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
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.
Never liked them, as many have pointed out they sound "dry" and are uninvolving IMHO. Overall they are hifi sounding and not musical.
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.
Manitunc, That was exactly what I read in the post when somebody went to buy B&W but listened also to Sonus Faber. He felt that B&W were more "impressive" but left store with Sonus Faber.