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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
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.
tthean
21 posts
 
I actually like older Matrix 801 S3 better than the newer series...
gshepardbuster's avatar
gshepardbuster
620 posts
 
B&W seem to be like Wilson in that people who don't like them really think they suck. Personally to each his own, tastes very greatly. I own a pair and am not going to change them out for a long time. They work well if properly setup, powered, and matched with equal level electronics. Basically you will get out of them what you put into them. They can be finicky with placement from rear wall as the bass will be muddy if too close. They also excel with higher powered amps.
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