Full Review of the new B&W 800D

[kexodusc]

Florian, you're making no sense at all... If you are incapable of judging gear unless you already own similarly performing gear, how in the hell could you ever be confident you are upgrading your system? How would you ever buy a speaker in of a higher level than you already have?
Gonna take audiophile recommendations at face-value? Yeah right...

[Florian]

Either its a language barrier that i cant brake or i am simply an idiot today. I will just stop for now.

-Flo

[RGA]

You know this thread has made me realize why I stopped posting on Rottentomatoes.com -- It's fun to argue about movies and speakers because they are subjective responses to what we see experience and in audio hear(though we also see and experience it).

There is one golden rule -- never assume that just because it costs more it's better. And if there is a secondary rule it would be -- Even if it is better is it better enough towarrant the price.

I recently heard the Wilson Sophia loudspeakers which retail for $16k Cdn and while they were very listenable and well done I can tell you that there is no way on earth I would trade my speakers for them because the Sophia in my listening just isn't as well integrated and doesn't do the job for me. There are lots of folks though who swear by the Sophia...who's right is who is holding the cheque at the time.

I understand panel fans because panesl tend to sound very different dfrom everything else -- but lots of people have heard panels who don't like them and this is true for every speaker.

[Peter Duminy]

Quote from RGA:

You know this thread has made me realize why I stopped posting on Rottentomatoes.com


We could always start a new Forum - RottenVoicecoils.net

[StanleyMuso]

You may be entitled to your opinions, just like the rest of us. But just because you are the moderator, you need to show a little more respect, be a little more tolerant, understanding and less insulting. I read these columns often, but don't post frequently, but this time I felt compelled to put in my little bit. Your assumptions upset me considerably. How can you be so dogmatic? Has money gone to your head? Or is it that famous Germanic arrogance we often hear about? I hope not, because I have a lot of German friends and none of them are like that.

Expensive does not necessarily mean "good". I have listened to a lot of high end stuff over the long years I have been impassioned by this hobby (and from other posters I would presume that its been over a longer period than you have been alive), and I can tell you, even stratospherically priced stuff has often left me feeling cold and uninvolved. And I buy stuff for my own satisfaction, and not for bragging rights. If you buy it for bragging rights, you must be really insecure, and perhaps a good psychologist could help you. I notice you often brag about the expense of your equipment in your posts. Does the expense of your stuff make you feel that you are better than the rest of us? If that is so, you suffer from a poverty of spirit.

[Florian]

You may be entitled to your opinions, just like the rest of us. But just because you are the moderator, you need to show a little more respect, be a little more tolerant, understanding and less insulting. I read these columns often, but don't post frequently, but this time I felt compelled to put in my little bit. Your assumptions upset me considerably. How can you be so dogmatic? Has money gone to your head? Or is it that famous Germanic arrogance we often hear about? I hope not, because I have a lot of German friends and none of them are like that.

Expensive does not necessarily mean "good". I have listened to a lot of high end stuff over the long years I have been impassioned by this hobby (and from other posters I would presume that its been over a longer period than you have been alive), and I can tell you, even stratospherically priced stuff has often left me feeling cold and uninvolved. And I buy stuff for my own satisfaction, and not for bragging rights. If you buy it for bragging rights, you must be really insecure, and perhaps a good psychologist could help you. I notice you often brag about the expense of your equipment in your posts. Does the expense of your stuff make you feel that you are better than the rest of us? If that is so, you suffer from a poverty of spirit.

I do agree that i went over the top and i am sorry for it, but money has nothing to do with it. I am just against the general consumption that a speaker wich cost 20 or 30 thousand is not better than a 4 thousand dollar B&W. While i do agree that not all big prize speakers are better, i feel that the general high prized speakers are better than lower prized ones. I am not made of money and i properbly over the years paid around 10 thousand for it. I mind you this is over a period of 5 years and the system is well worth over 20 thousand now. I am NOT taking this price and use it as a general statment. I buy my equipment because i like it, not because of the prize tag. The price comes second in my opinion, because i will save my money for so long until i can afford what i want.

I had to make huge sacrifices in order to get the Apogee and to use it. Its big, heavy, not room friendly, room fusy, amplifier fusy and doesnt like 90% of all the electronics out there. But i bought it, knowing that i would not be able to drive them properbly because i loved the sound. They are not made anymore, and if they brake i could not afford to repair them.

I dont have a lot of money, i just spend it wisely for what i like. You guys are right by saying that more does not mean its better. BUT many high prize tag systems are better than lower end systems, and thats true too.

-Flo

PS: I know as a moderator i am supposed to be more relaxed and understanding, and i am working on it. I have been always nice to everyone in the gallery no matter how much their system costs. And i have always been supportive, even for B&W users ;-)

[StanleyMuso]

I went overboard in my criticism. Even an old codger like me sometimes forgets it is not wise to make a response while one is hot under the collar. It is best to make such responses when one has cooled down. I should never have made such personal comments.

Enjoy your system - I know what's it like to make sacrifices to own a bit of delicious gear.

[theaudiohobby]

Florian, you're making no sense at all... If you are incapable of judging gear unless you already own similarly performing gear, how in the hell could you ever be confident you are upgrading your system? How would you ever buy a speaker in of a higher level than you already have?Gonna take audiophile recommendations at face-value? Yeah right...

The point exactly.