What are your general thoughts of B&W speakers

French-f

I think the answer lies in the fact the B&W appears to be more focussed on HT than on traditional high end audio/stereo. Just my impression. Can you imagine how expensive a 5.1 system is with 802ds all around?

I'm not sure how much you are really missing with the diamond driver. I have 804(s) and 803(d) and there is not a tremendous difference between them (upper-mid to high). The "d" is a bit smoother with nicer space. Program material and amplification matters a lot more. Plus, there have been numerous other improvements in crossover components from the Matrix versions through the Nautilus to the current "d" versions that also make a difference.

I own a pair of 803 Diamonds and prior to purchasing them was able to directly compare them to the 804 & 802 Diamonds in the showroom. For me, in my room, the 803 Diamond was the ideal solution. They have a very noticeable advantage in bass output and ultimate SPL capabilities over the 804 line and give up very little to the 802 Diamond.

For me, I went into the dealer with full intentions of getting the 802 so it wasn't really a matter of cost for me but after hearing the various models the 803 was a better fit in my room which is rather small at (12x9). The front firing port design of the 803 was the deciding factor for me over the 802 as it would allow me to position the speaker closer to the rear wall.

I am powering my 803 diamonds with a Pass Labs x250 which is complimented by a full Ayre front end and the results are impressive to say the least. I will be moving up to the x350.5 line at some point but not because they are under powered now but more to do with me wanting more Class A power.

I do not experience any of the negative affects mentioned previously in this thread in terms of of the speakers being too bright or to mellow. Please note, this coming from someone who sits only 7ft away from the speakers front plane.

If you want a speaker that is true to the source without added spices or false ingredients then you owe it to yourself to check out these speakers.

Your concerns are exactly why I like buying used on Audiogon. As long as you buy your speakers right you can always sell them without losing your ass. If you try something and its not your cup of teas. Sell them and try something else. Until you get them in your room with your equiipment you really don't know what they will sound like.

About ten years ago I started buying B&W including 802, 803 and 805's and others. Then when I started purchasing on audiogon I was opened up to many other speakers that I otherwise would never have had an opportunity to own. If I was looking for a ten thousand dollar speaker it would not be a B&W. It might be a Wilson, Sonus, Eggleston or a whole host of others but it would not be B&W.

The good news is when you decide to sell the B&W they sell quite well. JUst make srue you buy them right.

I like the b&w 802's. They sounded great to me everytime I've heard them. They always had serious amps hooked to them but they sound great to me. Great bass and what seemed to me as having a good amount of "bloom". I'd like to hear some sonus fabers too though. They just look beautiful!

In all honesty The last ten pair of speakers I have owned all blew the doors off the 802's including both the nautilaus and the diamond series.

I think the issue is most people who are just getting into the high end market like to hear the speakers they chhoose before they buy them and most of the time that is just not a viable option. Most of the high end speakers are very hard to find in stores. About 7 years ago I wanted to buy some 802's for the 2nd time and found a dealer about 75 miles from my home who had B&W and Wilson. That was the first time I have ever heard of Wilson. That day I bought a used pair of wat puppy 6's and a new pair of 7's.

Since that time I have owned Merlin, Dali, Eggleston, MBL, Vandersteen, and Sonus etc just to name a few. In my opinion all of those were vastly superior to the B&W. The 802;s were great looking speakers but they always sounded like they had a blanket over them when compared to the others I have owned.

That is what is so great about Audiogon. It gives you a great way to try speakers that in all likely hood you will never hear unless you buy them. If you don't like them you can turn around and sell them without losing an arm and a leg.