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MSRP: $ 1500.00
Description: Technical features Nautilus™ tube loaded aluminium dome tweeter Kevlar® brand fibre cone FST™ midrange Aluminium/paper/Kevlar® cone bass driver Flowport™Description 3-way vented-box system
Drive units 1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency 1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar® cone FST™ midrange 2x ø165mm (6.5 in) Aluminium/paper/Kevlar® cone bass
Frequency range -6dB at 30Hz and 50kHz
Frequency response 38Hz – 22kHz ±3dB on reference axis
3 Reviews
0 Quick Ratings
 4.33 of 5 |
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Reviewed by: PDN (Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date July 27, 2009
Overall Rating 
4 of 5
Value Rating 
5 of 5
Used product for 1 to 3 months
I upgraded from a pair of 2 year old B&W DM603-S3s to the 683s. I’ve had my eye on them for a while now. While I absolutely loved my 603s, I was able to sell them and upgrade to the 683s for a reasonable and manageable cost.
I’ve owned them now about 1-1/2 months and they’re burning in well. Immediately, I observed significant improvement in the mid-range from the new FST drivers over the older style drivers in the 603s. I heard that in the demo room of my Hi-Fi dealer so I knew that’s what I was buying up to. But there’s nothing like hearing it at home though. For my size listening room (23′ x 13′ x 8′ high), the 683s seem to be the perfect size floorstander. The 603s were great but just a bit on the small size. My room has two openings out to hallways with no doors. Bass extension and production has improved but that was not my first priority. With 2 B&W powered subs already in the room, I didn’t buy these for bass response. What I was more keen on in the bass dept was “drum slam” which you don’t necessarily get from powered subwoofers (in my opinion). Subs provide great ‘electric bass guitar” sound and LFEs but drum slam comes from larger drivers and more of them in the main speakers. The 683s have those over the 603s. Imaging is also improved due to their larger size and greater output. They’re being powered by a Rotel RMB-1075 5 channel amp in a surround sound 5.1 system with a Rotel RSX-1057 AVR used as a processor. Whether I’m listening in 2 ch stereo, 5 ch stereo, or the various surround sound formats, they sound fabulous. More “in your face” than the 603s.
I know some say that B&W loudspeakers lend themselves more to classical symphony music than good old rock N roll. That they’re not in your face speakers. To that I say hogwash. I don’t buy it. I listen to it all and they sound great regardless of the music genre. You should hear the drum slam on “Honky Cat” in the Elton John “Honky Chateau” SACD. WOW. I never thought I could ever produce that kind of powerhouse sound in my home. But it’s here !!
Physically, I love the cherry wood finish but not as much as the gorgeous sorrento oak of the 603s. The sorrento finish brightens up the room better than the cherry wood. But that’s really not important. Just an observation. For the price, the B&W 683s offer so much magnificent sound and performance through state of the art technologies from the engineers at B&W. They can handle serious power. To me, they can be all you’ll ever need in a lifetime !!
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5 of 5
PDN. Thanks for ur review. I am a first time prospective purchaser of a B&W. i am think of purchasingthis floor stdg 683. paid. My room is about 500 sq ft . This would essentially be only for audio and not hm theatre. I love roack and pop music and love the clear and crisp thump of the drum (bass) that hits me in my stomach which is my barometre for a good speaker for me. This would be enhanced by a Rotel RB 1571 -250WX2ch. Do you think I may need a sub. My rectangular room dimensions roughly are 34′ X 12 to with two sides14′ .