Looking to buy B&W 683's or 805S - What else should I look at?

I have listened to both of these speakers and for the price, the 683's Floorstanding speakers sound amazing. However, the 805S bookshelves somehow sound even better but come at twice the price of the 683's. I'm really trying to decide between them, but while I'm at it, what else should I look at in the same price range? I'm trying to keep it around $2000 a pair, $3000 max.

If you find them, let me know.

I actually wound up going with the 685 Bookshelf speakers because they sounded great for the price and the room I'm putting these in is just too small for floorstanders.

How big is the room?

Can't tell you the exact dimensions off the top of my head, but it's a very small room. I was going to get the 683's but the dealer had the 685's on closeout with an additional 10% package discount so it made them less than half the price. I couldn't justify the cost of the 683's even though they obviously sounded better.

My living room is about 600 sq. ft not including the open kitchen. 683's too big?

How much did you get the 805s for?

I would give a serious listen to Polk Audio LSi line.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/lsi/index.php#lsi9

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/lsi/index.php#lsi15

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/lsi/index.php#lsi25

The LSi line is not the normal like found in big box stores.

Originally Posted by glockman9c

I would give a serious listen to Polk Audio LSi line.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/lsi/index.php#lsi9

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/lsi/index.php#lsi15

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/lsi/index.php#lsi25

The LSi line is not the normal like found in big box stores.

If you are speaking to me, I have always been VERY fond of B&W and I have about a 3.5k cap on a two-channel. I don't really like the design of the lsi and I think they look terrible.

But hey, if you're selling (for cheap), I'm buying.

Holy crap, I went and tried the 805s'. I love them.

Originally Posted by Dcha

Holy crap, I went and tried the 805s'. I love them.

The 805's sound absolutely amazing for a bookshelf. I wish I could have afforded them but they were way out of my budget. Not to mention that I would have to hook them up to at least Rotel component pre/pro and amps. I'm very happy with my 685's though and would say the 683's would not be too big for your room. If you have the money though, get the 805's!

Originally Posted by futurezero

The 805's sound absolutely amazing for a bookshelf. I wish I could have afforded them but they were way out of my budget. Not to mention that I would have to hook them up to at least Rotel component pre/pro and amps. I'm very happy with my 685's though and would say the 683's would not be too big for your room. If you have the money though, get the 805's!

The salesman made me lean towards the bookshelves as I already have a 800 dollar sub. He almost talked me into buying them right then and there, including the bottom McIntosh integrated amp receiver. Luckily, I had to leave. Would have cost me 6k.

FutureZero, do you know anything about McIntosh? I'm looking into buying a used MA6500 integrated amplifier, but I know I will definitely need a new receiver if I'm going to buy these 805s'. What receiver would you go for? One that will coincide with the range the amp will be in.


What's your name, btw?

Originally Posted by Dcha

FutureZero, do you know anything about McIntosh? I'm looking into buying a used MA6500 integrated amplifier, but I know I will definitely need a new receiver if I'm going to buy these 805s'. What receiver would you go for? One that will coincide with the range the amp will be in.


What's your name, btw?

You dont put receivers with integrated amps and certainly not with McIntosh.

Originally Posted by glockman9c

You dont put receivers with integrated amps and certainly not with McIntosh.

Hmm, so what then?

edit: oh, whoops, I see.

I guess that answers my question. I'll have to go separates for my tuner and cd player, but who to go to? I certainly can't fit the bill for more mcIntosh. Maybe in the future.

Originally Posted by Dcha

Hmm, so what then?

edit: oh, whoops, I see.

I guess that answers my question. I'll have to go separates for my tuner and cd player, but who to go to? I certainly can't fit the bill for more mcIntosh. Maybe in the future.

Why McIntosh?

Originally Posted by glockman9c

Why McIntosh?

Because they look pretty!


I was thoroughly impressed by them when I was in shop not only by the quality of the components, the look of the amps, but the reliability of McIntosh products. Something like 80 percent of every product they've ever released are still being used? Can you suggest something better for me?

Originally Posted by Dcha

FutureZero, do you know anything about McIntosh? I'm looking into buying a used MA6500 integrated amplifier, but I know I will definitely need a new receiver if I'm going to buy these 805s'. What receiver would you go for? One that will coincide with the range the amp will be in.

Originally Posted by glockman9c

You dont put receivers with integrated amps and certainly not with McIntosh.

^^^ What he said

Originally Posted by Dcha

Hmm, so what then?

edit: oh, whoops, I see.

I guess that answers my question. I'll have to go separates for my tuner and cd player, but who to go to? I certainly can't fit the bill for more mcIntosh. Maybe in the future.

Yes, you would need seperate components. McIntosh makes amazing products, but that quality comes with quite a high price tag. There are certainly more affordable options out there Rotel makes very solid products.
If I had purchased the 805's, I would buy a Rotel RMB-1565 5 Channel Amplifier (or RMB-1075, I'm not completely sold on the Class D stuff yet) and a Rotel RSP-1570 Processor. Total MSRP for both components would be around $4100 but you would most likely be able to get a discount of around 10% if you purchase everything, including the speakers, at once.
I have personally listened to that exact setup and the sound was nothing less than spectacular. I wish I could have afforded it

futurezero/Dcha: Have you listened to the previous generation 600 series? Specifically the 602s3 bookshelf speakers (they are the same as yours only from the previous generation).

The reason I ask is that I have a pair of those and want to move to 5.1 sound. I was thinking I have 2 options:

1. Move the 602s3 pair to the rear and purchase a pair of 685s and an HTM61.

2. Sell the 602s3 pair and buy a pair of 685s, a HTM61, and a pair of 686s for the rears.

Do you think there will be any imaging problems if I choose option 1?