Def. Tech. Studio Monitors55 vs Bowers & Wilkins 685B

**mon2479** · 08-10-2012, 08:37 AM

I've been wanting to upgrade my mirage nanosat speakers and have been looking at these two brands and want peoples opinions on what to get for a 5.0. I was thinking of sticking to bestbuy magnolia cause I am able to listen to them in person but I am open to other brands being equal in quality and cheaper. I don't want floor standing, prefer bookshelf size, my reciever is a yamaha rx v471.

**CALIBER** · 08-10-2012, 02:47 PM

You know what one is not better than the other. Only your ears can tell you which set is the best. I will tell you however that you are going in the right direction as both sets are fantastic choices. I think you will find the B&W's will have sweeter detailed highs and the Def Tech's will have a bit nicer mid bass punch.

I see you are in Renton WA. nice to see a fellow washintonion on the board!! Do your self a favor though and go check out definitive audio just go get your ears wrapped around a few different sets just so you can see what is out there.

**ImRizzo** · 08-10-2012, 07:09 PM

I also agree 100% and especially if you have access to decent showrooms, bring some of your own music or bluray of your favorite scene, by being familiar with your choice you will not what to expect or compare. Dealer always hype their speaker setup with "Special" demo disc.

**mon2479** · 08-11-2012, 09:08 AM

Something I was wondering, what if I just did the two front B&W's and one front center B&W, then just left my two mirage nanosats as surrounds since the sound they project tend to fill the room and I guess surround noise is like 20% of what you are watching. I'll save $$$ as well. Oh yeah "BI Wire or not to BI wire, that is the question?" Would I then esentially take two speaker wires, connect each + and each - to each speaker post, then twist together the + and twist together the - at the other end of the wire and then just plug it in to my reciever to the + and - since I don't have bi amping capability. Thats my understanding

**MDRiggs** · 08-11-2012, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by mon2479

Something I was wondering, what if I just did the two front B&W's and one front center B&W, then just left my two mirage nanosats as surrounds since the sound they project tend to fill the room and I guess surround noise is like 20% of what you are watching. I'll save $$$ as well.

That would work. Ideal would be B&W surrounds voiced to match the front speakers, but the Nanosats could be close enough that you'll be happy with them.

Oh yeah "BI Wire or not to BI wire, that is the question?" Would I then essentially take two speaker wires, connect each + and each - to each speaker post, then twist together the + and twist together the - at the other end of the wire and then just plug it in to my reciever to the + and - since I don't have bi amping capability.

That would work. Bi-wiring is mostly kind of pointless, though, especially for normal-length runs. (I like what Tom Nousaine calls it -- buy-wiring.) It's electrically equivalent to single-wiring with lower-gauge (thicker) cable.

**CALIBER** · 08-11-2012, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by MDRiggs

That would work. Ideal would be B&W surrounds voiced to match the front speakers, but the Nanosats could be close enough that you'll be happy with them.

That would work. Bi-wiring is mostly kind of pointless, though, especially for normal-length runs. (I like what Tom Nousaine calls it -- buy-wiring.) It's electrically equivalent to single-wiring with lower-gauge (thicker) cable.

Agreed!!