[soupy]

I picked up a pair of these saturday and after only a day of burn in...omg, I love these. I now realize that there's been sooo many things I've been missing from listening to only PC multimedia sets (klipsch promedias and logitech 560s). The details is pretty damn extraordinary and vocals are soooo natural and smoooooth. The sound generally stays on the neutral side to my ears, but nevertheless these are a joy to listen to. Many complain about the bass but I think the bass is just right for their size. I originally was hoping to find something cheaper at my local hifi shop to top these, but I couldn't. I have to admit however, the paradigm titans were freaking amazing for only $200, but during the tenor solo in "ode to joy" during my audition, it sounded really hollow and lifeless compared to the 601s. There were plenty of other options in this price range (~$400), but I really wanted something that I could listen to first. These are supposed to sound even better past the 50hr burn in mark...can't wait.

Running this with my PC w/ M-Audio Revolution ->DIY silver IC->EAR+ Preamp->DIY MCM IC's->vintage Pioneer SX3500 Reciever, bi-wired with some Acoustic Research 16gauge copper speaker wires.

 

[Sol_Zhen]

Quite a jump, going from computer speakers to a pair of B&Ws.

Congrats & enjoy!

 

[zeplin]

two words: I'm jealous

I've been wanting to hear a pair of B&W's for a long time now. What type or brand of headphone would you say mostly resembles the B&W sound characteristic?

The only bad thing now is, you have a whole other section in your wallet burning itself a huge hole that will only become bigger from here on out!

 

[Kirium]

Congrats on the 601's...

You'll need more than a day of burn in tho... B&W claim it can take up to a month of regular use for the kevlar drivers to loosen up and truely sing...

I got Series 3 602's about a month ago, and i'm still noticing them change, mature, and get better and better....

I just had to go for the bigger box and extra bass that the 602's offered over the 601's. i believe they have both received 5 star ratings in What Hi-Fi?...

congrats again.... you'll never go back to another speaker brand...
(Just further up the B&W range..

)

 

[bluesaint]

if your wallet hurts, get some Wharfedale Diamond 8.4's as they are very very good kevlar drivers as well. Some actually prefer them over B&W's.

 

[pbirkett]

I used to own the Wharfedale Diamond 8.4's little brother, the 8.2. I've also heard B&W DM601 and 602S3. Basically, the B&W's are much better speakers than the Wharfedales in my opinion, you really do get what you pay for.

The Wharfedales are a bit shut in sounding, and the treble is too laid back / has lack of extension, and is not very detailed, nor is it particularly dynamic. However, as a basic speaker, it gets the message across.

The B&W 60x series is totally different to this. They are exceptionally detailed, with loads of high frequency energy (yes they are bright), and have quite a bit of bass, albeit a little loose sounding. Actually I prefer the smaller 601 to the bigger 602, the former has punchier, tighter bass.

I liken the B&W sound to Grado in terms of headphones; Wharfedale Diamonds are somewhat more like low end Senn's...

 

[MoLtoSoLo]

Quote:

Originally posted by pbirkett I liken the B&W sound to Grado in terms of headphones

Totally agree, I had both B&W 600 series and Wharfedale 8 before. The B&W is a very exciting speaker, great buy.
However it's a bit bright for me. Now I am using the Triangle's Titus. It sounds like AKG phones, and I like it a lot.

 

[soupy]

hmm..if they really are more on the grado side of the sound spectrum..no wonder I love them. I'm starting to agree more to this statement more and more as I listen to more acoustic based music, especially the guitar; gives the same thrilling experience I got from grados. The supposed brightness doesn't bother me at all.

 

[zeplin]

i always thought, and have read and audio asylum, that B&W speakers are more warm and laid back sounding. maybe that was the older models. i believe all the (s3) newer models are used with newer materials and a diff type of construction?

 

[pbirkett]

Quote:

Originally posted by zeplin B&W speakers are more warm and laid back sounding.

Warm and laid back? LOL!

Maybe they are -- compared to Klipsch or Cerwin Vega

 

[Kirium]

the S3 version of the 600 Series is (according to urban legend) much refined over the S2 versions...

evolution....

 

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

Quote:

Originally posted by Kirium the S3 version of the 600 Series is (according to urban legend) much refined over the S2 versions... evolution....

Man, I sure hope so.