802 d3
- Thread starter Paul
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SoundRebels
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the professor
Well-known member
Better? / Worse? / Just Different?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Inquiring minds want to know.
SoundRebels
Active member
Extremely different ;-) With Audio Tekne TFA-9501 pre + 2xTM-8801 power amps (300B in Push-pull mode) sound was very esoteric and crispy, with a little uncontrolled bas.It's nothing wrong if You're remember that Audio Tekne amps are only 17W. Pass INT-250 changed the scale, impact and micro/macro dynamics and woke up the beasts inside of Bowers. Maybe this replacement loose some finesse of trebles, but for me combination with Pass is more universal.
SoundRebels
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For now only Polish version of B&W802D3 review
dfwmediagroup
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- Feb 25, 2014
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- 105
Great pics in the thread.
Been a fan of the B&W 800 series for a number of years and own 5 of the previous series, 800D2's (L/R), 802D2's (SL/SR) and HTM2D2. I haven't heard or seen the new D3 series in the flesh yet but from all the pics I have seen and even videos I definitely do not like the new look and what is up with the funny looking little grilles
The new asethitics are a big turn off unfortunately, well particularly the 803's, 802's and 800's as rumor is they'll look just like the 802/803 with the 10" drivers, no longer anything to differentiate them like the big plinth of the older series. I think I could easliy live with the 805D3, 804D3 and HTM2D3 as the overall asethetic design is very similar to the outgoing D2 series. I don't get the HTM1D3, same size cabinet as the HTM2D2 but with larger 8" drivers crammed in there to get up to 500 watts to match the 802. Seems to me it would have been better with a larger cabinet but hey I'm no engineer and the new cabinet designs are much more rigid so I guess that allows it. I'm not sure I like the curved front and flat back (prefer the HTM2D2 style of flat front, curved back) but could probably live with it.
Been a fan of the B&W 800 series for a number of years and own 5 of the previous series, 800D2's (L/R), 802D2's (SL/SR) and HTM2D2. I haven't heard or seen the new D3 series in the flesh yet but from all the pics I have seen and even videos I definitely do not like the new look and what is up with the funny looking little grilles
The new asethitics are a big turn off unfortunately, well particularly the 803's, 802's and 800's as rumor is they'll look just like the 802/803 with the 10" drivers, no longer anything to differentiate them like the big plinth of the older series. I think I could easliy live with the 805D3, 804D3 and HTM2D3 as the overall asethetic design is very similar to the outgoing D2 series. I don't get the HTM1D3, same size cabinet as the HTM2D2 but with larger 8" drivers crammed in there to get up to 500 watts to match the 802. Seems to me it would have been better with a larger cabinet but hey I'm no engineer and the new cabinet designs are much more rigid so I guess that allows it. I'm not sure I like the curved front and flat back (prefer the HTM2D2 style of flat front, curved back) but could probably live with it.
SoundRebels
Active member
For XA100.8 all B&W800D3 series are piece of cake, so don't worry.
Glareskin
New member
I wasn't looking for new speakers Mark. But now I have heard them and they sound awesome! The price has almost doubled by the way :-(
The Belgian high-end audio dealer Alpha in Brasschaat (Antwerpen) is organizing a shootout between my D2's and the new D3's. I am afraid to go there.....
Glareskin
New member
Sorry but I don't understand why you say that. I was on an audio show in the Netherlands a few weeks ago and at the same show the French Focal people were demoing the Sopra 2 and the British B&W people the 802D3. It was simply no comparison! The 802 D3 is the closest to reality I have ever experienced (next to the Magico Ultimate 3 in Munich 2014).
Really deep and punchy bass, nothing like you describe in your post. And the 3d imaging is one of a kind. This was not only my impression but everybody who attended agreed on that. The speakers were easily capable of filling a large room without sub and they just used the standard B&W setup with Classé amplification. The source was a Linn Akurate.
B&W's John Dibbs is demoing the new 802 D3 at the iEar audio show on the "Rosep Estate" in Oisterwijk, The Netherlands.
Hoi Hans,
I had the 802d2 ..now Wilson Sasha2.....
The B&W802d2 was / is a great speaker but vs the Sasha2 dont can play..... Wilson is better...no way..
The new D3 800series is very amazing. I had too the Classe Ampli (SSP800-CA2300-CA3200) but now I love the 2 channel stereo system: Passlabs is in my setting.
replace the Sasha2 with a B&W802/803d3 is in my mind....
I had too the Raidho C3.1 but the new B&W D3 is soooo natural, neutral no analitic sound very great.
You will change the 802D2 with the ew 803/802D3?
always with the Audionet as amplification?
thank you for reply.
Alvasr bedankt,
Met vr.gr.
OL
I had the 802d2 ..now Wilson Sasha2.....
The B&W802d2 was / is a great speaker but vs the Sasha2 dont can play..... Wilson is better...no way..
The new D3 800series is very amazing. I had too the Classe Ampli (SSP800-CA2300-CA3200) but now I love the 2 channel stereo system: Passlabs is in my setting.
replace the Sasha2 with a B&W802/803d3 is in my mind....
I had too the Raidho C3.1 but the new B&W D3 is soooo natural, neutral no analitic sound very great.
You will change the 802D2 with the ew 803/802D3?
always with the Audionet as amplification?
thank you for reply.
Alvasr bedankt,
Met vr.gr.
OL
Glareskin
New member
Not sure OL. Actually I was not looking to replace speakers as my sound at home is really top notch. Only rarely I hear something that is really making me think it is better. And definitely not the Focal Sopra (bear in mind that I am a Focal /JMLab fan from the first hour) or not even the KEF Muon. Anyhow I am happy with my sound at home and the new 802 is a lot of money!! But surely they are better. Maybe I will visit the shootout in Belgium even though I might be in deep trouble if I do...
No way I will replace the Audionet AMP's.
No way I will replace the Audionet AMP's.
MDP
Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
I wasn't looking for new speakers Mark. But now I have heard them and they sound awesome! The price has almost doubled by the way :-(
The Belgian high-end audio dealer Alpha in Brasschaat (Antwerpen) is organizing a shootout between my D2's and the new D3's. I am afraid to go there.....
Hans, I just read the review in Hi Fi News, they LOVED them. I'm guessing that your doomed after hearing the D3's!
My D2 series sound pretty darn good with Bryston amplification if I do say so myself I've also heard the 804D2 and 802D2 with a Moon 700i integrated which was very very good as well. That was fed by a Moon 750D and Siltech 770i/l cables.
I've also heard the 804D2 and 802D2 with a Moon 700i integrated which was very very good as well. That was fed by a Moon 750D and Siltech 770i/l cables.
bzr
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- Nov 19, 2014
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I thought that the "803 d3" with the Devialet was very average. Slightly soft presentation, with little weight or lack of presentation really. Bit like the old blanket analogy actually.
Kiwi,
didn't run, but after hearing Nick Cave & the Badseeds "Red Right Hand" remember thinking, B&W,... check!!! Not my sound at all. Then again I am comparing to my sig below so a bit unfair. Just not for me thats all.
mazzialk
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- Dec 11, 2015
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- 62
Ive heard Pretty much all the b&w speakers but the d3. Some were pretty good but not audiophile inough for my taste.
I ended up with a pair of kharma speakers.
I have swapped lots of times from speakers and always had the need to crowl back to
I find the older b&w more elegant than the New ones like this one.
It looks like bits and parts that were left over and used to build an New speaker.
If it was for the looks I would gow for the d2. ....
Cheers maz from Holland.
I ended up with a pair of kharma speakers.
I have swapped lots of times from speakers and always had the need to crowl back to
I find the older b&w more elegant than the New ones like this one.
It looks like bits and parts that were left over and used to build an New speaker.
If it was for the looks I would gow for the d2. ....
Cheers maz from Holland.
stanly.joseph
New member
- Joined
- May 31, 2015
- Messages
- 178
If the sound anything like the 803D's, I'll pass. No thank you.