Yes, that's absolutely right on. Quality stereo shops are a dieing breed
for sure. The one I used to deal with all the time, a chain called Sound
Advice, is out of business. I'm not really sure whose even left any
longer as I haven't really had the need for quite some time but I know
when I purchased my last receiver, the Denon AVR3311CI, I had to get it
at Best Buy. At least they have their Magnolia section but still nothing
like the stores I was used to where you could walk in and here any
quality speaker combination you wanted. They just had it all setup and
ready to go. They even had an audition policy where you could take the
product home and listen to it in your own environment and exchange it
for something else if you weren't satisfied. You could also trade up
your speakers every year if you wanted and get the full price you paid
for them toward the upgraded set. It was amazing and very sorely missed.
Those days are gone I think.
Best Regards,
Rick alfaro
On 2/22/2014 2:36 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
I heard the Bowers And Wilkins yesterday morning, I listened to their 3 airPlay
models, all of which were superb!
I listened to some floor standing and bookshelf models and again just outstanding and
so was the price <smile>, a little out of my budget, I'll be able to afford the
Z2 and I actually think it very good value for money given its sound and straight
forward design, compact size etc.
Incidentally, I know people in the States who say that high end audio shops are
just about extinct there, is that true? Things seem to be going that way over
here too and that's a crying shame as so many of the younger generations just
aren't going to know what quality sound is, quality sound is not! listening to
an iPod connected to a Bluetooth speaker that fits in your hand, listening to
music through a pair of Plantronics headphones etc.
On 23 Feb 2014, at 6:31 am, Rick Alfaro <[email protected]> wrote:
Well I can say they were definitely here in the US in 1996 which is when I auditioned
several B&W speakers. They may have gone away for a while and now coming back
again. At any rate, they make a fantastic product and I probably would have gotten all
B&W speakers instead of Klipsch if I could have afforded it. They were just a
little too far out of my budget. Their best attribute IMHO is their transparency. Very
natural sound with fantastic imaging. I'm glad to hear they are making another push
into this market over here.
Best Regards,
Rick alfaro
On 2/22/2014 2:19 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
Right, well I don't know what the definition of "Quite Some time" is, I read a
review on the speakers - I'll link to it on list in another eMail - which suggested that
Bowers And Wilkins were new comers to the audio market in the U.S.A., I suppose the reviewer
was making a comparison between B&W and other well established names such as Polk Audio,
Boston Acoustics, Altec Lansing, Bose and so on.
Incidentally did anyone read that Altec Lansing is no more? Plantronics have
taken them over so I wonder what that will all mean.
On 23 Feb 2014, at 5:50 am, Rick Alfaro <[email protected]> wrote:
Actually, B&W has been here in the NA market for quite some time but as you said,
only found in top notch high end stereo shops. My center channel for my home theater
system is B&W.
I have all Klipsch speakers except for my sub which is a Velodyne and my B&W center. I
specifically chose the B&W because I didn't like the Klipsch center. In fact, my sub was going to
be B&W as well but I returned it because it kept bottoming out and making a flapping sound that
was just weird so I exchanged it for the Velodyne which is a 12" active sub with a 15"
passive radiator. This was several years ago and I haven't upgraded any of the speakers because the
system sounds just the way I like it. It's a better experience watching a BlueRay movie here in my
living room than in the movie theater except for the iMax ones of course.
Best Regards,
Rick alfaro
On 2/22/2014 2:05 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
I've not heard those speakers so can't make specific comments but hearing the B & W Z2 was
like hearing some Bose for the first time, upgrading from a pair of Plantronics Audio 478
headphones to a pair of Grado Labs SR60I audiophile headphones or say moving from USB 2.0 to
USB 3.0, in other words now you've experienced the difference you can't go back and I urge
anyone to hear these B&W speakers to fully appreciate what we're talking about here,
B*&w aren't the sort of thing you're going to find at your local Radio Shack or Wallmart
and I can only add its a pity that other speakers readily available aren't equal to B&W,
would be a near perfect world if they were.
Of course B&W and the only company doing this sort of stuff and their entry
into the North American market has been recent though they've been making speakers
in the U.K. for donkeys years.
B&W are in the same league as Polk Audio, Boston Acoustic and so forth.
On 22 Feb 2014, at 9:52 am, Walter Ramage <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi. If these speakers are anything like the B & W CM5 stand mount speakers
or the CM9 floor standing speakers then you won't be sorry. I have always
liked B & W speakers as they have a vary balanced sound and have a very good
bass response, they are also spacious and imiging is very accurate. Ihave
the CM 5s to listen to music or radio via my PC and downstairs are the
floor standing CM9s which are very impressive. Good luck with your purchase
but as it is B & W, there won't be much luck needed. Walter.
-----Original Message-----
From: Pc-audio [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dane
Trethowan
Sent: 21 February 2014 22:45
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: iPhone Dock: The Choice Has Been Made
Yep folks, I've finally decided what Dock I'm going to buy, I'm after a new
one given that I no longer have any IOS devices with 30 Pin connectors
though the only problem there is I have 3 units with 30 pin dock connectors,
I'd be absolutely raging! if those devices couldn't be put to other uses and
were only useless 30 pin docks <smile>.
My decision has come down to the Bowers & Wilkins Z2 iPhone dock/airPlay
speaker though I warn everyone now, the price for one of these gorgeous
things is not cheap, at around $400 but - from what I've heard - its
certainly well worth the money spent.
The Z2 sports a 9 pin Lightning connector, has an Aux-in socket and can be
used with airPlay.
I'll write more when the device arrives and I can test it with my Wi-Fi
network etc.
**********
Dane Trethowan
Skype: grtdane12
Phone US (213) 438-9741
Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598
Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589
Mobile: +61400494862
faceTime +61400494862
Fax +61397437954
Twitter: @grtdane
---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection
is active.
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**********
Dane Trethowan
Skype: grtdane12
Phone US (213) 438-9741
Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598
Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589
Mobile: +61400494862
faceTime +61400494862
Fax +61397437954
Twitter: @grtdane
**********
Dane Trethowan
Skype: grtdane12
Phone US (213) 438-9741
Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598
Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589
Mobile: +61400494862
faceTime +61400494862
Fax +61397437954
Twitter: @grtdane
**********
Dane Trethowan
Skype: grtdane12
Phone US (213) 438-9741
Phone U.K. 01245 79 0598
Phone Australia (03) 9005 8589
Mobile: +61400494862
faceTime +61400494862
Fax +61397437954
Twitter: @grtdane
