*There’s an Audiophiliac/Steve Guttenberg imposter scamming my viewers, There’s no FREE gifts. DON’T respond! I don't do giveaways or ask for money (except for my Patreon)*
The B&W tweeter is very special. It is very revealing, but it's other qualities really make it shine. Like Steve mentioned, it's hard to go back to any other speaker after spending time under it's spell. It's a shame the price of B&W speakers keep going up and up - making it hard for a lot of audiophiles to give them a go.
Hi Steve - thanks for the reminder of that first Mothers album. It's been too long since I've heard "Help, I'm A Rock". I drove my parents crazy with that one. I think that was the point.
I purchased 805S 15 years ago and love them. Run with a Rotel 100 watt amps and SVS sub for home theater. I have 5.1 system and use 5 805S in total. The speakers are much much higher in price these days.
You know Michael if you're running Rotel 100 watt amplifiers with a B&W 805S speaker, you would need a sub-woofer. Rotel do very powerful pre/power amplifiers but they're only competition for mass-market Sony, and not really amplifiers for B&W 805S. Rotel was founded by Mr. Tomoki “Tac” Tachikawa, who was born in Taiwan ... and these are not amplifiers for B&W that was a British concern. You're far better with British amplifiers for B&W, Arcam are the ideal matching amplifiers. Rotel might sound okay but you know, as you say, Rotel are low priced for B&W. Rotel are not the most detailed sounding amplifiers.
I also had the 805s couldn’t fault them , musical fidelity 308 pre / pow. Amp 250 watts . They sound & work better with a higher wattage amp /high current, then what B&W stated 120watts ,
@@Bzz22 I am running Rotel 120 X 5 as recommended by B&W. But I agree a little more power could be a good thing. My Rotel amp stopped working and taking it in for repair today. If it’s to costly to fix a 15 year old amp may look to upgrade with more power.
B&Ws are power hungry. I have 703s from the same era as the 805S and surprisingly I’ve gotten by with a Marantz SR8002 (large toroidal) but I bi-amp. In 2 channel, it gives 175 watts (I use a min of 4 channels) and 120 into 5 channels and 110 into 7. I played them full range until a decent looking small sub finally became available (the 3000 Micro). Everyone else had Classe or Rotel amps with it. I always wonder what they might have sounded like with a 200-300 watt amp at the same volume and whether there is more performance in them. Maybe I’ll pick up a Purifi or Hypex since I don’t have room for a 60-100lb Class AB amp.
Thank you Steve. This concretes my impressions on these speakers. I owned it for over a month now and loving & enjoying it. I have a REL T5i which I sometimes use to get more bass but as it stands, I just loved how it sounds. More power to your channel Steve!
I have a pair of DynAudio Contour 20s with some power behind them, which I love for all genres of music. I think for my preferred sound that a pair of these B&Ws would make my ears bleed…but I guess that there are large variances in our hearing and tastes. It sure makes the pursuit interesting.
I purchased the 706 S3s in December and they're finally broken in. They sound great with a Yamaha A-S801and exceptional with a Marantz Model 30. The only disappointing thing is the quality of the optional speaker stands, which the base seems to be made of compressed wood (they dent with light touching), and the design stripe is peeling off.
I have campared the 702 s2 with s3 i most say i prefer the s2 by far. I did not feel its an upgrade, s3 is a little more transparent, but its cost of being more forward and even more clinical its to much in my opinion the bass notes was also more in depth with s2
I have the model lower (706 S3s) and I've tried them with a Yamaha A-S801 (which sounds great), and a Marantz Model 30 (sounds exceptional and slightly fuller and warmer)
I heard these played A - B next to Kef R3 Meta. I liked Kef better -- hands down -- in every way. The B W sounded bright and edgy. The Kef cleaner, sweeter WITH better definition. Not even close. IM
This actually would be a nice comparison. I have the 705 S2 and the Kef R3 non Metas and the 705 S2 is definitely better, more detail-mids and treble, but the Kef R3 has more bass and the top end is more subdued.
@@mpi5850 I won't say exciting, just different. I have went back and forward with both as I own them both as well as a pair of Kef Q350s. I have used them both with and without a sub. Steve is right the 705s are detail freaks. I'm able to hear detail and things in songs that I could never hear with the Kef R3s. My next move if I stay book shelf will probably be a pair of Focal Kanta N1. My dealer did allow me a while ago to use the kef ls50s and they drove me nuts, way over sibilant. We all hear differently and I have had Vandersteen, Magnepan, Martin Logan and the list goes on and on. We all like what we like, but I wouldn't mind hearing the Kef R3 meta to hear the improvements. The R3 is a good, solid speaker, with good bass and mids, but the highs are subdued by comparison and I have the equipment to make them shine, they just aren't.
If a reviewer says, it’s very clean and transparent, this is a diplomatic way to say it may be bright. You have to read between the lines as professional reviewers refrain from saying something directly negative.
Yeah but ... with what amplifier? You see your other you know, so-called ... 'high end' speakers that you owned ... probably had the wrong interconnect, amplifier, sources, room and listener to sound at their best. What you had sounded best with these British ... Woodman ... things and another thing is time spent running. Speakers are often improved too by hooking up different amplifiers and input sources so sellers of audio might refuse to sell their seasoned audition speaker. Billy Woodman of ATC died in July of last year and uh ... you know ... maybe that's the end of the company as you knew it.
I've had Bryston 7B Monoblocks, Adcom GFA565 Monoblocks, Jolida JD1000R Tube Amp and some various integrated Amps. I worked in 2 HiFi Shops with over 10 years experience. I'm good and plenty of ATCs will continue to be made.
@@RennieAsh Yeah but you know you picked up the wrong end of the stick and many people do. You know they get it wrong but feel that they're right. You know our hearing is trained on what we're used to and in isolation would take 3 months listening to only one system to hear it as it really sounds. But few are equipped to get to that place in life and they're not the right listeners for themselves and uh ... you're pretty sure of yourself but a novice and uh ... the wrong listener for too many systems. But you're not alone, there's loads of you, impatient and self-centered. Bad attitude but hey.
Agreed, Just like every other element of loudspeaker design, it's a balance of compromise. Everything I know suggests it impacts the energy propagating forward. In this case I'm thinking it's very little impact in the end ... and the driver has to be protected, so protect it and don't look back.
Don't listen to them ... because uh ... the mesh over the carbon dome tweeters makes the sound spread out, you see High Frequencies have a very narrow dispersion pattern. The dome is wider in dispersion than a horn throat or an electrostatic device but it only goes so wide, how wide is usually reported in brochures and uh ... the problem is most exaggerated where there are two ... or more listeners in different chairs. In the old days in the USA, we used to read a graphed plot for F.R. (Frequency Response) on axis and off axis varying by degrees, we could lose some middle-range and to a lesser extent high frequencies and this of course, affects how we hear the low frequencies, that are greatly helped the hissing sounds made by the HF drivers. To some extent these mesh covers have offered protection too but usually they're aimed at increasing HF dispersion and the listening angle accuracy of the F.R. in listening rooms.
Steve, whenever I get used to my Wharfedales and go back to listening to my Polks, I miss the definition. The Polks are more forgiving on recordings, so I keep both. I listen to the better recordings on the Wharfedales.
Dear Steve, love your video’s, how do you think of used standard connection bridges used by B&W?, are they of good quality?, or better to Exchange with something else?, Thank you for your answer upfront.
Hey Steve…I love your channel…I would be very happy to get your quick opinion on two speakers…Which one of the following B&W Loudspeakers would you prefer B&W 706 S2 for around 1000€ on Sale or the B&W 705 S3 approximately double the price also on Sale…they both seem to me very similar accept the tweeter position and I don’t know if the extra Cost would be worth it….many thanks from Hamburg
My only problem with B&W is their pricing. I mentioned them to Andrew Singer and he was apoplectic. Can get similar sound signature for substantially less. Believe it!
I been really interested in B&W since I heard there TOTL at an audio show. It actually sounded good at the show in not the best room when others not so much. An the look is griwing on me.
Ha I won the first thump up contest ! Years ago I've started with DM14 followed by DM 802 now many years later DIY open baffle with fieldcoil fullrange, not perfect , just live sounding ! Thank you so much Steve , need a note block to write down all the music you experience , and magic happens and that is soooo affordable
What bubbling? I can only see where the rubber has been glued to the Continuum material, and has conformed to its texture. Means the surround is very compliant as it should be
Yes, it had a dual foam plug. But I didn’t use it that way I’m seeing that with more and more speakers come with plugs, why not, it’s a useful tool, and doesn’t cost anything.
Steve what up what do you think is better a Tom's 4 ohms three homes you always talkin about 4 ohms what is actually better to run your speakers at I have mine they're locked in at 8 my amp is set at 8 but it can be switched to 4 I just never dawned on me to use for reply if you can
Looked at the LS50 Meta or R3 Meta and decided to build the CSS Criton 1tdx kit with the upgraded crossover. Have you seen the Kef crossover components? I have been disappointed with many factory built speakers and the cost cutting was very obvious. More work for me this time but no compromising on associated parts. No plastic input plate on my diy either !
@@mikelanier5617 - the LS-50 metas sound glorious (with the right equipment in a proper sized room) and are universally acclaimed by UA-camrs and the hi-fi press alike. If they’ve achieved this with lesser parts, as you claim, good on ‘em. I judge on sound alone, not exotic parts or bougie finishes.
@M Pi Those same UA-camrs and hifi press agree on their bright response and discuss that certain combinations do not have good synergy. Where those same people you refer to talk about glare and the associated lack of refinement in micro dynamics, which is caused by using low cost caps, resistors and chokes. This is why many of us upgrade our factory built speakers with the aforementioned cheap parts replaced with much better sounding components. Companies like GR Research, CSS, Madisound, etc. supply these to improve on just this issue. In my case I am building the CSS Criton 1TDX bookshelves for fun and musical enjoyment, knowing everything that is being implemented was top notch. All of this is system dependent on if your associated equipment is even revealing enough to tell the difference. Mine is and small changes make an audible difference to me and all of my past clients including : NASA, DOD, US Military, Lockheed-Martin, British Aerospace and many celebrities (MTV Cribs) and powerful business people. Not bragging, just establishing I'm not just some hobbyist consumer without decades of experience in A/V sales, design, manufacturing, importation and distribution. I've been with the speaker manufacturers who made the decision to use parts that were knowingly worse sounding but they were able to save money by buying them way cheaper due to forecasted purchase orders from lower bid parts manufacturers. They don't order from Mouser or Parts Express and thus can get a large discount while being relatively safe from lack of availability. Yes, the designers of the speakers or electronics are often furious when these substitutions occur as this is not what the sound signature was intended to be, but the executive level staff are numbers oriented and driven by profit even if short sided. Consumers would be utterly shocked by the margins from Asian imported products, I used to import containers of speakers from a manufacturer in China in the 90s. These were waterproof, 2 way 5 1/4" speakers with an advanced multi-angle mounting solution and used a 7 element crossover network. I paid $5.00 per pair and wholesalers paid $75.00 pr., then sold them to retailers who charged up to $350.00 to retail customers ! Great little speakers and I still have 3 pair, lol. Whatever you like and can afford is the right answer to all of this when buying through traditional sources. Once again that's why companies like CSS and GR Research are becoming increasingly popular. I can have many brands send me a pair free or substantially reduced in cost but would rather solder every Jantzen poly capacitor and torque down those SB Acoustics drivers all by myself one last time for me as these will be my last pair ! Rock on 👍🇺🇲
Wish one day you can review the ATC SCM 20 ASL, active books at 6kusd, which would be comparable to a 4k passive speaker plus a 2k power amp. Bet the ATC will be miles away from any other bookshelf speaker...
It depends what kind of sound people like. I liked the ATC that I've had, though I don't have one of them any longer. The other I have because it fits the purpose, and I don't use them enough to warrant fussing over if there is a "better" speaker or not :)
I got the 706 S2 speakers and they sound a bit boxed in with the woice sound. Brass sounded a bit "fooffy". That is compared to my home built speakers. The B&Ws are my reference speakers and I copied the sound with my built speakers then tweaked them to my liking. I like to see their throat when I hear vocals. With the 706s I just don't get that.
B&w in general has a bass lean, transparent and clean detailed sound, this is because bowers and Wilkins were right into classical music and that's why Abby road put the speakers in their classical music tracking room.
Hi Steve, how are you? Don't like the Bowers & Wilkins "sound" myself. I'm more of a Dynaudio and KEF person 🙂 Aren't you using the Buchardt stands backwards?
I spoke to Mads about the orientation, it doesn’t matter, there’s no front or back to the stands. But yes, I know most people use them the other way around.
I take away that if the recordings are very good/ excellent, these would be a great choice/ may be thee choice, however, "for me, my listening needs (we're all special snowflakes)" I prefer speakers that "overall" sound good on both good & bad recordings, also at lower listening levels.
I don’t understand speaker position comment. When 18” from front wall is too boomy and 3’ is bass shy, why stop there? I would think speaker happy place is somewhere in between. Maybe 2 or 2.5 feet.
@@TeensierPython I just think these compare poorly to, for example, speakers like the Martin Logan Motion F20 -- same price, both passive, same finish choices, however the MLs are floor-standing, having dual 6.5"s and a 5.5" midrange (three way), plus an AMT tweeter. Or, you could go for active Adam Audio T7Vs (AMT and 7" driver) and dual Adam T10S subs, have active crossovers and built-in amplification, and save $2,100 vs these B&Ws, and you've got driver parity plus your low end taken care of and no need for four outboard amps. These aren't high end and they're not priced like it, but $3,400 is asking a lot and at this level there are significantly, maybe even wildly better value propositions.
@@niveketihw1897 Have you ever seen Steve do a UA-cam review of a Martin Logan speaker? I haven't so I suppose they don't work with "influencers" so they get very little buzz. I take these reviews for "entertainment" value over real information.
@@Skier_202 I have not, although the channel Andrew Robinson did the top end ML Motion model just a few days ago. You're right, I treat these as notifications to maybe do a bit of research.
Hi, why do you only have the speaker cables in only two of the binding posts on the back of the speakers, I’m presuming the speakers are bi-wirable why do people not bi-wire if it’s available? Just learning.
Thats how Hifi Reviews on youtube works... or do you think the Reviewers pick all randomly the same Models & Brands and praise them in heaven ... Its one small Bubble of Products.... the people dont care about other products otherwise would be also (more) Reviews of Stuff from Genelec, ATC Neumann, Amphion, Strauss, ME Geithain, PMC etc. - but people only care about mass products like Klipsch, Monitor Audio, Dali, B&W (same story in England, USA or German UA-cam Channels), they dont want to hear anything else, even if its better (topics like room acoustics, DSP / Room Correction, Active, Subwoofer Use + DSP... No Videos from the big Hifi Channels). Its simply an different Market and thats why most Hifi UA-cam is so repetitive and not effective as an Guide for an way to get an successful, workin System at home
You do understand just because its made in china it doesn’t have to be poor quality Made in china there are at highest quality items and unlimited number of items made there . People such delusional have no flexibility in their brain to understand simple things Once they have idea its locked in in their mindset and they cant see anything else You not the only one dont worry , its majority of people
I love these audiophiles who can afford to have speakers three, four even FIVE feet from a wall, lol. Who can accommodate that who is not having a room dominated by SPEAKERS. I suggest you take them outside, there are NO room boundaries there and you can put them anywhere and they will always sound the same, lol! Or, perhaps, knock down your walls. Who needs a BACK WALL? Certainly not SPEAKERS! Or forget about speakers and get a super expensive set of headphones. Ah, but then you need a spectacularly high end HP amp. Maybe throw some tubes in there? I'm going to take one of my speakers, put it in the CENTER of my room and pull up a chair in front of it. Then remove everything else from the room and FORBID my wife from ever entering it. There you go. MONO a MONO. Me and ONE speaker. Middle of the room, me too. What MORE can you ask for-the room disappears and the speaker and you are ALL ALONE! The divorce papers are on their way, lol!
Well he is a fossil and probably can't hear high frequencies very well anymore. What i find dunny is we know for a fact that your hearing degrades rapidly when you get over a certain age, yet we listen to people way over that age review audio products and for some reason their opinion is more respected than younger people with way better hearing 🤔
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 What's real Funny is that I am sure the man you call a Fossil, is able to spell simple words much better than you. Pretty Dunny, huh? ;)
Nothing picks apart a recording like B&Ws. If only Led Zeppelin had a pair when they were recording, the drum tech would have oiled John Bonham's kick drum pedal.
Ever heard a ATC, Strauss, Genelec or Neumann ? They will show you details of the mix. B&W is and was never an Company, who build Studio Equipment with the highest Resolution. Just because Abbey Road use the 800s, doesnt mean that they are Precision Monitors, specially not the Consumer priced, Mass Products like the 600's or 700's. The all have a Sounding so most tracks sounding good on them
This is my experience with B&Ws as well. B&Ws are voiced to have a suppressed midrange, along with somewhat exaggerated highs. I think this is what Steve noticed when he described the speaker as "unengaging" at lower volumes.
I’ve wanted to buy them so many times. But every time I audition them I find something else I like better. Last go around it was LS50 meta. Mainly because it sounded better at low listening levels. One of these days I’ll get a set. Maybe 805/804? Gonna have to save my limited money though.
With a 8 to 10 db peak over one octave wide at 10 Khz no wonder they have an edge to the sound. I listened to them for bout 30 seconds and had to leave the room. But then most B&W these days are overly bright and edgy.
No, he means listener fatigue was very fast because of their overly aggressive approach to voicing their tweeter. The words air and clarity don't exist when you have such a frequency response. Not hating on B&W or KEF but they both seem to have gone for an increased response which is soon found to be grating and just not musical at higher levels 🤔
The Stereophile frequency response graph shows no such peak - the tweeter is actually very flat within the AUDIBLE range. There is an ultra sonic resonance at 30K, which no human can hear, unless you’re part German Shepard.
@Cherubin "Stay in your lane"...I am, the lane with a system that doesn't rip my eyelids off with an overly bright response. My lane has lots of traffic with people who don't like them either. Not meant as an insult, just too bright on all kinds of pairings. Enjoy your "lane" or, more like it, a bright ditch beside the lanes 👍
@@bod140k THANK YOU! I wanted to converse with you! I purchased a pair of Contour 20s just after the 20i s came out. I purchased them new from a dealer at a SUPER Cash & Carry discount…. unlistened to. 😂 It was worth the risk! I LOVE these speakers. I am guessing that you love yours too! The way Steve describes these B&W speakers I imagine that they would make my ears bleed. I had a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 100 Speakers that 50% of the time made my ears bleed. It was like Russian Roulette! HORRIBLE! Never with my Contour 20s!!!
There's plenty of ways a speaker can have "clarity". B&W have tailored the sound to give the impression of clarity and air etc. But recent models I feel are harder on the ears in some ways, at least if the 606 was anything to go by
*There’s an Audiophiliac/Steve Guttenberg imposter scamming my viewers, There’s no FREE gifts. DON’T respond! I don't do giveaways or ask for money (except for my Patreon)*
Instructions unclear.
Now waiting for my Cambridge Audio system with Wharfedale 4.4's I won.
You should do giveaways though.
is that you on the highlighted reply? telegram?
@@martinkatz7639 No
@@nostradamus7648 the oracle at Delphi told me yes. Who do I believe?
The B&W tweeter is very special. It is very revealing, but it's other qualities really make it shine.
Like Steve mentioned, it's hard to go back to any other speaker after spending time under it's spell.
It's a shame the price of B&W speakers keep going up and up - making it hard for a lot of audiophiles
to give them a go.
Hi Steve - thanks for the reminder of that first Mothers album. It's been too long since I've heard "Help, I'm A Rock". I drove my parents crazy with that one. I think that was the point.
That Dead Man Neil Young album is awesome! The car engine noise is so cool and real sounding in some of the songs!
Steve - would love to hear your opinion on the 705 S3 vs 705 Signature. U profiled the signature a bit back and was excellent
I purchased 805S 15 years ago and love them. Run with a Rotel 100 watt amps and SVS sub for home theater. I have 5.1 system and use 5 805S in total. The speakers are much much higher in price these days.
You know Michael if you're running Rotel 100 watt amplifiers with a B&W 805S speaker, you would need a sub-woofer. Rotel do very powerful pre/power amplifiers but they're only competition for mass-market Sony, and not really amplifiers for B&W 805S. Rotel was founded by Mr. Tomoki “Tac” Tachikawa, who was born in Taiwan ... and these are not amplifiers for B&W that was a British concern. You're far better with British amplifiers for B&W, Arcam are the ideal matching amplifiers. Rotel might sound okay but you know, as you say, Rotel are low priced for B&W. Rotel are not the most detailed sounding amplifiers.
@@keplermission I did state that I have a sub in my system. Do you own B&W speakers running Arcam amplifier?
I also had the 805s couldn’t fault them , musical fidelity 308 pre / pow. Amp 250 watts .
They sound & work better with a higher wattage amp /high current, then what B&W stated 120watts ,
@@Bzz22 I am running Rotel 120 X 5 as recommended by B&W. But I agree a little more power could be a good thing. My Rotel amp stopped working and taking it in for repair today. If it’s to costly to fix a 15 year old amp may look to upgrade with more power.
B&Ws are power hungry. I have 703s from the same era as the 805S and surprisingly I’ve gotten by with a Marantz SR8002 (large toroidal) but I bi-amp. In 2 channel, it gives 175 watts (I use a min of 4 channels) and 120 into 5 channels and 110 into 7. I played them full range until a decent looking small sub finally became available (the 3000 Micro).
Everyone else had Classe or Rotel amps with it.
I always wonder what they might have sounded like with a 200-300 watt amp at the same volume and whether there is more performance in them.
Maybe I’ll pick up a Purifi or Hypex since I don’t have room for a 60-100lb Class AB amp.
Thank you Steve. This concretes my impressions on these speakers. I owned it for over a month now and loving & enjoying it. I have a REL T5i which I sometimes use to get more bass but as it stands, I just loved how it sounds. More power to your channel Steve!
I have a pair of DynAudio Contour 20s with some power behind them, which I love for all genres of music.
I think for my preferred sound that a pair of these B&Ws would make my ears bleed…but I guess that there are large variances in our hearing and tastes. It sure makes the pursuit interesting.
I see no reason why you should feel that way. Everyone who’s heard them comment on how great or non fatiguing the tweeter is 🤷🏽♂️
@@cirenosnor5768 are you kidding?
I purchased the 706 S3s in December and they're finally broken in. They sound great with a Yamaha A-S801and exceptional with a Marantz Model 30. The only disappointing thing is the quality of the optional speaker stands, which the base seems to be made of compressed wood (they dent with light touching), and the design stripe is peeling off.
"Honesty" in B&W sound is what i LOVE about the brand.
Wow that price is crazy highs
I will be interested to see the measurements of these. I am guessing they are a rollacoaster of a frequency response.
Wrong. They are actually very smooth. There is a small dip at crossover, but are still within +/- 2 dB across the range.
@@ChicagoRob2 source? I don't recall seeing them measured anywhere yet..
@@ChicagoRob2 link to measurements? Believe it when I see it. I owned the 703s tower a long time ago. They were super peaky.
Andrew Robinson have a measurement
@@pavelbrunov Looks like +/- 4 dB so 8 dB peak to peak. And I'd expect it to be even worse without the 1/6 smoothing. So Robert Hoffman was wayy off
All The Mothers albums that I've listened to come up superbly 🙂
I have campared the 702 s2 with s3 i most say i prefer the s2 by far. I did not feel its an upgrade, s3 is a little more transparent, but its cost of being more forward and even more clinical its to much in my opinion the bass notes was also more in depth with s2
Any comments on amp sound differences on B&W? Curious what paired best.
I have the model lower (706 S3s) and I've tried them with a Yamaha A-S801 (which sounds great), and a Marantz Model 30 (sounds exceptional and slightly fuller and warmer)
Denon more lively than marantz , marantz more neutral less exciting
Adore “Freak out” one of my favourite albums
I heard these played A - B next to Kef R3 Meta. I liked Kef better -- hands down -- in every way.
The B W sounded bright and edgy. The Kef cleaner, sweeter WITH better definition.
Not even close. IM
Nice and a definite improvement in looks over the previous version, HOWEVER, the new KEF R3 Meta are gonna eat these for breakfast.
This actually would be a nice comparison. I have the 705 S2 and the Kef R3 non Metas and the 705 S2 is definitely better, more detail-mids and treble, but the Kef R3 has more bass and the top end is more subdued.
@@sidvicious3129 - the KEF is a more exciting speaker to listen to imho. I expect the meta version will further narrow the gap in the highs.
@@mpi5850 I won't say exciting, just different. I have went back and forward with both as I own them both as well as a pair of Kef Q350s. I have used them both with and without a sub. Steve is right the 705s are detail freaks. I'm able to hear detail and things in songs that I could never hear with the Kef R3s.
My next move if I stay book shelf will probably be a pair of Focal Kanta N1. My dealer did allow me a while ago to use the kef ls50s and they drove me nuts, way over sibilant. We all hear differently and I have had Vandersteen, Magnepan, Martin Logan and the list goes on and on.
We all like what we like, but I wouldn't mind hearing the Kef R3 meta to hear the improvements. The R3 is a good, solid speaker, with good bass and mids, but the highs are subdued by comparison and I have the equipment to make them shine, they just aren't.
What do you base your amateur opinion on ?
There’s a few reviews that compare the two speakers. The KEF’s don’t eat the B&W’s for breakfast
B&W is a mark that I have been with for years and they always sound great.
Trouble Every Day: still relevant!
Eared the 706 S3, and they are bright speakers.
They can be, depends on the electronics and the rest of the system.
If a reviewer says, it’s very clean and transparent, this is a diplomatic way to say it may be bright. You have to read between the lines as professional reviewers refrain from saying something directly negative.
Out of all the high end speakers I've owned, including B&W, my favorite speakers are ATC SCM19s.
Yeah but ... with what amplifier? You see your other you know, so-called ... 'high end' speakers that you owned ... probably had the wrong interconnect, amplifier, sources, room and listener to sound at their best. What you had sounded best with these British ... Woodman ... things and another thing is time spent running. Speakers are often improved too by hooking up different amplifiers and input sources so sellers of audio might refuse to sell their seasoned audition speaker. Billy Woodman of ATC died in July of last year and uh ... you know ... maybe that's the end of the company as you knew it.
I've had Bryston 7B Monoblocks, Adcom GFA565 Monoblocks, Jolida JD1000R Tube Amp and some various integrated Amps. I worked in 2 HiFi Shops with over 10 years experience. I'm good and plenty of ATCs will continue to be made.
@@keplermission the wrong listener eh? I'm pretty sure he's the right listener for himself.
@@RennieAsh Yeah but you know you picked up the wrong end of the stick and many people do. You know they get it wrong but feel that they're right. You know our hearing is trained on what we're used to and in isolation would take 3 months listening to only one system to hear it as it really sounds. But few are equipped to get to that place in life and they're not the right listeners for themselves and uh ... you're pretty sure of yourself but a novice and uh ... the wrong listener for too many systems. But you're not alone, there's loads of you, impatient and self-centered. Bad attitude but hey.
I didn't catch any comments about how the speaker did with the 3 different receivers you used (NAS, Pass Labs and LTA). Anything there?
Ill take a more forgiving sound any day like my pair of Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grand Symphony's.Amazing speakers all around.
I have always wondered how much those metal grates over the tweeters affect the sound.
Nothing at all, I’m a B&W owner and think all speaker companies should have some sort of protection over the tweeters
@HJC it certainly has some effect, even cloth grills do but as long as they sound good to you that's all that matters.
Agreed,
Just like every other element of loudspeaker design, it's a balance of compromise.
Everything I know suggests it impacts the energy propagating forward.
In this case I'm thinking it's very little impact in the end ... and the
driver has to be protected, so protect it and don't look back.
Don't listen to them ... because uh ... the mesh over the carbon dome tweeters makes the sound spread out, you see High Frequencies have a very narrow dispersion pattern. The dome is wider in dispersion than a horn throat or an electrostatic device but it only goes so wide, how wide is usually reported in brochures and uh ... the problem is most exaggerated where there are two ... or more listeners in different chairs. In the old days in the USA, we used to read a graphed plot for F.R. (Frequency Response) on axis and off axis varying by degrees, we could lose some middle-range and to a lesser extent high frequencies and this of course, affects how we hear the low frequencies, that are greatly helped the hissing sounds made by the HF drivers. To some extent these mesh covers have offered protection too but usually they're aimed at increasing HF dispersion and the listening angle accuracy of the F.R. in listening rooms.
@@keplermission uhh, duhh
Steve, whenever I get used to my Wharfedales and go back to listening to my Polks, I miss the definition. The Polks are more forgiving on recordings, so I keep both. I listen to the better recordings on the Wharfedales.
Wharfedales are awesome. Love them.
Dear Steve, love your video’s, how do you think of used standard connection bridges used by B&W?, are they of good quality?, or better to Exchange with something else?, Thank you for your answer upfront.
Hey Steve…I love your channel…I would be very happy to get your quick opinion on two speakers…Which one of the following B&W Loudspeakers would you prefer B&W 706 S2 for around 1000€ on Sale or the B&W 705 S3 approximately double the price also on Sale…they both seem to me very similar accept the tweeter position and I don’t know if the extra Cost would be worth it….many thanks from Hamburg
My only problem with B&W is their pricing. I mentioned them to Andrew Singer and he was apoplectic. Can get similar sound signature for substantially less. Believe it!
Hello . How is b & w 706 s2 compared to 705 s3 . Does the 706 s2 it sound bright /harsh for longer listening ?
I been really interested in B&W since I heard there TOTL at an audio show. It actually sounded good at the show in not the best room when others not so much. An the look is griwing on me.
Ha I won the first thump up contest ! Years ago I've started with DM14 followed by DM 802 now many years later DIY open baffle with fieldcoil fullrange, not perfect , just live sounding ! Thank you so much Steve , need a note block to write down all the music you experience , and magic happens and that is soooo affordable
Thank you !!!
I needed your take on it ….
It’s on my wish list !!!!
Hello Steve,
When will we get a whole show of audio phils viewers of the day? We are over.due for one or two now.
Thanks, I’ll try in March!
Is the bubbling on the Woofer surround something we should expect from B&W?
What bubbling? I can only see where the rubber has been glued to the Continuum material, and has conformed to its texture. Means the surround is very compliant as it should be
Nicely done Steve. 👍
Jim 🏴🙂
Thank you for reviewing but why should someone spend a premium on driv😅Nc these small speakers with a premium amp ?
Steve can you give me the outer diame of the tweeter housing possibly I could help with that low output on low volume
Steve, how did the Pass Labs xa25 sound with 705?
Great combo!
Outrageous price. Add dual 15s and then we cpuld talk.
What would you recommend for me - speakers for a small room up to $ 2000?
If you have great electronics the KEF LS 50 meta
I'll take the Vandersteen's any day of the week.
I use the term image specificity instead of edge sharpness. I like that term though. Never heard it before.
Doesn’t it have a dual foam plug? You can remove the insert and still use it as reflex but tuned lower. Like Sonus Faber ”stealth”
Yes, it had a dual foam plug. But I didn’t use it that way I’m seeing that with more and more speakers come with plugs, why not, it’s a useful tool, and doesn’t cost anything.
These bungs rot after a few years fyi
I like your shirt. Speaker, not so much.
Guaranteed those cosmetics are 80% of the cost …….time for GR research to examine the crossovers
The cabinet is by far the most expensive part of most high end speakers.
Steve what up what do you think is better a Tom's 4 ohms three homes you always talkin about 4 ohms what is actually better to run your speakers at I have mine they're locked in at 8 my amp is set at 8 but it can be switched to 4 I just never dawned on me to use for reply if you can
That is gorgeous
Recently i could get a pair of 703 S2's new for 2200 euro. The new 703 S3 is 5000 euro! Talk about inflation!
Steve, thanks for the excellent review. How are the B&W's compared to the KEF LS50 Meta's?
Twice the price for starters. Why even ask? If you have that kind of budget, look at the new KEF R3 Meta.
Skip both ans buy an Neumann KH120. Perfectly build and way more acourate Sound than both of them
Looked at the LS50 Meta or R3 Meta and decided to build the CSS Criton 1tdx kit with the upgraded crossover. Have you seen the Kef crossover components? I have been disappointed with many factory built speakers and the cost cutting was very obvious. More work for me this time but no compromising on associated parts. No plastic input plate on my diy either !
@@mikelanier5617 - the LS-50 metas sound glorious (with the right equipment in a proper sized room) and are universally acclaimed by UA-camrs and the hi-fi press alike. If they’ve achieved this with lesser parts, as you claim, good on ‘em. I judge on sound alone, not exotic parts or bougie finishes.
@M Pi Those same UA-camrs and hifi press agree on their bright response and discuss that certain combinations do not have good synergy. Where those same people you refer to talk about glare and the associated lack of refinement in micro dynamics, which is caused by using low cost caps, resistors and chokes. This is why many of us upgrade our factory built speakers with the aforementioned cheap parts replaced with much better sounding components. Companies like GR Research, CSS, Madisound, etc. supply these to improve on just this issue. In my case I am building the CSS Criton 1TDX bookshelves for fun and musical enjoyment, knowing everything that is being implemented was top notch. All of this is system dependent on if your associated equipment is even revealing enough to tell the difference. Mine is and small changes make an audible difference to me and all of my past clients including : NASA, DOD, US Military, Lockheed-Martin, British Aerospace and many celebrities (MTV Cribs) and powerful business people. Not bragging, just establishing I'm not just some hobbyist consumer without decades of experience in A/V sales, design, manufacturing, importation and distribution. I've been with the speaker manufacturers who made the decision to use parts that were knowingly worse sounding but they were able to save money by buying them way cheaper due to forecasted purchase orders from lower bid parts manufacturers. They don't order from Mouser or Parts Express and thus can get a large discount while being relatively safe from lack of availability. Yes, the designers of the speakers or electronics are often furious when these substitutions occur as this is not what the sound signature was intended to be, but the executive level staff are numbers oriented and driven by profit even if short sided. Consumers would be utterly shocked by the margins from Asian imported products, I used to import containers of speakers from a manufacturer in China in the 90s. These were waterproof, 2 way 5 1/4" speakers with an advanced multi-angle mounting solution and used a 7 element crossover network. I paid $5.00 per pair and wholesalers paid $75.00 pr., then sold them to retailers who charged up to $350.00 to retail customers ! Great little speakers and I still have 3 pair, lol. Whatever you like and can afford is the right answer to all of this when buying through traditional sources. Once again that's why companies like CSS and GR Research are becoming increasingly popular. I can have many brands send me a pair free or substantially reduced in cost but would rather solder every Jantzen poly capacitor and torque down those SB Acoustics drivers all by myself one last time for me as these will be my last pair ! Rock on 👍🇺🇲
Wish one day you can review the ATC SCM 20 ASL, active books at 6kusd, which would be comparable to a 4k passive speaker plus a 2k power amp. Bet the ATC will be miles away from any other bookshelf speaker...
It depends what kind of sound people like. I liked the ATC that I've had, though I don't have one of them any longer. The other I have because it fits the purpose, and I don't use them enough to warrant fussing over if there is a "better" speaker or not :)
I got the 706 S2 speakers and they sound a bit boxed in with the woice sound. Brass sounded a bit "fooffy". That is compared to my home built speakers. The B&Ws are my reference speakers and I copied the sound with my built speakers then tweaked them to my liking. I like to see their throat when I hear vocals. With the 706s I just don't get that.
Has anyone compared this speaker to the previous Gen 705 S2?
Aah Steve , love your reviews, shame speaker makers are shy of making 16th m speakers 😂❤️
B&w in general has a bass lean, transparent and clean detailed sound, this is because bowers and Wilkins were right into classical music and that's why Abby road put the speakers in their classical music tracking room.
The sirens are coming.
I shouldn't jump to conclusions. Is that packaging remnants?
Hi Steve, how are you? Don't like the Bowers & Wilkins "sound" myself. I'm more of a Dynaudio and KEF person 🙂 Aren't you using the Buchardt stands backwards?
I spoke to Mads about the orientation, it doesn’t matter, there’s no front or back to the stands. But yes, I know most people use them the other way around.
Steve, hello it’s me Steve how would it pair with the NAD M23 that you recently reviewed would it be too much detail too much clarity👍
I take away that if the recordings are very good/ excellent, these would be a great choice/ may be thee choice, however, "for me, my listening needs (we're all special snowflakes)" I prefer speakers that "overall" sound good on both good & bad recordings, also at lower listening levels.
I don’t understand speaker position comment. When 18” from front wall is too boomy and 3’ is bass shy, why stop there? I would think speaker happy place is somewhere in between. Maybe 2 or 2.5 feet.
Compare with B&W 805 d4?
Could the original B&W stands to the 705 S3 have made a difference Steve?
Maybe.
The B&W speakers have bolts to secure them to the B&W stands. They claim this makes a difference - may be it does.
Watchu got against ACOUSTIC ENERGY 500's?
Steve, as usually 👍👍👍
How does it compare to LS50 Meta？
I still love the ‘50 Meta, but the 705 is a huge step up.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks for you review❤️
Gotta try that some day🫰🏻
Made in China and delivered to your door by balloons.
LOL 🤣
I wonder if in 5 years people will get that reference?
@@therealboofighter 5 days.
A bummer - my last three shipments were shot down. The military described them as “listening devices”. Oh, you betcha.
@artyfhartie2269: 😂Touché.
Great review, but not my cup of tea. Seems like for $3k, there were alot of negatives to them.
$3,400 for passive two-ways with 6.5" and dome tweeter needing stands... hard pass.
Must be new to audio? It’s all overpriced.
@@TeensierPython I just think these compare poorly to, for example, speakers like the Martin Logan Motion F20 -- same price, both passive, same finish choices, however the MLs are floor-standing, having dual 6.5"s and a 5.5" midrange (three way), plus an AMT tweeter.
Or, you could go for active Adam Audio T7Vs (AMT and 7" driver) and dual Adam T10S subs, have active crossovers and built-in amplification, and save $2,100 vs these B&Ws, and you've got driver parity plus your low end taken care of and no need for four outboard amps.
These aren't high end and they're not priced like it, but $3,400 is asking a lot and at this level there are significantly, maybe even wildly better value propositions.
@@niveketihw1897 Have you ever seen Steve do a UA-cam review of a Martin Logan speaker? I haven't so I suppose they don't work with "influencers" so they get very little buzz. I take these reviews for "entertainment" value over real information.
@@Skier_202 I have not, although the channel Andrew Robinson did the top end ML Motion model just a few days ago.
You're right, I treat these as notifications to maybe do a bit of research.
Up to this price point wd rather have a quality stand mount with top components and solid cab
Hi, why do you only have the speaker cables in only two of the binding posts on the back of the speakers, I’m presuming the speakers are bi-wirable why do people not bi-wire if it’s available?
Just learning.
Is there ANYTHING that is not a “wowsa” these days?
No, isn’t that awesome!?
Thats how Hifi Reviews on youtube works... or do you think the Reviewers pick all randomly the same Models & Brands and praise them in heaven ... Its one small Bubble of Products.... the people dont care about other products otherwise would be also (more) Reviews of Stuff from Genelec, ATC Neumann, Amphion, Strauss, ME Geithain, PMC etc. - but people only care about mass products like Klipsch, Monitor Audio, Dali, B&W (same story in England, USA or German UA-cam Channels), they dont want to hear anything else, even if its better (topics like room acoustics, DSP / Room Correction, Active, Subwoofer Use + DSP... No Videos from the big Hifi Channels). Its simply an different Market and thats why most Hifi UA-cam is so repetitive and not effective as an Guide for an way to get an successful, workin System at home
I like the move away from the boxyier box of the earlier generation.
VERY VERY expensive for made in China speakers.
You do understand just because its made in china it doesn’t have to be poor quality
Made in china there are at highest quality items and unlimited number of items made there . People such delusional have no flexibility in their brain to understand simple things
Once they have idea its locked in in their mindset and they cant see anything else
You not the only one dont worry , its majority of people
You won't get past it Steve🤭
I love these audiophiles who can afford to have speakers three, four even FIVE feet from a wall, lol.
Who can accommodate that who is not having a room dominated by SPEAKERS. I suggest you take them outside, there are NO room boundaries there and you can put them anywhere and they will always sound the same, lol! Or, perhaps, knock down your walls. Who needs a BACK WALL? Certainly not SPEAKERS! Or forget about speakers and get a super expensive set of headphones. Ah, but then you need a spectacularly high end HP amp. Maybe throw some tubes in there?
I'm going to take one of my speakers, put it in the CENTER of my room and pull up a chair in front of it. Then remove everything else from the room and FORBID my wife from ever entering it. There you go. MONO a MONO. Me and ONE speaker. Middle of the room, me too. What MORE can you ask for-the room disappears and the speaker and you are ALL ALONE! The divorce papers are on their way, lol!
so true mate, unless leaving in some kind of mansion, who can really afford having speakers placed right in the middle of the room?? come on, 😁
You know that your face actually shields your ears from high frequencies if you sit too close to the single speaker ;p
I really hate how B&W stuff keeps getting more and more expensive...
I hear you, but most things get more and more expensive.
So....the speakers don't sound big, but the soundstage is huge. Ehm....okay.
Big = dynamic/powerful
He gave you explanation you should respond to say thank you
Coz you bit stupid not understanding words and their meanings
He likes bright tweeters that scream at his ears, lol.
Well he is a fossil and probably can't hear high frequencies very well anymore.
What i find dunny is we know for a fact that your hearing degrades rapidly when you get over a certain age, yet we listen to people way over that age review audio products and for some reason their opinion is more respected than younger people with way better hearing 🤔
I don't think so their carbon fibre very unlikely
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 Most music you listen is produced by old deaf guys.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596it actually makes perfect sense, older reviewers are targeting an older demographic.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 What's real Funny is that I am sure the man you call a Fossil, is able to spell simple words much better than you. Pretty Dunny, huh? ;)
Nothing picks apart a recording like B&Ws. If only Led Zeppelin had a pair when they were recording, the drum tech would have oiled John Bonham's kick drum pedal.
Ever heard a ATC, Strauss, Genelec or Neumann ? They will show you details of the mix. B&W is and was never an Company, who build Studio Equipment with the highest Resolution. Just because Abbey Road use the 800s, doesnt mean that they are Precision Monitors, specially not the Consumer priced, Mass Products like the 600's or 700's. The all have a Sounding so most tracks sounding good on them
Too expensive especially for a surround system. Just 5 speakers will set you back $13,000
best component in this system is the cd player and matching dac.
Ive owned 3 pairs of B&W speakers. They are absolutely gorgeous, but....boring speakers.
This is my experience with B&Ws as well. B&Ws are voiced to have a suppressed midrange, along with somewhat exaggerated highs. I think this is what Steve noticed when he described the speaker as "unengaging" at lower volumes.
I’ve wanted to buy them so many times. But every time I audition them I find something else I like better.
Last go around it was LS50 meta. Mainly because it sounded better at low listening levels.
One of these days I’ll get a set. Maybe 805/804? Gonna have to save my limited money though.
@@armanddimeo6575 Veiled
I got the 706s and they are terrible. "Fooffy" sound.
And high efficiency!😂
👍🏻
With a 8 to 10 db peak over one octave wide at 10 Khz no wonder they have an edge to the sound. I listened to them for bout 30 seconds and had to leave the room. But then most B&W these days are overly bright and edgy.
You mean you can hear more air, clarity and separation.
No, he means listener fatigue was very fast because of their overly aggressive approach to voicing their tweeter. The words air and clarity don't exist when you have such a frequency response. Not hating on B&W or KEF but they both seem to have gone for an increased response which is soon found to be grating and just not musical at higher levels 🤔
@@mikelanier5617 Stay in your lane.
The Stereophile frequency response graph shows no such peak - the tweeter is actually very flat within the AUDIBLE range. There is an ultra sonic resonance at 30K, which no human can hear, unless you’re part German Shepard.
@Cherubin "Stay in your lane"...I am, the lane with a system that doesn't rip my eyelids off with an overly bright response. My lane has lots of traffic with people who don't like them either. Not meant as an insult, just too bright on all kinds of pairings. Enjoy your "lane" or, more like it, a bright ditch beside the lanes 👍
I had 805 d but buchardt s400 destroyed bw.
Did you put them too close together?
@@MrsZambezi about 3m between speaker.
Now I change for focal sopra 1 and I love it.
Still keeping buchardt 😉
@@Spierdalajyoutube So there was no destruction involved.
Anyway it’s worse than Dynaudio Contour 20i 😂
???
@@bobb.9917 !!!
@@bod140k Try a complete, intelligible sentence next time. 🤭
@@bobb.9917 ohh, I found my issue. Edited it
@@bod140k THANK YOU! I wanted to converse with you! I purchased a pair of Contour 20s just after the 20i s came out. I purchased them new from a dealer at a SUPER Cash & Carry discount…. unlistened to. 😂 It was worth the risk! I LOVE these speakers. I am guessing that you love yours too!
The way Steve describes these B&W speakers I imagine that they would make my ears bleed. I had a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 100 Speakers that 50% of the time made my ears bleed. It was like Russian Roulette! HORRIBLE! Never with my Contour 20s!!!
First
Plz... Record in 4K. Be modern.
“Clarity” = piercing highs? Ear fatiguing, perhaps?
There's plenty of ways a speaker can have "clarity". B&W have tailored the sound to give the impression of clarity and air etc. But recent models I feel are harder on the ears in some ways, at least if the 606 was anything to go by
You know to much diarrhea of the
Mouth and work comparison of the sound is needed!
I’m first I’m first lol