B&W 802 D3 for 8500$ -> Is it worth it?

[test1223]

I'm already using an equalizer -> RoomPerfect with Lyngdorf TDAI 2170

Okay. Do you like them more with eq only in the bass or with eq in all frequencies?

 

[test1223]

If you equate clean with bright then yes.
Very clean.
Keith

You can hear the lack of distortion. But without eq the high frequencies are louder compared to a lot of other loudspeakers that is right. The angle of the speaker is also an important factor with no toe in at all or with a very heavy toe in of about 60° (which looks kind of stupid) they should sound less bright.

Edit the 60° toe in is good if you can place them with a lot of space in the room and nothing is between the speakers.

 

[kchap]

Hey everyone,

When I just got into hifi, I made the really stupid decision to just buy a set of 802 D3s without doing any prior research and not really understanding what I bought. I coupled them in the living room to my Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 and did love them.

Today, about 8 years later, I am setting myself up for selling them, and it seems the price I'm able to get for them is about 8500$ for the pair.

However, I have tried my old 580 JBL thinking I would notice much difference. But damn, do the 802 D3 still sound good. But are they still worth it at 8500$?

As the speakers aren't being measured here and I'm never really seeing any comparison to any other speakers. I wonder if they're somewhat comparable to other speakers within that 8-10k price range.

Can I sell them and get a similar quality speakers at 2k? Or should I keep it because I will never get comparable performance until at least 10k+.

I admit they have their own sound, but at that price! If we lived in the same city I would be interested. 803 ebay au

 

[DMill]

With the room EQ you have i bet they sound great. There are many here who walked away from B&Ws, myself included, usually because of tonality. That said, there is more to a speaker than tonality and 804s will do a lot of things extremely well. Besides they look killer… I know that’s subjective… but they do. In room, with the EQ solution you have, they are going to be an elite speaker than can hang with most. Now if you’re just looking to try something new and have the cash, I’d personally start with something without the treble bump which might be easier to EQ.

 

[GXAlan]

That wide soundstage might be due to the excessive treble.

Post in thread 'B&W spaciousness from Bose-like reflection?'
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...-from-bose-like-reflection.54823/post-1990945

I really like my Bose 901 even against a Meyer Sound Amie at times. The B&W’s in stereo also will mask the frequency response irregularities.

Personally, a lot of what you are paying for is made in UK and the looks. If you like the look and sound of your 802d3, just stick with it. Will cost more to swap.

On the other hand, if you like the Studio 580 but want more clarity, something like the HDI-3600/3800 might be interesting. If you don’t care about looks, going active with Neumann, Genelec, or the Meyer Sounds are an option too.

 

[Avp1]

Hey everyone,

When I just got into hifi, I made the really stupid decision to just buy a set of 802 D3s without doing any prior research and not really understanding what I bought. I coupled them in the living room to my Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 and did love them.

Today, about 8 years later, I am setting myself up for selling them, and it seems the price I'm able to get for them is about 8500$ for the pair.

However, I have tried my old 580 JBL thinking I would notice much difference. But damn, do the 802 D3 still sound good. But are they still worth it at 8500$?

As the speakers aren't being measured here and I'm never really seeing any comparison to any other speakers. I wonder if they're somewhat comparable to other speakers within that 8-10k price range.

Can I sell them and get a similar quality speakers at 2k? Or should I keep it because I will never get comparable performance until at least 10k+.

Price is definitely good. But your amplifier is not up to the task to drive them. Try something like Bryston or McIntosh, these are two classical parings to B&W. And you will need a lot of room treatment to me them work in medium size or smaller rooms.

 

[MarkS]

Okay. Do you like them more with eq only in the bass or with eq in all frequencies?

RoomPerfect does not attempt to correct the speaker's frequency response (in contrast to Dirac), and there is no option to limit it to bass only.

 

[Hephaestus]

Price is definitely good. But your amplifier is not up to the task to drive them. Try something like Bryston or McIntosh, these are two classical parings to B&W. And you will need a lot of room treatment to me them work in medium size or smaller rooms.

OP did not mention that he is running out of steam. Lyngdorf TDAI-2170 can handle these speakers without issues:

Measurement by Stereophile

 

[bodhi]

OP did not mention that he is running out of steam. Lyngdorf TDAI-2170 can handle these speakers without issues:

But what about the synergy, did you think about that?

 

[Shorty]

But what about the synergy, did you think about that?

 

[Soria Moria]

I've actually heard these speakers in a treated room at an audio store and I wasn't a big fan. It was impressive immediately due to the loud music which I'm not used to hearing but the tonality wasn't good. Love their design though.

 

[christoffeldg]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I’m coupling the Lyngdorf with an SDA 2400 2x200W. Also Lyngdorf.

Without it, the sound was a little thin in the bottom range. I’m not sure if that was purely placebo.

 

[Svend P]

I’m not sure if that was purely placebo.

It was.

Bi-amping 101

This article provides a quick look at how bi-amplification works. The conventional scheme is to split the signal into two frequency bands before the power amplifiers that drive the speakers. The bass (LF) amp sees only LF signals and drives only the LF driver (woofer). The treble (HF) amp sees...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[RayDunzl]

Can I sell them and get a similar quality speakers at 2k?

My MartinLogans are 26 years old now.

I still like them.

The only things that perked my ears at the Florida Audio Expo when I attended were some big Magicos in a Big room, and a pair of Harbeth.

The Magicos are too expensive, the Harbeths too small (I'm partial to big stuff - the ML are six feet tall).

When I got home and turned on the system I didn't feel disappointed,

So, if you like them, I'd keep them, unless you're short on cash or some other fundamental reason.

Not mine, but a nice reference picture:

The somewhat equivalent replacements are $25k last time I looked.

 

[christoffeldg]

It was.

Bi-amping 101

This article provides a quick look at how bi-amplification works. The conventional scheme is to split the signal into two frequency bands before the power amplifiers that drive the speakers. The bass (LF) amp sees only LF signals and drives only the LF driver (woofer). The treble (HF) amp sees...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Not bi amping, using the SDA as a power amplifier while the TDAI is doing the processing, no amplification.

SDA 2400
2x200w@8ohm
2x400@4ohm

TDAI 2170
2x85w@8ohm
2x170w@4ohm.

It just seemed like the TDAI wouldn't have been enough to drive it.

 

[MarkS]

Unless you want to get new speakers just to get new speakers, there are a number of things I would do first.

1) Have you tried playing around with the Lyngdorf voicings (parametric EQ) and/or tone controls?

2) Have you measured the response you're getting at the listening position? As I said earlier, RoomPerfect does not try to correct the speaker's response, but you could do so with a customized voicing after making measurements.

 

[Svend P]

It just seemed like the TDAI wouldn't have been enough to drive it.

It might be worth it to switch back and see if that really holds true.

 

[Verig]

It might be worth it to switch back and see if that really holds true.

2170 is a nice amp but it's just barely enough for bigger B&W's (and Focals). For louder levels and bass a beefier amp is the way to go. Nowadays power is affordable so I see no reason not to have it.
Edit: But sure, OP can try it whenever, so why not test again. It will be clearly heard within seconds. If one needs to think and ponder then it's placebo.

 

[christoffeldg]

Unless you want to get new speakers just to get new speakers, there are a number of things I would do first.

1) Have you tried playing around with the Lyngdorf voicings (parametric EQ) and/or tone controls?

2) Have you measured the response you're getting at the listening position? As I said earlier, RoomPerfect does not try to correct the speaker's response, but you could do so with a customized voicing after making measurements.

This goes a bit beyond my capabilities to be honest. It's always interesting, but I have no idea how to even start doing this?

 

[Eric Natural]

fwiw - I think all these high-end loudspeaker manufacturers are out of their freaking mind with the prices. Wilson Watt/Puppies were about as high-end as possible in the1990s@5~6000 pair. 30yrs later, Wilsons have acquired another zero !
$28k to(ready for this?) $635k per pair. Only the elites, the 1%ers can hear these . . .