802D2 vs 803D3 - back to back audition

[bart]

Originally Posted by joey_v

Try the 4ohm taps.

, and do have trust: your speakers are great and need some more time.

[Blackstone]

Better electronics?

[dan87951]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

Recommend you try and hear the new D3 yourself. Your impression could be totally different from mine. I thought the D3 sounded very ordinary, imaging and soundstage offered nothing unusual. I found the D2 to sound warmer than the D3 which was noticeable brighter and possibly more lively. Some might describe the D3 as being more accurate but I wouldn't. (At normal listening levels I doubt if anyone could tell the difference between the 803 D3 and the 804 D3 which was consistent with the finding at the recent Sterling Sound audition and comparison.)

+1

I found the D2's sounded better. I was actually quite disappointed in the bass response from the 803D3's I heard. The 803's sounded rather lifeless and bright. After that demo I'll be keeping my D2's a little while longer that's for sure.

[trponhunter]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

I did not say the D2 was better than the D3, I just said it sounded warmer to me and was not as bright and lively as the D3. I also recommended that you go listen to the D3 yourself as you may have a totally different impression than me.

This is a description of simply less resolved

[jlbrach]

I own the 802D2's and havent had a chance to hear the new models but my brother whose ears I trust told me he heard the 802D2's and the new model and said he liked the D2's far more ...go figure

[paulphoosreal]

I'd also look at Aerial 7Ts or the upcoming 12Ts. My 2 cents.

[silversurfer6]

I own a pair of 803D3. Looking for amps now, probably I will go for the integrated Classe Sigma or the Classe Signa SSP with the Signa monoblocks. Not considering now the Classe Delta series since the new one is coming out in spring. Anybody running 803D3s with Sigma?

[2dparrish]

I have 802d3 being powered by Sigma SSP and Amp5 (also 805d3 surrounds and htm center), I like the sound alot, and there seems to be plenty of power. While I don't sense any lack of low end power, it would be interesting to compare with the Sigma monoblocks. The overall sound is detailed, liquid, enough air on top without being hyperdetailed (which was my impression of the Classe Delta amps). I like the sound better than McIntosh overall, though I thought McIntosh had a fuller low end but was less defined/detailed/airy in the midrange/top. I think you will be pleased with the Sigma series.

[silversurfer6]

I currently own the 803D3 and run them with the Sigma Integated. When the "new" Sigma SSP comes out (with the atmos and hdmi 2.0 board) I will add it to my system along with 2 sigma monoblocks. I think it will be an interesting conparison because the sigma integrated is an excellent amp and offers tremendous "value" at high-end price levels.

[jumpman]

A quick chime in. I've owned my 802D2 for close to 5 years and over time, it's become better and better with the assortment of music I listen to. Upgraditis kicked in when i heard about the d3 so I auditioned them when they appeared in the showroom. They were very nice (not crazy about the looks though) but at a significant premium over what I originally paid, that on a bang for buck equation, didnt work for me as the % bang wasnt equal or more than the % increase in buck.

Through discussions with my dealer and reading the forums here, I then decided to invest in a B&W DB1 to augment the 802D2 and to rationalise my 2 setups with one sub for both music and HT duties. After fussing around (see other threads on preamp and DB1), I am hearing my system like I've never experienced before and even I dare say, content for the first time...ok maybe a 2nd DB1 if I can hide it from the wife.

Having said that, do i like the d3s? Most definitely. Better than now, not sure but definitely different. Which brings me to my ultimate point. I've been observing a very interesting phenomenon and not restricted to the realm of these B&W speakers. I find a lot of people take the new is better approach so far that to reinforce such notions, involves making the point that previous iterations are just less worthy. I read that a lot in reviews and on forums such as these.

The d3s are good but with their release, it really hasnt made my d2s bad. They didnt just go past its expiry date because something replaced it. I'm a huge car guy and every generation of newer models are supposed to be better (and technically they are) than the previous version. However, when I drive my "older" version of the cars, they are still fantastic! So yes, the newer is good but it hasnt made my older worst.

Does this make sense to anyone else other than myself?