B&W 801 or Avantgarde Duo XD? Similar price, similar dimensions, weight and drive unit array - but totally different amp preferences. With both powered by the "right" amp, which would people choose if they could listen to them back-to-back?
B&W 801D4 review
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
B&W 801 or Avantgarde Duo XD? Similar price, similar dimensions, weight and drive unit array - but totally different amp preferences. With both powered by the "right" amp, which would people choose if they could listen to them back-to-back?
- Thread Author
- #22
Great question. You really have me thinking! But here’s the rub…
The Duo XD is soon to be replaced with the Duo G3. The Uno is going away and there will be a Duo mini/lite/whatever to replace it.
The new Duo G3 will be double (about) the price of the 801D4.
That being said, unless you’re willing to do EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING to get the AG’s just right (cables, source, power, etc), the 801D4 with two or four DB1D’s is my pick with money to spare. The subs are NOT because the 801D4’s need bass, oh, no, no, no, no….they go below 20hz on their own! It’s because I love those subs and what they do in my room evening out the bass to perfection.
All that being said, if you’re willing to do what’s required to perfect the AG DUO G3’s, than it can be a transcend experience. One entirely on a different level.
Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Exactly! It drives me nuts when I see people telling people that want to get Magnepans that a 50 wpc amp will sound great with them. It may sound good but Maggie tweeters dip down to 1.9 to 2 ohms. They need a robust amp that can handle that type of impedance and they need a lot of capacitance, current and power to get the best out of them.
Thanks Mike
My question was prompted by a posting on another forum where the owner of a very large room (but no dimensions provided but rectangular and probably 1000+ sq ft) that he describes as "difficult acoustically" is thinking of the 801 D4.
As the user of the Duo XD in a much more difficult room (semi-circular, floor-to-ceiling glazing, 945 sq ft, low ceilings), I suggested he consider the Avantgarde on the basis that it works very well in my room where other speakers have seriously struggled. In particular I claim that horns are less affected by the room's acoustics and can be placed close to or far away from side or rear walls .
I agree with you that careful positioning is needed but Duo XDs are less fussy of the room than most speaker types, particularly as they have the advantage of XD room correction. I think the AGs will give him a much bigger "goosebump factor" than the B&Ws. I'd be interested in your take on this.
Many thanks
Peter
PS The Duo G3 would be beyond his budget I believe - and mine too for that matter, so I'm not planning on upgrading to G3!
- Thread Author
- #25
That’s a difficult one. With careful matching, both are capable of goosebumps, but nothing will beat the Microdetail retrieval and dynamics like a world class horn speaker.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I have heard that pairing sounded fantastic
I just traded my old 801N’s for a pair of Magico A5’s. I’m hart Brocken the A5’s are working my MC611’s to death and are almost unlistenable to me. My opinion they are that bad.
I hope I can find a
Pair of 801d4’s somewhere to purchase now.
I here there is a wait list.
Hopefully not.
I hope I can find a
Pair of 801d4’s somewhere to purchase now.
I here there is a wait list.
Hopefully not.
- Thread Author
- #28
Are you going to start this thread on every forum? Did you not listen to them before you bought them? Have you put a few hundred hours on them? Have you moved them around, played with the listening position, toe, checked they they are balanced? Laser measured the distances?
There is a 6-12 month wait for Magico A5’s. Presuming the dealer you bought them from is unable to help you out, if you’re not happy with them, I’m sure you can find a dealer to take them on trade or sell them privately.
Rather than crap on the Magico A5’s on every forum, if you’ve really tried everything, why don’t you just sell them or trade them and move on? Respectfully, life’s too short.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Found two dealers with 801d’s available one in July. Won’t take the A5’s on trade at any price. Another dealer will take them in but I can’t get the new speaker until November.
All do respect life is short and I hate spending time on this with no answers.
Looks like you might be a Magico dealer are you interested?
- Thread Author
- #31
Why would a dealer not take A5’s “at any price”?
What are your plans? Are you going with 801D4’s? If so, I strongly suggest you find a local dealer, work with that local dealer and audition them, just to be sure.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
mep
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2013
- Messages
- 4,966
You joined AS which is owned by a Magico dealer in order to continue your Magico A5 rant you started on other forums which was a brilliant move.
You must have been drunk when you typed that gibberish. Contrary to what you said, Mike asked you a bunch of questions that you ignored. You obviously have an agenda against Magico.
You must have been drunk when you typed that gibberish. Contrary to what you said, Mike asked you a bunch of questions that you ignored. You obviously have an agenda against Magico.
- Thread Author
- #33
I’m curious how someone buying a $26,800 speaker can sell it a week later for $18,000.
Magico A5’s | What's Best Audio and Video Forum. The Best High End Audio Forum on the planet!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Magico A5’s | What's Best Audio and Video Forum. The Best High End Audio Forum on the planet!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I had no idea that AS was owned by a Magico dealer.
So it was accidental brilliance.
I did answer the questions in the part you called gibberish.
I donÂ’t respond well to people that think it is ok to attack people but not things.
Because you donÂ’t like an opinion does not give you the right to talk down to people or treat them with disrespect.
Ever heard of a New Car Dealer taking brand new cars back for up to 30 days with no strings attached.
I have because it is as me.
I did it for one reason and one reason only and it wasnÂ’t Marketing. I did it to keep my people honest.
DonÂ’t lie or mislead people. Period.
I did do most of the things he suggested.
If it was a matter of the slight difference those things make I wouldnÂ’t be have the conversation.
The dealer I purchased them from is now telling me completely different things I mean a complete 180 degree difference from what he told me
When he was trying to sell them to me.
I have no agenda against Magico. Other than the Dealer body is an extension of the manufacture period. I canÂ’t police their retailers actions but they the Manufacturer can. DonÂ’t like what I have to say. Fix it.
My situation was complicated. I was put in a situation to trust someone and that was a mistake.
Everything I have said was addressed prior to the purchase.
I have been on the other side of this hundreds of times and I know exactly how I handled it. Like it was as my Mother on the other end. Sometimes people forget what itÂ’s like to be on the other end.
ThatÂ’s the hypocrisy.
There is more to this than you can see from a limited perspective and level of information.
MOST Importantly..
In a one on one conversation anyone would feel different and certainly understand. I mean if explained everything you would understand believe me.
As Mike put it Move on. The speakers are for sale
My new speakers are coming and soon it will just be a faded memory.
I appreciate your comments.
I wonÂ’t post anything more about it here.
Know one cares anyways as long as the sales role
In life is good that all that matters!
All the best!
puroagave
Active member
you've been cross-posting on three forums that I know of and probably others I don't visit. We all get it, you don't like your A5's and want to go back to B&Ws. The question not answered is where did you buy the A5s from and did you not hear them first?
I did answer all the questions I. The order asked.
The answer is and was.No.
The more important question well at least most the time is why?
Because I could not make the trip that’s why.
Like I said there is more to it.
I have explained that many times. The dealer I purchased my A5Â’s from I was originally calling on a set of B&W speakers he had the exact speaker I wanted. The dealer I purchased a pair of 611Â’s and a C53 from back in November was a B&W dealer but is no longer so canÂ’t buy from them.
Side note: I brought the 611Â’s home and one didnÂ’t work out of the box. No big deal fantastic service and experience from both the dealer Paragigm in Ann Arbor Mi and from McIntosh, class all the way, Fantastic People. By the way new amp didnÂ’t work you wonÂ’t find one post of mine complaining. Call the dealer and ask all I said was no problem I understand these things happen and ask them how I was to deal with in general. They gave me a price I said yes I was nothing but a gentleman end of story. IÂ’m older and I guess just a little old school.
Anyway the dealer I was calling on the B&W speakers He talked me out of them and into the A5Â’s. I voiced many concerns, what I like about my current speaker and what I donÂ’t like in a speaker in general. He assured me these would outperform in all those areas. Most important lots of Bass. Love my speaker and only want to change to get a slightly smaller foot print. Not much just a little narrower.
I know you guys think I shop all over and IÂ’m a cheap guy or something. ThatÂ’s why I said what I did In the gibberish as you called it note. Do you all live on a different planet than me right now.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to buy something, IÂ’m remodeling a lake home. Built a large pole barn, bought Boats, Jet skiÂ’s and a host of other items. Most you are lucky if you can get at any price. You have to search the world over to get something.
Last year I bought the last pontoon in the state of Michigan I think.
I just Bought a LS tractor a few weeks ago. Lucky to get one. Go tryÂ…
I digress anyway I couldnÂ’t go to listen because I had people and appointments that conflicted and no time so I made a mistake.
Now I have to pay that simple. My point was I said I wanted something that performed like my 801Â’s I and they do not. Know he says they donÂ’t and never will. Not what he said when he was telling me I was wrong as a voice concern about the speaker. This was in several conversations as we prepared invoices and delivery and so on. I kept saying man I hope your right about these speakers. He kept assuring me.
You go in to buy a Super Duty truck and the guy convinced you the new lightning electric will tow your 10,000 pound trailer if you agree and buy it at the end of the day thatÂ’s on you.
Still doesnÂ’t make it right.
I didnÂ’t and wouldnÂ’t do that and IÂ’m pissed and so would you be. Anyone that says different is a lier.
ItÂ’s going to cost me big and IÂ’m sick about it. ItÂ’s less about the money and more about all the hassle in buying these, now selling them and buying something else. ItÂ’s more about my time than anything. And my wife was bummed that bothered me the most.
I’m dealing with two as close as I can get local dealers. 5 hours away. One said he really doesn’t take trades. Ok what can I say. The other will take them he offer $15,500 so I put them up for sale at the price you seen. If they don’t sell in a few days. I’m shipping them to him.
mep
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2013
- Messages
- 4,966
He initially told Rhapsody Bob on WBF that he bought the A5s from a restaurant in Chicago. When Bob pointed out it was a restaurant and told him the name of the only authorized Magico dealer in Chicago was Precision Audio/Video, suddenly that is where he bought them.
Question: Have you ever made a major audio purchase and a week or two later you don't remember who the dealer was that sold you the gear?