B&W at Magnolia in Best Buy
Monster Jam
Posts: 919
Not sure if this topic has been covered but I was surprised to see B&W speakers in my local Magnolia section at Best Buy. I think they might have been the CM series. My first impressions of them, without having the benefit to actually listen to them, was it seemed to most closely resemble Polk's RTi speakers.
I don't go to BB very often - I happen to have a $50 gift card that I need to spend and I was taking in ideas.
I don't go to BB very often - I happen to have a $50 gift card that I need to spend and I was taking in ideas.
Do you hear that buzzing noise? 
Post edited by Monster Jam on
Comments
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Yeah they started carrying them. It's funny in their ad they show you can save off the 8xx series, but i've never seen them in the stores. You can order them but not listen to them... who buys speakers without listening to them first?Main Surround -
Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub
Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250
Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD -
Cool, something to do tomorrow morning!Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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The stores near me have the 600 series and the CM series. The CM's are sweet. The sales guy says that they have access to the entire B&W product lines.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
Love the CM9's.
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They have the 800 series at one of my local BB/Mag stores. Could not listen to them though
. They were still being set up. -
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
It was a good move to replace the Vienna Acoustics line with B&W.Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
They have the 800 series at one of my local BB/Mag stores. Could not listen to them though. They were still being set up.
A BB with the 800s? I don't think BB is worthy of them! If they are doing this, how come they will not carry anything Polk other than the TSi line? At least not where I live.Things are more like they are now than they ever will be! -
It was a good move to replace the Vienna Acoustics line with B&W.
A BB had Viennas?? Apparently, the Best Buys in the home city do not get special treatment!Things are more like they are now than they ever will be! -
It all depends on whether or not your BB has a Magnolia store in it.. not all BB have Magnolia, but the Magnolia stores carry B&W, Energy, Martin Logan, Def Tech and Mirage in store, and you can get the polk RTIA line on the BB website. They used to carry Vienna acoustics. I thought only the stand alone Magnolias were going to get the 800 Series, i'm surprised if they are going to start carrying them in the BB Magnolias.Main 2ch -
BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.
TV 3.1 system -
Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22 -
Unfortunately, not all BB's have the Magnolia department. I had a little issue with BB moving upscale, but worthy or not, at least we have a place where we can audition some decent speakers. They are also starting to carry some Marantz and claim that they have access to the entire line.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
The audio section in my local BB is about a 12' section of one aisle. Not an ideal place to audition the B&W speakers. Where would they put the Mark Levison:biggrin:TO ERR IS HUMAN. TO FORGIVE IS CANINE.
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A BB had Viennas?? Apparently, the Best Buys in the home city do not get special treatment!
The BB out in Maple Grove had the Vienna's in the Magnolia section of the store. I'm in Maple Grove several times a year and like to visit that store because it's a test market store and you see some lines of merchandise the other stores don't have.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
The BB out in Maple Grove had the Vienna's in the Magnolia section of the store. I'm in Maple Grove several times a year and like to visit that store because it's a test market store and you see some lines of merchandise the other stores don't have.
I go to that one every few months and have never seen Viennas there. Maybe I just missed them? I might be there on Friday so I will report what is there. And see if they have some B&W 800s.Things are more like they are now than they ever will be! -
The audio section in my local BB is about a 12' section of one aisle. Not an ideal place to audition the B&W speakers. Where would they put the Mark Levison:biggrin:
Don, I am a little jealous of the equipment you have! Very nice!Things are more like they are now than they ever will be! -
I think or in my opinion, they seem to be trying to take over where tweeter left off.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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I go to that one every few months and have never seen Viennas there. Maybe I just missed them? I might be there on Friday so I will report what is there. And see if they have some B&W 800s.
I plan to stop in there tonight and also see if Ultimate has any deals. It's the closest place with toy stores and decent choice in restaurants to where I'm at when I'm working in Minneapolis.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
I plan to stop in there tonight and also see if Ultimate has any deals. It's the closest place with toy stores and decent choice in restaurants to where I'm at when I'm working in Minneapolis.
Cool! Just my observation. It seems that Best Buy is becoming more "high end" than Ultimate. Ultimate maybe in some kind of transition? Ultimate (Audio King) used to carry the good stuff. It is as if they are trying to stoop down to Best Buys level now. I used to like Ultimate much more.Things are more like they are now than they ever will be! -
We had an Ultimate in Des Moines IA that while it was open carried higher quality gear such as Parasound, Pioneer Elite, Sunfire, etc. Unfortunately their listening rooms were always a mess and the better gear really didn't sound like it should.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
Some best buys don't have Magnolia stores and in some locations the magnolia store are its own brick and mortar location.
I have heard that most locations will not have the 80x series but I think you can order them. I don't know how you will justify buying a 4-12K dollars per speaker and just order them but to each ist own. As a side note if you are interested in B&w I have to say keep in mind thta most dealers will be able to give you between 10-15% off depending on your order. so don't be afraid on going to an independet dealer.
That said, what I like about best buy is that you go in and no one bothers you, I actually felt like some of these small dealers they just want to talk down on you because you don't have unlimited funds. But once you overcome the situation, what you find is that they are very helpful and probably will be a very enjoyable talk about music and technology. just keep in mind before you go do your homework because they are there to sell you as much or above of what you can afford.....Current HT setup
Mains: B&W 804s
Center: Polk CSi5
Surround: Polk FXi3
Sub: Velodyne DLS-3750R
Receiver: Pioneer SC-07
Amplifier: Sunfire TGA5200
TV: Sony KDS60A2020
DBP: Sony DBP-S350
CDP: Pioneer DV-48AV
Interconnect cables: SignalCable analog II
speaker cables: SignalCable Ultra Speaker Cables Bi-wire -
Unfortunately, there arent many other places to shop high end in. Sure, they're are scattered and sprinkled everywhere, but not like before. Since there is a market out there, I beleive BB is trying to get some of it. And why not? If there are arent as many competitors out there then go and get as many customers as you can.
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I would much rather buy from a smaller shop and give them the business than BB. Just because the smaller shops are more focussed and (might) care more about you. There are two stores in town. Jerry Raskins Needle Doctor and Audio Perfection that are great stores. The people who work there are audiophiles and like to just jabber about anything audio. You will probably not get that at Best Buy! I never have.Things are more like they are now than they ever will be!
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The Magnolia store inside the local BB near me has the B&W 800 line, Martin Logan, Sonus Faber Cremona M and McIntosh gear (Both tube and SS) all set up on display and operational in one room.
On display out in front at the main entrance to the Magnolia store is a McIntosh MC275 V amp and a C220 pre amp. They are powering Martin Logan speakers. That display caught my eye the second I got remotely close to the Magnolia section.
The salesmen told me this particular store is one of only a few across the country that are full blown Magnolia stores within a BB. -
Best buy should do something with the Magnolia section. Hire better people to run it , keep displays up to date and clean , have a design center room to sit and talk to customers about their house and what can be done in their. They have good gear including Control 4.
They would need someone like me to get them up to speed. I go in their and no one helps me. I looked at the B&W CM9's and listened to them for about 15 minutes. They where connected to a Yamaha receiver and a onkyo dvd player. Awful wiring sloppy , poor placement of the speakers , nice room as I see much potential.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
A BB had Viennas?? Apparently, the Best Buys in the home city do not get special treatment!
BB in Richfield had had the Viennas for years and years, lived 1 mile from the BB campus and in that store a lot..only the Magnolias had the VA's..do not about all other MN stores -
Well, I will check it out tomorrow. I do know speaker placement is a problem in these stores. I think it has more to do with being able to squeeze as much equipment into a finite space. Not much you can do. Also, they get too crowded sometimes to go into one of the listening rooms and do some critical listening and play with the stuff. But, bad room or not, you can tell if a speaker is realy bad or not.Things are more like they are now than they ever will be!
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Yes, your right,, they just have in store help..High school kids,, or just sales people who are there for a paycheck,,dont know how to hook up,, or sell audio gear,,,Best buy should do something with the Magnolia section. Hire better people to run it , keep displays up to date and clean , have a design center room to sit and talk to customers about their house and what can be done in their. They have good gear including Control 4.
They would need someone like me to get them up to speed. I go in their and no one helps me. I looked at the B&W CM9's and listened to them for about 15 minutes. They where connected to a Yamaha receiver and a onkyo dvd player. Awful wiring sloppy , poor placement of the speakers , nice room as I see much potential.Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with. -
They're not going to hire people for more than $10/hr to do that job. It's the business model.
When I worked there I hooked everything up great... but they don't pay me anymore.
If you want to hear it well, have them hook it up for you. Some of them will take the time, unless it's busy.Main Surround -
Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub
Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250
Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD -
I was in BB Magnolia this afternoon and gave a listen to the CM9's....they are sweet.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
I was in BB Magnolia this afternoon and gave a listen to the CM9's....they are sweet.
What else did they have from the B&W lineup?
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
