After owning these speakers for a little over a month I feel compelled to write a review. They are amazing! I won't go into detail trying to describe how they sound, but they are the best sounding speaker I've ever owned. After breaking them in they will truly amaze you. I find myself watching movies and listening to albums I don't even like just because these speakers make the sound so incredible. They are mesmerizing. Worth every penny.

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.

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!.

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 ! :)

Very tight bass, and full range sound. Even with "low quality" cabling the sound is very good.

Don't sound the best with low/mid-fi amplifiers.

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.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Powerful, big bass, unobtrusive treble.

Can get boomy, the middle is lacking.

I have just put mine back in the box and I am returning them today. The speakers held a great promise but disappointed me when compared to my old KEFs when paired with my amps (old NAD 314 and Cambridge Audio azur 540 V2). I love the amount of bass projected by the speakers but I miss the middle. The vocals are in the back, obscured and muffled, and it all sounds like the singer got offended and locked herself in another room. I am going back to the much smaller KEFs because I miss the middle. This is where music lives!

Bass extention and grip
Great mid range clarity and detail
Carefully matched treble
V well built too!

They are a fair bit pricer than the older design - but worth it
The styling is a bit conservative (but inoffensive)
That's about it!

I have the 601s2 and loved them for 6 yrs but wanted a change. I gave the 601s to my best friend who has always loved them, and brought these as a present to myself!

My ears are still getting used to them but it is clear they move the game on usefully. Bass is certainly deeper and immediately more impressive, (the drivers are the same dimension but the cabinets are much deeper) but just as grippy and punchy.

The midrange is clearer - vocals are more tangable so there is less coloration than with the 601s2, which were already v good in this respect to my ears.

Treble is more natural sounding and better integrated too. For me this was possibly the weakest link with the older design, where treble could be a bit too obvious or strident at times (Nautlius technology or not!)

Imaging has improved as well so I would say all in all that the new 685s build on the strengths of the older speaker but add more detail, dynamics and atmosphere. These are very musical sounding 'speakers and their qualities are such that it takes some time to appreciate just how well balanced they are.

They are also quite sensitive so I have no problems filling my medium sized listening room with a 50w amp.

Similar Products Used:

DM 601 s2

Clean sounding, and VERY affordable. More punch than one would expect in such a small speaker.

Not offered in many of the popular finishes available in the higher end line.

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.

Clarity...clarity...clarity....

bass...bass...bass....

now even my friends who are tone def can afford good speakers....

I found out about these new speakers and went down to my local dealer . I always upgrade my spekeares there. I'v had ADS Tower, B&W Dm301, Dynaudio 42, B&W 601. They usually take my old ones as trade ins. SO Sunday afternoon I go there with my B&W 601 ones...and listen to these new 685 wonders....

They had it next to 601 and 602, after going back and fort with 685's to 601 and 602, let me tell you there is no comparison...the old 600 sounded so out dated and they sounded very boxy compare to 685's, and I thought they were the best.

The detail and bass is just short of amazing for such small speakers....it didn't take much convincing...I asked for the demo speakers and traded mine ...therefore no brake in time was necessary...they had these demo speakers since August of 2007 there...so came home hooked it...and wow...!!!


I listen to acoustic jazz...big bands and jazz vocals...and some classical..and no other speakers can beat B&W in these styles of music...

Customer Service

I had some B&W speakers beforte that needed repair..no problem..they were done free of charg and right away...

Base is much tighter and punchy than the old 602's. Massive base for such a small speaker! Clarity is mind blowing, especially with Jazz recordings.

It takes some time to get used to the bass, if you are used to the bass from 602's.

I had a pair of 602 SII B&W and needed to upgrade. I like stand mount speakers so I deceided to try a set of 685's.

Amplifier - Valve Audio, Exclame
Marantz 7001 SA audio cd player

Room size - 9m x 5m