any one hear the new b w 683 yet?

Seanacape,

I recommend the htguide.com forum as much more suitable place for discussing entry-level B&W speakers. By my impression, people overhere usually deal with significantly pricier gear...

I went today (9/14/07) and auditioned most of them (not the 684 2-1/2 way). With all respect, I wouldn't consider the 600 series entry-level but I guess that's a matter of opinion. Perhaps their 300 series is. Anyway, the 686 replaces the 600, the 685 replaces it seems both the 601 and 602, the 684 replaces the 603 and the 683 the 604. Remember the Series 3 had 5 units and the new series 4. The new one doesn't offer a large bookshelf such as the 602 was.

We first listened to the 685 vs a pair of the DM601 S3's. We listed to Larry Carlton's Collection CD. Overall we both (sales person and I) found the 685's to be more open and yet at the same time tighter and warmer than the 601's. They seem to fill the room with more ease than the 601's. On Small Town Girl when listening to the 685's, the bass guitar licks (not the bass response) were very prominent. I'm taking about the actual finger picks of the strings. When we switched to the 601's, the licks disappeared into the background and no longer stood out. The 685's seem to produce a superior soundstage meaing the music seemed to project all around us in 3 dimensionionally more than the 601's. I'm not trashing the 601's or the Series 3 by any means. I have a pair of the DM601's and DM603's and am not about the trade up. I luv'm !! But side by side, these were my impressions.
We then switched on the 683's and of course the sound was fuller and deeper as you would expect from a floor stander. Same characteristics as the 685's but again fuller and deeper. The little 686's by themselves with no sub were simply amazing. To hear that much bass and imaging eminate from these little guys in the large demo room we were in greatly impressed me.

The new 600's are assembled at a large Rotel plant in China. That is why B&W can offer them at the same price levels as the Series 3. The technology used is taken from the more expensive 800 series and incorporated into the 600's. By finding ways to produce some of the 800 series components cheaper (i.e. kevlar cones), they were able to bring these to the new 600's. Go to www.bowers-wilkins.com to study up on the technology and the story behind this new line. Thanks for listening.

Seanacape,

Don't listen to Zormi. I think it was very rude of him to suggest you go to another site to talk about the new 683's. That's what this site is for. It doesn't matter how much money you spend on eqipment. This is not just a site for the wealthy people out there. If he doesn't want to respond to your question because those speakers are below his standards, then he can simply not respond. I could be wrong but I believe you asked for feedback on the 683, and not for the name of another website to go to.

I heard the 683 briefly a few weeks ago, and I was impressed. I didn't listen long enough to be much help, but I Pdn's description seems to be along the lines of what I heard. On top of the improved sound, I think they look nice also.

If you get a chance to listen to them, report back to us with your thoughts.

Estrong, Seanacape

I had not offensive minds behind, at all, and I truly appologize if I expressed myself wrong...

I've just suggested another forum, which is - in terms of the particular unit Seanacape is interested in - simply more suitable... htguide.com contents B&W specialty club, with a ongoing thread or two related exactly to the new 600 Series.

Being at both (and several other) forums more than four years, I am trying to select the most proper one for particular topic... I still maintain my suggestion of above-mentioned another forum as better destination to discuss B&W 600 Series. I am simply afraid there will be not too much inputs overhere, that's all.

Friendliest,

Zoran

Macedonia

zormi...
your gracious apology is greatly appreciated...and input as well...
estrong...thank you for your gracious reply and support...
pdn.. above and beyond ther captain...
now down to business...
drove 45 minutes to a dealer outside of alantic city who had gotten the 683 and they wouldn't break them out cause they wanted to sell their 604s first...pissed me off..
any way...a buddy of mine and i were test driving a pair of b w 804s at david man in plilly about a year ago...and right
next to these were the 604s...just before we walked out the door,i asked to hear the 604s...gotta tell you i was darn impressed...switched back and forth to the 804s...and was truly impressed...pretty awesome sound at one third the price...have since phone shopped them...this was a year ago...and found two dealers that would sell them for an even 1200...the list for 1400
so when i heard that b w was up grading the 600 line,i wanted to wait...
still thinking of the 804s off of audiogon...heard it paired up with a mac 6900...what a trip...never heard the 804s sing like that...and have test drove them over many,many times...
my current system is the sony xa 9000es...aragon 4004 run tru a high end yamaha receiver and boston acoustic vrm 90 speakers that are just starting to break in ...getting sweater by the day,but at times,still some what bright..
so thats where im at...still wanna hear these 683s...
still looking for feed back...
thanks for your inputs...present and futue...
will let you know when i hear these asap...
thanks again...