Full Review of the new B&W 800D

[Peter Duminy]

A much anticipated review of the B&W 800D is up and running at last here:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superi...wilkins800d.htm


In Summary

"The 800D is a startling revision of an already excellent high-end full bandwidth design of striking appearance and superb build. Compared to its predecessor it offers greater musical contrasts and transparency, a less intrusive treble and an overall balance that is finally very close to neutral. The price has gone up of course thanks to the inclusion of the diamond dome tweeter, but B&W has done its homework here in collaboration with their subcontractor (Element Six, part of the de Beers group) as the premium being asked for the tweeter is much less than only any comparable speaker using sapphire or diamond domes".

[RGA]

You know I have this feeling I'm not convinced. I never get why the new review says we fixed all the problems of the old model -- but no one told us all the problems of the old model when the old model was a new model. I'll have to give them more of a serious listen next time...B&W's only real problems have been a lack of bass resolution (one note bass) and a treble driver doesn;t uite stay in step with the break-up in the top of the midrange driver's pass-band (well that's the techno-babble of others who seem to have the answer for what I hear) a compartmentalized sound of 3 drivers doing their own thing and not recreating a real instrument or voice in space.

I hope it's MILES better than the N802 which is already in tough against several $2kCad speakers in the listenability departments for me. It needs cohesion, bass, and a smoother treble...we shall see - diamond sounds gimmicky to me - kevlar was IMO.

[theaudiohobby]

I hope it's MILES better than the N802 which is already in tough against several $2kCad speakers in the listenability departments for me. It needs cohesion, bass, and a smoother treble...we shall see - diamond sounds gimmicky to me - kevlar was IMO.

What do you know about diamond or even Kevlar... , I am okay with your criticism of the sound just not too sure why you singled out certain materials for criticism, I thought it was about the whole package.

[kexodusc]

You know I have this feeling I'm not convinced. I never get why the new review says we fixed all the problems of the old model -- but no one told us all the problems of the old model when the old model was a new model. I'll have to give them more of a serious listen next time...B&W's only real problems have been a lack of bass resolution (one note bass) and a treble driver doesn;t uite stay in step with the break-up in the top of the midrange driver's pass-band (well that's the techno-babble of others who seem to have the answer for what I hear) a compartmentalized sound of 3 drivers doing their own thing and not recreating a real instrument or voice in space.

I hope it's MILES better than the N802 which is already in tough against several $2kCad speakers in the listenability departments for me. It needs cohesion, bass, and a smoother treble...we shall see - diamond sounds gimmicky to me - kevlar was IMO.

I didn't hate the N802 at all, I just got sick when I learned the price. There are a few $2000 -$4000 speakers I can think of that stand up to it quite well. I'm not sure if the designers are to blame or of it's just the marketing geniuses that directly correlate price with size instead of sound? People are willing to pay for the brand name. Then again, I've heard speakers that cost more than the N802 that were worse.

Without passing judgement on this speakers performance, it's sad to see B&W feeling a need to increase costs when the rest of the speaker industry is finding many ways of improving sound while reducing costs.
I think the giant corporations are slowly but surely seeing their market share slip away, losing their competitive edge, and their ability to adapt fast enough. Not sure if this is a good thing or not.

As for Kevlar...not sure why you feel it's a gimmick.

[20to20K]

...you have to keep in mind the value of the dollar versus that pound has seriously
plummetted since the last series was introduced. Nearly by 50 cents a pound.

I'm sure that had to play some role in the US price for their speakers this time around.

I've listened to the 803N and was somewhat impressed...but thought the Faber Grand Piano's sounded as good (maybe better) for $1500 less. So your point is well taken.

[kexodusc]

That's true, 20to20K, but the British price has gone up too according to that British article.

[thepogue]

quite impressive...but wayyyyy over priced IMHO...20K for any speaker is kinda mad in my book...but I'm a cheapo....so thats just me. I'm not at all a fan of the base of the unit either...but it is on wheels so it makes it easy to slide around..when I saw that I was thinking about all the hub-bub about coupling w/ high end spikes....but shoot I had that idea before them (B&W) when I put casters on me sub!! oh well...should have contacted the patient office


Pogue

[RGA]

That's true, 20to20K, but the British price has gone up too according to that British article.

I don;t buy the dollar shipping argument because the AX Two is hand built and shipped in from Denmark and then there is the 705 which is 3 times the price no better at all looks nicer and better finish -- depends what premium you want to pay for heavy advertising/staff , high mark-ups, overhead etc.

TAH
As for implementation of materials well I have yet to hear a speaker using a metal tweeeter from anyone I would want to own and listen to every day -- I have yet to hear a speaker using kevlar I would want to own everyday. The link from that expert yuou always posted read it over -- he'll tell you all about Kevlar. I notice because you didn;t read it close enough you never post hm anymore -- just selective if it supports your preference. B&W is basically the new Bose -- WAY overpriced for what you get.

I will be interested to do a shootout between the D800 series, the AN E Sec and the Maggie 20.1