extremely detailed, smooth highs/mids, tight, accurate bass response

for the size and price, none

Finally purchased my 602S2's, with a Denon DCM 370 5 disc changer, and an Arcam Alpha 10 Integrated Amplifier on loan, with Kimber Kable 4VS and PBJ Interconnects. Ive been auditioning a wide variety of speakers for a couple of months, but once I heard the 602s I was hooked. When compared to similar PSB, Mission, Def. Tech. Paradigm, Polk, the 602's just blow them away. The sound is so clear you feel as though u were at the recording. I like the sound very much. The speakers produce a clean, honest, natural sound, that fills my apt. very well. The soundstage is awesome, with good reproduction of live music. The speakers did sound a bit harsh at first, but after a couple hours the tweeter blended much better with the woofer, I have a feeling theyll sound even better a couple weeks later. Played some rap, and the bass was kickin, which was the main reason why i chose the 602s over the 601s. Although the 601's did seem a little more defined in the high end (smaller enclosure), I prefered the overall sound of the 602's. Vocals are clean and very accurate. Dave Matthews Band just comes to life through these speakers, each of the different elements of the band are well defined and again accurate. These speakers are very transparent with little or no coloration. The Arcam is on loan, and will be replaced with an older Pioneer A-77x, which is supposed to be a bit more bassy and detailed; will update. A definite 5 stars for value and performance.

The build quality is awesome, I chose the black ash finish over the cherry wood because (although impressive)they just didnt seem authentic enough. They look much cooler with the speaker covers off. Thanks to Advanced Audio in Santa Barbara, CA for a great audition of the speakers (and the whole B&W line), and expert advice and service.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 302, 601S2

Clarity, precision, depth of soundstage and price! Doesn't produce listening fatigue.

Break in time. But then again, what kind of speaker doesn't need this? I think it was my impatience...

Bang for the Buck--hands down winner. It really took a couple of weeks to break them in, but now after over 2 years of owning them, they're so perfect. Totally surpasses any and all expectations I originally had. I intended them to be my surround speakers and go with the 604's for my mains. Well that isn't going to be the case. I find that they work well with most sane types of music. They aren't going to be good for rap unless you have a sub and your 602's are crossed over above 60 Hz or so. But for movie soundtracks, I find the clarity refreshing and never go the movies anymore. Would recommend to anybody...

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RXV 870, Definitive TL15 sub, Sony DVD and CD, Panasonic VCR's, Samsung 55" HDTV monitor, etc....

I upgraded to a pair of B&W DM602's from Paradigm 3se's. I paid $550 at Ken Kranes Audio. I was very disapointed with the performance of the B&W's.I bought into the whole B&W name thing from reading all the reviews and crap in Audio and Stereo Reveiw. I spent a year fooling myself and trying to convince myself that it was me, or the cables, or the height of the stands, or the source equipment etc... I tried an equalizer, I used a sound level meter blah blah blah...
When my buddy (who doesn't know sh*t from shine-ola about speakers)said to me "$550! Dude, your old speakers sounded way better." I realized he was right! Sold the B&W's for $400, wrote off the loss and never looked back.
The moral of this story is: Upgrade... Schmupgrade! If you like what you're listening to, Save yourself some $$$$ and just kick back and be happy.

Incredibly clear at high frequences, no scratching. Plays low frequenzes very well when placed right.

For the prize I would say none, but if I'll have to mention one it would be that it don't reach 20hz.

Before I bought the 602 S2 speaker I had never heard it before. A friend of mine, who is an hifi enthusiast, recommended them for me. In the beginning I had some doubts about what these speakers could give me. But I came to the decition that I would buy them, and I bought two pairs for my home cinema. I also bought a Kenwood Surround receiver at 100x5w (8 Ohm).
Listening to these speakers the first time was an experience, and still is! They handle the frequence area very easy, down to about 25hz I would say. Not kidding! These speakers play incredibly well with a good amp or receiver that's able to deliver enough power. The Amp/receiver is 2/3 of the sound in your stereo you know! Without a good amp you'll get bad sound from the best speakers in the world.
The 602 S2 works great in a cinema system or a stere system.
These speakers must be heard! Don't judge them until you've done that.
The 602 S2 is worth every penny!

Similar Products Used:

Tested the DM 604. Compared the 602 S2 with this super speaker!

Size, power handling, looks, integrate with the rest of the system. Sound-wise, expressive, clear, meaty yet controlled.

Hmmm.....

I recently had an *extensive* demo (for ther third time!) of these B&W speakers for use in a Hi-Fi and Home Cinema role, together with a REL Strata III. And then purchased them approx 1 hour later.

Using all B&W speakers around the room means that the intergation is superb. The REL blends in very well as well.
There is plenty of detail without ever even hinting at being shrill, the midrange is failry neutral, and the bass is large enough yet without any of the excess warmth that B&W used to have. For movies, they have enough slam to keep pace nicely, and obviously for music they are excellent even without a sub.

I cannot really find any areas to fault these speakers. Maaybe after a few more weeks something will show up ;-)

Basically, I would recommend these speakers especially to anyone who wants a set up to use for both music and movies. The only real 'problem' is that speakers this size are always going to struggle with room-filling bass for movies, and really do benefit from a subtle sub like the REL Strata III (this is only a critiscism in absolute terms: compared to other speakers of the same size/price, they are better than average).

PS Its great to see that you Yanks have to pay more for somethings at least: Hi-Fi is a (apparently i used a profane word here) cheaper here seamingly than it is there. Not that makes up for the prices of TV's, cars, McDonalds, CD's, DVD's, clothes, food, petrol.......

Similar Products Used:

B&W CCR6, B&W DM 601 S2

Superb imaging, nice bass for a smaller speaker

Took a little while to loosen up

As usual, I listened to quite a few speakers before buying the 602s2. I demoed, PSB Image Line, Paradigm Monitor, Monitor Audio, and more. The B&W's sounded more "alive" than the others I listened to. The imaging was far superior to the others I listened to. The speakers were 10 feet apart but the sounds were coming out of the TV.
They did take a little while to "open" up. They were a tas muddy when I brought them home, but after a few movies and CD's they sound awesome.
Great value.

Similar Products Used:

PSB 4001

Accuracy, clarity, crystal clear sound

None

Exellent speakers for the price. Excellent accuracy and clarity of sound. When listening to jazz, it's as if you were there live. For classical music, close you eyes and you'd think they're playing in front of you. In HT configuration as main speakers (with separate subwoofer), the imaging is excellent and the sound second to none in this price range.

Typical B&W superior quality, great visual effect with the grill off with that bright yellow kevlar driver.

Overall, highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm, Infinity, Bose

Very good soundstage and stereo separation and imaging. Excellent Tops and Mid and a good bottom end.

The vinyl finish. I have the cherry finish. Would have loved to have them in real wood vaneer.

I come from a studio recording background and am a producer/composer and have a high end project setup. Being used to studio monitors, I found a lot of the speakers e.g Yamaha's, JPWs and the crap Richer Sounds generally offer, to be 'closed' and an un-open restricted and held back sound. Studio monitors are mainly flat in nature and have a slightly different crossover to hi-fi speakers.

With the restricted budget I found that the DM 602 S2's the closest to my studio monitors in that they gave me a true reproduction of sound. You may not necessarily like what you hear. They brought out the detail and clarity I was used to listening.

Extremely pleased with my purchase and would thoroughly recommend the 602 S2's to anyone who has a $500 budget for speakers.

Also, they come close to floorstanders in sound.

The only thing I am dissapointed with is the vinly finish. Wood vaneer would have been the cherry on the icing.

Similar Products Used:

Mission 707, KRK KROKS, Tannoy Reveals, Auratones, Genelecs 1029A plus Sub, Yamaha NS200, JPW 510i

Very good soundstage and stereo separation and imaging. Excellent Tops and Mid and a good bottom end.

The vinyl finish. I have the cherry finish. Would have loved to have them in real wood vaneer.

I come from a studio recording background and am a producer/composer and have a high end project setup. Being used to studio monitors, I found a lot of the speakers e.g Yamaha's, JPWs and the crap Richer Sounds generally offer, to be 'closed' and an un-open restricted and held back sound. Studio monitors are mainly flat in nature and have a slightly different crossover to hi-fi speakers.

With the restricted budget I found that the DM 602 S2's the closest to my studio monitors in that they gave me a true reproduction of sound. You may not necessarily like what you hear. They brought out the detail and clarity I was used to listening.

Extremely pleased with my purchase and would thoroughly recommend the 602 S2's to anyone who has a $500 budget for speakers.

Also, they come close to floorstanders in sound.

The only thing I am dissapointed with is the vinly finish. Wood vaneer would have been the cherry on the icing.

Similar Products Used:

Mission 707, KRK KROKS, Tannoy Reveals, Auratones, Genelecs 1029A plus Sub, Yamaha NS200, JPW 510i

Very good soundstage and stereo separation and imaging. Excellent Tops and Mid and a good bottom end.

The vinyl finish. I have the cherry finish. Would have loved to have them in real wood vaneer.

I come from a studio recording background and am a producer/composer and have a high end project setup. Being used to studio monitors, I found a lot of the speakers e.g Yamaha's, JPWs and the crap Richer Sounds generally offer, to be 'closed' and an un-open restricted and held back sound. Studio monitors are mainly flat in nature and have a slightly different crossover to hi-fi speakers.

With the restricted budget I found that the DM 602 S2's the closest to my studio monitors in that they gave me a true reproduction of sound. You may not necessarily like what you hear. They brought out the detail and clarity I was used to listening.

Extremely pleased with my purchase and would thoroughly recommend the 602 S2's to anyone who has a $500 budget for speakers.

Also, they come close to floorstanders in sound.

The only thing I am dissapointed with is the vinly finish. Wood vaneer would have been the cherry on the icing.

Similar Products Used:

Mission 707, KRK KROKS, Tannoy Reveals, Auratones, Genelecs 1029A plus Sub, Yamaha NS200, JPW 510i