B&W 803D or Dynaudio C2's

I haved owned b&w and demoed most of their 800 line.

There are more accurate speakers out there but the 803d and up are a fun speaker. I demoed the Sophia 3 and 802diamond in the same room/system (AR gear) back to back and was more engaged with the 802diamond. Maybe it was the boom and tizzle affect but what mattered is both we're enjoyable and that is what this is all about anyway. The sound stage was wider in the midrange on the Sophia's but the bass and highs were more dynamic/punchy with better snap on the 802diamond.

The next week I demoed the Revel Salon 2, now there is a speaker with almost no faults. There are some used Salon/Studio 2s on here you may want to add to your list too. They are more accurate than the 803 (never hear the C2) and just as fun. The 803 sweet spot is a lot smaller than the wide even dispersion of the revel line. The revel mids are cleaner with more detail and the highs are a wash. The revel highs are more detailed and delicate but the b&w diamonds throw a very wide real sounding cymbal crash.

I have heard the 803d and 802d in the same system back to back and the 802d's midrange is a lot more open (less box coloration... well none). It would be worth the extra money IMO if you go b&w.

I owend the Nautilus 802N and the 800S. Thing I loved was the focus. And the sound during classical music. But there is one very important part what is the weakest point of B&W. They are not the best in making 'perfect'filters for there speakers. They have been always quite poor in depth and in 3d sound. For me is a 3d holographic sound the most thrilling part for highend audio. This is why after 8 years I did not want to continue with B&W. I wanted to take a further step in Highend Audio. And B&W are not able to give me this.

Bo1972,

What did you buy after the B&Ws?

800, 801 and 802 with Nautilus top makes a big difference in focus and authority. But still in 3d and depth some competitors are superior. Ones you heared extreme 3d holographic sound, you do not want to go back. It is not possible!

I bought Monitor Audio Pl-300, Pass labs XA100.5, XP-20 and then I uses a Meridian 800Daxv4 as source. Valhalla loudspeakercable. Now I play with Monitor Audio Pl-200 and PLW-15 sub. My amp at this moment is X250.5 ( I think I wil go back to XA100.5 later) and Onkyo PR-SC 5509 with Audessey Pro. Crazy thing is I have a more holographic image then what I had with the XP-20. I play about 4 metres behind the speakers, more then 1 metre beside the speakers. And many recordings also play infront of you. This makes the stage extrremly deep and wide. With Audessey pro does stunning things with focus and depth. I never could hear 2nd and 3th voices on recording this good. I sold my Valhalla, and soon I will test the Audioquest Redwood. Aud