Which amp for B&W?

[awesomeone91]

Hi guys, I have B&W 603 S2 AE Speakers powered by CA CXA81 and it's bright and get tired after a few hours, it's placed in my L shaped big sized living room which is not ideal so i need some sort of room correction i tried to EQ it via my Mojo 2 but it couldn't fix it. Now I have short-listed Yamaha rn-800a and Rotel A14 MKII . If i buy the Rotel than i would need to a sub too to even out the bass which shouldn't be the case with Yamaha. I'm looking for smooth and warm sound with big soundstage, depth and well defined punchy bass. Which one should i go for? BTW.. if Rotel is superior than Yamaha in SQ than i have no problem purchasing a sub. Thanks

 

[Al ears]

Hi guys, I have B&W 603 S2 AE Speakers powered by CA CXA81 and it's bright and get tired after a few hours, it's placed in my L shaped big sized living room which is not ideal so i need some sort of room correction i tried to EQ it via my Mojo 2 but it couldn't fix it. Now I have short-listed Yamaha rn-800a and Rotel A14 MKII . If i buy the Rotel than i would need to a sub too to even out the bass which shouldn't be the case with Yamaha. I'm looking for smooth and warm sound with big soundstage, depth and well defined punchy bass. Which one should i go for? BTW.. if Rotel is superior than Yamaha in SQ than i have no problem purchasing a sub. Thanks

Ever thought of changing your speakers??
Sounds like they are the issue and changing the amp will not necessarily change the characteristics of those speakers.

 

[awesomeone91]

Ever thought of changing your speakers??
Sounds like they are the issue.

So far i have tried 3 amps one being Marantz PM6004 which with B&W sounded nice and warm but lacked bass authority and soundstage which i suspect is because it simply doesn't have much power as the second one i tried which is PM8006 which sounded just like Cambridge bright and fatiguing.

 

[nopiano]

So far i have tried 3 amps one being Marantz PM6004 which with B&W sounded nice and warm but lacked bass authority and soundstage which i suspect is because it simply doesn't have much power as the second one i tried which is PM8006 which sounded just like Cambridge bright and fatiguing.

What improvement did you find if you used the tone controls? I realise the Cambridge doesn’t have them, but Marantz does. Room correction doesn’t usually work at HF, it’s more relevant to bass nodes.

B&W models are often quite bright, which can be appealing in a showroom, but can be wearisome at home. Q Acoustics models prior to the latest C series tend to be smoother.

Do you have carpet or rugs, and blinds or curtains you can draw, because all softer surfaces help absorb high frequencies.

 

[Al ears]

So far i have tried 3 amps one being Marantz PM6004 which with B&W sounded nice and warm but lacked bass authority and soundstage which i suspect is because it simply doesn't have much power as the second one i tried which is PM8006 which sounded just like Cambridge bright and fatiguing.

My point entirely.
Changing your amp isn't going to improve the wrong speakers.

 

[Al ears]

?

 

[awesomeone91]

Thanks guys for replying.
I used tone controls only on the PM8006 but never liked it's sound. And yes, my room is not treated but it does have the things you mentioned. To both of you: I will be listening to the B&Ws with PM6004 to determine if it can change the sonic perception and then decide whether to buy a new amp or not. BTW i know room correction is mostly beneficial for bass and that's what i want as i get strained sounding bass atm.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Those speakers are, regardless of any other factor, forward and exhibit bright presentation.
Even securing them to excellent dead weighted sand filled stands will not help much.
You have my sympathies…..I demoed some KUDOS Super 20A a while ago and they pierced my ears being driven by a SUPERNAIT 3. Was unlistenable…….

 

[SenseiKofi]

Hi guys, I have B&W 603 S2 AE Speakers powered by CA CXA81 and it's bright and get tired after a few hours, it's placed in my L shaped big sized living room which is not ideal so i need some sort of room correction i tried to EQ it via my Mojo 2 but it couldn't fix it. Now I have short-listed Yamaha rn-800a and Rotel A14 MKII . If i buy the Rotel than i would need to a sub too to even out the bass which shouldn't be the case with Yamaha. I'm looking for smooth and warm sound with big soundstage, depth and well defined punchy bass. Which one should i go for? BTW.. if Rotel is superior than Yamaha in SQ than i have no problem purchasing a sub. Thanks

it is not the amp. the speaker is bright. a new amp won't magically solve that unless said amp is built poorly with rolled off frequency response from 4kHz to 20kHz rolling off by like 5 dB

 

[awesomeone91]

dammit why this site isn't letting me reply!!

 

[manicm]

The PM6004 is an example of an underpowered amp for the 603s hence the soft bass. If you want to stick with the B&Ws I would seek out something like a discounted/used Marantz Model 50.

 

[awesomeone91]

The PM6004 is an example of an underpowered amp for the 603s hence the soft bass. If you want to stick with the B&Ws I would seek out something like a discounted/used Marantz Model 50.

Thanks but I've had too many Marantz's it's time for a change. Is a Yamaha good? have read that B&Ws synergizes very well with Yamaha plus it's not like i want a warm sound particularly i just want a enjoyable emotionally connecting sound.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi guys, I have B&W 603 S2 AE Speakers powered by CA CXA81 and it's bright and get tired after a few hours, it's placed in my L shaped big sized living room which is not ideal so i need some sort of room correction i tried to EQ it via my Mojo 2 but it couldn't fix it. Now I have short-listed Yamaha rn-800a and Rotel A14 MKII . If i buy the Rotel than i would need to a sub too to even out the bass which shouldn't be the case with Yamaha. I'm looking for smooth and warm sound with big soundstage, depth and well defined punchy bass. Which one should i go for? BTW.. if Rotel is superior than Yamaha in SQ than i have no problem purchasing a sub. Thanks

As others have said, it sounds like the problem is the speakers, not the amp. They like many B&W's are famous for not having the most relaxed of listens.

If you aren't considering changing them, there are still a few things to consider before you change your amp. The thing to remember the speakers and the room will have far more impact on the sound than the amp, so get those right. It isn't clear from comments if you are considering room treatments or not. If you are get that done first so you have a clear baseline to compare from. Second is position, have you got the post out of the positioning of the speakers? Big rear ported speakers like that are going t need about 50cm to "breath" , and at least the same distance to the side walls. Then experiment with how toed in you have them.

Only once you are satisfied they sound the best they have ever sounded is it worth experimenting with other amps.

 

[awesomeone91]

You guys are probably right that it's my speakers.. makes me wonder why do i see people in reviews stating certain amps makes the 603s sound super warm 😆

 

[SenseiKofi]

You guys are probably right that it's my speakers.. makes me wonder why do i see people in reviews stating certain amps makes the 603s sound super warm 😆

If I speak, I might get banned but all I'd say is take what people say concerning amp pairing with an Everest level of salt. The self gaslighting people do in this space is astonishing. the human mind is fascinating

 

[Stuart.W.D]

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Rega Brio has an analog charm that is musically engaging.

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Perhaps an alternative speaker, that might be more to your tastes.

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[jjbomber]

You guys are probably right that it's my speakers.. makes me wonder why do i see people in reviews stating certain amps makes the 603s sound super warm 😆

Lots of people love those speakers. You have to find what is right for you.