So as I mentioned in the other thread, I've replaced my beloved Magnepan 3.6R's. The new king: B&W 802 Diamonds! B&W is announcing the new 800 series after Labor Day, so I was able to pick up a pristine set of floor models at a nice discount.

I had auditioned these speakers pretty carefully, but I wasn't sure how they'd handle my room, which was always difficult for my Maggies. It's a sizeable room (22' by 20') with 10' ceilings and a half bath that acts as a bass trap. So I knew I was taking a bit of a gamble.

Verdict? These speakers are AWESOME!! I absolutely love 'em! I've heard people use the phrase "emotionally involving" many times in reviews, and I always thought it was a bit of puffery, but I'll be goddamned if these speakers aren't exactly that.

It's something about how they handle the bass: They do it with grace -- it's very tight, and to use another phrase people always use that I never quite bought into: It's "musical".

That's another way of saying that these speakers handle the bass in a way that grooves! I mean, they boogie! If you put on a tune with a good groove, you are absolutely compelled to get up on your feet and rock out with your... smock out.

And the highs aren't harsh at all. I can crank these babies to the sky, and the highs and high-mids still tickle your ears rather than piercing them.

Bottom line: I ****ing love 'em!

BTW, I'm driving them with my Bel Canto REF500M amps, bi-wired. I had read in several places that Class D amps don't work well with B&W's -- don't believe it! I was worried that was going to have to switch out the Bel Cantos with some monstrosity weighing 200 lbs and sucking gobs of juice out of the wall, but NO -- My teeny little Bel Canto's drive these speakers like a pimp on Fifth Avenue!