New Speakers under consideration - but I’m afraid

I really like my speakers but I am considering an upgrade. I have B&W 801 S2 MkIII that I bought new in 1999 (re-coned with modded x-over). I’m afraid that what I get will not equal them and new may just be different.

They are bi-amped with McIntosh up top and Krell on the bottom. Analog is Revox B77 and dig is Oppo 105D with Bryston DAC3.

I will also likely upgrade the DAC but this thread is about speakers.

I need a dynamic loudspeaker that is as good with chamber music as it is with acoustic jazz, rock and electronic music (everything but Country and Rap).

I haven’t heard anything yet but am considering Borrersen X3, Wilson Sasha and B&W 803 D4.

Should I be afraid or will these speakers all best a 25 yr old design?

ritter0610-06-2024 7:52pm

...
76 posts total
View entire discussion

mdalton Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 455 posts 10-10-2024 at 06:39am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete imho, resale value is a terrible reason to buy anything. buy it, love it, use it up.
oddiofyl Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,741 posts 10-10-2024 at 07:42am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Absolutely.... your kids will sell it for peanuts when you die anyway! Enjoy now. It's like having a classic car you don't drive. Why save it for the next guy?
yoyoyaya Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 718 posts 10-10-2024 at 11:00am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @OP There are a lot of used Wilson speakers around because people upgrade to newer Wilsons. On B&W's - there's no guarantee you will like the latest generation better - they are certainly not a speaker I would choose for chamber music. Magico A5s are worth listening to - more evenly balanced that D4 B&Ws but somewhat similar in character. Personally, I would prefer the Sasha DAW but, while the thread is not about digital, I would not compromise the budget for a digital front end upgrade because, especially with more modern speakers, you are really going to need it. In fact, I would suggest looking at that before changing speakers at all.
panerai557 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 71 posts 10-10-2024 at 11:54am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete My pick would be Joseph Audio Perl. Kharmas are also dynamic with a good authority. Dynaudio confidence 50 should be also very good. I would look YG or Rockport over Wilson or BW. Later brands looks beautiful but the sound never moved me.
yesiam_a_pirate Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 184 posts 10-10-2024 at 01:01pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Its SO subjective but as a rule: Wilsons are holographic, B&Ws are rowdy and in your face, and I've never heard Borresons so I can't opine. One poster mentioned Maggies. I 100% agree. Get the 1.7s with a pair of REL 7 subs. It's transformational.