800d or 802 diamond

[thebeatles67]

I have the current 802 Diamonds. I paired them up with two JL Audio F113 subs--bass is not a problem. Probably should have gone with the 800D considering the money spent on the two subs. The C2300 has two additional outputs for the subs. I'm driving the 802s with McIntosh MC601s and it sounds great.

[Rod#S]

This is a tough one. I voted 800D. I actually own both the 800D2's and 802D2's but have never heard the 800D1's. I find that the 800D2 is not an insignificant step up from the 802D2 so I would lean towards the 800D's. However I have read different reports from people on-line that the 802D2s are a better speaker then the 800D's so it's obviously not a situation where one is clearly the superior to the other, which unfortunately makes for a really hard decision.

[Black Tang]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

By the way, you are taking the same upgrade path I did! I also had 804 diamond before the 802. If you like the 804 sound, you'll love the 802 in your room! After you have the 802s for a while, you'll have to listen to some Sasha's

It's an exciting and rewardable path to step in and I'm sure I am in the right path. Wilson Audio Sasha, Alexia, Focal Stella Utopia, and Grand Utopia are my dream speakers. At this moment, a pair of 800d or 802 diamond are definitely satisfied all my needs and I would be happy for a very long time.

[Black Tang]

Originally Posted by RebelMan

I spent about six years with the 800D and several occasions with the 802D2 using very similar Classé gear. Both systems were level matched but in different, although fairly well treated, environments. The highs and upper midrange are slightly more transparent with the 802D2 but the 800D has a mid to lower presence region that is more open and bass output that is more linear. The 800D is also more accurate throughout the audible range and exhibits overall better balance. For a mint condition pair at a lower price tag than the 802D2, the 800D is without question the better buy. The only negative that I see would be in transporting the 800D from one place to another. I did it twice and it can be a bear. The 800D cabinet is not much bigger than the 802D2 but the plinth is substantial and the mass is great, twice that of the 802D2. If you are up to the challenge it's a worth while proposition.

The used 800D is almost 3 grand cheaper than a pair of brand new 802D2.
However, I have to drive 6 hours each way to bring the speakers back home.
I also need to rent a cargo van and hire movers to move these bad boys at two locations. Like you said, it is a challenge for sure. Besides, no warranty on the used 800D.
Did anyone experience any manufacturing defect on the 800 Diamond series speakers? My 804 diamonds are over a year old new and they are in perfect cosmetic and working condition so for.

[Black Tang]

Originally Posted by edward3132

Have basically same system as yours, 804's, MC452, and C2300. Love the sound but also a little lean on bass.

See a pair of 802,s in the future but budget not ready for it.

Auditioned a Rel G2 sub instead and it made the 804,a that much better. Even the high,s and mids were improved. The G2 is connected with a special cable directly to the MC452.

Adding a bass is a good solution for sure. However, it must be hard to dial in the bass to perfection. What kind of special cable are you using to connect the G2 to MC452? Home made? Do you have a picture that you can share? Thank you.

[Black Tang]

Thank you very much for all your valuable opinions and votes.
Like Rod#S said, it's obviously not a situation where one is clearly the superior to the other. Either one is a good choice.
Which one looks better then?
800D1 and 802D2 both have the same Marlan head in the same dimension. Correct me if I'm wrong.
For me, the head and the cabinet does not look proportional on the 800D1. Small head with Big body.

[RebelMan]

Originally Posted by Black Tang

Like Rod#S said, it's obviously not a situation where one is clearly the superior to the other. Either one is a good choice.
Which one looks better then?
800D1 and 802D2 both have the same Marlan head in the same dimension. Correct me if I'm wrong.
For me, the head and the cabinet does not look proportional on the 800D1. Small head with Big body.

Dollar for dollar the 800D is a much better speaker overall than the 802D2. The technology behind the 802D2 has improved in some key areas, like the highs and lows, that make it a better 802 than before but not a better speaker than the 800D especially for the price you have been quoted, warranty or not. In addition to what I previously said the 802D2 is nowhere near as inert and it will not envelop you to the extent that the 800D can. Furthermore, there are really only two reasons why anyone should need to use subs with the 800 and 802. 1.) Pipe organ. 2.) Special effects. Subs do not promote good sound only good feeling. If you need to feel bass to hear it something else is out of order, not these speakers.

As for esthetics the 800D is, to me, considerably more pleasing. I'm a perfectionist with anal retentive tendencies to the point of being crazy stupid over symmetry. For instance, the slope of the cabinet top and bottom are more graceful and similar in pitch than with the 802D2 which is angled very sharply on top and nearly horizontal on bottom. The 800D woofers are perfectly centered across the vertical baffle, the 802D2 are not. The speaker grommets on the 800D are evenly separated, the 802D are not but the 802D2 need not worry about that. The shinny black and grooved trim rings (vinyl anyone?) makes the 802D2 look a bit flamboyant compared to the 800D's powder coated satin black and smooth flange which offers a tough looking disposition.

I also do not like the points formed between the curves and straight edges on the 802D2 woofer trim. On the 800D the curves transition smoothly and uniformly with the straight edges. I am not a fan of the decorative silver trim either. Why? It's inconsistent across the drivers and flow ports. Some are more varied in thickness than others but more importantly some are polished while others are machined. B&W's biggest mistake with the new series. I do like the aluminum polished phase plug which complements the new series quite nicely adding a touch of elegance to the midrange driver. I only wish B&W took a cue from it and ran with this finish for the trim pieces across the board. One thing I like much better on the new series is the use of piano black gloss lacquer for the Marlan heads. The previous series included metal-flake which gave the color a very dark charcoal appearance instead of pure black. I also like the black powder coated, cabinet tracing, contour of the plinth on the 802D2 more so than the two toned rectangular slab found on the 800D. On the flip side, the 800D plinth is significantly more stable. It isn't gonna tip, the 802D2 could and quite easily.

As for the size of the Marlan head it's a toss-up. I kind of agree that it suits the 802D2 a little better in proportion, however, the larger mushroom voice coil covers on the 800D snaps back some balance. In addition, I do not like the tail that protrudes out the back end of the 802D2 cabinet. On the 800D it sits inside the cabinet making for a much cleaner look.

[raidho]

hallo Black Tang,

I had almost all B&W 800serie.
805s / 805d, 804s, 803s, 803d / 803di, 802di / 800d......

the new di actuall serie is IMHO better from the 800d. no way.

the more B&W sell are: 804di, 805di, 802di, 800di and 803di.

with a combo Mcintosh like Mc2300&Mc452 a pair of 802di is the perfect match.

the new 802di is not only a design update vs the 802d (same from 800di vs 800d)
the tweeter, the mid & xover like too the woofer sound very different from the 80xd.
try a 803d vs. a 803di is like a day and night. the LF in the last serie sound very fine, controlled, great! the 802d and 800d are good speaker but not liek the di serie.

[Rod#S]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

By the way, you are taking the same upgrade path I did! I also had 804 diamond before the 802. If you like the 804 sound, you'll love the 802 in your room! After you have the 802s for a while, you'll have to listen to some Sasha's

Or some 800's That's 800D2's

[ariess]

On the topic of going from the 804Di to the 802Di...I am wondering how different are their power requirements? They have the same listed sensitivity, but the minimum impedance of the 802Di is 3.5 ohm and the 804Di is 3.1 Ohm. So is the 802Di really not harder to drive than the 804Di?