 poweramp, source is a Squeezebox playing FLAC.

Clicky or these.

TBH the B&Ws are very hard to beat IMO. You'll probably lose a little bass depth but improve on definition.

 

[Overdose]

My budget does include selling my speakers. However if I go down the active route I would probably sell both my amps as I only use a squeezebox as a source. The squeezebox has its own volume control.

I have been looking at reviews on what HiFi and they recommend Q Acoustics Concept 20. The Monitor Audio ones recommended above are £100 cheaper though. But I wouldn't want to go down a step in quality from my current speakers.

Well, it seems as if you've done a bit of homework already and you certainly have plenty of choice.

For info, I went from the B&W602s to Dynaudio BM5As. I ditched the MF A3 amp and speakers and bought the monitors and an audio interface, the net cost was zero taking into account what I sold my old kit for.

I can't vouch for looks, but the Mackie HR624s should give you the bass you want.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

You need to just get down your local hifi shop, there are loads of small speakers that can out perform those B&W 603's for that price with a far superior finish (I always thought they were cheap looking and had a light weight build)......seriously. take a look at the Richersounds website or Seven Oak, Superfi, take alook at the latest offers. You're genuinly spoilt for choice.

 

[Binman]

I'm going to demo some for sure before taking the plunge. I just needed some to put on a short list. There are a few shops in Birmingham I know and one in Coventry which is the closest. I think my nearest superfi in Coventry is no longer there, shame really as it was the place I purchased must of my current kit.

 

[Binman]

Update. After months of not buying any new speakers, I've ordered some Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers. I got 5% discount and 5m of Chord carnival speaker cable thrown in.

A colleague purchased some last month and raves about them.