2. speakers
  3. 1325171960

B&W N802 as an upgrade to 804S?

Good morning. Currently have a pair of B&W 804S. Probably a number of factors at play, but they haven't impressed me, and certianly not the way some of the higher models in the series such as 802D have in store demos. In particular, I have found the 804S difficult to listen to for any extended period. There is a harshness in the highs that is fatiguing, and a variety of music tends to sound cacophonous.

802D is out of my price range but have been considering looking for a used pair of N802. Unfortunately I haven't heard the N802 firsthand, which ultimately may prevent me from pulling the trigger. However, any thoughts on whether the N802 actually represents a signifcant upgrade to the 804S despite being older, and how much different in sound quality the N802 is from the 802D?

Current Equipment Used:
Exposure 3010S integrated amp
Rega P3 turntable, Ortofon 2m Blue
Pro-ject Tube box SE II phono stage
Jolida rerence tube cd player
Audioquest King Cobra interconnects
Tributaries bi-wire speaker cable
Monster power conditioner

Room placement:
The room is about 30' by 12' living/dining area. There are 2 steps down from dining area to sunken living room. Speakers placed at the bottom, facing living room.
nichomoff
nichomoff OP
16 posts
 
Also, wondering if bi-amping this setup with another Exposure amp would bring more power to the bass drivers. Could go from 110W/ch to 220W/ch this way.

Never quite understood the purpose of doing something like this, however, as I can't turn the volume on my current setup more than 1/4 of the way up without blowing my eardrums or getting thrown out of my apartment building.
jkuc
181 posts
 
Why N802, there are many better speakers in this price range. I had B&W speakers myself, everybody makes mistakes but dumped them , mainly because of N.
jkuc
181 posts
 
A question, what power cord are you using? I'm asking because I discovered later, I mean when I had sold the speakers that PC I was using, was partially responsible for the unbearable, fatiguing highs and hullabaloo from B&W. But the main problem was the famous N tweeter though kevlar speaker is not the best either... Check the power cord because I don't see it listed in your equipment.
nichomoff OP
16 posts
 
I'm using the stock power cord from my amplifier (it's fixed, I think, need to check). I'm running this and all of the other components through a Monster Power HTS 2500 MKII conditioner.
jkuc
181 posts
 
The power cord should be detachable. Try some decent PC, you will be surprised as I was. Don't need to buy mega buck cables at the beginning. My first non stock PC was Signal Audio, 60$ cord, it will take you half way to the top probably. Try to to plug the cord directly into a wall socket also. Some conditioners do more harm then good. Basically all conditioners change sound , not necessarily in good way. I'm sure you'll like your speakers 50% better, if that's not enough you'll have to change them. I used Jmlab after B@W. Better speakers, better treble, faster more transparent sound, authority.
More to discover