Clean mids and lows

Dull highs and upper mids

I tested this speaker at a local high-end audio store along with the Boston Acoustics CR-85 by way of A/B switching and was disappointed. The bass was clear and clean but lacking. The highs were really dull and sounded like someone had their hand in front of the tweeter. The Wharfedales I use for fronts at home have much better sounding highs though don't image near as well. My wharfedales also go a lot lower that the B&W's but they're also much bigger cabs. I have no doubt that these things could gobble up power like there's no tomorrow but they just didn't fit my taste. I recommend the Bostons which image just as good but have clearer sharper highs.

Similar Products Used:

Boston CR-85, Wharfedale S500

This speaker is amazing!!!

None

I was looking for a good quality speaker that performed well for both home theatre and regular music. I auditioned the paradigm titans and thought they were the best value and then I heard the B&W's. These things blew away all the other competition around the same price range. Definately a must have item.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Titans

open sound, tweeter, easy match to amplifier

comercial sound, not accurate, needs subwoofer

These sounded good at the demo shop, and after considerable run in period their clarity and range improved. They sound good, with an open soundstage, but the reproduction is very "commercial" and not realistic or true to the recording. ie they are an ideal speaker for background or casual listening. Tannoy's MX2's, at around the same cost, are more accurate and lifelike ( for the price range)and although the treble is laid back, they reproduce a deeper bass and a more lifelike stage and mid range. The Orpheus Aurora, with Vifa components used in well know European speakers costing over $ 1000, at about USD 300 is a further improvement both in accuracy, depth and lack of coloration, and can be listened to for hours. Those who can get the product should look at them. Finally the B&W to go for, both music and HT is the DM602 S2, they cost more, but are definitely better than the DM303.

Similar Products Used:

B&W Dm 602 S2, Tannoy MX2, Orpheus Aurora 1 ( Australian manufacturer).

nice sound, inexpensive

need a subwoofer

I've had these speakers for more then 6 months now. I'm using NAD C350 and a Adire RAVA subwoofer. This make a great budget system which sounds great with little money.

Quality B&W design

Weak bass

Well I haven't actually bought these- yet. I'm waiting to save up the cash so I can test both brands of speakers in one place. Nothing worse then comparing one room to another one with different equipment. Anyway I listened to 3 speaker choices. The new Paradigm Monitor 3 v2, the B&W DM 303, and B&W DM 601. First the Paradigms were brand new, never been played. So hence they had not yet been broken in and it showed. The B&Ws had been used. The guy in the Paradigm store was an idiot really. I can't see why he's even working there. First he insited on playing first his selection of music over my "inferior" cds since he thought he had better recorded material. He was obviously un-educated since I had digitally recorded cds from Telarc, DMP, Sony classical analog stuff with Super Bit mapping, and a Sting CD with Q sound. I later got to hear my own stuff with him out of the room. He then blasted me with volume which was too damn loud to really hear the speakers, trying to impress me. Sheesh. What I noticed about the Paradigms out of the box was this- they were extremely bright. The highs were very clear and pronounced. Almost grating and harsh. I suppose them being broken in would help this, as they did start to slightly improve after a little playing of music, but still were bright. The imaging was not really there. There was seperation between the speakers, but I couldn't really hear any holographic sound at all. The speakers didn't really dissappear. There was no depth at all- front to back. My old 5 Mk 2s were better at this. The bass was also not as pronounced compared to my old 5s, but still was there on impact passages. The B&Ws lacked bass all together. The midrange on the Monitor 3s was quite good. That was impressive enough. Though some have told me the bigger woofer would destroy the midrange as compared to B&Ws smaller speakers- it wasn't so bad.

Now the B&Ws. I first heard the 303s since they were the cheapest of the 3 speaker sets. Very smooth silky highs, not overly pronounced, and imaging quite good. I still couldn't hear any depth from even these speakers though. Great spacious sound, just no front to back. The 303s didn't quite dissappear either. The sound seemed to be coming from the speaker area. I didn't hear much extension beyond the speakers outside of the triangle. No sounds came from extreme right or left past the speaker area. I was having a problem with depth on the 303s, so I listened to the 601s to help this. The 601s had definately more midrange which helped. Bass was slightly better, but the Paradigms still blew them away in that department. The Paradigms have way more impact as well because of this. I would say if the treble on the Paradigms continued to be that forward and pronouced, I could easily feel they would tire my ears after some listening. After saving some money the best thing will be for me to listen to both companies in one room. It should be interesting to see which one I would get, but I'm leaning toward the B&W 601 as the 303s midrange wasn't quite as good. I don't agree the 303s sound better then the 601s.

Similar Products Used:

B&W DM 601, DM 201, Paradigm 5 SE Mk2, Paradigm Monitor 3 v2

Tweeters and Mid's

None

I must say that this is the best buy that I could have done. I took an extensive listen to the 601 s2 and the 602 s2's form B&W. It's excellent speakers, there is no doubt, but when I took a listen to the 303's, they stole my heart.

The sound quality and crispness is almost exactly the same as the 601's with the difference that the 303 handle the base a bit better (I thought and the speakers are not even run in yet). With the air hole situated at the back, you can customize the base to your needs by simply moving the speaker closer or further away for the wall. The 602 s2's are of course better, but with a bit higher price tag. I bought the 303’s with my home theatre in mind and they will add a great baseline for the rear set (as this is were they will be placed).

Bottom line – With the new DM 303’s you get your money’s worth. They incorporate Nautilus tweeters (Basically the same as in the 601/602 s2) and a new Fibre Glass Mid/Bass unit that looks similar to the Kevlar Mid/Bass unit found in the 601/602 s2. This combination makes for an enjoyable listening experience. I paid $277 for my set, brand new. Take a listen to them...you will be impressed.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 601's and 602's

My system:
AMP NAD 710
CD DENON 725
SUBWOOFER MIRAGE FRX-S8

I have bought B&W 303 recently. They very much like me! Precise high and clean middle. Is simplly healthy!

high end detail

vinyl finish

After listening to several bookshelf size speakers for around $400 ,I found the 303. It was by far the best out of the bunch.For $300 you get a very clean sounding speaker.Along with a pair of 303's I bought a Def Tech ProSub 200tl($480).For $755 I have created an illusion of a large speaker.The sub fills in the bottom end (below 70 or so) and blends very well with the 303.If you dont have room for large monitors these speakers will create a very convincing soundstage with the help of a good sub.My room is 12x18 and this setup is more than enough.The 12 inch DefTech sounds very clean and it WILL rattle the pictures.Be sure to listen to the B&W line before you choose if you have a dealer near you. I also have the CC6 from the 600 series and will buy a pair of 602s2 very soon for my mains and move the 303's to the rear in a 6.1 system.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm atom

Everything

Nothing

First off, I would like to thank all the previous reviewers for all their helpful input. That being said, if you're still not sure if the 303's are for you, please go audition them for yourself! I had second thoughts about upgrading my beloved M1 speakers until the folks at "Access to Music" in San Rafael (no I don't work for them but I thought they deserved this shout out. Thanks guys ;) let me bring in my ARs and compare them to the 303s. All I can say is I wanted to throw the M1s in the garbage bin after hearing the comparison. B&W has done a remarkable job trickling down their high-end technology. If you believe the salesperson, B&W loses money on each pair of these little wonders. I haven't completed the break-in yet and am still completely satisfied with the sound eminating from them. God bless B&W.

My Setup;

Pioneer Elite DV-F07
Pioneer VSX-D709S
Def Tech Pro100 Sub
B&W 303s
B&W LCR-3

Similar Products Used:

AR M1 Holographics

Very clean, clisp sound. Smooth and warm bass. Very nice casing.

None found so far.

Well, I've been trying to replace my 12 year old speakers for a while now and say the DM303's and eventually bought them. I'm very impressed with them, they are really a lot better than I thought. I am enjoying every CD I have because they are so clear it brings new dimensions to my sound. The stereo imageing is fantastic and coloration is incredibly low. A fantastic buy for anyone into big quality sound and with a slim budget.