Alternative to B&W 705

[jet12]

Hi there

I have a pair of B&W 705s and combine these with a Redgum RGi120 amp and a Cyrus CD8SE/PSX. I am not a hi-fi expert but to my relatively untrained ears the 705s appear to need a fair amount of power to get the best out of them, despite the fact I'm using an amp with 120w per channel. Looking at a few reviews on the net this appears to be a relatively common complaint about what is, to me, an otherwise excellent speaker.

I've got a young family so playing my music at high volume to get the best out of my speakers isn't really an option (sadly!). My query for anyone more expert than me is whether there are some high quality bookshelf speakers out there that would match my system and wouldn't need to be cranked up to get the best out of them?

Hopefully this makes sense - would very much appreciate some honest feedback on this.

Thanks everyone

Jet12

[ozcal]

I haven't heard the 705's but own a pair of 703's and agree they appear to require a lot of power to get them singing however my experience is that it is not really about the amount of power on tap so much as the overall quality and compatibility of the amp.
Before you move on to other speakers I would suggest trying some different amps.I am led to believe the Redgum stuff is high quality but it may not be the ideal match for your speakers.
See if you can borrow some other amps for a home demo before giving up on the 705's

[Mika75]

I think the reason u have to turn the volume up to get 'the best out of them' is because that mid-range driver is trying to produce bass.

I would suggest adding a powered sub (a pair running in stereo is optimal) and cross over between 80Hz-100Hz

[Jliang70]

Gordon has given you very advice so try a different amp. However base on my own experience I would change the system if I am you. I would look at a high efficient speaker such as Audio Notes An-E or single driver full range speakers using Fostex drivers ( there was one sold for $1300) in SNA a few days ago. I usually listen to my system at low to medium level I use a pair of medium efficient tannoy TD10 speakers with either low power 300B or 845 valve amps. I also have high power solid state power amp but at my night listening level they simply can't provide the same degree of musical insight that my valve amps can.

[jcjuice]

I can't imagine why he'd want to change speakers....The sub is a good idea, but (please correct me if I'm wrong) - it's not going to stop the full range signal being sent to the speakers unless he buys an active crossover or something right? I mean running the sub through a two channel amp will supplement the bass that the speakers are producing, but the speakers are still receiving all the signal..... Doing all that is going to end up costing a bit..I wouldn't shy away from lower powered amps either - there is no hard and fast rule in my opinion. I've tried 30w tube amps that sounded better than 150w solid states.... 89db is not that 'un-sensitive'... I've heard these with a Naim Nait XS for example, which is 'only' 60w... and it sounded brilliant. Having said that, rotel make some good high powered solid states, and they seem to be considered a natural match for the 7 series (you move to Classe with the 8 series).....

[Mika75]

Amp speaker out L/R to Sub, then high level out 2x Speakers ....that way they aren't receiving the lower bass.

The ultimate would be installing the Behringer DCX, this way u can cross over the sub (best to have 2 in stereo) and equalise the sound to ur preference.

[b.d]

I've been chasing good low volume listening for l long time and have found that two things help, one is, as has been said, higher sensitivity drivers which often seem to sound a bit more lively at low volumes. The other this is this Fletcher-Munson effect of hearing less bass at low volumes, i.e neutral speakers will need some kind of bass boost at lower volumes. Subs could work here, even without relieving the B&Ws of bass. Subs with parametric EQ even better. Best would be using a Behringer DEQ2496 on the subs which lets you flatten room nodes, and put it a 'house curve', and best yet a dynamic house curve that gives you more bass the lower down you turn the gain. Alternatively, without a sub, you could achieve most of this by using a optitcal out --> DEQ-->external DAC -->705's.

If you can get a listen I'd agree try some high sensitivity fullrangers like Fostex or Audio Note, or designs like Zu or its open baffle equivalent the Bastanis Promethius which I've both owned and can vouch for. Others know to work well are Ocellias, Rethms, Omegas, all high sensitivity. I've not heard them but have also heard Green Mountain speakers are good at low volumes, these would be my pick for a replacement bookshelf if you were willing to take a chance and import unheard. Or some Dynaudio Focus 110A's, the active version of the 110, which has some bass contouring abilities and which probably also has better jump factor due to not having any passive crossover.

[mickj1]

Hi
I run my 705's w a B&W sub crossover at 80hz and it works fine for me w Cambridge 640R (120wpc 2channels). For lots of classical and jazz, I don't need the sub. It's nice having a sub on/off on the remote though...

Cheers
mick

[jet12]

Thanks very much to everyone for their advice on this subject. I'm learning all the time so will begin having a look at some of the suggestions made. I greatly appreciate the feedback.

Cheers

Jet12