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Bowers and Wilkerson B&W 802 D3: an impolite Brit?

I heard the new Bowers and Wilkerson 802 D3 today, only the second time they have been heard in public, at an L.A. Audio society event. They have a very large soundstage, and are exceptionally dynamic. The bass is not as good as Magico for example, because of the ported design, but is nonetheless quite good. Detail is excellent, perhaps to a fault. What I don't like about them is that they are quite forward, an anomaly among British speakers. I was experiencing listening fatigue after an hour.I don't know if that is the diamond tweeter, or simply how the speaker/crossover is voiced. Tone of the speakers is not quite real. Being this forward and somewhat more detailed than real life, sells well, but does not please as years and decades go by in my opinion.
FWIW, my mom still has a series 802 that I still find pleasing, and neither too forward or polite, with sealed woofer and bextrene midrange.
Not too sound like sour grapes, it is fabulous pop/rock and home theater speaker, and worth its price given the economy of scale B & W possesses and 8 year redesign effort by a talented team with huge technical resources...but the tone thing is critical for jazz/classical/acoustic instrument lovers. I don't think it's the right choice for them. I am a high quality 2 way stand mount plus subwoofer kind of guy.
(Harbeth Compact 7 ES3 with REL Strata III sub)
Your thoughts?

Tom
tompoodie
joey_v
663 posts
 
I think you won’t be missing much but your midrange tightens up and rounds out a bit better. I didn’t have the 800d2 but had the 802d2 and heard the 802d2 side by side to the 802d3. I think bass impact is what you just might lose.

i have heard the 800d2 approximately a dozen times though.
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jcoa
1 posts
 
I almost got out of audio due to the harshness of my system. As I got older, I became more sensitive to it and pretty much thought  it was that. My system was comprised of B&W 804 N, Anthem and Bryston 3B. So I thought it has to be me, because that is pretty decent equipment. Then a friend of mine picked up a pair of 805 D2 and a Musical Fidelity 30 watt class A integrated. The system blew mine away and no harshness. It looks like it was my components. My dealer was carrying the Classe CP-800 that was getting rave reviews. Tried it and what a difference. At the time I was running a Parasound A21 amp. Generally there was no listener fatigue, but the next day I would have ringing in my ears if I had extended or loud listening sessions. I tried a pair of Parasound JC1's and all problems were solved. Absolutely no listener fatigue or ringing ears, no matter how long or loud I listened. I don't normally listen very loud, but a friend was over one night for about 4 hours of listening and it got pretty spirited at times. Nothing. Now I have a pair of B&W 803 D2's and my friend with the 805's said it is the best system he has heard. It is not the best I have heard, but I am very happy with it. In my case, the B&W's were not the issue.
samac's avatar
samac
498 posts
 
jcoa,

Would you mind going into a bit more detail about the sound of the Parasound A21 with your B&W 804Ns? 

I've pretty much decided on the A21 for my B&W 683 S2s but I have not been able to here the A21 with B&W speakers. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Cheers,

Scott
movshon
1 posts
 
I am running a pair of 803Ns with an A21, and they sound excellent on all material. Clear, well balanced, never harsh, absolutely solid bass. I had previously used a McCormack DNA-0.5 and an Adcom GFA-555, and the Parasound beats both hands down, most notably for clarity and subtlety of voicing. A friend's Pass X150.5 was the only thing I've heard that's comparably good. I don't think you need to worry.
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