B&W PM1 with JL sub or 805D?

I have not listened to both. Unless the listening space is very small the 805D may be a better choice. PM1 will have the advantage in near field arrangements though the high frequency performance of the 805D will be superior with the diamond tweeter. The 805D also has larger scale and dynamic capabilities in comparison to the PM1(even if the latter is matched with a sub). Not forgetting the integration of subs and small bookshelves can be a hit and miss thing.

I just heard the B&W PM1s this past Wednesday mated to B&W's own PV1D subwoofer. This was a superb ensemble, and there was no lack in lower midrange, upper bass, lower bass, or pretty much anything else. The specs of the 805 and PM1 are not that different in frequency response and power handling. In fact the PM1 specs claim more treble extension. The main difference is that the PM1's sensitivity is rated at 84dB vs. the 805's 88 dB. Other than that, they're both linear down to around 42 Hz.

The PM1 goes deep enough that blending it with a good sub shouldn't be a problem. As much as I like JL subs, the all-B&W rig I heard Wednesday sounded so good I'd recommend you audition the PM1's with the PV1D sub before automatically going with the JL. The integration was superb.

At any rate, I'd go with the PM1's and a good sub. The PM1's draw you into the music with linearity, speed, punch, smoothness, extension, clarity, and excellent soundstage and imaging. I was very impressed.

Thanks for the replies. I guess I am concerned that I was going to be really missing something that the 805D delivered. I suppose that should be the case if they cost almost twice the money.

I think I will stick with the PM1's because I have listened to them and was blown away. Ignorance will be bliss, I will avoid listening to the 805's! The PM1's really did have an incredible soundstage. They were very open and airy with the classical music and the mid-range really delivered.

The question now will be to go with a B&W PV1 sub, like was mentioned in this thread. I have heard multiple reports that it is a great sub...very musical. It's also about $600 less than the JL f110. I am not as concerned about super low frequencies that will rattle the windows. I am more interested in them blending in with the PM1's and filling in the low end.

The biggest price difference between the 805 and PM1 is because the 805 has the diamond tweeter. The PM1 tweeter is very similar except it uses a carbon fiber damped aluminum dome instead. The fiber damping has a significant effect on the behavior or a metal dome. I have several Mirage speakers which all use a titanium dome tweeter, but it's damped by a cloth surround. It's a sweet seductive tweeter with air and detail, but no harshness or ringing.

Having a more conventional but well-executed tweeter dome saves a lot of money, freeing up the cash for a good subwoofer (or two). The demo I heard was put on by B&W, so they were keen to show off how good the PM1 is. I was very impressed. It had much of the speed and transparency of the Wilson Alexandria XLF, though of course not the dynamic range or scale. But it had that core transparency and ability to draw listeners into the music that is so essential.

Johnny, you are comparing the PM1 and sub, to a two hundred thousand dollar speaker?