B&W 685 or KEF Q300

Evoss

Evoss

Evoss

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Hey all,

I have finally come to a conclusion of the amp I shall be using, a Marantz PM6004.

However, I yet cannot decide on the speakers. After digging through hundreds of speakers, I have come to the conclusion of these two:

B&W 685:

http://www.whathifi.com/review/b%2526w-685

685-b_1.jpg



and

KEF Q300:

http://www.audiovation.co.uk/images/q300gimp.jpg

q300gimp.jpg




I went to Sevenoaks Sound and Audio today and audited both of these. I was happy with the response from both.

The B&W had a bit more "meat on the bone" and the KEFs had a bit more clarity, so both had their pros.

So apart from that I think the other decision makers are the aesthetics and practicality.

I think they both look like amazing so cant decide :P

On the practicality side, the B&W tweeters are not protected, where as the KEFs are.


Help me decide :)

Evoss
 
You might want to audition them in your own home and see how you get on with both as this were you will be using them and hopefully let you decide that one pair is better than the other for that environment...
 
TBH if you like the sound of both then decide on how it looks in your room. I am sure you will not be disappointed with either of the two.
 
Got the 685's myself - really fantastic speakers. I love the sound and prefer the aesthetics over the Kef's.
 
Neither. Go secondhand and buy some PMC DB1 ;)

Protection circuits on tweeters - I'm not a fan, alters the sound. Just don't overload them. :)
 
Lowe said:
Neither. Go secondhand and buy some PMC DB1 ;)

Protection circuits on tweeters - I'm not a fan, alters the sound. Just don't overload them. :)
Click to expand...

Don't really fancy buying second hand, could be more hassle then its worth. I've put my mind on getting one of these two, just cant decide. Im going to audit them both again tomorrow and then decide then.
 
ive got a set of Q100's arriving second hand on tuesday - £210 so quite a price drop!!
Going to pair them with a Q200c is I can get one for a resonable price, and a BK Gemini sub.
I will then be looking to buy a set of Q500's and move the 100's to the rear.

I don't think youll be dissapointed with either, but I really think the Q series looks stunning and I can't wait to get them in my room.
 
Both are very nice speakers so I don't think you can go wrong with either really. I prefer the look of the b&w's but I think the KEF's might be better technically. Those tweeters on the b&w's have quite a narrow listening arc so it would be easier miss out on the 'sweet spot' by sitting in the wrong place. KEF have designed their tweeters to throw out a much wider arc so they sound better overall in a larger range of places.

There is no right or wrong so I would pick what works best for you on balance. Let us know how you get on though :).
 
There are some black metal gauze acoustically transparent covers for the B&W 685 tweeters now, B&W sent me a pair when I spoke to them recently about a pushed in tweeter dome. I'll post a pic if anyone is interested? They attach magnetically.
 
I have always found the KEF a little too bright and gets tiring to listen to after a while. The B&W's on the other hand can sound too bassy (not the fish so excuse the SP).

I would suggest a bright and powerfull amp for B&W (Rotel, Roksan etc) and a warmer amp with the KEF's (Arcam etc). This is just my opinion and everyone's ears are different.

If they sound the same to you, get the cheapest ones which look the best.
 
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