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Bowers and Wilkins 805s, use as TV speakers ??????

Need opinions.....

I have 2 B&W 805s speakers with stands that I was planning to sell, as new speakers have arrived for my dedicated audio system (located in the music room). We just bought a new 65" Panasonic plasma TV (for the family room) which has extremely poor speakers built-in to the TV cabinet.

We do have an Oppo Blu-Ray player, but watch very few movies. The purchase of an external speaker system is a must. Was thinking about the B&W Panorama sound bar (retail at $2k) as I really have no desire for a surround system at this time.

As I was placing the 'for sale' ad for my 805s' I was wondering if the 805's would do the trick? Or, would the sound bar be better for this purpose? Again, not looking for surround sound, just want full sound.

Has anyone ever used these as TV speakers? Looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks!
bhpedalpusher
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,680 posts
 
You will need an amp for the 805s (as you probably know) but the ability to separate them as well as their inherent quality would make them my choice.

My daughter uses a pair for her TV system.

Kal
french_fries
815 posts
 
you may as well hook them up and see what happens, but movies are mixed very differently than music cd's, with exaggerated bass and a unique way of adding voice tracks that can be heard (but only with the volume cranked way up).
i have a cheap but good Sony (self-powered) surround system i purchased for $600 with rear speakers, built-in subwoofers, and a built-in center channel. it sounds amazing on Lord of the Rings but not so great on Stevie Ray Vaughn. it has a remote with a number of different ways to equalize movie sound but doesn't have the right controls for 2-channel audio. you may have the opposite problem with the 805's- either not a good foundation and/or difficulty hearing dialog. perhaps a graphic equalizer would be helpful in this regard.
And then again, you may find that the sound-bar is immensely satisfying with the TV on regardless of how it plays music, which leaves you with a tough decision to make regarding those wonderful 805's.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I am no expert that is for sure but I would use the sound bar.
baranowski
240 posts
 
I would give them a try and see how you like them.... if you don't like them send me an email i might buy them from you...
Bill
bhpedalpusher OP
18 posts
 
Thank you for the responses so far! It is a dilemma!

Kal, as far as the amp goes, I do have a Rotel RB-1080 200w/ch that I can use (and have been using) with the 805s'. Just never thought about this arrangement for the TV situation. To be honest, the Rotel was going to go on the selling block at the same time as the 805s'.

The 805s has been a great speaker and I don't want to regret selling them if they will do a better job than the sound bar. Another option might be to use them for the left and right channels, then add a center channel at a later date. I haven't looked into it but I am sure B&W makes a good/decent center channel speaker.

Has anyone else ever heard the 805s' used in a TV arrangement? If so, did you use a center channel, if so, which one did you prefer?

Jim

Bill, if I do decide to let them go, will let you know.
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