B&W 803d vs. B&W 804s - Fast Input

I own a pair of 803D; have had them for about 1.5 years. Installed in a large room, about 20X25 with 13 foot ceilings. Great sound at any level but must be matched with a good amp as they are a very difficult speaker to drive. I would recommend at minimum a good SS amp 200 plus watts. Best I have heard these sound is on Classe 400 watt monoblocks.

Thank all for swift input. I have to have the primary seating in this room against the back wall. Planning to hang D8Ss on the sides. Too much stuff around to use montiors on stands. Trying to avoid not having enough sound from surrounds. Make sense?

I have a pair of 803D for my mains and the HTM3S (essentially a 803S) for my center, DS8S for the surrounds and CCM-65 in ceiling for my rear backs.

For me there is a mjor difference in the diamond tweeters and the aluminum ones in the 803S and 804S. Theya sre simply sweeter and should be for the $1079 cost of each one vs. the $300 cost of the alumnimum ones. Yes, the 803D has more bass and they are perfect for my listening/HT room which is quite large with high ceilings.

Given the right cable, the aluminum tweeters can be not as forward as they are. For any of them, bi-wiring and a lot of good clean power can dramtically improve the sound of any of the 800 series speakers.

The DS8S also have alumnium tweeter which are better sounding than the 700 series and below metal tweeters.

I agree with one of the other posters that mentioned the best bang for the buck is he 803S but I'm glad I spent the money on the 803Ds for both the sweeter and more detailed tweeter and the extra bass at least in my listening area.

I'd forget about the 804S unless you have a small listening area. There is a major difference in bass between the 803S and 804S.

I've had both relatively recently for extended periods (purchased the 804S lived with them for about six months and then upgraded to the 803D lived with them for about six months and have now moved on) and it's not even close. The 803D is in a whole other league - the diamond tweeter, the midrange transparency and the bass. If you have the funds, don't waste your time auditioning the 804S. Frankly, the 803D is where B&W starts.

I have owned the 804S for 18months, upgraded to the 803D two months ago.
In comparison, for the 804S:
- smaller footprint and lower height more elegant for small/medium rooms.
- lean bass results in virtually no bass boom,
- surprisingly deep and articulate bass for relatively small loudspeaker
- more open neutral midrange (less of a dip in the presence zone)
On other hand, 803D is:
- deeper, fuller, has more tonal colour through bass
- seems easier to drive since not as much volume needed to get decent bass
- smoother transition and integration between drivers
- diamond tweeter smoother, more relaxed

I enjoyed the 804S open midrange but I could not live with the lean bass balance in the long-term. The 803D is a substantial improvement for me.