Dynaudio Contour S5.4 and B&W 803D

[Ajani]

Adam, I'd suggest you also audition:

Monitor Audio Platinum 300 (or wait for the slightly smaller 200 to be released)...
Revel Performa F52

Just my opinion, but your approach to your next and possibly final speaker upgrade is the best way to do it: take your time and audition as many high end speakers as possible (and avoid incremental upgrades - such as from $1K Towers to $1.5K Towers - just go right to the top of your budget next step and save all the cash you'd have wasted on in between purchases and sales)...

[atomicAdam]

Ajani -

Thanks for the suggestion - those actually caught my eye when scanning monitor audio's site the other day.

I agree with you - at this point another half upgrade would be silly. I've got a pretty good set up right now that makes me happy, but I am aware of the faults. Especially now after hearing much better speakers. Taking my time to research (there should be a word for listening research) save up and just do it all at once.

I've really got to find what I am looking for in a speaker though. At this point I'm still not sure. In all honesty though, the B&W 801D seem like a great choice if they don't suffer the same issue as the 803D. The 15" woofer is....well...damn near ideal. I remember having my JBL dual 15" bass speakers and a JBL 400Watt head back in my 'i'm in a band' days. The detail was fantastic, and the power even better.

[Worf101]

Well, I just had a very revealing run in with the 803's slightly bigger brother. Our latest album was just digitally mastered on set of 802's with a Velodyne 12-inch sub. The guy does soundtracks (King Kong etc..) so I guess he needs the sub for that kind of stuff. To make a long story short. I left his studio with a serious case of B&W lust. I've been looking for 803's ever since but I don't think I can really justify the purchase. You you lucky dog, you're gonna git my dream speaker first. Ah'm a hatin' on ya!!!! LOL. One vote for Mr. Bowers and Wilkens.

Da Worfster