Bowers and Wilkins or focals with denon 1510

[Crystalarts]

Hi there I am new to the hi fi world and recently picked up a denon amp 1510 due to it being last one in Dubai and only other options being cheap amps or amps out with my price range.

So I tested it with the following speakers (not many options here) all costing about 900 gbp

Focal 726
Klipsch r82
Wharfedale evo2 40
Aviano 8

I used the following songs as tests :

Brighton rock, queen
Battle of Evermore, led zep
Larks tongue in aspics pt 1, king crimson
Stockholm syndrome, Muse
Always driving in same car, bowie

Anyway side by side comparison the 726 came out on top big time, there was a sense of urgency with them and not too much bass and not too little (wharfedale had none whilst klipsch too much) . Aviano was a great all rounder but didnt do enough to convince me. The 726 whilst bassy never lost the detail and soundstage was impressive. It just wowed me.

Now I am keen on getting them however before I do so I want to test b&w 683 speakers. Unfortunately I can't test them with my amp only a rotel. I plan on checking it out this week.

My room is 6x4m however it leads onto another room of 6x4m and the open area is large enough that you could call the room a 6x8m room.

Tiled floor and windowed wall on the full 4m side of the wall in both rooms. Hard concrete walls too.

So I was wondering about the focal and b&w...

1. Are 600 series and 700's similar standard? Ie are they comparable or are the 800's closer to the 600 series? I know that focal are more expensive for what u get due to higher cost of manufacturing in France vs china (600 series)
2. Main difference between b&w vs focal sound? What can I expect when I finally hear the 683?
3. Difference between denon 1510 sound and rotel 1520 sound? Since I want to be able to consider amp effect on 683 when I listen to it.
4. A room such as I described... 683 maybe a better option since it comes with plugs? Manage bass better...?
5. Any other thoughts?

To be honest I already listened to 683s but wasn't impressed but this is due to the fact that the shop was renovating and they ha them in a padded room which allowed no reflection at all. So I want to give them another chance in a similar environment to when i tested the focals

 

[shuv]

You would probably need much more juice to run these speakers properly. Why not look at the stand mounters from the same series?

 

[denom]

Judging by your approval of the focal's from the rest, I think you can safely go with them & give the B&W's a miss.

Pull the trigger!!!

 

[Flash]

Anyway side by side comparison the 726 came out on top big time, there was a sense of urgency with them and not too much bass and not too little (wharfedale had none whilst klipsch too much) . Aviano was a great all rounder but didnt do enough to convince me. The 726 whilst bassy never lost the detail and soundstage was impressive. It just wowed me.

Pull the plug they are good speakers and easy to drive your 1510 though not the ideal partner should still do the job

So I was wondering about the focal and b&w...

2. Main difference between b&w vs focal sound? What can I expect when I finally hear the 683?

The 726 is brighter and more detailed
The 683 has better midrange
The 683 will have more bass than the 726


As denom suggested
Pick the Focals.

 

[srisaikat]

The Denon 1510 is little bright but punchy amplifier. I think 'Wharfedale' will be appropriate to choose among the list.

 

[Rupam]

Wharfedale might me good with Denon but I would prefer Focal 726 coz with the Focal you will get more bass than the rest.

 

[Crystalarts]

Thanks for the responses ..

The wharfedales were amazing both in looks and clarity however there was absolutely no bass to speak of and I couldn't enjoy my style of music as a result.

The 726s seemed to have all the right ingredients but I just wanted to get views on the b&w but it seems people aren't too impressed with them so looks like I will skip testing the b&w's and get the focals which, as I say, were very impressive.. Certain songs just swept me away when heard on the focals.

 

[aashish351]

I personally love the focal sound. And I don't think that their midrange is any less refined as compared to b&w. focal sound very good with vocal. Go with them with confidence!