I listened to these and did a direct AB comparison with Paradigm Monitor 3's. The monitor threes were 125 cheaper at the time and there is really no justification for paying 62 bucks more per speaker. The bass is more pronounced but not as tight as the paradigms. The midbass was astounding, and much louder than the paradigms but that is the only area they really could be declared the clear winner. Imaging is a weak point on both, but I'd have to say that the mon 3's do a little bit better job. The Paradigms had much better and more accurate upper mids and highs than the 602's. After listening I decided I will probably buy the 3's when i get some money and save some in the process. I did prefer these to numerous models of other brands though, Definitive, Polk, JBL, AR, etc. etc. 3.7 stars, rounds up to 4 stars.

Getting ready to make a purchase im stuck between the 602s or polks RT-55 I will be using for both rock n roll and H/T what way should i go.
WES

My 302 blew out on some heavy base playing so I took the opportunity to upgrade to the 602s. My existing Yamaha 90 watt per channel amp couldn't really drive the 602s as they seem to be a very inefficient speaker. So, like a good audio nut I then took the opportunity to upgrade my amp to a Carver 1090 which sound much better. Still, I notice some degradation in the voice quality of jazz or rock singers. I prefer the voice quality of the 302s but the openness of the 602s. What to do.

I am having difficulty choosing between this one and NHT 1.5. Could someone please compare the two? I have a Yamaha receiver and I listen to hard rock and pop. Which is better for home theater application? Thanx.

I compared these very seriously with Paradigm Studio 20's, NHT 1.5's, and the B&W 601's. Even listened to some sub-sat systems like the Definitive and Bose Acousticraps. The only speakers that were close were the NHT's, but they really lacked bass. I like the full sound and wide soundfield of the 602's. They sound great playing Branford Marsalis, REM, and Lenny Kravitz. Complicated music like Garbage sounds good, but Rage Against the Machine at higher volumes overstressed the bass {pop pop pop). At $550 I think they are the best speakers under a thousand.
Will consider a subwoofer at a later date, but don't think it's really necessary. These really fill up my family room with sound.

I recently bought a pair of B&W DM-602's with a CC-6 center for home theater.
In store comparisons, they were clearly superior (more musical) than the alternatives at the price.

Once home, I was happy with movie soundtracks (Panasonic A-310 DVD running direct to Rotel 5 channel amp), but for music I started to notice bloated bass, some midrange muddle, and a little grain in the treble.

Foam plugs into the ports helped bring the bass down, but I wanted more.
So inspired by George Karachalios's modifications of the similar B&W CDM-1 (see his reviews and comments in CDM-1 section),
I replaced the crossover components of my B&W DM-602's.

I used a Solo air core 1.2 mH inductor for the bass, and Solen 4.7 uF and 10 uF capacitors for treble (and also some damping of the walls while the box was open). (Cost ~$40 from Michael Percy Audio)

They are TRANSFORMED, much clearer and more natural - smooth treble , voices pure - bass is not so bloated.

Next I will fix up the CC6 center channel.

I recommend these modifications for any B&W 600 series speaker.
Note - the capacitors are very easy to replace, the inductors are a lttle trickier, but worth it, I strapped them onto the original crossover board using cable ties.

Any such changes will void your warranty.

Remember that before modification, your audio signal is running through two low quality electrolytic capacitors for the treble (and a cheap iron core inductor for bass).

Before mods, for this price point 4-4.5 stars,
After mods, 5 stars.

I purchased 4 B&W 601s, a B&W CC6, and Paradigm PS1 subwoffer for my home theater system, and to listen to music. When I play music, depending on the DSP mode you are using on your A/V Receiver, you might probably don't want to use your powered subwoffer, in which case, the receiver will route the base to the main speakers. I did not buy the 602's because I thought that since I had a subwoofer, I wouldn't need the extra base, but in retrospect, getting the 602's over the 601's would have been a good move. Don't get me wrong, the 601's sound primo, but it would have been nice to have a bit of extra base coming from the 602's. Overall they have the same sound quality. The imaging is very special. Some people don't hear it, but it just blew me away. Others didn't compare in my book (PSB, NHT, Klipsch, PARADIGM), though a pair of Klipsch's came close, though they were a bit more expensive. In Europe, B&W is a very well known name. A co-worker that just moved from the Netherlands owns a pair, and his father has owned a pair for a while. For testing, I have a Ella Fitzgerald / Louis Armstrong cd. The sound quality of the instruments and the voices are incredible. I suppose my ROTEL RSX-965 is a big help.

I listened to these speakers friday at Sound Advice and could not believe how mediocre they are, yet they receive so much hype. People really buy into the name B&W without realizing what they are not getting. Good Sound.These speakers, as well as all B&W 600 series speakers, have weak bass, undefined highs, average midrange. yet, they sell for premium prices.
Park these speakers next to a pair of RBHsound speakers and hear just how bad they are. I think people are becomming to accustomed to speakers from Sound Advice, Circuit City and Best Buy that they actually forgot how speakers are supposed to sound for the money you are laying out.

You are far better off with Paradigm Studio 20's than the 602's.

As you move up in models, they only get worse. The 604's are even worse. Park the 604's next to a pair of Pinnacle Classic Gold Aerogels and you will be amazed at how bad B&W 600 speakers are.
The 600 line is the Bose of B&W.

Avoid these !!!!

I have had the 602's for about 2 months, and just bought the CC6 and 601's for rears. After months of auditioning, I can say that I am very happy with my purchases. The CC6 sounds great to me, natural and accurate.
The 602's are accurate as well, balanced and more natural than any other speaker I auditioned. Just play Sinatra's New York, New York.

If you will use a sub, the 601's for front and rear will do an incredible job. The 302's are excellent, but the 601's sound more realistic to me (I plan to listen to 5.1 music, that's why I went with the 601's over 302's).

For me, I don't think I'll have any regrets in buying this system for the next ten years or so. I could have spent less, but then I'd always be thinking, "just not as good as the B&W's"!

B&W's latest slogan is true, "Listen, and you'll see". Even more so when you get them home!!

Final thought, are these the "best" speakers in the world? Of course not, but I ended up spending twice what I originally budgeted. Why you ask, two old sayings come to mind:

1. You get what you pay for.
2. Do it right the first time!!

Regards,
Zim

I think I fell into the category of people who bought the 602's because of the name "B&W"--a definite mistake. I suppose for the money they are adequate speakers; however, one can do much better (Paradigm, Platinum). I don't necesarily mind them at low volumes. The problem for me is that when I start to crank the dial, I'm using a Yamaha 2095, I can hardly take the way the voices sound--real harsh when they first come in. It has taken a lot of the fun out of listening to music. I have decided to listen (not read product labels) to many more speakers and will trade my B&W's in for a pair of Dynaudio 50's. At around $900 they are more than I would like to spend but put out the type of sound that I like; a lot more laid back. Be sure to listen critically before you buy. As always, let your ear be the judge. If for some reason they sound great to you then buy them.