left underwhelmed

[djwhog]

how many watts in the amps were used, they need POWER to drive

[Briz Vegaas]

He pretty much had the ideal amp. Maybe he was over auditioning, that happens to me after a few speakers it stops being fun and becomes like hard work grinding over the same tracks.

If you want bass try Vivid K1. I would also suggest G3s but I am yet to hear them and they are more expensive. Your issue may just be a matter of personal taste.

Its funny, I used to love the look of 802 and 800, but now it looks clunky.

[DesW]

I agree with the comments on the 800D's too edgy and fatiguing I wouldn't want a pair in my room.
The ProAc Carbons smoke em

Des

[JohnA]

They definately were not underpowered.

could have been a room issues, or maybe just no longer to my taste.

The 802 and 800d were the first 2 speakers i had auditioned on the day, as they were the 2 i really wanted to work for me.

I will re visit them in another store with some other amps, different room, just to be sure.

I never write anything off after first audition, as you just never know.

I recall never enjoying focal speakers but on this day, the focal scala utopia proved me very wrong

[gshepardbuster]

Sounds to me like improper room placement combined with inadequate amp(s). My 800ds sounded good with 500wpc and are much better now with 1200wpc, (1.2k MC.) I heard the new 800d2s with 600wpc Classe monos at a well setup dealer and although very nice not nearly as good as with the big power. I don't think one must go to such extremes to achieve great sound but the skies the limit. Another thing to mention is depending how close to the back wall the placement is will greatly affect bass response. FWIW I usually only show slightly over 1 watt peaks on the meters so the power matters at all listening levels.

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by JohnA

Hey Guys

have been auditioning speakers to replace my current ones.
One i really wanted to like and the first ones i auditioned were the new 800D
they were been powered by an electrocompaniet amp.
I was left a little underwhelmed and was expecting a little more.
Dont get me wrong, nice midrange and top end..upped and lower midbass had good attack, but seemed to lack in the bottom end.
However, the biggest thing was they sounded slightly sterile and too hifi like.

After reading many glowing reviews on these speakers, i was very keen on them.

Is it a case of a mismatch speaker amp combo or could it be something else.
I heard other speakers in the same room, like the wilsons and focal, and both worked very well.

I have always loved B&W speakers, and as much as i wanted to like these, i am now not too sure.

Shame because we can only go by what we hear n store at the time, and from that, i am left not wanting to give them a shot and try to figure out what will make them sing.

Now i am sure, they must perform better then what i heard, so i ask here, have any of you guys auditioned them, didnt like them, and then re-audition with something else and fall in love.

Could the room itself play a big roll, and what size room would one recommend for them.

Sorry for the long winded post, just after some suggestions and ideas.

if you would like a review of the LS 27 I would be happy to oblige as I own one and have listened to the B&W's

[Briz Vegaas]

Originally Posted by DesW

I agree with the comments on the 800D's too edgy and fatiguing I wouldn't want a pair in my room.
The ProAc Carbons smoke em

Des

Don't agree with this. This has not been my experience with the big B&Ws. When I heard the 800s they sounded like music, although this was some years ago and was not the current series. Of course my opinion is based on two brief listens at a retailer. I know from my 804 that you can taylor very different sound from speakers by changing all the other elements in the equation.

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by Briz Vegaas

Don't agree with this. This has not been my experience with the big B&Ws. When I heard the 800s they sounded like music, although this was some years ago and was not the current series. Of course my opinion is based on two brief listens at a retailer. I know from my 804 that you can taylor very different sound from speakers by changing all the other elements in the equation.

I've been wondering about the newer B&Ws as well......B&W P 6s were my first high end speaker and I still am a little sentimental about the brand. A lot of feedback on other forums seem to have similar opinions that they have lost some of the luster compared to other comparable brands. I have listened to the 800 diamonds and they sounded pretty good, but I do admit there was more of that "hifi sound" rather than pure music flowing. Wonder if there's a little hifi snobbery toward the brand with all of the marketing and branching out to other areas like the Zeppelin that have turned some in the hobby off. Who knows.

[JohnA]

no snobbery from me on B&W

have always loved them, owned a pair of 703 and almost purchased some 802D (previous model) before i got my current speakers.

This is one of the main reasons i wanted to audition the new 800D now that i am looking at a change in speaker.

I cant go by what others say, only by what i hear at the time of auditioning.

if i need 1.2kw amps to make them sing, then they are not the right speaker for me unfortunately then. I find it very hard to believe that they need that much power though to make them sing

the Sashas were singing with a little 100w valve integrated amp as were the focals

[turntable]

Are the 800 series still made in the UK?

I hope they have not shifted em to China