The "obvious tweeter" Solution

[rghanbari]

All this talk of speaker break in (and being about 30 hours into my new 803D3s) got me thinking.

If speaker break in is actually a useful thing, why doesn't it happen at the factory? These are premium products and relatively low volume. One would think the factory would want to send out product that show their best right out of the box.

[Venere]

Consider the can of worms opened. First thoughts that pop into my mind:

You are assuming that speaker breakin is a real thing.
If it is, it would be costly and time consuming for the factory to do it, and would affect their pricing/competitiveness.
It is a convenient ploy to make you believe that the sound will continue to improve, hopefully beyond the dealer's return policy period.
Incredibly subjective. Can you measure it? Can you really hear it? Have your 803s "changed" in their first 30 hours?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by rghanbari

All this talk of speaker break in (and being about 30 hours into my new 803D3s) got me thinking.

If speaker break in is actually a useful thing, why doesn't it happen at the factory? These are premium products and relatively low volume. One would think the factory would want to send out product that show their best right out of the box.

A good analogy is a new Ferrari 458 has a 600 mile break-in period. I much prefer to buy my new car with zero miles on it. Speaker break-in is as real as rain.

[2fastdriving]

The obvious tweeter solution is: buy an electrostatic

[all2ears]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

Although I don't hear an 'obvious tweeter' in my 800 diamonds, I concede that bright recordings can be a bit too hot in some instances, and there's no shortage of bright masters these days.

As I've said many times, the Revels are simply sublime in the mids and treble so I'm not surprised that you're looking at Wilsons as a possible upgrade path.

I would make this one point though. If I was choosing speakers for HT as well as 2 channel audio I would definitely choose the B&W 800 series over Revel Ultima's.

800 Diamonds in a HT setup is really quite an experience.

Art your advice is always much appreciated - Really wanted to love those speakers but I've come to the conclusion I am not a B & W guy - The Revels fill up my room with sound .... it's like I step into an Audio bubble - The 800's are awesome speakers but the image localization (more accurate than "Obvious Tweeter") presents the sound .... the sound and I are separate - Since my ultimate goal is to become one with the universe being enveloped works better for me

My wife made a good point today - For the money involved I could get a great pair of headphones and go on vacation for a month - Yin & Yang

[ariess]

Well HiFi News gave it a 90 in their December issue which is the highest score I have seen them give and the reviewer says he hasn't heard anything better over $45k. Also loves the "silkier treble".

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[Spinpsycho]

Originally Posted by ariess

the reviewer says he hasn't heard anything better over $45k. Also loves the "silkier treble".

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

Is he serious??

[ariess]

Originally Posted by Spinpsycho

Is he serious??

Troll?

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[Rod#S]

I guess I've been fortunate in all my experiences of B&W diamond series speakers in room and equipment pairing because I've never come away from any store feeling the tweeters were bright. I've never heard the Revels or Wilson's to compare but have compared to Focal 1028's and 1038's along with Alto Utopia's.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by all2ears

Art your advice is always much appreciated - Really wanted to love those speakers but I've come to the conclusion I am not a B & W guy - The Revels fill up my room with sound .... it's like I step into an Audio bubble - The 800's are awesome speakers but the image localization (more accurate than "Obvious Tweeter") presents the sound .... the sound and I are separate - Since my ultimate goal is to become one with the universe being enveloped works better for me

My wife made a good point today - For the money involved I could get a great pair of headphones and go on vacation for a month - Yin & Yang

All speakers have their pluses and minuses, for sure, and in the end it boils down to what attributes you most want to live with as well as what attributes you can most easily live without.

Before I embark on an upgrade path for my 800 diamonds I'm going to try going active or hybrid, with separate amps for each driver. DSP is also a possibility - for time alignment.

I've also designed (but not yet built) a new passive MT crossover which will be housed externally from the speakers.

So interesting times ahead.