AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > B&W Speakers
Reload this Page Review-Bowers & Wilkins 803 Diamond Loudspeakers by Jeff Fritz
Register FAQDonate Calendar

B&W Speakers Bowers & Wilkins Greatest

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-01-2011, 05:30 AM
klipschfan's Avatar
klipschfan klipschfan is offline
Against the Tide
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,349
Default Review-Bowers & Wilkins 803 Diamond Loudspeakers by Jeff Fritz


Bowers & Wilkins 803 Diamond Loudspeakers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-23-2011, 04:10 PM
pshillis's Avatar
pshillis pshillis is offline
Junior Member
  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 15
Default
Hi,

I have a set of the 803d's and first used them with a Xindak V20, the sound was fantastic compared to the Warfedale 10.1 I had previously used. After which I upgraded to a C220 and MC302 ... awesome!! the sound image and tone depth was almost enough to make me shed a tear ...

I have heard a few different makes and models but these speakers make my home sound better than the studio at the HiFi store ...

Cheers

Patrick
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-10-2011, 05:32 PM
Ben Ben is offline
Guest
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 6
Default
Were those 803 Diamond, or 803 D? The latter is an older/previous model. The former is the new/current one and can handle more power (up to 500W). I've been thinking about getting a pair of 803 Diamond myself, but wondering if I should get MC 452 (+ C50) or go with MC 302 (+ C48), and save thousands of dollars. If anyone has any advice on amp choice between the two, I'd appreciate it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-10-2011, 07:24 PM
williamhds williamhds is offline
Senior Member
  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 178
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben View Post
Were those 803 Diamond, or 803 D? The latter is an older/previous model. The former is the new/current one and can handle more power (up to 500W). I've been thinking about getting a pair of 803 Diamond myself, but wondering if I should get MC 452 (+ C50) or go with MC 302 (+ C48), and save thousands of dollars. If anyone has any advice on amp choice between the two, I'd appreciate it.
More power is always better. I went from a mc 402 to 501s now I have 1.2kws. I friend of mine went from a 252 to a 452 with great results. Even a 402 to a 452 is substantial. the 803Ds will gobble up the 302 easily. If you can swallow the upgrade go with the 452. Consider the 2300 tube pre. I have the c500 t and love it with gold lion tubes. MORE POWER IS ALWAYS BETTER.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-10-2011, 07:55 PM
thebeatles67's Avatar
thebeatles67 thebeatles67 is offline
Senior Member
  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Bishopville, South Carolina
Posts: 190
Default
I went from MC402 to MC601s a few months ago and have been very pleased. I also have the C2300 and just installed the Gold Lions--sounding awesome.
__________________
Main system: B&W 802 Diamond, McIntosh MC 601 x2 , J L Audio F113 x2 w/Sound Anchor stands, McIntosh C2300 w/Gold Lion 12AX7s , OPPO BDP95, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 6 Balanced ICs,PCs, bi-wired speaker cables. Sennheiser HD600, Rega P5 TT w/PSU, Running Springs "Dimitri" power conditioner, ASC 13" traps, and Dynavector 20xl MC cart.Manley Chinook phonostage.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-10-2011, 08:02 PM
Masterlu's Avatar
Masterlu Masterlu is online now
AA Founder, Legend AV Owner



  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: South FL & Cape Cod MA
Posts: 78,537
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebeatles67 View Post
I went from MC402 to MC601s a few months ago and have been very pleased. I also have the C2300 and just installed the Gold Lions--sounding awesome.
And the Heavy Armor is on it's way!

__________________
Ivan
FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD
MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES
Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-11-2011, 05:28 PM
PMCH's Avatar
PMCH PMCH is offline
Senior Member

  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Cleveland suburbs
Posts: 1,463
Default
I have the 803d's and I heard a huge difference switching from two MC352's to the MC601's. The 803d's love power.
__________________
Paul

Harbeth 40.3 XD, Sound Anchor stands w/ Stillpoints, Luxman M900 & C900, Aurender N20, Jay's Audio CDT3 - MK3 CD player, Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, Shunyata Everest, Altaira
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-11-2011, 05:56 PM
djwhog's Avatar
djwhog djwhog is offline
Member
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 7,021
Default
yep and modern quad power is so much clearer too.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-12-2011, 10:20 PM
80B's Avatar
80B 80B is offline
Listener in Training


  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Old City
Posts: 2,568
Default
The MC452 would be a great complement to the 803 Diamonds. My previous-generation gear (MC402 & 803D) is a great combination, and the improvements by both Mc and B&W in the meantime are significant.
__________________
Sources: Vinyl: Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with 9" Universal tonearm, Da Vinci V2 cartridge, Stillpoints SS & Stillpoints clamp, McIntosh MVP 901, Apple Mac mini via Benchmark DAC 1, Aurender N100C via Schiit Yggdrasil
Control: McIntosh C1100, Mcintosh MX151
Power: Mcintosh MC2301s (front), McIntosh MC501 (center), Mcintosh MC402 (rear)
Speakers: Sonus Faber Amati Futura (front and back), SF Vox center
Power/connections: PS Audio Power Port receptacles, RGPC 400 pro (2) WireWorld interconnects and speaker cable
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-28-2011, 09:36 PM
Ben Ben is offline
Guest
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 6
Default
Thank you all for the replies. This is very helpful.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:38 PM.

AudioAficionado.org - Archive - Top


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video