Heard the B&W N804d3s ...

@ mb1audio ... My speakers used to be set up in dining room/living room combination in my old condo. It was the same issue back then ... I think the fact that the N804s lowest frequency response is 42 -45 Hz is the problem for me. While the bass is tuneful, it’s missing that tiny bit of "oomph" for which I’m looking.

@ smac ... Not sure that the speakers are too big for the room. A monitor speaker likely would result in the same circumstance given their similar and typical frequency response to the N804. I’ll try the sub to see if that makes a positive difference, and then will post the results.

Thanks to all for your input.

I owned the 802N ( Which I bought brand new in 1999) and the 800S. ( Which I bought when they were only 3 months old)

But when I audtioned the 800D1, I knew I would not buy B&W again. This is based on the fact that B&W misses a few important parts which are essential for highend audio.

Stage depth and width are essential parts for highend audio. Because this brings music closer to you during listening and makes it more intense.

The 800S and the 800D1 were able to create 1 metre of depth, this is in fact a hifi stereo parameter. When we auditioned the 800D3 with the most expensive Esoteric power, pre and source ( which can create a lot of stage depth) again the stage had 1 metre of depth. They call it highend audio, but in real we are talking about hifi stereo parameters.

The 804D3 costs 9000 euro, again this is still a lot of money for a hifi stereo loudspeaker.

I too have auditioned the 800D3 at a presentation put on by B&W at my local Paragon botique, here in Michigan. Power and pre-sources were driven by the latest D’Agostino Progression monoblocks, and Momentum pre-amp., wired with uber-high-end Transparent cable.

I must say I have to respectfully disagree with the above assessment of lack of stage depth and width. What I heard was transparency on Joanne Shaw Taylor’s "Blackest Day", as if guitar was in the room directly hooked up to the amp. Depth so nuanced on a couple of vocal tracks from Tom Jones’ "Nobody’s Fault But Mine", and Joss Stone’s "I Had A Dream", were laid bare absent speakers... In my experience B&W’s stage depth lends to the unique texture of each performer’s vocals. Bass extension was just short of subwoofer depths but definitely not missed on Chuck Deardorf’s "Moon And Sand".

So impressed with the presentation and being an 802N owner, I returned home to play the very same tracks, and some familiar pieces that were kindly played for me by B&W’s U.S. division president. My setup with ASW-800 subwoofer, Parasound JC1’s, Denon AVP-A1 3D (Upgrade Co. Moded), Audioquest cables.
Upon listentening in my room’s evironment with treatments and collective synergy, my 802’s (ironically toed-in the same degrees) had everything heard on the 800D3’s... Just not in the inth degree the way guitar sounded directly hooked up to amp. as on the D3’s (and this is in absolutely by no means any slight or knock on the new 800 series’ worth).

So as one poster stated that listening to the new speakers in your room’s environment with your electronics is most ideal. Room treatments are invaluable, and you may consider going up the line of previous iterations. I think my next upgrade will be the 800N’s or D2’s.

I have doen thousands of tests in audio. We always test each part on how much depth it can build. These are not parts based on personal preference, but based on real differences.

Denon is a 2 dimensional brand. This means it build less than 1 metre of stage depth. Even with the best speakers who are able to create stage depth.

It is very easy to compare and test. First you need to know the DNA of each single part of your system.


The paper low drivers of the 802N are extreemly slow compared to drivers of new loadspeakers. The crossovers are also very limited. The 20khz tweeter is also very limited based on technique compared to tweeters who are available these days.

Given the size of my room, 9x10x8, the 800N or 802D2 are way too big for the space. In the current line-up, I would have to look at either the 804 or 805.