Upgrade to D3 in theater?

[diononiz]

Originally Posted by stark

Does anyone know when dealers knew about the new models? Mine claim they had no idea and B&W surprised everyone with the launch. They also aren't going to tell me that D3's are way better because of the timing of everything. I would be upset a lot more if the msrp was fairly close but by all accounts it's quite a healthy bump so I haven't pushed the matter hard.



This is spot on as these are toys. In the end I understand it will be an emotional decision but I will think about it seriously as the money could easily be used elsewhere or plain old saved -- I haven't even heard the old or new models long enough to really have an opinion founded on anything substantial. I posted in the hopes someone might have been using them in a music/movie style setting and would make a strong case for upgrading. I have acquaintances that introduced me to this hobby (I've always been into video) and some of them spend more time upgrading than actually enjoying music and I'm hoping to avoid that trap.

The room is treated very well and setup to enhance the new audio formats and multi-channel music. I'm a firm believer in room treatments and I'll share details and specs once it's all setup.

I think if I had to be honest with myself, I would go with the new D3 series. I would always be wondering what they sounded like, long after the invoice for the new room was paid

[Pio]

Originally Posted by stark

Does anyone know when dealers knew about the new models? Mine claim they had no idea and B&W surprised everyone with the launch.

I got a text from my dealer in late July telling me that all their D2's were on huge discount in case I wanted to upgrade my home theaters 805s to 805D2's.

My response was: "so, the new ones will be here soon huh?" - his response: "don't know what you're talking about. All I can say is the red coats are coming ".

New series info leaked 9/8 to the general public. They must've known something was up

[chessman]

stark, not sure this helps, but here goes. I added up what I have in my system today and was shocked. It wasn't how much I had spent - it was the realization that I could have skipped a lot of half measures, spent less than I have and ended up with an even better system than I have. I learned a lot of things the hard way and maybe learned a few things I would not have learned at all without the mistakes. So, maybe it was worth it. But I would rather have the gear and the knowledge.

[Rod#S]

Originally Posted by stark

I haven't even heard the old or new models long enough to really have an opinion founded on anything substantial.

This comment could be of benefit to you. Since it seems like you may not have experienced 1st hand the real world in home differences between the 802D2 and 800D2 then if for example you went with the D3 setup (if you feel you want them) and instead of 800's up front choose 802's and got 803's for surrounds to keep prices similar to what you've already committed to then you would be oblivious to what the 800 brings to the table.

Something you have done which most can't and you are extremely fortunate to have a setup to pull it off is a matching center speaker. I would not compromise on that if you consider going to the D3 and think perhaps I'll just get the HTM1D3 to save some money as it's seemly a more capable speaker compared to the former HTM2D2. The HTM2D2 was no match for the 802D2 let alone the 800D2 and that is going to be the same of the HTM1D3 compared to the 803D3, 802D3 and 800D3. Ideal timber matching can not be achieved without the appropriate mid range enclosure.

[Rod#S]

stark, if you decide to stick with the D2's and don't mind 2nd hand purchases and are actively looking for rears and/or wides in matching cherry there is a guy over on AVS selling 3x800's and 4x802's, essentially the system you are building up now

[stark]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I've decided to go ahead with the install for now because I imagine (opened or not) the depreciation is already set because of the new model and my dealer informs me that selling the spare 800 is going to be near impossible. This will give me time to get acquainted with the sound in the room. After that I was thinking of arranging an in house demo of the 802D3 vs 800D2 -- unfortunately 800D3's will not be stocked locally -- and if there is a distinct difference in sound then I'll decide at that point what to do.

Rod, I will check out that lead - is he upgrading to the D3?! And I would not choose 802's over the 800's in any form and definitely nothing but a matching triple set up front. If the 802D3 easily beat the 800D2 then I am sure the 800D3's will be mind blowing and I'll go that route. Even with my limited audio experience there was this sense of presence and energy the 800's projected that even the new line hasn't matched.

If the timing had been better I think I might have held off on the entire order but that's life

[chessman]

stark, your gear professionally installed in a well treated room is going to sound epic!

[Rod#S]

Originally Posted by stark

Rod, I will check out that lead - is he upgrading to the D3?!

He's just getting out of B&W altogether by the sounds of it.