My wife and I were in Atlanta on business recently, and I've been thinking about new speakers lately, so I took the opportunity to listen to, among others, the new 802 Series Diamonds at Ga Home Theatre. By the way, the guys there were helpful, and alot of fun...

We brought along our own tunes - classical, jazz and rock. Ga home Theatre has a nice two channel room, with 501's, C500t, Mcd301, MT10, and yes, a MEN220. Power was provided by an MPC1500, which apparently was not up to the task, since dynamics were compressed whenever you tried to turn up to a room-filling volume. All impressions here were taken from notes I made from listening to the system with the MEN220 bypassed and engaged. I was also auditioning the MEN220 and, as we all know, it will improve how well the speaker couples with the room, but not change the basic sound of the speaker.

Having spent quality time on a number of occasions with the 802d's, and currently owner of a pair of 802N's, I am familiar with the B&W sound, but there was not a pair of 802d's to A/B against - those were sold off the floor long ago. So, I had to work from memory. I do not mean to complain, though, because of the poor condition of our economy, its hard enough to find 802d2's on dealer's floors, let alone with similar equipment such as this!

Impressions - The compression of dynamics was most apparent when the system was turned up enough to fill the room, but at more moderate levels I heard a more forward sounding speaker than the 802d - more like the 802N in that respect. The 802d always seemed to to be a little polite sounding to me, with a broader sound stage, like you moved several rows back in the concert hall, so less intimate than the 802N. This perspective made the 802d great for larger ensemble music, but not as enjoyable to me for smaller jazz groups, for instance. The 802d2 sounds like its been tuned for a more balanced perspective, so while I still found them big sounding, like the 802d's, with orchestral and big band, I enjoyed listening to my combo jazz recordings as well on the 802d2's.

Piano is an instrument I key into for comparative listening because I enjoy listening to classical and jazz piano, but also because piano is one of the most difficult instruments to reproduce well because it has great tonal and dynamic range, as well as rich harmonics. My wife, herself a one-time advanced student of classical piano, and I have found that if you find a speaker that reproduces piano well, than it probably does lots of things well. We never warmed up to the sound of piano on the 802d's as much as our older 802N's. The 802N's sounded more lively and engaging with piano. When listening to piano on the new 802d2's, it sounded more open, more alive, more revealing of harmonic detail than on the 802d's.
If all this sounds like I was not a fan of the 802d, I was not. But I would argue its undeniable superiority to anyone. the 802d had better driver integration, less distortion, improved bass response, and certainly a superior high reequency driver than the 802N it replaced.

This is clearly a matter of personal taste, and we all know there is no accounting for that. So, I don't wish to offend any happy owners of 802d's on our forum, and there are many for a reason - they are reference-quality speakers.

I have read that B&W has changed their surround and magnet design on their tweeter, which is now supposed to have a lower crossover point, while adopting the top-of-the-line components from the 800d crossover for the entire Diamond line, including the 802d2. There are also supposed to have been additional refinements to their already-excellent woofer with new magnets that are supposed to make them even faster-responding to transients. Their are a few minor exterior refinements. All this is now priced at $15,000. MSRP, or $1000. more than the outgoing 802d's.

While I have a sizeable list of speakers to audition before I'll be making a decision, the 802D2 is now definately on my list of contenders. Whether or not the B&W 802D2 is your idea of the ideal speaker for your audio system, I think that almost anyone would agree that it is one of the best values in high end audio, and in my estimation, better than ever.Ted.

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Main - MC501s, C500t (Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes), MCD500, MS750, MEN220, B&W N802, PS Audio PPP & Duet, Wireworld PC's, Audioquest Colorado, Jaguar IC's & Rockefeller SC's, Symposium Tungsten Rollerblocks, Cable Isolators.
Fam Room - Pioneer Pro FHD1, Denon 2808ci, DVD1800BD, B&W CMC, CM1, CCM817, ASW610XP, WM2.
Rec Room - Pioneer 5080HD, Denon 2808ci, Toshiba HDXA3, Oppo DV981, Thorens TD126, B&W M803S2, CMC, M805, M804, ASW610XP, Thompson Vocal Eliminator.

Ted

Thanks for the update. I always thought the 802d's were the bargain on higher end audio. I paid $10k for mine and sold them almost the same 18 months later.

I have only had some short listening sessions with the new Series Diamond but like you I like the changes B&W has made.

I think I said it before. If the old 802D's were far to the left and the Watt Puppy 8's were far to the right, the changes B&W and Wilson made to the Sasha's and Series Diamond has moved both a couple of notches closer to the center.
Jim

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AMP's: D'Agostino Momentum's
Pre Amp: Mcintosh C-1000 & C-1000P
Sources: McIntosh MCD-1100 & MS-300, Olive 4HD, SonoS, Pro-Ject 6 PerspeX
Speakers: MBL 111F
Cables: Transparent Ultra MM2 & Reference MM2 & Powerlink MM2x

Nice write up, thanks Ted!

Any comments about the MEN220?

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5.1 Theatre: B&W 800Ds, HTM1D, 803Ds, 2 JL Audio F113s, Sound Anchor stands, McIntosh MC501s, MC303, Classe SSP800, Oppo BD93, Mach Mini Music Server, JVC RS2, 119" DaLite, PS Audio Powerplant x2, Symposium fat padz, RB Jrs, Wireworld cabling
2.1 System: B&W 805Ds, Rel R305, McIntosh C500T(Gold Lions), MC501s, Olive 4HD, Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2, Pioneer Exclusive P10/Koetsu Urushi Vermillion, Avid Pulsare Phono, PS Audio PPP, Wireworld Silver Eclipse ICs, Silver Electra PCs

Jim,

I have not yet had the pleasure of listening to the Wilson speakers, but the new Sophia's and Sasha's are certainly on my list. And yes, the 802's are always a great buy.
With those 1.2Kw's and big MBL's you must have just expolsive dynamics with your system. Are you still happy with your speakers? Ted.

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Main - MC501s, C500t (Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes), MCD500, MS750, MEN220, B&W N802, PS Audio PPP & Duet, Wireworld PC's, Audioquest Colorado, Jaguar IC's & Rockefeller SC's, Symposium Tungsten Rollerblocks, Cable Isolators.
Fam Room - Pioneer Pro FHD1, Denon 2808ci, DVD1800BD, B&W CMC, CM1, CCM817, ASW610XP, WM2.
Rec Room - Pioneer 5080HD, Denon 2808ci, Toshiba HDXA3, Oppo DV981, Thorens TD126, B&W M803S2, CMC, M805, M804, ASW610XP, Thompson Vocal Eliminator.

KahunaCanuck,

The MEN220 was not very well set up at the dealer, but there was still enough advantage to be heard to sell me on the potential. My local dealer had one on order, and I was first in line to audition it at home, having asked about it more than a month before. Their guy who specializes in room correction - mostly with home theatres - brought over the unit on Friday afternoon, and I had until Monday afternoon to play around, take my own readings, exc.. I have to say that I was pretty much sold on the MEN220 by Friday evening.
I usually have to take about 10 measurements to get to 100% room knowledge, but I'm only using 7% processing power, so my room apparently does not require as much correction as some.

The difference - simply amazing. Where at first I was worried about how adding another layer of A to D and back to A processing at the end of my audio chain might impact my sound, those concerns were quickly forgotten when I heard the clarity, coherance, and detail my music had. My bass firmed up,and my sound stage expanded in both width and depth, with sharper stereo imaging and more precise instrumental placement. Have I left anything out? This is one exciting product!

I believe I saw Ivan comment on a post that he thought it was one of the best bang -for-the- buck improvements he could think of. When you consider what many of us spend on cables alone, you have to admit he has a point! It took my whole audio experience and brought it closer to reality. I highly recommend it! Ted.

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Main - MC501s, C500t (Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes), MCD500, MS750, MEN220, B&W N802, PS Audio PPP & Duet, Wireworld PC's, Audioquest Colorado, Jaguar IC's & Rockefeller SC's, Symposium Tungsten Rollerblocks, Cable Isolators.
Fam Room - Pioneer Pro FHD1, Denon 2808ci, DVD1800BD, B&W CMC, CM1, CCM817, ASW610XP, WM2.
Rec Room - Pioneer 5080HD, Denon 2808ci, Toshiba HDXA3, Oppo DV981, Thorens TD126, B&W M803S2, CMC, M805, M804, ASW610XP, Thompson Vocal Eliminator.

Ted
Yes, I was very happy with my 111e's but I am glad I moved up to the new 111F's. Although there are several speakers out there that I would be happy with, I have not heard any that would make me switch from the MBL camp.

My only issue with MBL as compared to B&W and Wilson is the resale market. Where 802D's and WP'8's go rather quickly, my 111e's are still boxed waiting for their next owner.
Jim

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AMP's: D'Agostino Momentum's
Pre Amp: Mcintosh C-1000 & C-1000P
Sources: McIntosh MCD-1100 & MS-300, Olive 4HD, SonoS, Pro-Ject 6 PerspeX
Speakers: MBL 111F
Cables: Transparent Ultra MM2 & Reference MM2 & Powerlink MM2x

Are the new 802ds in theater room at GHT?

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2-Channel McIntosh C45, McIntosh MCD 500, McIntosh MC 501 x 2, Clearaudio Emotion, B&W 803D, JL Audio F-113 Oppo BDP-95, Richard Gray, Kimber Kables
Theater - McIntosh 205, B&W 804s, 805s, HTM3S,JL f113 subwoofer, Oppo BDP-83SE, Onkyo Preamp, Panasonic AE4000 projector, Richard Gray

Ted,
Thanks for the writeup. I like hearing your take on the 802Ds vs. the Ns and how you've seen the line evolve with this iteration. I've never heard the 802Ns. I've got to get over and see Eric at GHT - we heard the 802D2s during a B&W event a couple months ago, but of course, that wasn't an optimum listening opportunity. B&W's VP of Sales & Marketing did encourage everyone to come back sometime for dedicated session!

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B&W 802D(2) B&W HTMD2 B&W 803D(2) B&W ASW825 McIntosh MC501(3) MC402 MX-136 MVP-871 Benchmark DAC1 Apple Mac Mini Rega P3-24 RGPC 400 pro WireWorld interconnects

Hi. Sorry its taken me awhile to respond - I'm pretty busy right now! GHT has both a dedicated theatre room and a dedicated stereo room, where the 802d2's reside. Bye the way, I also took a few minutes to listen to the new 805D2, which was driven by a MAC 2275 integrated, very sweet, very nice! I like the mid-range dynamics better on the 805's than the 802d2's and, like most stand mounts, they image like crazy. Ted.

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Main - MC501s, C500t (Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes), MCD500, MS750, MEN220, B&W N802, PS Audio PPP & Duet, Wireworld PC's, Audioquest Colorado, Jaguar IC's & Rockefeller SC's, Symposium Tungsten Rollerblocks, Cable Isolators.
Fam Room - Pioneer Pro FHD1, Denon 2808ci, DVD1800BD, B&W CMC, CM1, CCM817, ASW610XP, WM2.
Rec Room - Pioneer 5080HD, Denon 2808ci, Toshiba HDXA3, Oppo DV981, Thorens TD126, B&W M803S2, CMC, M805, M804, ASW610XP, Thompson Vocal Eliminator.

Yes, as I said, a great bunch of guys! Check out the 805D2's being driven by the 2275 integrated - nice! I was on the phone with someone in parts at BMW asking about spikes yesterday, and he has owned 802N's, 802d's and is ready to spring for the 802D2's now, because he believes they are the best yet. He admitted that he loved his Nautilus 802's and really purchased the 802d's because they were the new thing and, as an employee, he got a great deal! Ted.

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Main - MC501s, C500t (Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes), MCD500, MS750, MEN220, B&W N802, PS Audio PPP & Duet, Wireworld PC's, Audioquest Colorado, Jaguar IC's & Rockefeller SC's, Symposium Tungsten Rollerblocks, Cable Isolators.
Fam Room - Pioneer Pro FHD1, Denon 2808ci, DVD1800BD, B&W CMC, CM1, CCM817, ASW610XP, WM2.
Rec Room - Pioneer 5080HD, Denon 2808ci, Toshiba HDXA3, Oppo DV981, Thorens TD126, B&W M803S2, CMC, M805, M804, ASW610XP, Thompson Vocal Eliminator.