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Buy a sub or ditch my new speakers altogether?

I recently picked up a pair of B&W 602.5s, brand new, for a song. Turns out to be the wrong song, and it was a final sale. :/

They have loads more midrange and high end detail than my former Allison CD6s, but the Allison's 8" woofers had the B&Ws beat in the low end.

The B&W's lows are boomy and pretty out of control, and when listening to TV at a lower level, there's almost no bass at all. The port plug tightens up the boominess, at the expense of even less bass overall.

So, the question becomes, do I put these brand new B&Ws up for sale, and look for something else, or do I pick up a subwoofer and attempt to salvage the sound? I am quite happy with the 602.5's mids and highs. I find it interesting that many reviews of the next (discontinued) model up, the 603, mention needing a sub, despite having a dedicated 6.5" bass driver.

If I do end up getting a sub, for say $500, I'm then into the current setup for $900. This begs the question, what could be had sans sub, with similar punchy mids and clear highs, but with deep(er) clean(er) bass, in the same price range?

Logic tells me that a 2 mains and a sub beats the low end capabilities of a $1000 speaker with no sub.

Many thanks for any advice.

rkny
jeromedny
61 posts
 
I had the 602's, the monitor version of the 602.5's. Yours are probably more bass capable than mine, given the longer cabinet. But I did run mine with a matching sub and was very happy with them. Given that people run subs with floor-standers costing 10x as much, that is probably the best upgrade route - there is no better way to get bass. That said, listen as far and as wide as you can. Though I have made all my purchases with little if any comparison shopping, and turned out very happy, it can only lead to a better (albeit more difficult) decision.

And once you make a decision, curl up next to Significant Other Cohabitant with bottle of spirit and show her how good Journey sounds. :|
bipenhal
1 posts
 
I'm currently running the same speakers...and yes they are lacking on the bottom end. My fix was to include an REL T2 sub. I have it crossed over just below 40hz and all I can say now is WOW!!! The sub fills in the lower octaves, smooths out the high end and increases the soundstage.
By the past post you bought your speakers of $350.00. The sub runs $800.00 new, so for 1150.00 you have speakers that will compete with speakers costing twice as much.
Try it you'll be amazed.
rkny OP
47 posts
 
Thanks everyone. I ended up selling the 602.5s and getting the 683s. Man what a difference. I have absolutely no desire for a sub anymore. If anything, the 683s offer a tad bit too much bass with some music. No complaints though.
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