B&W speakers sounding very harsh?


Hey guys, brand new here.

So I recently got a new sound system for my game room. Keep in mind as I'm explaining everything that I'm brand new to the world of sound systems and how they work.

Here's what I'm using: I have a Marantz SR7015, a pair of B&W 702 S2's that are being powered from a Rotel amp (can't remember the model) , 700 series center channel, 600 series rears (the anniversary edition) and the 1000w sub. I also have 4 overhead speakers that are no B&W's.

The system sounds amazing! .....except for one thing. The highs sound very harsh on certain songs. It's almost like I hear a crackling if that makes sense but even putting my ears up to the speakers I can't pinpoint it. A good example is T.N.T. by AC/DC, when I listen to this song it's almost like I can hear a buzzing or crackling coming from somewhere (watch me explooooooooooode!) and the highs of the song sound very grating. Again, I'm having difficulty pinpointing what it could be and I listen to some songs and they sound just fine.

Keep a few things in mind. A. The sound system is relatively new and the sound system has probably 60 total hours of play time. I've read that these systems do require break in time. I also started from scratch learning how to configure everything (it took me 2 days before I figured out how to get sound of the speakers turned on) so it's possible I may have the tweeters turned up too high.

Based on the limited info I was able to give, does anyone have any advice? TY!
vgundam21

Showing 4 responses by ieales

I think you have just accurately and succinctly described the sound of B & W speakers

+1 on the B&W 7 series
702’s hold the record for the worst sounding speaker I’ve heard in the past 20 years.

If your room is an arcade, it’s ear bleed time.
I think Rotel, although good for the money, has a reputation to be bright.
Nope. I've never heard a bright Rotel through decent speakers.

The 705 series is a WTF as the B&W 80x series are superb.
I think everyone here would agree that trying to grade out a system at 50 hours is foolish. All new components, speakers, cables... need 2,3 or 4 times that much time to effectively burn in to produce their true sound.
Utter nonsense
I think OTHERS have demonstrated several time by comment alone, they, cannot hear certain things and or usually HAVEN'T been around enough equipment to tell the difference.

BTW there are ZERO 24 hour cable reports.. weeks per pair minimum just to settle and somewhat break in.. Months is a more accurate.
I think OTHERS have demonstrated several times by comment alone, they, can hear certain things THAT CAN BE EXPLAINED BY NORMAL PHYSICAL CONDITIONS and HAVE been around AND DESIGNED enough equipment to tell the difference.

Here's a 30 minute cable report from about 2003  ieLogical Audiophilia Redux - after I'd officially retired from professional audio.

IF the Break In Brigade is correct, their systems always suck as everything is always changing. I feel sorry for them not enjoying their systems as they pine in anticipation.