B&W DM 14 Speakers

[RD]

Does anyone know what speakers currently made by B&W (or other
speaker) sounds closest to the older (early 80's) B&W DM 14's?
Thank you

[Tim Britt]

This is a tough question to answer. First, go to
http://www.bwspeakers.com/downloadFile/speakerModel/DONE_-product_info_DM14.pdf
from the B&W site - This is the brochure for your speaker.

Now, I happen to own a pair of B&W DM3000 speakers that I like better
than anything in B&W's current line, including any of their 800 series
and it drives my B&W dealer nuts when I tell him his new ones are too
bright and don't sound as good as my old ones :-)

Virtually all B&W speakers have gone to a metallic tweeter and the ONLY
metallic tweeter I have ever listened to that I could tolerate was the
older metallic tweeter Polk used to use, but even Polk has dropped use
of metallic tweeters. IMO, you will find all of the current B&W
speakers much "brighter" sounding than your DM14's: There is nothing in
B&W's current line that would come close to sounding like your older
DM14 speakers.

My advice would be to try and find an older pair of DM14's if you really
like them that much and have their driver's rebuilt by B&W if they need
repair.

If this is not possible, and you want to purchase something new, I'd
look at the Castle range from England. They are a much smaller company
than B&W, but they make all their own driver's and some of their less
expensive models may come closest in "voicing" to your DM14's. And they
make excellent speakers.

Another few "vintage" speakers you may like that are worth hunting down
are some early Mission 770 speakers, and some Rogers or Harbeth or
Spendor speakers from that time period. The BC1's are particularly good
and drivers are still available for them from various sources.

Good luck on your quest.

RD wrote:
> Does anyone know what speakers currently made by B&W (or other
> speaker) sounds closest to the older (early 80's) B&W DM 14's?
> Thank you