What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
17 JUL 2007
B&W 685
Endlessly musical and flexible, and at a very reasonable price, the 685s are still absolute winners
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To say we're keen on the B&W 685s is something of an understatement. Not only did they receive five stars back in September 2007’s First Test, but they also ran away with the stereo speaker Product of the Year gong in our Awards.
That was a while ago, though, and rivals have since launched their own impressive ranges. So how do the 685s hold up? In short – brilliantly.
There’s nothing particularly Earth-shattering about their looks – they’re even boxier than most rivals – but the yellow Kevlar mid-bass driver and smart tweeter plate mark them out as being part of the desirable B&W stable, while the soft-touch paint on the front provides an interesting talking point.
The advantage of having speakers that aren’t too flashy is that they don’t stick out too much when placed in a living room – and that’s also part of the approach they have to music.
They’re so well-balanced and likeable that they effectively take themselves out of the equation, allowing you to ignore them and simply enjoy your music without exaggeration or colouration.
Beautifully balanced, yet bouncy
Try a track from the multi-layered new Raconteurs album – Old Enough will do nicely – and where many speakers fall into the trap of over-exaggerating the bass or allowing the treble to get jangly, the B&Ws balance each frequency and combine each instrument and vocal into one spacious, entirely coherent whole.
That’s not to say they lack enthusiasm. On the contrary, the textured bass line bounces along with chunky rhythm, the violins and acoustic guitar are precise and easy to follow, while the harmonious vocal delivery is detailed and nuanced.
The most useful result of the 685s’ balance though, is their adaptability. Feed them anything in your collection, from The Ting Tings to the London Philharmonic, and they’ll offer it up with punch, poise and excellent dynamics.
Whatever kit you’ve got (assuming it’s not exceptionally restrained in presentation) will work well with them, whether budget, mid-range or even fairly high-end. This really is a speaker for everyone.
Click here to watch our video review of the B&W 685.
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