B&W 800D4 series

[preload]

I don't think mount for the tweeter is fully sealed. I could be wrong.
View attachment 149506

It's not. The hole behind the diaphragm where the backwave radiates can be seen in the center of my avatar.

 

[tuga]

With this refresh and the much higher prices I would venture B&W is attempting a Veblen goods marketing approach.

Is that better than a Sponorama?

 

[Pearljam5000]

What don't they just make the Nautilus with updated drivers? It'll be better than the whole D4 series, not to mention the most beautiful speaker ever made.

 

[bo_knows]

View attachment 150189
What don't they just make the Nautilus with updated drivers? It'll be better than the whole D4 series, not to mention the most beautiful speaker ever made.

Well, that bass driver unit definitely needs to be updated/replaced. If I see it correctly, the center cap of the bass drives is dented.

 

[Matias]

But does it Spin right?

Reminds me of the Blendtec videos.

"How does it Spin? That is the question."

 

[Art Vandelay]

What don't they just make the Nautilus with updated drivers? It'll be better than the whole D4 series, not to mention the most beautiful speaker ever made.

It's already been done though; Vivid G1.

 

[Matias]

View attachment 150189
What don't they just make the Nautilus with updated drivers? It'll be better than the whole D4 series, not to mention the most beautiful speaker ever made.

It's already been done though; Vivid G1.

Indeed. The designer of the Nautilus, Laurence Dickie, left B&W and founded Vivid Audio, and has been iterating the design since then.
https://vividaudio.com/

 

[Nightlord]

Based on previous experiences, I'm probably most interested in the 802s... it's generally been the 802s that's played the best for me. But I'm still not sure I'd prefer this generation over a mid-generation Matrix one (besides looks), I didn't with any of the previous D-series ones...

( But still a very "livable with" speaker of course. )

 

[RebelMan]

Did you guys notice what's powering those 801D4?

View attachment 149997

Can anyone make out the front end?

 

[Matias]

Can anyone make out the front end?

Top right is an MSB Diamond DAC and power supply base, their previous flagship model.

https://www.msbtechnology.com/about-msb/product-archives/dacv-features/

 

[RebelMan]

Top right is an MSB Diamond DAC and power supply base, their previous flagship model.

https://www.msbtechnology.com/about-msb/product-archives/dacv-features/

And the top left?

 

[Matias]

And the top left?

Looks like a CD player possibly being used as transport but I don't know the brand and model...

 

[thewas]

Some first, unfortunately not anechoic, measurements:

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-podlahove/3357-bowers-wilkins-802-d4

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-podlahove/3356-bowers-wilkins-803-d4

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-podlahove/3355-bowers-wilkins-804-d4

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-regalove/3354-bowers-wilkins-805-d4

 

[ti33er]

It looks like that 10Khz lift still exists in the 805D4… will need to see anechoic but it doesn’t look promising - they have upped the bass to balance it a bit better with the treble by the looks of that, at least…

 

[MarcT]

Some first, unfortunately not anechoic, measurements:

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-podlahove/3357-bowers-wilkins-802-d4

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-podlahove/3356-bowers-wilkins-803-d4

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-podlahove/3355-bowers-wilkins-804-d4

https://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/reprosoustavy-regalove/3354-bowers-wilkins-805-d4

So, looking at all four of their measurements, would I be correct in thinking that the 803 seems to have the best overall response?

 

[thewas]

Very risky to surely say from such non anechoic measurements as several undesired factors can influence them. Also more angle measurements are needed to see how the FR is affected.

 

[richard12511]

So, looking at all four of their measurements, would I be correct in thinking that the 803 seems to have the best overall response?

Other than the bass extension, I would expect the 803 to be better than the 802 or 801, as it uses a better midwoofer. 803 + subs should be better than 801 + subs. I really wish the more expensive models used the better mid , as I prefer their look.

 

[MarcT]

Other than the bass extension, I would expect the 803 to be better than the 802 or 801, as it uses a better midwoofer. 803 + subs should be better than 801 + subs. I really wish the more expensive models used the better mid , as I prefer their look.

Hmm, it seems odd to me that B&W would employ a lesser midwoofer in their significantly more expensive speakers. But that is good to know.

 

[richard12511]

Hmm, it seems odd to me that B&W would employ a lesser midwoofer in their significantly more expensive speakers. But that is good to know.

I agree. I don’t get it . The bigger mid of the 801/802 are better in terms of output/distortion, but worse in terms of dispersion, and dispersion is much more important for overall sound quality.

What I want most is an 801 with 5” mid.

 

[MarcT]

I agree. I don’t get it . The bigger mid of the 801/802 are better in terms of output/distortion, but worse in terms of dispersion, and dispersion is much more important for overall sound quality.

What I want most is an 801 with 5” mid.

Maybe they think 801 and 802 owners will sit farther away than 803 owners. Would sitting farther from the speakers somewhat help reduce the disadvantage of the larger midwoofer in the larger models?