b&w suggestions

I own both 803ds and 804s. I only use them in a stereo system, not HT.

I first had the 804s set up and optimized and they sounded very good. Excellent sound staging and imaging. I upgraded to 803d because of the diamond tweeter and I have to say the 804s were stiil very good by comparison. The 803d can produce a larger sound stage (generally because they are placed further apart) and better bass, higher SPLs, more dynamic transients.

The potential downside is they can be brighter in the upper midrange (high pitched flutes, female vocals with a lot of microphonics/syllabence), esp if placed too close together.

If you are happy with the 804 I would tend to stay with them unless they are not filling the room like you want.

Bill:

If you can borrow a pair of 803s to try, then that is your best bet. If you have to buy a pair and hope their better, its a larger gamble.

If you buy a pair used at a good price, you can flip them and get your money back. But be aware the 803s are very heavy and they need expenseve B&W packaging to ship. In my experience, you can ship a pair once maybe twice before the packaging falls apart and needs replacement.

The 803s are heavy, but the 802s are tanks. I did not consider them because I just cannot move them around my house without the help of a couple extra people (and I live by myself). The 804s are paperweights by comparison.

Strange consideration when considering speakers, but you need your eyes open to the somewhat inconvenient but practical side of things.

I feel that spikes are essential for good sound, so moving over carpet is not easy. I also have my 803s up on plinths with spiked heavy brass footers (between the 803 and the plinth, and the plinth to carpet), so moving this combo around is especially difficult. I was actually looking for a lift truck with a movable lifting platform but these are very pricey.

If its just for the center (????) then I would consider the 802n and save thousands over an 802d. I think they might be a better match for the 804s versions (similar tweeters).