B+W 801D

The OP rightly asks for comments from those with first-hand experience but that can come in many ways. For example, one can hear speakers in a showroom which may or may not be familiar and which may or may not be representative of the room in which they will be used. This can lead to great variances in opinion (on top of personal biases) having only a bit to do with the speaker. Another example would be from the group that has chosen the speaker for their systems but that is likely to be populated people with a similar (and predictable) opinion.

As someone who has had 800 Sigs and now 802Ds, I know that every criticism mentioned so far has some basis in fact but that, to a large degree, those observations are related to the context of room, setup and ancillary equipment. Am I telling the OP to buy the 801Ds? Nope. I am telling him that unless he hears them himself and has a large suitable room for them, he might be better off sticking with less-demanding speakers that he can assess for himself.

Kal

Thanks for your insightful input.
However,is it possible to get top shelf sound out of these with proper system matching or do they have weaknesses that simply can't be overcome? Are there better obvious choices in your opinion? ie tannoy cantebury,wilson w/p 8,vandersteen 5a etc

Budt...after that uncalled for name calling, I don't know why I should care at all, however, I am now using Vandersteen 5A's with all Ayre electronics. I have never been so pleased with a system, or have heard anything that gets as much right as the 5A's. I might add, that they (like all speakers) have to be set up properly, and even though Richard himself doesn't think so, I think that the use of better power cords can make the speaker even better, at least in my setup. I urge you to hear them at a Vandersteen dealer. My goal as a musician and an audiophile is to disseminate the joy of music.

I have heard a number of people who really seem to love those 5a's.Infact I can't really recall any real hostility towards the line. I will definitely make it a point of hearing them.

i owned the 800D's for a few yrs. for the price range, they are very good looking(wife pleasers) and very good sounding, with the right amplifacation(not boomy at all) speakers. their bottom end, again with the right amplification, is tight, strong and deep. that said they are a little bright and at times a little harsh. they are great for home theater and represent real value. for 2 channel they are a more then an adequate in their price range. they are a value speaker, not for everyone. few elitest like them. but B&W knows what they are doing and how, with limitations, to build a true real value speaker.