Which speakers - MA BR2 or B&W 685 or suggestions?

[admin_exported]

Need a bit of advice

I tested the MA BR2, B&W 385 and MA RS1 at Sevenoaks yesterday.

I have a Rotel RA-04, NAD 525 CDP, Project Genie 3, Soundstyle Z2, QED Silver Anniversary XT and QED Quinex 2.

The 385's had the wider and more separated soundstage but the bass was more muffled.

The BR2's were a good all rounder but would like them to be a bit more bassier.

The RS1's had good separation but were really bright.

I also tested the Dali Lektor 2's which sounded nice but a little bit underachieving for my system.

I liked the 385s but don't think they are worth nearly double the BR2s, and I have aslo heard that they take along time to break in.

Any ideas regarding my setup and the speakers because I am undecided.

First time in Sevenoaks in Sheffield and wasn't very impressed; the demo room wasn't set up proper - salesman was running around everywhere to get cables and to get CDs (I know that I should have taken my own but was making an imprompt call). When I asked about the price for the BR2s was told £230 mentioned that they are £195 at Sight and Sound and £199 at Peter Tyson. Manager said he would meet me halfway at £215 - well not I am not going to pay an extra £20 just because they let me demo them. Well they will not get my custom if that can't price match with the web.

 

[jaxwired]

daveyk1975:

When I asked about the price for the BR2s was told £230 mentioned that they are £195 at Sight and Sound and £199 at Peter Tyson. Manager said he would meet me halfway at £215 - well not I am not going to pay an extra £20 just because they let me demo them. Well they will not get my custom if that can't price match with the web.

I don't know anything about "Sight and Sound" or "Peter Tyson", but it's completely unreasonable to expect brick and mortar retail stores to price match web based sales. Online stores have way less overhead. They don't pay rent for retail space. They don't pay to stock demo equipment. They don't pay retail sales staff to answer question, provide advice, and assist with demos.

IMO, it's unethical to use these retail store services and then after you decide what you like to shop the internet for a better deal. There is an unspoken agreement that they are providing these in-person services for free in-exchange for your business should you choose to purchase those products you are demo'ing.

Now, if you already know exactly what you want and you just go in to place an order, with no service or demo, THEN you should expect them to compete with lowest price internet offerings.

Also, price matching with other brick and mortar retail stores is reasonable.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

I demoed the BR2s and 685s amoung others. I personally thought the BR2s sounded poor compared to the 685s. Like the bass on the BR2s was muffled and wobbly and the sound lacked detail and tone. Maybe the speakers hadn't been burnt in but I'm not sure on that.

I also demoed the Quad 12L2 which I thought sounded very good. Surprising amount of bass and a warmish detailed sound. Maybe give them a listen?

 

[Anonymous]

I went in with the intention to buy them but Sevenoaks don't put the price online like other retailers do and I was quite shocked when they said £230 after the demo, when other retailers are selling them for less. I don't mind paying a few quid more.

Sevenoaks seem to offer other products that are priced

If the other big boy/high volume retailer, Richer Sounds, can price match then maybe they should.

 

[plastic penguin]

daveyk1975:

I went in with the intention to buy them but Sevenoaks don't put the price online like other retailers do and I was quite shocked when they said £230 after the demo, when other retailers are selling them for less. I don't mind paying a few quid more.

Sevenoaks seem to offer other products that are priced

If the other big boy/high volume retailer, Richer Sounds, can price match then maybe they should.

Richer Sounds trade on a different principle to others: Pile'em high and sell'em cheeep. However you do miss out on things like demonstration rooms (and to a lesser degree) personal service. Also they don't offer a delivery service unless you pay extra [when buying tv's or bulk purchases].

If you look at 7oaks or Audio-T website they have a good choice of ex-dem stuff. It's always best to build up a good rapport with one or two dealers - you could pick-up a bargain that didn't previously exist.

 

[Anonymous]

I would expect them to pricematch local retailers, not online as thats fair. Why should they charge the same when they provide a demo for you.

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO the B&W 685 speakers would work very well in your system BUT with saying that i'd say it'd be best to change your speaker cable and interconnects as well as they wont work as well with the B&W speakers.

Chord Carnival Silverscreen speaker cable and Chord Crimson interconnects would do well.

The M/A BR2 speakers are superb and would fit in well with the system as well but my £££ would be on the 685's.

The M/A RS1 speakers are also very good as are the Dali's but IMO, theyre for more refined music and listening volumes.

What would be handy to know is what music do you listen to?

With regards to the speakers you demo'd; did you use your own amp/CDP combo? IF not what did you use/hear? Also; were the speakers fully run in or where they new out of the box so to speak? Reason I ask is that I've owned both the 685's and M/A BR2's and they sound hell of a lot different when new as to when theyre run in!

The M/A RS1's also sound a lot better when fully run in but they down suit bright sounding cable/gear which is where I feel the QED speaker cable/interconnect will have been at a disadvantage.

 

[Anonymous]

With regards to taste in music - dance, classical, rock, metal and vocalists (that's most genres).

The speakers were demos off the shelf. I have heard from a lot of places that the B&W 685s only sound really good when they are run in.

It was the same amp, but the CDP I demod was a Rotel and not a NAD. I popped in inpromptu when I was driving pass (I know Big No No).

What do you think to the Quad 12L2?

 

[plastic penguin]

I would suggest the Quad's are a little too bright, the 685's would be better balanced.

 

[SteveR750]

daveyk1975:
With regards to taste in music - dance, classical, rock, metal and vocalists (that's most genres).

The speakers were demos off the shelf. I have heard from a lot of places that the B&W 685s only sound really good when they are run in.

It was the same amp, but the CDP I demod was a Rotel and not a NAD. I popped in inpromptu when I was driving pass (I know Big No No).

What do you think to the Quad 12L2?

all speakers need running in, B&W are no exception. They are howver exceptional at the price and will perform pretty well with much better kit in front of them. Any non run-in speaker will frankly sound pretty cr*p, more than you might think. I'd give the 685's a chance and stop fretting over the £20 difference between online to a shop - you'll get a friend for life once you start buying from a shop, and come the day you want to spend a wad they will give you a great deal, if no more than you get the best sounding kit for your ears for your budget.

 

[method man]

First time in Sevenoaks in Sheffield and wasn't very impressed; the
demo room wasn't set up proper - salesman was running around everywhere
to get cables and to get CDs (I know that I should have taken my own
but was making an imprompt call).

Love it. You my friend are a nightmare customer. youve spent no money. you want a web price. you wanted a drop in demo and were suprised it wasnt all set up just for you. AND you are straight on a what hi-fi forum moaning about them.

Lovely! they must be over the moon.

 

[Anonymous]

That is a fair summary I think.

To get a decent set which is to your taste requires a little more effort and planning. Relationship building with your dealer is a great help in guiding you through the maze of errors you can otherwise make.

Take your own music, and if he doesn't stock your make of amp take that in as well!

 

[matthewpiano]

The 685s are in a different league to the BR2s, but the Mezzo 2s are even better IMO. You might just find them slightly too revealing (they are much more open than the 685s) but they are well worth an audition.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Good call that Mp; long time no speak

The mezzo 2's are very good but I agree; fairly revealing as I found out at the weekend