4 or 8 tap with 805D?

[Bavarian05]

Current owners of 805 diamonds:
Are you currently using the 4 or 8 ohm taps when using a tube amp?
I am running a ARC Ref 110 (approx. 130 watts with KT120 's) and have only used the 8 ohm tap thus far.
Any tips or feedback would be appreciated.

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[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by Bavarian05

Current owners of 805 diamonds:
Are you currently using the 4 or 8 ohm taps when using a tube amp?
I am running a ARC Ref 110 (approx. 130 watts with KT120 's) and have only used the 8 ohm tap thus far.
Any tips or feedback would be appreciated.

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

What's the speaker impedance?

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

What's the speaker impedance?

Nominal 8 ohm rating with a minimum of 4.7 ohms.

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[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by Bavarian05

Nominal 8 ohm rating with a minimum of 4.7 ohms.

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I'd say listen to both but would think the 8 should work best. If ithe nominal was between 8 and 4, then generally you're better off going with the lower tap with tube amps.

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

I'd say listen to both but would think the 8 should work best. If ithe nominal was between 8 and 4, then generally you're better off going with the lower tap with tube amps.

Thank you Myles.
I tried the 4 ohm taps and the lower registers were mildly tighter overall, though the whole presentation seemed to lose spaciousness and sounded a little too dark (if that makes any sense). I am going to stick with the 8 ohm tap...

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[bdowell]

I've owned several b&w speakers. Nautilus 802 and now 802diamond. Both souse better on the 8 ohm taps on my Mac solid states which are built with output transformers. The sound on the 4 ohm taps was just kinda strange. I also contact bw and the reccomendation was 8 ohm taps.

[Grasshopper]

I've enjoyed this older thread. I suppose I will try the 8ohm tap again.

Mcintosh recommended that I use two sets of speaker wires: the 2 ohm tap for the midrange and the 4ohm tap for the bass on my MC402 amp. This, they suggested would provide more power in the bass.

They said the speakers should be treated as 4ohm speakers.

I realize this isn't too relevant as mine are the signature 800's...I just never thought about running two separate cables from different taps into the bass and midrange.

Anybody else experiment with configurations like that?

[Matt Lan]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Mcintosh recommended that I use two sets of speaker wires: the 2 ohm tap for the midrange and the 4ohm tap for the bass on my MC402 amp. This, they suggested would provide more power in the bass...
Anybody else experiment with configurations like that?

Grasshopper, I too am interested in experiences with bi-wire to the separate output taps. Let's see who has done it and how it worked out!

Best,

Matt

[Grasshopper]

Matt,

I have done it and I think I prefer it. It seems to separate the different instruments a little better...more dynamic.

I plan to spend some more time testing various configurations tomorrow and will report on my findings.

I am curious how it will sound with the bass on the 8ohm tap and the mids/highs on the 4ohm tap. I assume it may tame songs that have a tendency to go bright. We shall see.
As I look at new cables, two sets of cables is a little daunting though.

Originally Posted by Matt Lane

Grasshopper, I too am interested in experiences with bi-wire to the separate output taps. Let's see who has done it and how it worked out!

Best,

Matt

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

I am curious how it will sound with the bass on the 8ohm tap and the mids/highs on the 4ohm tap. I assume it may tame songs that have a tendency to go bright. We shall see.

Very interesting thought grasshopper, anything to tame the sometimes 'beaming' upper mid-diamond tweeter effect.
In my opinion, B&W tuned this area a bit high in the latest 800 range.

Luckily with a McIntosh amps we have this 2,4,8 ohm choice.

Anthony