Hi- Really new to Aperion...first post actually. I'm currently on the market for some new speakers. I'm not unhappy with my B&W's. They're actually my first venture into "higher-end" audio having spent my college years with the usual suspects: JBL, Bose, etc. I'm currently using DM 601 s3's. I recently bought a Rotel RB 1070 2-channel amp to ad to my Marantz SR8400 receiver...just for more clean, powerful 2-channel listening. At any rate, my B&W's are only rated up to 100W and the 1070 puts out 130 continuous. While that doesn't necessarily concern me, what does is the lack of frequency response. In 2 channel (no sub), my speakers can only go down to 60Hz. Believe me, they sound great, but I'd like something with a bit more range. And by the way, floorstanders are out do to the old lady. That's why I got interested in Aperion. The new 632 seems right up my alley. They handle up to 200W and are rated down to 46Hz...significantly better ***on paper*** than my B&W's. I put "on paper" cause I know stat sheets don't tell the whole story...not even close. That's why I turn to you kind folks. Are there any previous B&W users that are now Aperion users? Can anyone give me some comparisons...smoother, fuller, punchier bass, etc. I know that there's a 30 return policy and that I won't pay for shipping etc, but to be honest, that all seems like a pain in the ass. I'd like to know, with at least some sort of security, that I won't be disappointed with the Aperions. I know ultimately my ears will decide that, but I'd like to hear from those currently using them. Thanks in advance. Cory

I have never owned any of B&W's speakers, but I did seriously look into getting some out of their CM line - I auditioned them in a high end audio shop several months ago.

I was very impressed with their overall detail, but after hearing the Aperion 522, I really prefer the Aperion. They are every bit as accurate as the B&W CM, and appear to have higher quality construction.

As for frequency response, you're going to have a difficult time finding bookshelf speakers that can effectively go below 60 hz. I have not heard the new 632, so I can't comment on their specs, but honestly, I will be VERY impressed if they can get that low. I have done a lot of listening to various speakers over the last few years and I have never found a small speaker that can go below 60 hz. In fact, my opinion is that most speakers should not be run below 80 hz.

The best thing for frequencyresponse below 60 hz is a good subwoofer. The S8-APR works very well for music.

Thanks for the response Nick. Yeah, I agree...it is very hard for bookshelves to get very low. You need large drivers that can move air and larger cabinet enclosures. I am currently running a sub...and SVS PB10-ISD which is rated down to 20Hz with 300 continuous watts, so plenty of low end there to make up for lack of response. However, in pure-direct 2 channel mode, no info is sent to the sub...your fronts have to do all of the work. So, what I was hoping to find is a bookshelf that stretches down as low as it can to make up for the lack of a sub. Obviously a floorstander is going to do this a lot better, but I'm stuck with bookshelves, so my hope is to find the best one I can in terms of response. I would also be surprised if these reached that low...but if they did, that would be great. Thanks again.

have you tried making adjustments to the settings on your receiver?

there should be some way to include the subwoofer when listening in 2-channel mode.

Cory, I heard the 632 at the HE show in NYC this past weekend.  I only heard them as rear channels in an HT and 5.1 music presentation, but the whole 6 line sounded great!  (I unfortunately missed a 2-channel set-up with the 632's Ben was giving at 5 on Sunday)  I wanted to bring a pair home from the show, but I don't have anywhere to use them.  They just looked beautiful and sounded great!

I can say, that IMO, they will better the DM 601's.  I am not a huge fan of B&W, but these are one of their poorer offerings.  Again, just my personal taste.  I think you would be mighty happy with the 632's!

One thing though, if you are using stands with the 632's anyway, the 532PT is a slimmer footprint and very high WAF, plus with the built-in subs, they go low!  Excellent with both HT and 2-channel.

Thanks for the replies Nick and Jim. Nick, yes there is a way to get the sub involved in 2-channel. If I choose "stereo" it will do so. However, I was speaking more to the "pure-direct" mode. My receiver (and other like it) will use this mode to shut down all extraneous circuitry to give the purist signal it can to your front speakers...and in doing so, will send no information to the sub. This is the setting I'm most concerned with. I know my best results would be with floorstanders, but those aren't an option. Thanks for the info on your impressions with the 632's Jim. I actually like my 601's. In fact, I had an opportunity to switch, having brought home some Paradigm Monitor 5's. I ended up taking the Pardigms back and keeping the B&W's. I know their sound doesn't even come close to approaching what their 800 series is capable of, but at the $400-$450/pr price point, I didn't hear anything that I liked more...and I auditioned A LOT...driving the fiancé crazy in the meantime. They were about as neutral as any speaker I heard. My complaint, or wish I guess, is that they handled more power and stretched down a little lower. On paper, it certainly appears as the Aperions will do so...I'm just looking for a little encouragement. But, sometimes, you just gotta dive in and get your feet wet I guess. Thanks again.

Cory, it sounds like you've done your homework on the B&W's and have something that matches your tastes.  If you're only looking for a deeper response, you may have a tough search ahead of you?

I'd prefer the 632 to the B&W, but you may very well just love the B&W sound and not be able to be drawn away from it for just a few Hz lower in frequency extension.  Keep us posted if you do end up trying out the 632's vs. the 601's.  Good luck and happy listening! 

If you like your B&Ws, but want lower extention, I would go with the B&W 602 S3.  Many people I have talked with much prefer this speaker over the 601, and not just for bass. It does have a slightly larger cone, 7 or 8" I believe, so that will make the bass better, plus a larger cabinet.

I have a hard time understanding though (as do others) that you won't use your sub for 2 channel listening. I am not sure you would really hear any improvement using this mode anyway, and you sacrifice not using the sub to boot. You should be able to turn off your tone controls, and run pure, as I do on my NAD receiver, and still be able to use your sub. This to me should make your sound fuller.  ANother speaker to try is the Paradigm Ref 20 v4. I did audition them not too long ago, and the bass was very good for a monitor size speaker. About $800 though. If your 601 are less than a year old, you should be able to trade them into your dealer for full price, and then be able to get the 602 for not much more. Worth a shot.

Hi Cory - did you ever make a change from your B&W 601s? I have 601s also and was evaluating the Aperion bookshelfs.

Hi Rich- Wow, what a surprise to see this thread pop back up. I still come hear ever so often to see what's up in the land of Aperion and saw this had been replied to, now a year later. Yes, I did end up making a change, but not to Aperion. That's not to say I won't. In fact, I'm currently getting ready for another overhaul, so who knows. What can I say...I like new toys. Anyhow, yes, I ended up with a pair of Paradigm Studio 20 v3's. I was offered a killer deal on them by a local shop, so I jumped. Since I was still in possession of my 601's, I was able to set up both pair and a/b them at home. I ended up keeping the Studios as I felt they sounded significantly better....as well they should at nearly double the price, MSRP. (I didn't pay anywhere close to that!) Don't know if that helps you in your search at all, but I didn't want to not respond. Happy hunting.