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What are your general thoughts of B&W speakers

What do you guys think of B&W speakers. Specifically, the 800 series diamond line. What are their strengths and weakness? I know I will get quite a few different opinions on this subject. If you had 8 to 10k to spend on a pair of towers, what would you choose? I prefer to buy new so, for the sake of this discussion to new retail products only and stay away from used. I have listened to the B&W 804 diamond quite a bit. I don't have any high end dealers near me but, I can make a drive to audition some brands within an hours drive. What should I sit down to listen to in this price range?
andyprice44
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
have heard the 802D and found it to be overly warm and not especially detailed or open

I am not a big B&W fan and this did not change my mind...
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,427 posts
 
I remember Atmasphere making comment about 802 drivers. Midrange is 8 ohm but woofers total is 4 ohm at lower sensitivity expecting amplifier to double power. It won't happen with tube amp. It sounds like it is better suited for SS amp.
lloydelee21
1,202 posts
 
Andyprice44,

Clearly negative sentiment here for B&Ws. For 8K, picking up a pair of 801s or possibly 800s is still a ton of speaker in terms of range of sound. As evidenced above, you have to like it obviously. And they really need high power, high current, high quality amplification.

FWIW, my other suggestions (Guarneris with sub, 2905s, etc)...are speakers i personally would prefer over 800s, 801s. I have truly liked only 1 B&W speaker the 805 silver signature...and even that one, i had others i preferred for the money.

That said, its your ears. good luck.
manitunc
795 posts
 
In that price range, I find the B&W dry and a little bright. I would prefer Sonus Faber or even my PSB Synchrony Ones. Ariel 7t is another good choice. There are plenty of options in your price range.
sksos1
387 posts
 
Never liked them, as many have pointed out they sound "dry" and are uninvolving IMHO. Overall they are hifi sounding and not musical.
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