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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
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
5,318 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.
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,901 posts
 
@ TWOLEFTEARS, +1
paulgardner OP
183 posts
 
@twoleftears fair enough. So should I be looking at different speakers or is there an amp upgrade to consider that would change the sonic signature of the B&Ws?
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,795 posts
 
Neither Thiels or B&W diamonds are "notoriously bright". If the equipment feeding them is second rate and you play crappy recordings, both brands will show you the error of your ways. Accurate not bright.
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