The "obvious tweeter" Solution

[all2ears]

I have enjoyed Revel Salon 2's paired with a Voice 2 Center as my theater speakers for several years but had an itch lately for something new - Nothing wrong with the Revel's ....they are amazing speakers - I'm simply due for a change

I was excited when I heard the accolades for the B & W D3 launch - I've never owned B & W Speakers and thought this might be the time - I've auditioned D3 802 and 803 models in two different shops both with a McIntosh 452 amp - The lows and mids were terrific but the tweeter just didn't pair right .... its what I call an "obvious tweeter" - In both listening rooms I played with the toe in and fiddled with the processor but could never get a seamless integration - The tweeter was distracting to my ears

I was told that is the sound of B & W - I know these are world class speakers so before I accept they don't work for me (purely on a subjective level) I wanted to see if I am missing anything - Any advice ?

[2fastdriving]

There are a lot of "world class" products that don't work for me. And you. And everyone else.

If you heard them demo'd in two different places, and you aren't thrilled to death, buy something else. That's my advice.

[Spinpsycho]

Originally Posted by all2ears

I've auditioned D3 802 and 803 models in two different shops both with a McIntosh 452 amp - The lows and mids were terrific but the tweeter just didn't pair right .... its what I call an "obvious tweeter" - In both listening rooms I played with the toe in and fiddled with the processor but could never get a seamless integration - The tweeter was distracting to my ears

I was told that is the sound of B & W - I know these are world class speakers so before I accept they don't work for me (purely on a subjective level) I wanted to see if I am missing anything - Any advice ?

I felt the same way when I audtitioned the 803's D3 power by the 601's with C52 Preamp and the source was from the Sony HAP-Z1ES... The tweeter sounded too bright for my taste, it overwhelmed the overall soundstage. I don't think I could listen to it for long periods, it would definitely be too fatiguing!

[Art Vandelay]

From experience with the S800 and the 800D2, it took a long time from new for the tweeter to "disappear".

So it's not unreasonable to assume that a slightly hot treble is to be expected with near new D3 800 series speakers.

[Douglas]

The tweeter in the Current YG speakers is the most natural, detailed, and unobtrusive I have ever heard.

[all2ears]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

From experience with the S800 and the 800D2, it took a long time from new for the tweeter to "disappear".

So it's not unreasonable to assume that a slightly hot treble is to be expected with near new D3 800 series speakers.

Thanks Art - B & W 800 series speakers always get terrific reviews and have a strong following so a long break in period for the tweeter makes a lot of sense - My Revel Salon 2's sounded great right out of the box and only got better - They are a four way speaker packing three 8" woofers and the transition between drivers is seamless - The speakers vanish into a huge soundstage - It seems B & W might require a bit more patience

I am headed out to hear a pair of 802 D2 floor models - The pair is two years old so the tweeter should be well broken in ........ I hope

[Jack in Wilmington]

Originally Posted by all2ears

Thanks Art - B & W 800 series speakers always get terrific reviews and have a strong following so a long break in period for the tweeter makes a lot of sense - My Revel Salon 2's sounded great right out of the box and only got better - They are a four way speaker packing three 8" woofers and the transition between drivers is seamless - The speakers vanish into a huge soundstage - It seems B & W might require a bit more patience

I am headed out to hear a pair of 802 D2 floor models - The pair is two years old so the tweeter should be well broken in ........ I hope

Do your Revels have the Beryllium tweeter?

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by all2ears

Thanks Art - B & W 800 series speakers always get terrific reviews and have a strong following so a long break in period for the tweeter makes a lot of sense - My Revel Salon 2's sounded great right out of the box and only got better - They are a four way speaker packing three 8" woofers and the transition between drivers is seamless - The speakers vanish into a huge soundstage - It seems B & W might require a bit more patience

I am headed out to hear a pair of 802 D2 floor models - The pair is two years old so the tweeter should be well broken in ........ I hope

Your ultima 2's are a speaker that I'm very familiar with, and when partnered with the right source and amplification IMHO they have just about the best treble I've heard from any speaker. When they're broken in, an 800 diamond's treble comes close to matching it but in my experience falls slightly short in terms of transparency and micro dynamics. OTOH, the Diamond tweeter is slightly more 'macro' dynamic and produces a greater sense of air.

Although you'll be able to extract more soundstage size from B&W Diamond 800 or 802, and more bass impact from a 800D2/D3, I'm not sure that it's an upgrade path that I would personally choose.

For an audible step up in performance you would be better to look at something like a Wilson Alexia, which is almost double the price.

[GreginNH1]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

From experience with the S800 and the 800D2, it took a long time from new for the tweeter to "disappear".

So it's not unreasonable to assume that a slightly hot treble is to be expected with near new D3 800 series speakers.

Slightly hot treble is an understatement! I can't wait for my new speakers to get broken in. 20 hours thus far and still not much by way of improvement. Maybe I'll just leave them on for the next week. Maybe I'm too impatient!

[Indytown]

Originally Posted by GreginNH1

Slightly hot treble is an understatement! I can't wait for my new speakers to get broken in. 20 hours thus far and still not much by way of improvement. Maybe I'll just leave them on for the next week. Maybe I'm too impatient!

Best way is to face them to one another about an inch apart, one speaker out of phase and let them play continuous for 5 to 6 days at various volume levels and different types of music.