804 D3 - Unboxing

[drabbish]

Nope, maybe mono's

[diononiz]

Originally Posted by Toobs

I'm strongly considering the 804 d3 but I'm wondering if my Mcintosh MC275 VI at 75 wpc is enough power to drive them properly

I think the MC275 will power the 804D3 sufficiently as long as you don't expect really high volume levels.

I use a MC302 and I feel like there is plenty of headroom.

[robd2]

Originally Posted by Toobs

I'm strongly considering the 804 d3 but I'm wondering if my Mcintosh MC275 VI at 75 wpc is enough power to drive them properly

Amp (power vs current?) requirements to drive the 804 speakers is a topic I've been trying to sort out for many years now. I own a set of N804 and have only powered them with some of the smaller Bryston and McIntosh amps. I currently run a 100watt/channel MAC MA5200 with pretty good results. The Bryston at 60 per channel was also pretty good.

I plan to demo at home something bigger soon but am interested to hear thoughts from B&W Patrick or the other forum members on what are we missing by using these smaller amps with the various 804 models. I should also say I have a decent sized room with 9ft ceilings.

Thanks again,
Rob

[brandonsweden]

Originally Posted by robd2

Amp (power vs current?) requirements to drive the 804 speakers is a topic I've been trying to sort out for many years now. I own a set of N804 and have only powered them with some of the smaller Bryston and McIntosh amps. I currently run a 100watt/channel MAC MA5200 with pretty good results. The Bryston at 60 per channel was also pretty good. I plan to demo at home something bigger soon but am interested to hear thoughts from B&W Patrick or the other forum members on what are we missing by using these smaller amps with the various 804 models. I should also say I have a decent sized room with 9ft ceilings. Thanks again, Rob

I think as long as you go for quality and not quantity you will be able to drive your speaker. The sound does not just come from Watt. With that said, you have to listen for your self to know if the performance is worth the extra cost.

[Patrick Butler]

Hi robd2,

Assuming the smaller amplifiers are comfortable driving lower impedances, the only thing you are really missing is the ability to play music at loud-very loud volume levels. Practically speaker, I tend to find larger dynamic contrasts and greater drive in the bass with larger amplifiers.

Regards,

Patrick
B&W Group North America

Originally Posted by robd2

Amp (power vs current?) requirements to drive the 804 speakers is a topic I've been trying to sort out for many years now. I own a set of N804 and have only powered them with some of the smaller Bryston and McIntosh amps. I currently run a 100watt/channel MAC MA5200 with pretty good results. The Bryston at 60 per channel was also pretty good.

I plan to demo at home something bigger soon but am interested to hear thoughts from B&W Patrick or the other forum members on what are we missing by using these smaller amps with the various 804 models. I should also say I have a decent sized room with 9ft ceilings.

Thanks again,
Rob

[rghanbari]

Originally Posted by Patrick Butler

Hi robd2,

Assuming the smaller amplifiers are comfortable driving lower impedances, the only thing you are really missing is the ability to play music at loud-very loud volume levels. Practically speaker, I tend to find larger dynamic contrasts and greater drive in the bass with larger amplifiers.

Regards,

Patrick
B&W Group North America

Patrick

Have you guys published impedance charts for the new 800 series yet?

I have a Bryston 9BSST (5x120) that I hope to use with the 802D3s. If single channel doesn't have enough umph, I may try to bridge them (go to 300W for left and right), but that would cut the effective impedance of the speakers in half. The 3 Ohm minimum in the specs (8 Ohm nominal) would get pretty challenging at 1.5 Ohm.

Thoughts on the 9BSST matches to the 802D3s, whether single channel or bridged?

Ray

[Rod#S]

You can't bridge a 9B-SST, only the 4 and 3 can be bridged unless you are somehow modifying the 9 on your own which would void the warranty.

[Briz Vegaas]

Surprised the 804 still come in cardboard boxes like my old ( they don't seem or look old) 804s. My front speakers (Vivid B1) turned up in wooden crates that weighed more than most speakers do. vivid have the drivers totally decoupled and all you see is a rubber gasket ( which you have to rub with baby oil once a year or so to maintain, its effective but a just a big odd as well).

Amazing people still don't know about cabinet decoupling. It makes sense that you don't want to hear the box so you find ways to stop it resonating. I guess everyone has to decide to do a bit if reading, or not, at some point in time.

[rghanbari]

Originally Posted by Rod#S

You can't bridge a 9B-SST, only the 4 and 3 can be bridged unless you are somehow modifying the 9 on your own which would void the warranty.

I think you might be thinking of a previous version? (ST perhaps?) The 9B sst does support bridging:

http://www.bryston.com/PDF/Manuals/9BSST_MANUAL.pdf

[Rod#S]

Originally Posted by rghanbari

I think you might be thinking of a previous version? (ST perhaps?) The 9B sst does support bridging:

http://www.bryston.com/PDF/Manuals/9BSST_MANUAL.pdf

Ah, I didn't even think of doing that way.