TonyM Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 How do the 703s sound. I am waiting for the new Klipsch dealer to get a RF-7 setup. I know that the B&Ws will definetly cost more, but a local shop has them and I will take a listen this week. The B&Ws are definetly sweet looking speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 I've never heard the 703's, however all the B & W product I've listened to over the years sound great. However your idea of "sounds great" and mine may be different and we would both be correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picky Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 TonyM: The B&W 703's are beautifully-looking speakers and sound really good with music. However, I prefer the RF-7's for movies as they are more responsive and dynamic. In addition to being a lot more expensive, the 703's also are power-hungry in comparison to the RF-7s and require an amplifier of considerable size. 703's were a consideration of mine until I heard the RF-7s with a movie. After that, I never considered the B&Ws again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksdad Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 looks have little to do with sound, i have heard both, and the rf's are more detailed, the only b&w's that sound as good as klipsch are the 800 series, and for the price i will take klipsch any day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyM Posted September 14, 2004 Author Share Posted September 14, 2004 Thanks for the responses. I'm going to quit agonizing over the decision and just buy the Klipsch setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonrpayne Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 I have listened to a 703 based home theater and they are underwhelming in my opinion. They were driven with a Marantz receiver which may have been part of the problem. Not dynamic enough for me, and too noisy IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picky Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 marksdad: I agree with you on the B&W 800 Series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 The one big thing I notice with B & W is that they need a dedicated amp as in seperates for the power hungry speakers. I have heard the 802's driven by a Denon 5803 and was not impressed at all. A few weeks later they had changed the set-up and powered them with seperates and utilizing a 200wpc amp. Only then did they absolutely come alive with a full, rich, detailed sound. My take on B & W is that to get them to the "sweet spot" you have to go "all in". "All in" for me with the 802's as mains would be in the neighborhood of $22,000 list price for a 6.1 set-up. You can get about 10% off that which is still alot of money. I came close to "pulling the trigger" last year but I am in the battle of do they sound that much better, to me, than a $6,250 referance set-up utilizing my current AVR reciever? I still have my Klipsch. I am a huge B & W fan but a bigger fan of value and for Klipsh has more than "filled the bill". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picky Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 PhilMays: I think you are right on: Before I bought my RF7s, I heard the B&W 800 series hooked up to dedicated McIntosh 250wpc amps and they sounded mighty sweet...but I just couldn't seem to get my wallet to open far enough to buy them. I have no regrets with my Klipsch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurs Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Having pulled the trigger on the 802's, I concur with everyone. These really began to sing after I started feeding them 600 wpc. I do love my 802's though...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 authors, Do you have these in 2 channel or a home theater environment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurs Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Phil - I use them as my mains for 2 channel and HT and have an HTM1 and N804's for center and surround in HT use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 aurthors - nice set-up!!! that is the exact set-up I was/am considering! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Oops, I think I was looking at the HTM2 for the center. What sub do you use in that set-up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurs Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 This is a pretty cool setup, although you need power, so be prepared. Once you have them in, you'll want for far beyond 200wpc. For sub I use the RSW-15. Had it in my previous Rf system and kept it. It matches up well with the B&W's, to my ears. In short, they will pry my RSW-15 out of my cold dead hands. I auditioned dozens of subs and never found a match for it in the same price range. I like it's musicality and ability to slam as needed on movies, but majority of my listening is music, hence my preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Thanks, I know the ASW-4000 is like $4,000, but I hear it will bring tears to your eyes. Also thanks for the heads up on amp wattage as I was looking at a 200WPC amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurs Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Honestly Phil, I listened to the ASW and for the dollars could not say it remarkably outperformed the RSW-15, and in fact I preferred the RSW. As for amps, after much trial and error, Bryston, Krell, Classe....I ended up with a Sunfire Stereo Sig at 600wpc after borrowing one to audition. The sunfire sounds terrific with the Nautilus, runs cooler, is better on the bank account, and has plenty of power to spare to drive the 802's. It also presents a bit on the smooth side, which is important with the BW tweeters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 All I can say Phil is: Kicking around on the same ground, have you found----the same old fear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurs Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Phil - I'm assuming you own/have seen David Gilmour Live? terrific DVD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 No I have not but need to!!! I have seen Pink Floyd several times over the years though. Best live shows I've seen. 1. Pink Floyd 2. Yanni (Please don't laugh) 3. James Taylor 3. Rush 4. Van Halen (w/DLR) 5. Ted Nugent 6. Mothers Finest (who knows them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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