wharfedale 9.1 to b&w 685

[link]

hi!

i would like to know if there will be sound improvement or this is a mere sideways?

amplified by nad 325bee.

thanks for all the help.

 

[Anonymous]

Most probably. You could easily find out by going to your local dealer. The fact that you raise the question could mean that your not entirely satisfied with what you have. If this is the case and you are looking to upgrade the B&W's are less likely to be discounted. If you are considering an upgrade look at the MS Mezzo 2 available from Richer Sounds or Superfi. Also Kef iQ3's replaced by the iQ30's are going cheap at HiFix-£169, though in order to get the finish you prefer you would have to ask another dealer to pricematch. There is nothing more immensley satisfying than finding an upgrade path at massively reduced prices.

 

[d_a_n1979]

There would be a definite improvement but what is it youre exactly after?

Also; what music do you listen to?

I found the 9.1's to be good little speakers but for me they just werent pacy enough and lacked the bass weight i wanted.

 

[link]

thanks for the responses.

im just getting an upgrade itch and wonders if 685 will be an improvement. the 9.1 is good but i want to explore what im missing hence the inquiry. i'm into 80's indie, electronic (smiths, billy bragg, kraftwerk, etc.) and today's rock (killers, ting tings, etc) and some acoustics (jason mraz, edie brickell, fairground attractions).

auditioning is quite difficult coz i live in hong kong, most stores' set-up are amplified from av receiver so im afraid it wont do justice to the sound.

again, thanks for all the help.

 

[d_a_n1979]

With your tastes in music id say you need to demo and dont buy blind!

The B&W's are superb but i dont really listen to much of your music apart from some Kraftwerk

 

[link]

hi dan!

what kind of music do you listen to? and how do you compare the 9.1 to 685? maybe from your opinion i could get ideas as how they differ.

thanks.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Im very much into House and Electronica (Hed Kandy, Masters at Work, Danny Tenaglia, Frankie Knuckles, Layo & Bushwacka, Fischerspooner, Underworld etc...) but i also listen to a lot of Iron Maide, System of a Down and other stuff like Jethro Tull and Bonzo Dog.... Very weird and eclectic tatse haha...

Anyways... The 9.1's are good speakers but as i said above, to me, they lacked the bass depth that i wanted but also with deep notes, they floundered a bit. They are very agile and smooth though so suit jazz and decent vocals.

The B&W's are superb speakers and for the size of them (and similar speakers in their catagory) they hit bass notes with agression that others cant touch. Their midrange is smooth and detailed and the top end is crisp and clear.

 

[link]

thanks for the reply. i also listen to hed kandi stuffs and electro house from time to time, so i guess it would be an upgrade.

 

[d_a_n1979]

In that case yes; very much so

BUT

The B&W 685's sound muddled and a bit thin to begin with when they are from new; give them 100hours min running in time and you'll be mightly impressed!

If youi can demo them; make sure that the speakers you listen to are fully run in!

 

[Anonymous]

I concur, I had the 685s for a while - they do need breaking in. I would suggest they'll be an excellent choice given your tastes.

 

[link]

so this 685's would definitely be an improvement?!

thanks all!

 

[d_a_n1979]

Yup... Bang on!

 

[Anonymous]

I have had both speakers and price-wise, this is an unfair comparison. They are both good in their respective price categories, although the B&W 685's, in my opinion, sounded even better than my Monitor Audio GS10's. The overall presentation was just much better (to my ears, at least!).

The B&W 685's cost me £385.00 while the MA 10's cost me £900.00 - go figure.

 

[Anonymous]

The 685 is a magnificent speaker at that price. If the term bargain had to be used once it would be here.

 

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Fantastic speakers - period.

 

[Anonymous]

Second that! Under £500.00 - it's da man!