BW 800 Diamonds - help narrowing down my choices

[joey_v]

Btw, not sure if this helps but my set up will be a majority tube system.

Source - Likely Esoteric K01 or K03
Preamp - Cary SLP 05 tube
Amp - Cary 211 FE tube monoblocks
Power - dedicated 20 amp wall outlets
Room - dedicated, 2nd floor room, 17'x15', carpeted. Working on acoustic absorbers and diffusers.

[Rod#S]

The 800's have plenty of bass capability so I suspect any lack of bass you heard was probably the room and/or positioning unless you have unrealistic expectations on what good solid bass should sound like from a non subwoofer.

B&W is an odd speaker manufacturer with a lot of haters for some reason, I never understood it so some people never hesitate to jump in and say how this and that speaker is better. Maybe it's because they can be purchased at box stores i.e. Magnolia, who knows. Of course there is going to better speakers but Kal brings up an interesting point about the companies economy of scale.

It would be great if you could hear it setup at your place especially since you now have familiarity with the 804 but I realize that is probably unrealistic as these speakers are big and a pain to move around.

I own both the 802's and 800's and I do find the 800's are even a nice step up from the 802's in the midrange. Also I find they project an overall better sense of bass authority and power over the 802's even though the bass specs are essentially the same. Probably because of the dual 10" drivers vs the dual 8" in the 802's. I find the 800's come across as giving a feeling of having subs without the super low frequency extension of a sub of course. This is all my opinion of course and how I feel/hear they perform in my system so there will be obvious variances for others.

If I were somehow able to afford to go above the B&W's I would be looking at the likes of the Sonus Faber Lillium, Focal Stella Utopia's or maybe even the Wilson Maxx 3 or TAD Reference One's. As an example I've heard the former Focal Alto Utopia and the 800's were right there with those so unless the Scala is a lot better speaker than the Alto I suspect an appreciable audible difference would not likely be heard until you hit the Stella giving an overall better speaker all around, all aspects as it were. But I can't say that for sure because I have never heard the Scala, Maestro or Stella, just an assumption after hearing the Alto.

[bart]

Originally Posted by Mike1998

Check out Vivid Audio speakers...

Joey, if you are able to hear Vivid Audio, it would be great indeed.
They are in another league. I moved up from B&W.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by joey_v

Hey Kal - always nice seeing your posts. I've read your 802D and 800 Diamond reviews. How do you like the 800 Diamonds now that some time has passed?

Still love 'em.

And any thoughts on the 800 Diamonds compared to Rockport Avior, Sonus Strads?

I've not heard those in my room and probably will not. I try to keep to speakers that I can afford (with rare exception).

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by Rod#S

The 800's have plenty of bass capability so I suspect any lack of bass you heard was probably the room and/or positioning unless you have unrealistic expectations on what good solid bass should sound like from a non subwoofer.

B&W is an odd speaker manufacturer with a lot of haters for some reason, I never understood it so some people never hesitate to jump in and say how this and that speaker is better. Maybe it's because they can be purchased at box stores i.e. Magnolia, who knows. Of course there is going to better speakers but Kal brings up an interesting point about the companies economy of scale.

It would be great if you could hear it setup at your place especially since you now have familiarity with the 804 but I realize that is probably unrealistic as these speakers are big and a pain to move around.

I own both the 802's and 800's and I do find the 800's are even a nice step up from the 802's in the midrange. Also I find they project an overall better sense of bass authority and power over the 802's even though the bass specs are essentially the same. Probably because of the dual 10" drivers vs the dual 8" in the 802's. I find the 800's come across as giving a feeling of having subs without the super low frequency extension of a sub of course. This is all my opinion of course and how I feel/hear they perform in my system so there will be obvious variances for others.

If I were somehow able to afford to go above the B&W's I would be looking at the likes of the Sonus Faber Lillium, Focal Stella Utopia's or maybe even the Wilson Maxx 3 or TAD Reference One's. As an example I've heard the former Focal Alto Utopia and the 800's were right there with those so unless the Scala is a lot better speaker than the Alto I suspect an appreciable audible difference would not likely be heard until you hit the Stella giving an overall better speaker all around, all aspects as it were. But I can't say that for sure because I have never heard the Scala, Maestro or Stella, just an assumption after hearing the Alto.

I hear you Rod, believe me I've followed your posts here and I think elsewhere too... I know you've had both and I followed your journey when you had the 802 then the 800.

With regards to Wilson Maxx 3 - I am no longer a Wilson fan, so that's not a choice.

The Focal Scala V2 is an option especially since used they are $18000.

The SF Lillium might be a nice choice, but with the Strads there, I'm not sure what I can gain by spending more on the Lillium, of course, this is saying without hearing it, so lots of grains of salt there.

With regards to the bass of the 800 - I'm comparing it to the Strads. The Strads just wiped the floor with regards to bass, it was fantastic actually. But yes, the 800 bass should be more than enough for me and my use.

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by bart

Joey, if you are able to hear Vivid Audio, it would be great indeed.
They are in another league. I moved up from B&W.

I have heard the Vivids a long time ago but not the new Giya series. Problem is I don't know who carries it near Dallas.

[Yamaki]

I wouldn't turn down a used demo pair as long as (1) they are in good condition, and, (2) the dealer is willing to price them accordingly.

You've listened to them 10 times? You keep going back to listen to them so I assume you like them. Maybe you should buy them.

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Still love 'em.

I've not heard those in my room and probably will not. I try to keep to speakers that I can afford (with rare exception).

In your room, how far do you have them apart and how far do you sit from the tweeters? Also, what's the ear height you're at (the BW 800 seem to sit tall)... like is your chair tall or short?

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by joey_v

In your room, how far do you have them apart and how far do you sit from the tweeters? Also, what's the ear height you're at (the BW 800 seem to sit tall)... like is your chair tall or short?

7'10" apart
12' from the center point to MLP
My ears are about 36" when seated at MLP.

[ariess]

Aren't the Stradivari about ten years old now ? And are they still sold new or discontinued ? Not necessarily a problem if you buy used.

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