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  #1  
Old 01-09-2016, 12:13 AM
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SMC23 SMC23 is offline
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Default B&W 802D3 Owners Club

Just got my speakers unpacked and breaking them in. Now that I had over 20hrs break-in, I can already conclude I am loving every bit of this new generation over my former 802D2. They have been worth every penny despite the huge upgrade costs!

Unpacking & Setup - simply straightforward and very pleased by the new D3 packaging. Once the boxes are placed in the same listening room, literally one person could set them up by rolling them into place. Koodoos to b&w for this!! I thought I needed a second hand with unpacking them, despite +200lb weight of each speaker, but I was able to roll them out of the boxes and into my listening room by myself.


Looks - they are stunning in real life! Bottom line...pics don't do these speakers justice at all. I really recommend seeing them in person. I love the modern clean look of the speakers over the D2 series. I initially had reservations about the new Turbine head's smaller proportion over the main cabinet, but now after staring at the speakers from afar and in my listening seat, they look well suited. Oh and the new continuum's silvery FST adds a nice contemporary touch to my decor. I prefer them to the yellow cones. The speakers appear to be less bulky than the 802D2 too. If I had to make one change, they do look slightly too long by an inch or two, but this doesn't bother me as I don't see the side profile as much. Importantly the front profile looks gorgeous. They are truly works of art!!


Sound - who needs a sub?! I have the speakers on full range for break-in and I can immediately tell the Aerofoil bass drivers are leagues ahead of the prior series. The impact, detail, and depth is certainly there in spades. I was playing scenes from my favourite action movies and could swear both my F113s were on but they were completely off. I was skeptical about the new frequency response but the 802D3s surely do reach down very low, much more so than the prior series.

The new continuum midrange and tweeter is extremely open. I couldn't stop grinning at the size of the soundstage. The speakers disperse so far too the sides and even somewhat to the back it's incredible! I have a preference to multichannel and movies and the new speakers perform so well. They disappear into the room more so than the 802d2. I'm still going through break-in so hoping these blossom even further...


To be honest I took a big hit selling my 802d2's to upgrade to the new D3, and I can certainly say they are a worthwhile upgrade. With the limited time I had with them I can already sense they are going to be very special. These will be the last speakers I get in a very very long time.

Looking forward to hearing any other new owners impressions...please share them!

Last edited by SMC23; 06-01-2016 at 11:32 AM. Reason: links removed
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  #2  
Old 01-09-2016, 01:20 AM
2fastdriving 2fastdriving is offline
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Congrats! I heard a pair, they are a very nice improvement over the previous gen, I agree.
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  #3  
Old 01-09-2016, 01:56 AM
rghanbari rghanbari is offline
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For me, the break in process and room adjustments have been a very slow and measured process. Striking how big even minor changes can be. When hefting around 200 pound speakers, not a fun process without a crazy golden ear partner to help (room and placement tuning is definitely not for civilians)
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  #4  
Old 01-09-2016, 10:30 AM
Patrick Butler Patrick Butler is offline
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Hi SMC23,

Glad to hear that you are happy with your new speakers!

Best Regards,

Patrick
B&W Group North America


Quote:
Originally Posted by SMC23 View Post
Just got my speakers unpacked and breaking them in. Now that I had over 20hrs break-in, I can already conclude I am loving every bit of this new generation over my former 802D2. They have been worth every penny despite the huge upgrade costs!

Unpacking & Setup - simply straightforward and very pleased by the new D3 packaging. Once the boxes are placed in the same listening room, literally one person could set them up by rolling them into place. Koodoos to b&w for this!! I thought I needed a second hand with unpacking them, despite +200lb weight of each speaker, but I was able to roll them out of the boxes and into my listening room by myself.

unboxing1
unboxing2

Looks - they are stunning in real life! Bottom line...pics don't do these speakers justice at all. I really recommend seeing them in person. I love the modern clean look of the speakers over the D2 series. I initially had reservations about the new Turbine head's smaller proportion over the main cabinet, but now after staring at the speakers from afar and in my listening seat, they look well suited. Oh and the new continuum's silvery FST adds a nice contemporary touch to my decor. I prefer them to the yellow cones. The speakers appear to be less bulky than the 802D2 too. If I had to make one change, they do look slightly too long by an inch or two, but this doesn't bother me as I don't see the side profile as much. Importantly the front profile looks gorgeous. They are truly works of art!!

stunning

turbine head

Sound - who needs a sub?! I have the speakers on full range for break-in and I can immediately tell the Aerofoil bass drivers are leagues ahead of the prior series. The impact, detail, and depth is certainly there in spades. I was playing scenes from my favourite action movies and could swear both my F113s were on but they were completely off. I was skeptical about the new frequency response but the 802D3s surely do reach down very low, much more so than the prior series.

The new continuum midrange and tweeter is extremely open. I couldn't stop grinning at the size of the soundstage. The speakers disperse so far too the sides and even somewhat to the back it's incredible! I have a preference to multichannel and movies and the new speakers perform so well. They disappear into the room more so than the 802d2. I'm still going through break-in so hoping these blossom even further...

temp setup

To be honest I took a big hit selling my 802d2's to upgrade to the new D3, and I can certainly say they are a worthwhile upgrade. With the limited time I had with them I can already sense they are going to be very special. These will be the last speakers I get in a very very long time.

Looking forward to hearing any other new owners impressions...please share them!
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  #5  
Old 01-09-2016, 12:01 PM
ariess ariess is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SMC23 View Post
Just got my speakers unpacked and breaking them in. Now that I had over 20hrs break-in, I can already conclude I am loving every bit of this new generation over my former 802D2. They have been worth every penny despite the huge upgrade costs! Unpacking & Setup - simply straightforward and very pleased by the new D3 packaging. Once the boxes are placed in the same listening room, literally one person could set them up by rolling them into place. Koodoos to b&w for this!! I thought I needed a second hand with unpacking them, despite +200lb weight of each speaker, but I was able to roll them out of the boxes and into my listening room by myself. unboxing1 unboxing2 Looks - they are stunning in real life! Bottom line...pics don't do these speakers justice at all. I really recommend seeing them in person. I love the modern clean look of the speakers over the D2 series. I initially had reservations about the new Turbine head's smaller proportion over the main cabinet, but now after staring at the speakers from afar and in my listening seat, they look well suited. Oh and the new continuum's silvery FST adds a nice contemporary touch to my decor. I prefer them to the yellow cones. The speakers appear to be less bulky than the 802D2 too. If I had to make one change, they do look slightly too long by an inch or two, but this doesn't bother me as I don't see the side profile as much. Importantly the front profile looks gorgeous. They are truly works of art!! stunning turbine head Sound - who needs a sub?! I have the speakers on full range for break-in and I can immediately tell the Aerofoil bass drivers are leagues ahead of the prior series. The impact, detail, and depth is certainly there in spades. I was playing scenes from my favourite action movies and could swear both my F113s were on but they were completely off. I was skeptical about the new frequency response but the 802D3s surely do reach down very low, much more so than the prior series. The new continuum midrange and tweeter is extremely open. I couldn't stop grinning at the size of the soundstage. The speakers disperse so far too the sides and even somewhat to the back it's incredible! I have a preference to multichannel and movies and the new speakers perform so well. They disappear into the room more so than the 802d2. I'm still going through break-in so hoping these blossom even further... temp setup To be honest I took a big hit selling my 802d2's to upgrade to the new D3, and I can certainly say they are a worthwhile upgrade. With the limited time I had with them I can already sense they are going to be very special. These will be the last speakers I get in a very very long time. Looking forward to hearing any other new owners impressions...please share them!

Congrats!

Did you get trade in credits with your dealer?

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
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  #6  
Old 01-09-2016, 12:45 PM
redm redm is offline
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Wow, they are so different. Big jump from the D2 compared to the D1 to D2 changes. Congratulations!
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  #7  
Old 01-09-2016, 03:06 PM
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GreginNH1 GreginNH1 is offline
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Default Congrats!

Glad you like the new speakers. The D3s are quite special.
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  #8  
Old 01-09-2016, 04:01 PM
slayers slayers is offline
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That is an amazing speaker, Only if i had the funds for the 802; i might be able to afford the 804 though
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  #9  
Old 01-09-2016, 05:44 PM
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krustycat krustycat is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SMC23 View Post

To be honest I took a big hit selling my 802d2's to upgrade to the new D3, and I can certainly say they are a worthwhile upgrade. With the limited time I had with them I can already sense they are going to be very special. These will be the last speakers I get in a very very long time.

Looking forward to hearing any other new owners impressions...please share them!
Me too, but after my audition I know I will have no regrets when I receive my pair by the end of the month.

Congratulations again.

The system looks beautiful.

Enjoy.....
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  #10  
Old 01-14-2016, 09:50 AM
slayers slayers is offline
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I'm going to listen to the 802D3 today, can't wait for this treat
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