B&W speakers

  • Thread starter Thread starter JustaBassist
  • Start date Start date
J

JustaBassist

New member
I have not got a chance to listen to these speakers but I know a lot about them and the different ways you can use them. So my question is...what budget (750-1200 each) book shelf model of B&W speakers would give me the most accurate mixing experience? And what brand of an amp ($400-800 each)would be reccomended for these too, right now I'm using NAD amps for my H/T system and I know they do a great job. Would mono blocks be best for this situation or bridge the speakers?
 
You will not be able to use Hi Fi speakers and amps for an 'accurate mixing experience' because Hi Fi gear is designed to flatter the source.

If you want to mix with them you will have to buy some proper studio monitors, if you buy passive models you will need a power amp as well.

Try searching the forum for reccomendations.
 
Last edited:
Ah, but B&W is one of those known to cross over, and inquiring minds want to know.
(I went to hear b&w's once at the local 'High End' shop, but aborted. ..couldn't get past the distractions of listening to multi-kilo buck speakers with sh*t bouncing off all the untreated hard walls! in said 'High-End' shop..)
:D
Wayne
 
I would use a pair of entry level B&W speakers (such as 602's, 705's, CM2's, etc.) before I'd use almost anything that says "studio monitor" on it. Not just for mastering (where "studio monitor" isn't even a word), but for tracking and mixing, give me nice sounding, full-range "HiFi" loudspeakers any time.

"Studio Monitor" is little more than a buzzword fluffed up in the last 15 years or so... Studio monitors used to be massive (no pun), overbearing, anything-but-flat-sounding boxes in the mid to far field that were wonderful to use. They were giant "HiFi" loudspeakers for the most part. Now (with some exceptions, usually based on HiFi designs) it means small, sterile, anemic little boxes that only sound decent from a yard away. They're made to take the room out of the room - A compromise. Of course you had to familiarize yourself with "real" loudspeakers - That's part of the process. But the same goes with "studio monitors" anyway. Most of them carry *essentially* similar specs, but none of them sound the same. If they did, there would only be three to choose from.

Larger Genelec, ADAM, Dynaudio - Good stuff. *Still* not remotely similar sounding speakers either. But for almost anything that you can get at GC, MF, SA, etc., put them up next to a pair of 705's (or maybe 604's if you're looking for something "bigger" sounding)... You'll wonder how you ever got by.
 
I stand corrected (twice :eek: )

Funnily enough I use a pair of IMF Hi Fi speakers from the seventies as monitors (recommended by Han) but they're difficult to get hold of so i don't ever bother recommending them.

http://imf-electronics.com/SuperCompact/

They're not particularly 'compact' by today's standards.
 
Well I know Abby Road studios use B&W Nautilus 801 speakers for mixing and such so why not try using them also as another set of speakers or monitors. And another thing...what amp/pre setup would fit B&W speakers for mixing?
 
My "stock" suggestion would be a nice used Bryston.
 
Yes...the Bryston 4B-ST Amplifier would do the job I suppose, maybe something a bit less expensive. My list of 'Things to get before I die' is getting quite expensive!!
 
JustaBassist said:
Yes...the Bryston 4B-ST Amplifier would do the job I suppose, maybe something a bit less expensive. My list of 'Things to get before I die' is getting quite expensive!!

bryston? why not a pass labs amp ;)
 
Back
Top