Customer Ratings & Reviews

Produces great highs and lows by far the best !!!!

I am sort of new to the audio industry. What I know is specs. but not so much how things work. Anyway I brought these speakers along with a vsx lx 301 reciever (pioneer) also from best buy. I was playing everything on 5 channel stereo (with 5.1 set up) I loved the sound of the music but the voices of the movies didn't sound good I kept on playing and playing with it because I knew it wasn't right because the same exact system sounded awesome in the store. I finally did some research-Stereo was for music but surround sound was for movies. (in my heart I wanted the 4 speakers when watching movies but when I switched to surround sound the sound quality was awesome !!!!!!! just like in the store just like in the movies. I'm very happy now

A great addition to the other B&W speakers in my theater.

When paired with a decent amplifier, these speakers are very full sounding and detailed. I use them both for tv and music using a pc as source. They have great detail while somehow being very forgiving with lower quality audio files. They can get loud and don't seem to be as fatiguing as my Klipsch's. Couldn't be happier, that is until I can afford some diamond series!

I was trying to upgrade my surround systems from small Klipsch satellite speakers that were running front high wide channel. I have Klipsch RF-62 fronts, RC-52 center, KEF IQ30 rear surrounds, Klipsch RW12D sub along with a cheaper 10 inch klipsch sub and then the satellites, and a Sony STR1050 receiver. I compared the B&W 685S2 to the Definitive studio 55's and there was no comparison, the B&W's were worlds better . I am using them as my rears and moved the KEF's to the high fronts and what a difference right away. After about a week of tweeking the settings I am amazed at the quality of sound compared to before. Now I have to fight the urges to go after the CM-9 towers.

Awesome floor speakers and great value for money!!

Awesome product I would recommend this to everyone

amazing sound,well worth the money,very well made.

I got the 685S2s and the Marantz 5011 receiver (and Martin Logan sub) for my mom and they are amazing. My mom says she finds herself listening to her music into the wee hours of the morning which is a very new thing. She's listening to all of her music over again to hear it through those speakers listening for all of the details in the music that she had never noticed before.

I replace my old Bose floor standing speaker to this one to save space and to match it with my bw center speaker for a 7.1 setup. So far It didn't really make a huge difference but its noticeably much cleaner sound. But then again the subwoofer will play a big rule in any setup. You definitely need a subwoofer to pair with this speaker otherwise my beolit 15 from BO will sound better than this. I use this as my front left and right for a 7.1 setup but I used it as my stereo with subwoofer for music.

Good price for these 2 B&W speakers. Nice sound quality. Good buy for the price. The stand pair with the speaker make it perfect for small home theater

If youre already thinking of it stop thinking and buy these. they have incredible range. I use them as surrounds, but honestly they could be front speakers and almost do the job just as well (if your an audiohaulic).

Returned the 686 for these. Used mainly for music. Incredible sound! The bass at higher volumes is worth the price of upgrade.

These speakers sound amazing in just a 2.0 setup. The range is pretty impressive for a bookshelf speaker. Watching blu-rays these speakers provide a solid sound stage and some tactile feelings. Understanding that how speakers sound to each person is subjective try before you buy. Best Buy has a good test drive setup in their Magnolia section.

Sound and quality are great as well as the product was affordable. We were also able to use best buy bonus points which sweetened the deal!

These bookshelf speakers are worth for this price tag. As they deliver best sound in its class. No distortion. Would recommend a good quality receiver to make these sing. Any good receiver with good DAC and greater that 60-80Watts RMS on 2 channel will drive these speaker to their full potential. PS: Dont waste your money on cheap receiver. Buy at least Marantz 5012 or Yamaha 1070 or any receiver in the range of $700-$800. Do check their reviews on Audioholics or any good reviewers site . Check for Onboard DAC. This ensures the speaker that you buy deliver their full potential. If budget can be stretched a bit then, buy Marantz SR7012 with price Match from Crutchfield or Newegg.com. Its currently at $1199 which was at $2199 few months back. This is due to the fact that Marantz Launched SR7013 for $2199 (frankly there will be no difference in audio quality and not worth spending 1000 for an incremental upgrade) .

I only have two speakers set up as stereo with a yamaha adventage receiver. Sound from top to bottom is clean and crisp. I had purchased the Elac unifi ub5, which I returned, because for the extra $150-$200 the B&W 685 S2 set was worth it. I figured that if I have them for 10 years, then it should cost me $15-$20 per year extra. I plan to purchase the B&W center and subwoofer in the future. The Elac set is excellent, but the B&W 685 is simply better.

Ive had these speakers for over a month now and they continue to impress me. Crisp highs, great mids!

Fits the space well (low profile). Great sound. Bi amping/bi wiring work great and easy set up.

For the money, these speakers deliver a good, full sound and a distinctive bass.