Okay, so yesterday I actually went to audition the 602S3, CDM1NT, and N805, with my own music (which varies from Classical to Opera to Jazz to Blues to Pop to Rock to R&B to Funk to Dance - pretty much everything). The salesman hooked it up to a Myryad MI 120 Amp, MCD 600 CD Player.
I know the equipment he used isn't in the same range as my NAD equipment, but I really enjoyed the N805s. The 602S3 definitely had more bass, but it was generally more cloudy than the 1NTs and 805. The 602S3 definitely lacked the huge soundstage that the 1NT and, even more, the 805s had. I also felt that the 1NT, although good in bass, was a little boomy in comparison to the 805s.
I felt that the 805s were essentially transparent, with fine, detailed bass, excellent mids, and amazing soundstaging. The CDM1NTs were good, but the 805s really shined.
Here's my situation. So, I found out that I am able to trade in my 601S2s full value to upgrade, but only once. I have 6 months left to do it before the offer runs out. I'm graduating from school, subletting for the summer, then moving into a new permanent place in late August. The salesman said I could borrow a pair during their slow times (which is earlier in the week), but by the time I move in, I'll be busy working on the weekdays (I travel weekly) and so I won't be able to audition them at home.
I could alternatively bring my kit in to audition with it too. At the moment, I am not willing to upgrade my amp and CDP for at least a year or so, as I am not fond of selling things.
What do you guys think about the 805s with my amp and CDP? I am not sure they are worth the extra $1400 I will be paying to upgrade. The 1NTs will cost $800 to upgrade, and the 602S3s will be $150 to upgrade. I am not considering floorstanders, as I feel the sound is much less focused in these units.
Thanks for any help you can provide!