I'm jealous! The three hour critical audition I did of the 802d3s was one of the most musically magical experiences of my life.

With my holiday guests gone, I'm finally able to start tuning/tweaking my 802d3s in my living room. Long way to go to get to the sound I heard in my audition, but that's what OCD is for ;)

Hey thanks guys for the kind comments!

UPDATE:
So ever since I posted I've been breaking in the speakers, playing around with the placement, and just overall enjoying the new speakers. I would say I have about 50hrs on them now and have settled in on a placement for them. The new spike system is great and so easy to set the speakers.

As far as the sound - the bass has started to get more pronounced and the highs starting to settle in and smooth out. What is really starting to unfold is the impressiveness of the new mid-range. Besides the greater soundstage, I am noticing the better attack and quicker decay of notes. Example, snare drums are simply more detailed and punchier through this new midrange. Singer's do seem more forward in your face (good thing), but a little more toe-in helped. What is really intoxicating is just the detail the speakers produce while not being overly bright. I think the highs integrate very well and sound more layered.

What I am liking most with the new speakers, is the ability of them producing very complex material with so much ease. This is important for me in demanding movie passages and in bluray concerts, where before I would reach for the remote and lower the volume a few dB, but with the 802D3 they remain very clear and composed.

Besides the sound; I would say I have grown especially more fond of the newer modern looks of the 802D3. Despite them being physically larger than the predecessor, they appear to be slimmer. The new front curved cabinet and smaller midrange enclosure definately adds to this perception.

For any one on the fence, the 802D3 are really a substantial leap forward in sound.

Glad you are enjoying your new speakers. Worth the wait - right! :yes:

Before you bought the 802D3, have you compare them with 803D3? From the other forum. New Bowers and Wilkins 800 series... - Page 3

It is interesting to learn that 802d3 would have all drivers a good blend beyond 9'10".

So I sent a message to Patrick of B&W asking him. What would be the 803D3? I have auditioned the 802D3 and I was in awed, but not sure if the new 802D3 would be too big for my room or not. One of the B&W told me so.

My room size is 19feet across (speakers along this wall), 17 feet deep, and 8'3" high. It is a dedicated room with brick and cement floor and wall with floor to floor carpet. My listening position is around 4 feet from the back wall. It is around 10 feet from the speakers. Will be driving them with MC2301 a tube 300W monoblocks.

Would love to hear your veiw.

I did pretty extensive auditions of both the 802D3s and 803D3s, and ended up with the 802D3s because I was moving into a home with a larger listening room.

Apples to apples, they were remarkably similar speakers. 802s had a hair more on the low end, and were more effortless, but they were very very close to my ear (at least in a near ideal listening room)

I went with the larger speaker to make sure I had headroom as I was moving into a new home. Knowing what I know now about the 802s and my listening space, I think I could have gotten away with the 803s, but I have absolutely zero regrets (these are phenomenal speakers)

My longer write ups are here:

http://www.audioaficionado.org/b-w-s...tml#post740769

http://www.audioaficionado.org/b-w-s...tml#post741478

http://www.audioaficionado.org/b-w-s...tml#post741527

Happy to try and help answer any questions you have

Thank you very much for the link.

It's very informative and I had missed completely.

Thanks rgbanhari for your insight. I guess the reason I am reluctance is due to the fact that the distance from the speakers to my listening position would be around 10 ft. which is just slightly beyond the recommended distance for the drivers coherency. I will go though the rest of your writings. What is the size of your speaker placement room, if you don't mind me asking.

Krustycat, glad that you find the link useful. I find it refreshing as well.

My listening room is smaller than yours (18"x12.5") and the speakers are on the long wall. I sit about 9ft from them and don't find them too large for the room at all, nor have I found any issues with the integration of the drivers. The integration of the mid and tweeter is more seamless with this new series I find.

I will be moving the speakers to a dedicated room (15' x 20') sometime in the near future so cant wait for that!

Bi-

Sorry for the previous comment. Actually that is the first post by my 10 month old baby. Anyhow, still waiting for the 803 D3 to be delivered and I got informed that instead of February they will be delivered in March. Looks like they are really wanted.