Replacing B&W 606 S2

[Giedomb]

Hi everyone,

I’ve already started a thread about this on another forum, but I’m really keen to get the perspective of the ASR community as well.

I’m ready to replace my Bowers & Wilkins setup. The high frequencies are simply too aggressive and fatiguing at my close seating distance, and I want a smoother, more neutral, and non-fatiguing soundstage for my home theater.

Room & System Details:

Room Size: 16 m² (~172 sq ft)
Listening Distance: 130 cm - 160 cm (4.3–5.2 ft)
AVR: Denon AVC-X4800H
Current Speakers: B&W 606 S2 (L/R), HTM62 S2 (Center), 607 S2 (Surrounds)
Subwoofer: SVS SB-1000 PRO
Since I sit about 1.6 m from the front soundstage and need to place the speakers close to the wall, I need options that excel in nearfield integration with smooth off-axis response and non-fatiguing treble. Regarding EQ, I tried dialing back the high frequencies using the MultEQ Editor app, but the results still didn't quite satisfy me. Moved them 17 cm off the wall, facing straight ahead (zero toe-in). A bit better now—much less exhausting on the ears.
On the other forum and in shops, several models were suggested: KEF R-series, Wharfedale EVO 4.1, Triangle Borea BR02, Triangle Comete EZ, Fyne Audio F500, JBL Stage 2 250B, Polk Audio R200, and DALI Oberon 3 (or Oberon 1).

What are your thoughts on these, as well as options like the ELAC Debut Reference (DBR62) ? My exact spatial constraints are a distance from the back wall of max 30 cm (~12 in), and a side clearance of about 15 cm (~6 in) from a rack. Which of these options would handle these boundary conditions best?
Also, about the center channel: my current B&W center is actually tucked inside a cabinet, which I know is a terrible setup that definitely degrades the sound. I'll either need to rearrange the furniture to get a new center out in the open, or simply drop the center entirely and run a 4.1 phantom center setup. Given my close ~1.6 m nearfield seating position, how well would a phantom center work here?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

 

[Cote Dazur]

Welcome to ASR, you found the right place to learn, take the time to read and learn, start with any thread from Amir and Floyd Toole.
Your set up is far from optimum, so no speakers will do miracle. It will not prevent many advice on many different speakers to come your way without knowing anything about your room limitations. That is what people do.
Take the time to learn instead. Speakers are an important link in the chain but they do not work alone.

 

[Nopiano]

I’d fill those shelves with books and LPs, unless you can actually remove them. If you don’t have any books then charity shops usually have lots unsold (in UK at least). Then put down the largest rug that will fit on the floor. And perhaps a canvas above the TV. Then report back!

Don’t spend money on speakers when everything else needs sorting first!

 

[Deleted member 93733]

As others are saying, the B&W’s will sound fatiguing in a room with very little acoustic absorption. You can diy your own panels and/or buy ready made broadband absorbers. My 603’s are in a similar sized room to yours and don’t sound bright at all. I have around 4.5 m2 of broadband absorption, plus a large rug on wood floor, small 2 seat sofa and a fabric listening chair. No curtains, just a blind. As a guide if you clap your hands in the room you should hear the clap and no, to very little reflected sound. Just some ideas to get you started and hopefully save you time and money to work with what you have already.