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MSRP:
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For hi-fi or home cinema in small to medium-sized rooms, you need a loudspeaker that is doesn’t
For hi-fi or home cinema in small to medium-sized rooms, you need a loudspeaker that is doesn’t take up floor area, but whose sound can still command the space. You’ll find the 685, which can sit on a shelf, table, stand or wall-mount, an inspired choice.
Its 165mm diameter Kevlar® cone bass/midrange is based on a tried-and-trusted B&W design, but its new fixed centre bullet helps to smooth the response in upper frequencies. Also, by setting the bass/midrange closer to the tweeter than in equivalent earlier speakers, we have improved the integration and vertical dispersion of sound from the two units. The Nautilus™ tube-loaded, aluminium dome tweeter, featuring a new surround material to improve spaciousness and imaging, adds needle-sharp top end all the way to 50kHz and beyond.
The improvements to the drive units in the new 600 Series make it possible, for the first time, to introduce a minimalist crossover to the range. The use of components that are fewer in number but higher in quality – hand-picked in exhaustive listening tests – reduces the degradation of the signal significantly. So, whether you’re enjoying hi-fi or home cinema, what you hear is that much closer to what was recorded.
Visually, a refreshed, contemporary design language and a widened choice of wood finishes allows the 685 to fit in effortlessly with any interior.
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Top Ranked Products from B&W.
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Rating
Reviewed by:
David Lipman(Unregistered User)
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date
August 16, 2009Overall Rating
 4 of 5
Value Rating
 5 of 5
Used product for
1 to 3 months Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
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Review 1 of 7
Price Paid:
$0.00 Summary:
I am a drummer and have been listening to many various types of music including classical, over the past 45 years.
Having previously also owned the B&W 602s3 speakers, all I can say is that these speakers are mightily impressive.
I bought the speakers and a Nad C355BEE amp a couple of months ago and have only felt that the speakers are now on their way to being fully run-in. From week to week, they really do sound better and better. These speakers can be critical to your source. I run this stereo set up with a Marantz CD17KI Signature player and have decent interconnects. Sometimes I add the Jamo E600 Sub for that extra depth.
I find that they have a better overall sound than the older 602S3'. IMHO you will have to spend serious money to improve this sound. The size of the room is 3x4 metres and the speakers are mounted on neoprene rubber mats on shelves.
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Rating
Reviewed by:
Anthony Smith
(AudioPhile)
Review Date
August 8, 2009Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
1 to 3 months |
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Review 2 of 7
Price Paid:
$0.00 Summary:
Just run in my B&W 685's and i must say they are superbe!, with 686 rears and matching centre channel its a thrilling movie experience and great in 2 channel stereo for music. involving and not fatiguing at all. teamed with my fb210 monitor audio sub( 2 x 10' A-B 250watt active) its all very good indeed. The 686's had a turn as main hi-fi and did very well too. (almost preferred them to the 685's !! lovely punch in the bass!) the centre a gem too and all speakers seem to create a very intimate movie experience. top marks B&W!! i love them. Listening to Grace Jones as i write the "funk factor" is great fun and the SP L's shake the gutters! with no hint of strain. NICE!.
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Rating
Reviewed by:
sapostolski
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date
April 22, 2009Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year |
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Review 3 of 7
Price Paid:
$0.00 Summary:
I've had the 685's for more than an year. They are the first pair of serious speakers that I bought. I run them with a Denon pma-425r, an integrated stereo amp (2x50W) . Although my amp is a bit weaker than the speakers could handle, they just cant stop amazing me. Since I had them, I really started to listen to the sound of the music, and realized what's the difference between speakers and good speakers is. I usually listen to jazz: Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, Miles Davis... and I am always able to feel the sound and warmth of every instrument out there. The clarity is amazing, the sounds are so rich and full of life, and the base surprises me every time. It feel's like I'm in the concert hall in the first row. I greatly recommend this outstanding speakers which are also with an very affordable price (500€). They changed my life i a wonderful way ! :)
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Rating
Reviewed by:
tendim
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date
January 22, 2009Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
3 Months to 1 year Visitors rate this review
2.75 of 5,
4.00 votes
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Review 4 of 7
Price Paid:
$600.00
from USED (Canadian Dolla Summary:
These were my first "real speakers" which I purchased (used) based on a recommendation from a friend who runs Rotel and B&W 700 series.I've had to run the speakers through a number of amps (Rotel integrated, Rotel 6-channel in bridged mode, and finally a Yamaha MX-2). Paired with the Yamaha MX-2 these speakers are amazing.
These speakers are are my mains, so they deliver sound from every source I have (CD, DVD (2-channel setup), Tape, Tuner), from a variety of genres (Electronica, hip-hop, alternative/rock, pop, classical, jazz). Electronic music comes out very clean and hip-hop has the lyrics coming out crystal clear over heavy basslines. When watching DVDs the sound effects are amazing. Strengths:
Very tight bass, and full range sound. Even with "low quality" cabling the sound is very good. Weaknesses:
Don't sound the best with low/mid-fi amplifiers. Similar Products Used:
None.
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Rating
Reviewed by:
johnny p
(Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date
January 3, 2008Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
1 to 3 months Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5,
6.00 votes
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Review 5 of 7
Price Paid:
$450.00
from Local Hi-Fi Shop Summary:
I'll keep it short, I purchased these as rear surrounds in my Home Theater setup, and while waiting for my fronts to arrive, they served that purpose, and they sound amazing. They could easily be used as mains or surrounds. Very concise highs, and punchy bass. I have them complimented with the b&w 705's and HTM7 center. I need a new sub, but I'm just enjoying these for the time being. Strengths:
Clean sounding, and VERY affordable. More punch than one would expect in such a small speaker. Weaknesses:
Not offered in many of the popular finishes available in the higher end line.
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