B&W 802D3 received same score from HiFI news as new Alexia Series 2...

[GregGale]

The March issue of HiFI News just published a review of the new Wilson Alexia 2 and scored a 90 which is the same score the 802D3 received. The Alexia sells for almost $58,000 versus $22,000 for the 802.

Of course the Wilson Alexia is highly respected by the audio press and has always received strong ratings and the new 2 even stronger. This is really a testament to the value for money of the 802D3.

What is also interesting is if you look at measured response the Alexia 2 does not go as deep in the bass, has higher distortion measurements in the midrange and treble and has a significant dip in the midrange frequencies. Of course measurements do not tell the whole story.

I have now lived with my 802D3's for over a year and am continuously amazed with the sound quality coming from the speakers. I can listen to them for hours with no fatigue even at very high volumes.

When several reviewers said the 802D3's can compete with speakers two to three times their price I can believe it and apparently the reviewers do too.

[Mikado463]

good to 'hear' ........ I love it when the underdog can swim with the big fish !

[Karl Maga]

By all accounts the new D3’s are terrific, and an improvement on the D2’s which I owned for a couple years. I’m glad you’re enjoying yours and I’m not surprised.

[logean]

Originally Posted by GregGale

The March issue of HiFI News just published a review of the new Wilson Alexia 2 and scored a 90 which is the same score the 802D3 received. The Alexia sells for almost $58,000 versus $22,000 for the 802.

Of course the Wilson Alexia is highly respected by the audio press and has always received strong ratings and the new 2 even stronger. This is really a testament to the value for money of the 802D3.

What is also interesting is if you look at measured response the Alexia 2 does not go as deep in the bass, has higher distortion measurements in the midrange and treble and has a significant dip in the midrange frequencies. Of course measurements do not tell the whole story.

I have now lived with my 802D3's for over a year and am continuously amazed with the sound quality coming from the speakers. I can listen to them for hours with no fatigue even at very high volumes.

When several reviewers said the 802D3's can compete with speakers two to three times their price I can believe it and apparently the reviewers do too.

my experience exactly.....

[joey_v]

Sometimes these “points” are arbitrary. I can’t say for certain that the 802d3 is equal to, worse than, or equal to the Alexia 2 as I am not as familiar with the Alexia nor have I played with t as much as the 802d3.

I will say the 802d3 is a fantastic transducer.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by joey_v

Sometimes these “points” are arbitrary. I can’t say for certain that the 802d3 is equal to, worse than, or equal to the Alexia 2 as I am not as familiar with the Alexia nor have I played with t as much as the 802d3.

I will say the 802d3 is a fantastic transducer.

I don't know how they arrive at these points, but perhaps value is a factor. Both speakers are fantastic at their respective price points. They are certainly not equal.

[gadawg]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

i don't know how they arrive at these points, but perhaps value is a factor. Both speakers are fantastic at their respective price points. They are certainly not equal.

+1... Just my biased personal opinion. Speakers are clearly a very personal choice and I love the Wilson's but have a good friend who loves the new B&W's ... and we can both be right!

George

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by joey_v

Sometimes these “points” are arbitrary.

Sometimes?

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Sometimes?

I was being nice

[GregGale]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Sometimes?

Kal you could make an argument that Stereophile rating class could be somewhat arbitrary as well.

Is there a consensus of multiple people that determine what the class rating should be in Stereophile? Sometimes you see high class A or border line a particular rating. So in my mind HFN points which maybe "somewhat arbitrary" could be looked upon the same way as Stereophile gives their ratings.

I look at the points given at HFN as an indicator of sound quality value in relationship to other products at their respective price point.

I have noticed that HFN very rarely gives points above 90 for any audio piece of equipment. When I see something that gets 90 or above from them I associate this with a Class A Stereophile rating, although I don't think their point system equates to the same point system that is used to give grade designations in typical school systems where 90 and above is an A.

HFN does provide information that I find interesting in terms of distortion measurements at different sound frequencies and power levels that could have some value for example if the distortion differences are far less than another speaker at certain frequencies than maybe the product sounds more "pristine". Also many of the German Audio magazines publish maximum loudness the speaker is capable of without exceeding certain distortion levels they have established which gives you an idea on what the sound level capability might be of a certain speaker.

As we all know however the proof is in the listening to the product yourself, but I do feel that if you have a consensus from multiple review sources globally on a product giving excellent ratings this at least gives me a higher sense of security where I could purchase a product without auditioning on my own which is not always easy to do.