B&W 801D4 review

If I was just getting into this hobby and had $35,000 to spend, the 801 D4’s would be at the very top of my list. The improvements made in the latest version of these speakers has eliminated the last bit of edginess that existed in the treble. The transparency, neutrality, detail and imaging of the midrange and treble is right there with best speakers on the market. The bass is accurate, robust and impactful. In short, I love the way these speakers sound.

Ken
 
Interesting that the review talks about "stunning" results at the CAF last fall while the 801's were powered by the large McIntosh amps.

I thought that room was one of the worst in the show. Way too small of room for these big speakers. Bass "boom" was significant. Volume way WAY too loud.

My jury is still out for these speakers. Looking forward to a time when I can hear them properly amped and positioned in appropriately large room. (I presume the big Classe monoblocks would be great, but I'd be most curious about the pairing with the Block Audio's!)
 
B&W 801D4 review

4N6 said:
Interesting that the review talks about "stunning" results at the CAF last fall while the 801's were powered by the large McIntosh amps.

I thought that room was one of the worst in the show. Way too small of room for these big speakers. Bass "boom" was significant. Volume way WAY too loud.

My jury is still out for these speakers. Looking forward to a time when I can hear them properly amped and positioned in appropriately large room. (I presume the big Classe monoblocks would be great, but I'd be most curious about the pairing with the Block Audio's!)
Click to expand...

Come on down for a listen! We have the 802D4’s with the Block Audio’s. I can attest, it’s a fantastic combo.

I also agree with you about what you heard at CAF.

Way too small of a room.


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4N6 said:
Interesting that the review talks about "stunning" results at the CAF last fall while the 801's were powered by the large McIntosh amps.

I thought that room was one of the worst in the show. Way too small of room for these big speakers. Bass "boom" was significant. Volume way WAY too loud.
)
Click to expand...

I second your impressions!!!! Most disappointing room indeed, sadly :( . I stayed there for a long time, REALLY tried to like them , asked to play my cuts, but the results were artificial and processed sounding, fake caramel sweetness, without any core as far as timbre, and musical, organic sense. I am sure the culprit were the Macintosh amps and preamps that are mediocre at best (notice I did not say "SUCK BIG TIME, and only appeal to those with small @#%$ complex)....
 
AudioLibertarian said:
I second your impressions!!!! Most disappointing room indeed, sadly :( I stayed there for a long time, REALLY tried to liked them , asked to play my cuts, but the results were artificial and processed sounding, fake caramel sweetness, without any core as far as timbre, and organic sense. I am sure the culprit were the Macintosh amps and preamps that are mediocre at best (notice I did not say "SUCK BIG TIME, and only appeal to those with small @#%$ complex)....
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Why people continue to pair Mc with B&W is beyond me.


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Interesting comments. I pair my McIntosh 611’s with B&W 802D3’s and really enjoy the results. Not sounding like fake caramel to me.
 
I think bc it helped with the tweeter. B&W has a tailored sound which many obviously like. The latest measurements don't seem much different than prior versions. I like the new look quite a bit, would enjoy hearing a pair.
 
AudioLibertarian said:
I second your impressions!!!! Most disappointing room indeed, sadly :( I stayed there for a long time, REALLY tried to liked them , asked to play my cuts, but the results were artificial and processed sounding, fake caramel sweetness, without any core as far as timbre, and organic sense. I am sure the culprit were the Macintosh amps and preamps that are mediocre at best (notice I did not say "SUCK BIG TIME, and only appeal to those with small @#%$ complex)....
Click to expand...

While i can agree on the McIntosh SS preamps and some of their amps being Dreaded , they have also had a few pretty impressive amps over the decades , both toobs and SS ..!



Regards
 
Strange!
Why is it that 90% (?) of conversations about B&W are about or end up being about amplification?
 
Mike said:
They have a tricky impedance curve and dip close to 1ohm at several frequencies (1.4, 1.6, etc). Finding the right amp is key.
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Are those minimum impedances correct, Mike?
From HFN/RR: minimum is 3.4ohm at 96Hz.
Certainly you are right that finding the right amp IS key!
 
ICUToo said:
Are those minimum impedances correct, Mike?
From HFN/RR: minimum is 3.4ohm at 96Hz.
Certainly you are right that finding the right amp IS key!
Click to expand...

Correct, I was confusing with the 800D3. The new D4, although still not idea for low powered tube amps, isn’t as taxing as the previous generation. This really is a greatly improved version in so many ways, including amp load!


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@Audiofan57

Well... Truth be told, I ve listened to that combo of yours of 611 and 802D3 extensively, and I kinda of enjoyed the combo ALOT! Now, its still not the combo I would buy personally, but we all have our own sonic preferences. I was actually considering buying just the 802D3 at that point, but was using medium power EL 34 power amp that would not have driven those 802D3 even remotely to their full potential, and Jadis 500 amps were just too much money , so I passed. My friend however bought those 802s based on mine recommendation and is happy using them with Symphonic Line monoblocks.... The entire 800 D3 series are STILL fantastic speakers, and are competitive with most TOFL of any brand, IMHO.
 
Mike said:
They have a tricky impedance curve and dip close to 1ohm at several frequencies (1.4, 1.6, etc). Finding the right amp is key.

[
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike.
But it seems like looking for a needle in a haystack. :rolleyes:
 
Spock said:
Thanks Mike.
But it seems like looking for a needle in a haystack. :rolleyes:
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On the older 800D3 series, yes, agreed. This new series (D4) seems much more benign.


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AudioLibertarian said:
@Audiofan57

Well... Truth be told, I ve listened to that combo of yours of 611 and 802D3 extensively, and I kinda of enjoyed the combo ALOT! Now, its still not the combo I would buy personally, but we all have our own sonic preferences. I was actually considering buying just the 802D3 at that point, but was using medium power EL 34 power amp that would not have driven those 802D3 even remotely to their full potential, and Jadis 500 amps were just too much money , so I passed. My friend however bought those 802s based on mine recommendation and is happy using them with Symphonic Line monoblocks.... The entire 800 D3 series are STILL fantastic speakers, and are competitive with most TOFL of any brand, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the comments. I get so tired of reading so many negative Comments on McIntosh. I am sure McIntosh may not be a good match for every speaker, but they pair well with B&W. I also know there are amps better than McIntosh out there, but it is impossible to listen to them all. I think for the price, reliability , and overall quality, the amps are worth the money. I don’t see my 611’s going anywhere.
 
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