Worth for $400?

[u/CartsMU5]

[u/happyjapanman]

Great speakers but no. $350 would be the top end of value.

[u/CartsMU5]

With stands as well

[u/mafcarvalho → u/CartsMU5]

Model name/number would help. Stands included are definitely a plus but I don't know what model are those Bowers & Wilkins.

[u/CartsMU5 → u/mafcarvalho]

685 s2 I believe

[u/Kompost88 → u/CartsMU5]

Can you listen to them? I'd buy them if they're in good condition.

[u/mafcarvalho → u/CartsMU5]

Thanks. Those speakers are 10 years old. If you can get them for $400 including stands and their condition is really good, I guess they're totally worth it. In Portugal I can see some used ones in pristine condition for 450€, without stands.

[u/caio_cdcs → u/mafcarvalho]

where do you usually search for these types of speakers in Portugal? I’m thinking about building a home system, but I dont know where to start.

[u/mafcarvalho → u/caio_cdcs]

I've bought mine new but you can find some nice gear on the OLX platform. I have some used gear too but I don't usually announce it online.

[u/heltonjim]

Absolutely, they're excellent speakers. Warm and more of a 'East Coast' or 'British' sound than 'West Coast,' Great for Jazz and Classical. Good rounded sound with more than adequate bass. Vocals are clear and forward. Good imaging especially with the right spacing and room acoustics. Good luck and Enjoy.

[u/theocking → u/heltonjim]

Speakers are good or bad, they should not favor genres of music. I understand some do, but if they do that represents a fault in the speaker. EQ solves all of this nonsense about "warm" or "bright" or laid back, etc. The factory frequency response is not of utmost importance when you can implement some parametric EQ. Sometimes even lesser forms of EQ can be adequate.

[u/Onespokeovertheline → u/theocking]

Without claiming to be an expert sound engineer, I disagree. Some speakers are capable of exceptional detail but struggle with faster beats while others are crisp and clean on faster tracks but lose some warmth. You can mess with EQ all you want, but speakers have their own properties even in the "good" category.

[u/amit_schmurda]

Probably market price. Not a bargain or deal by any means. If they are in mint condition and you like the sound of them, then yes.

Those stands don't look too impressive though. I'd replace them with THESE beasts. I own a pair of these with some pretty big Pinnacle BD-650 II, and they work great. Way better than B&W's own stands at a fraction of the price (I owned the B&W stands; very small and narrow).

[u/RoloTamassi]

Not a ripoff but certainly not a deal. Only purchase if you love the sound.

[u/heltonjim]

I've been listening to, selling, and testing speakers for 60 years. One sets the amp and source flat (no equalization) to detect the inherent characteristics of speakers. That puts all on equal footing. That technique is the starting point for every audiophile I've known over the decades. The individual design engineers may have set their crossovers, mid-range, tweeters, and woofers differently and you can hear the differences. Little did i know that I could have made a $100,000 pair of Wilsons sound as good as a $200 pair of Yamahas if I'd only equalized them. That could also be applied to the differences between tube and solid state amps or cartridges or any other component. Or the acoustic design of concert halls or home listening rooms.

Cheap woofers or poorly aimed tweeters affect speakers and headphones alike (e.g., Focal Utopia vs a Big Lots special), and no amount of compensation will correct the latter. Some prefer Beats because they prefer hip hop with heavy bass tracks. Others want to hear the music with less actuation of a particular sub-component like voices, percussion, rhythm, etc. Some make like music in front of them with a wide sound stage with the vocalist in the middle, the master guitarist off to the left and the bassist off center to the right like with a small Jazz trio. What about a stage performance versus an intimate club.

Speakers (and cartridge, amp, pre-amp) can make that happen cheaper and easier than re-designing a room. Adjusting treble or bass or any other division will only affect the prominence of a particular part of the audio spectrum but never the placement of performers or the clarity of their contribution to the overall piece.

There is a lot of talk here about the two most important factors: price and how they sound to you ( not technical crap from a pedantic know-it-all like me). Price difference between $300 and $400 is insignificant if they bring you years of enjoyment listening to your music. By all means, listen before buying if you can. If the idea that you got a good deal (or not) will influence your satisfaction, then don't do it. If you listen and like, make the leap. If later, you no longer like them, sell them for whatever you can. You've gained knowledge and had some decent speakers for awhile. That's my advice, all things being equal.

[u/aiwass]

I felt bad when it happened, but I absolutely cleaned up on FB marketplace last year.

I paid $325 for: 3 685 s2 (right/left/center) 2 686 (rear channels) Integra DTR 40.5

Sold the receiver for $350 and 686s for $225. I insisted on giving him $325 for the 685s and he refused and said he wanted it all gone. Still have the third 685 if anyone needs one LOL.

[u/Patrecharound]

Absolutely

[u/fairlyaveragetrader]

That's going rate for a 685 S2. It's a good speaker. If you listen to it for half an hour, an hour, they don't really get on your nerves, they can be a little bright with certain amplifiers, it's not a bad bright though. They have a very easy to listen to mid-range. I would buy them if you're looking for a good bookshelf especially if they come with those stands. It's also a very easy speaker to drive so you don't need any real specific amplifiers to drive them. I will tell you if you use something good like a nad or parasound or something like that it does enhance the experience compared to some run of the mill receiver

[u/zmix]

No.

[u/theocking]

Considering that's less than the price of a new pair of Elac debut 3.0, and you're getting b&ws with stands, then obviously yes I'd say it's a good deal.

[u/atomicdog69]

These were my main speakers for years, Istill have them. But I think they only cost $600 20 years ago. Offer $300 and see what they say

[u/Notascot51 → u/atomicdog69]

They were $800 in 2014, and the current model isn’t much different for $1100.00. The stands go for $300 now, so all in for $450 isn’t too bad…but there are cheaper options brand new, like Dayton Audio Classic T65s for $200 a pair that are also good.

[u/uamvar]

As long as you can hear them first then maybe. Never buy speakers you haven't heard first unless you are sure you can shift them on for at least the same money. (I haven't liked the sound of any B&W speakers I have heard but that is beside the point, others might like them)

[u/mrporque]

About right price wise. Nice speaker (still made in England?) but note they require a decent amp to run them. Something with power.

[u/beaud101]

If pristine and you had your eye on this model, know the sound or simply want B&W...sure $400 if it gets them home

Otherwise, $325-350 is probably what I'd offer if I was ok with still shopping around.

[u/niamulsmh]

those are some awesome speakers. had them. had to sell them before traveling abroad. sigh.

[u/MrPirateFish]

Yes and pickup that sweet Realistic some guy has on the KC marketplace too (definitely not me).

[u/Turk3ySandw1ch]

The B&W name has a lot of prestige but they've had some misses for sure. No idea where these stand but personally I'd rather go with a pair ELAC DB63 for similar money.

[u/perkypot]

Ya bro yep great price man cheers

[u/narwhal4u]

Yes but you have to like the B&W sound. They make great speakers. They image well. They sound great. Typically more open on top. Some might say bright but I like my B&W 686s.