Are Bowers and Wilkins speakers overpriced?


I see a lot of negative commentary on B&W. Why? Are they overpriced? Do they not sound as amazing as they look? Are they too “main stream”? - I love my 805 d3’s but curious why they get such a bad rep. 
paulgardner
Do you judge and compare every speaker, component that has made improvements over 15 plus years old design? I expect better from you than peddling an article that has absolutely no relevance to 4th generation of Diamond line or have no personal experience with the brand.

@lalitk

You sound triggered, as I kind of expected. OK, so the 802 D3 from 2015:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-wilkins-802-d3-diamond-loudspeaker

Or the OP’s speaker reviewed in 2017:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-wilkins-805-d3-loudspeaker-measurements

And I make no claim to spend my life listening to all speakers, do you? I’ve listened to a few of them, over time, have you? Are you saying that I can’t state my opinions here unless I have researched every B&W speaker?

Did you miss the part where I say you should buy what you like?


Do you feel that B&W had problems in the past, but now are fixed??
Please tell us what B&W speakers you have set up in your own space/s and the associated gear that was used.


Why would I bring a speaker home I did not like?

Seriously enough with the theory.

NO. No, no. In this case because the theory perfectly matches what I've heard. I don't like how they sound. I don't find them neutral or speakers I can listen to for a long time. If you want to know why, there it is in the charts.

Again, I don’t care what you like. You can love B&W, but if you ask me why it’s different, there you go.
When you say tuning of upstream components, what are you referring to? Things like tube rolling? Adding an EQ? Room treatment? Thx
@erik_squires,

I am trying to understand your agenda as you came out with your stale opinion of ‘quirky’ and then tried to justify it with a 7 year old article.

Do you buy components based on stereophile articles or what sounds best to your ears?

Please enlighten us which audio brand is perfectly designed and executed.
All of you arguing with me need to know that you literally can't.

I've made my points, and they are not arguable:

1 - I don't like B&W that much.  You can't argue personal taste.

2 - They are not objectively neutral  - Proven in measurements

3 - B&W has changed their curves over time - Again, proven.

Those of you who love B&W, I suggest you want to stick to what you love about them, instead of trying to disprove facts.

Enjoy the bonfire I've left here for you, because this is silly and I'm done. :)

Erik