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Replacement for 802 D3s

Hey all,

After living with them for a few months, I'm looking to replace my B&W 802 D3s. While they offer great detail and soundstage, the sound is too bright and thin for our space. My room is fairly large (roughly 20'x30') and the speakers are on the long wall. The rest of the system includes...

Mac c2700 & MA 462
Aurender ACS100
VPI Prime Signature

The speakers I'm considering (and about to start auditioning) include...

KEF Blades
Paradigm Persona 9H
Wilson Audio Sasha DAW

I'm also considering Revel & Harbeth from a local dealer and am trying to find a dealer to demo Sonus Faber Amati Traditions and Il Cremonese.

I would be interested in any perspective from people who have owned any of these speakers and lived with them in their system for some time. Whatever we end up with has to not only sound great, but also look fantastic in a contemporary aesthetic.

Many thanks for any feedback...


beach2mtn
beach2mtn OP
52 posts
 
Thanks @arch2 ...I'm going to give the Persona's a demo next week at the same dealer that has the Blades...appreciate your perspective.

I lumped Harbeth in as I've read so much positive feedback on them. The only ones that have hit the mark for me aesthetically are with the color matching grey exterior (not sure if it was the "X" series)...certainly not sculptural, but again, I love what I read of the sound and want to give them a listen.
beach2mtn OP
52 posts
 
@russ69 appreciate the thoughts on the Mac gear and you could very well be correct. I know the speakers aren't right and want to change them first and if I need to upgrade the Mac stuff, I have no sentimental brand loyalty...really like what I've seen from Luxman, Gryphon, Pass Labs, etc..
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,467 posts
 
beach2mtn,

The  B&W 802 D3s are fine loudspeakers. I'm kind of surprised that they didn't work out for you. But on the otherhand my Mac402 just didn't have any bounce to it, it was just a tad dull and flat. My brother had six of them on his gigantic Infinity RS-1B system and they worked well there so it's a synergy thing. With the gear you have you might really like the Triangles.  
beach2mtn OP
52 posts
 
Cheers and thanks again @russ69 . I'll do some research and see if I can find a place to demo the Triangles. 
adg101
1,062 posts
 
Agree it’s more likely the Mac gear. My local B&W dealer carries both McIntosh and Audio Research. Don’t want to get into a bash on McIntosh but ARC will walk all over Mac gear all day long. I’d hold off on the speakers and drag home other components to see if things change. Your 802’s are very revealing speakers and the others noted on your shortlist are as well, excluding maybe the Harbeth, then the Fabers’. With your 802’s on the long wall they should fill your room just fine from your listening chair. Might need to spend more time on speaker placement and room treatment.
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