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Alternative speaker suggestion to B&W 805d3

I have a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 805d3. They are the nicest speaker I've ever owned. I have had many "lesser" B&W models in the past. In fact it's the only brand of speaker I've ever owned. I love how they look (especially the 805's),  and they sound great. BUT I do recognize that it is a bright sounding speaker. Even with a pair of REL subs, some recordings can get fatiguing and to sound far too sharp. I really do love the detail but it can get to be a bit much sometimes. Other recordings sound absolutely incredible through these speakers. I'm wondering if there's another speaker I should try? I'm open to going to a floor standing speaker too. The Dali Epicon 6 looks great, Thoughts?
paulgardner
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I suspect the Rogue CMII pairing your B&W's isn't ideal.  To my ears KT120 amps tend to sound bright and a more sensitive speaker (than 88dB) may also coax a tad more rich tube sound from the same amp.  Can you roll tubes in that amp? I think the first generation CM came with EL34's which would be a sound I'd prefer but again, probably not with those sepakers.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
For somewhat less bright and still very detailed, as well as excellent looking, check out Salk speakers.  There's a recent thread where a member went through a number of options before arriving at Salks.  Worth checking out.
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,921 posts
 
@ PAULGARDNER, Yes they are bright. But they call it "high resolution". The word resolution sounds better. But the speakers sound bright..
paulgardner OP
183 posts
 
@three_easy_payments 

I do believe I can roll the power tubes in this amp. I have already rolled the small tubes to a Brimer and Gold Lions. Would rolling the power tubes really make a sonic difference? If so, what would be a good tube to consider for this amp? Thanks!
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
The middle front small tube makes the biggest difference.  You could have gone the whole hog with Mullard NOS for that one.  Having owned the Cronus II for a while and having swapped in new power tubes, I don't believe you'll achieve the kind of sonic transformation you need to change the sound of the B&Ws sufficiently, which are, yes, notoriously bright.
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