AudiogoN Forums: "The B&W Sound"

"The B&W Sound"

Does the "B&W sound" that may critics complain about have more to do with design or materials (perhaps both)? (i.e.: does a metal dome tweeter always impart a bright signature, or does it depend more on the crossover design?) I don't hate my 703's, but I'm certainly not satisfied either. I have been considering speakers that utilize a soft dome tweeter. What are the signatures (i.e.: weaknesses) of a soft dome design (if any)? Most importantly, what speakers will: 1.) Play at least as loud as the 703's (yes, I'm a product of the 70's -louder is better); 2.) Offer superior highs (smother, but still detailed); 3.) Rival or better the 703's bass response; 4.) Cost less!! ($2,000 - $3,000 range)??? I would like to hear from previous B&W users - preferably those who have replaced their 703's with speakers that offer a less fatiguing (i.e.: bright/harsh) sound.

Thanks,

Ben

2chnlben (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-07-06

Responses (1-17 of 17)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

02-07-06 Here we go Maineiac

02-07-06 Prove to us first that it is the speakers, and not harsh sou ... Sugarbrie

02-07-06 I never really had the brightness problem with my b&w cdm1 n ... Slaw3

02-07-06 Hmmmm, the b&w sound! i have heard some b&w in systems that ... Bearotti

02-07-06 You mention the '"b&w sound" that many critics com ... Jppenn

02-07-06 Listen closely to what sugarbrie said. i was very unhappy wi ... Baffled

02-07-06 The 703's are very nice with the proper gear. no need to upg ... Jaybo

02-07-06 I do not have "the right stuff". moving from cdn 1 ... Super_agent_86

02-07-06 Ben - maybe you've already thought about some of this but... ... Midirons

02-08-06 Someone here or on another audio forum recently reported tam ... Maclogan

02-08-06 I had n805's and found i could not listern for longer than a ... Kcgumbohead

02-09-06 3 years i owned b&w cdm 1nt's, wich was a love-hate relatio ... willy.delatter@

02-10-06: 2chnlben
Very good. Thank you. Good to hear from B&W enthusiasts. I am one who believes that B&W makes quality products. I simple don't care for the 703 sound. Yes, it could be my upstream components. However, what I am hearing is the very same thing that many others, even the reviewer's who raved about the speaker, have sighted as a weak point. I, like many others, believe the sound of the 703 tends to be a bit fatiguing and bright. I also believe this has something to due with the metal dome design (perhaps, the cross-over design - I'm not that well informed about speaker design). I should have stated "That 703 Sound", rather than painting such a broad stroke in making the statement, "The B&W Sound." Any way, back to my original thought...would a design that utilizes a silk dome give a "better" sound (clearly, bright is not desirable)? Or, are there significant trade-offs when switching from metal to silk? Maybe the material has less to due with the sound than the way the crossover is designed - or other design characteristics??? I don't know. We all know who some of the true "B&W bashers" are. I am curious if what "they" say is reality...Can you get better sound from speakers that are designed differently than the 703's, but sell for less (or roughly the same - less would be great!), without giving up anything that the 703's do well? (Again, I consider "less bright" to be better - something smoother in the highs, but not laid-back. I appreciate the control the 703's have. especially in their bass-response
2chnlben (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-10-06 One thing that i believe will go a long way to rectifying th ... Jppenn

02-10-06 I'm actually an n804 owner. i auditioned some thiel 2.4's th ... Midirons

02-10-06 Ben - there is a "metal dome" thread on aa. check ... Midirons

02-10-06 i have heard many people complain about b+w as well.i have ... Budt3210