B&W DM601 S3 as monitors!?

[Gunther]

So I went shopping for monitors on Friday.

I took a trip to Sam Ash and listened to a few monitors.
I did not like the M-Audio monitors… they were not bad for the price, but the $470 BX8s did not compare to the passive speakers in that price range. But a lot of their price is for the AMP, so these are no doubt a great buy.

The Tannoy reveals were a nice speaker, I can see why they get so much praise.
But I think of all the monitors I looked at in this range I preferred the Event 20/20s. They had a depth of sound and a clarity that the others in this price range did not. Since they were on sale and could be had for $299 I was really tempted.

Then I took the trip to the high-end audio store. Man, the B&Ws rock. They sound MUCH better than the monitors, that’s for sure… but we expected that from hi fi speakers, didn’t we? They were very neutral sounding, voices sounded like voices, trumpets sounded like trumpets… They were great, really exciting to listen to. Not much hype, just crystal clear sound.

But what was important to me was ‘can I hear those hidden little details?’ I suppose we can all learn the strengths and weaknesses of our monitors and keep them in mind with our mixes… but unheard detail will be unheard, and never fixed. The answer is a definite yes. Does it compete with the studio monitors on this level? Probably… Ill have to get used to my B&Ws then take a CD I know well to Sam Ash and make a second listen, but I am pretty sure the B&Ws will either match or out perform the $400 and under studio monitors in this aspect.


So I am no expert, but I don’t think the B&Ws are a bad choice as monitors on a budget. And for me, where my studio is also my listening room, for $400 these might be the ideal speakers.

 

[ambi]

What kind of amp are you getting to drive them?

 

[pockits]

b&w monitors.. I have experience

Hey!
I am new in this forum but not new in sound. I own a little mastering studio and I use B&W as main monitors. I have a pair of 803D and 801D, the first one with two meridian G57 amps ( 2 x ) and the second big ones with Classe Omega 501. And I must say, they sound AMAZING. B&W Are very fine, very expensive but very good to keep you focus in the music. You don't get tired and is easy to play music, although you need power if you want bass. Use good cables, like kimber, audioquest, van den hull or nordost, I use nordost myself and they make a difference. Try dyaudio or ADAM, emes makes good monitors aswell. Tannoy Ellipse are very good, expensive but good. In the lower part, use JBL LSR 4300 or LSR 6300. Mackie HR 824 Sounds good too.
Remember the listening position and not to put them on the top of a table cuz you will have a de-phase and de.timing problem in sound reflected right to the table like a mirror. Use speaker stands and try to be into the perfect target wich is not more than 1.7 meters or 5.5 feets away from the drivers.

Take care

Henry

 

[Lt. Bob]

The B7W's ought to be great for monitoring purposes. Those are some fairly flat speakers.

Stereo speakers and audiophile stuff are two different things. Highend stereo stuff is usually pretty accurate.
And just because some company puts the word 'monitor' on their product name means absolutely nothing. There is no actual technical difference between a stereo speaker and a monitor.
Just that the companies claim their 'monitor' speakers are especially accurate.

Oh that's right ........ if the company says so then I must believe them ....

 

[Adam P]

i believe that albini uses b&w hi fi speakers for monitors. you could look up and see what he uses...

He does. Matrix 805s for the nearfields.

 

[TheDewd]

Gunther, my main caution for you regarding the B&Ws is how loud do you plan on using them. Hi-Fi speakers are usually not designed to play for long periods at very loud level (ie 100db and above).

I don't agree with that statement.
A speaker driver is a speaker driver..doesn't matter if it's part of a "monitor" speaker or an "audiophile" speaker.
The driver is rated both peak and continuous power.
If you don't exceed these, there will be no problem.

BTW, B&W is great speaker company and I encourage you to use their speakers for monitoring.

 

[TheDewd]

Maybe you missunderstood me, but my point is that studio monitors are a tool and tend to be the worst sounding speakers for listening to. The BWs are desighned to be listening speakers and the only reason they have them in any studio is that if the client listens back on studio monitors the results wont sound all that hot. Those B&Ws will hype the low and high end and make your mixes sound weak, trust me.

Now this is plain wrong.
A reputable speaker manufacturer aims at flatness, whether they design "monitors" or "audiophile" speakers.