B &W advise needed

[Sammy77]

I'm a simple man, whenever I see a question asking for good speaker options for multi thousand international moneys, my reaction is these MoFi speakers:

View attachment 515967

I mean, look at the raw data.

888 (Erin)

V10 (video, also Erin)

Anyway, that'd be my first stop for that kind of money - for which I'd expect no less than excellence, which those deliver.

 

[Sammy77]

I think the goal to maintain energy in the room more or less constant for the transitional band and bands the (tall) tweeter starting to narrow vertical dispersion, was explained in some interview or review (need to find it, if you are interested). The latter might explain why on axis you find something like a +2dB boost at 10K, which, as mentioned, gives it a character slightly leaning towards B&W sound, but not too far off. If I recall it correctly, treble level can be adjusted by a switch.

Edit: found it, follow this link to an ASR post showing a measurement under different angles (which looks pretty linear) and an explanation regarding sound power:

Post on ASR

 

[Sammy77]

 

[Sammy77]

Generally B&W is not recommended on ASR. They have a house sound that impresses in the shop, but gets tiring when listening at home.

Erin describes it well here:

"Response linearity is very poor. Many in the audio circle discuss the Bowers & Wilkins “sound” with respect to the treble bump and this speaker is no different. The treble is 3-5dB higher than the midrange which yields an extremely unbalanced and - in my opinion - unnatural sound. It is quite fatiguing."

Bowers and Wilkins HTM81 D4 Center Channel Speaker Review

Bowers and Wilkins HTM81 D4 Center Channel Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[Ropeburn]

I second this. A few years ago I auditioned the 800 D4 at the local dealer in a demo of a hifi mag. The hot treble was unbearable, especially when playing classical piano music.

Rope-Doge anecdote time

In the mid 2000s, our hifi and high-end dealers (Germany) started to embrace Psytrance for demonstration purposes. That was because around that time, production quality became terrific, and it's just spectacular high energy dance music made to impress. A particular example is Infected Mushroom, who delivered exceptional music that really shone on big, proper quality systems, while mercilessly exposing any grating flaws, especially the part from 4:20 with the piercing "aaaah" vocals. Infact I got to know of that band and that album only through that.

The grey haired balding hifi dealer trying to sell me things for big money that I didn't have:

Young me in the showroom:

...Ieft with a free copy of the album and a lasting impression of what big, heavy, detailed, balanced, proper hifi sound really is.

 

[Apesbrain]

KEF is also a large, established manufacturer with ample R&D:

KEF R11 Meta Tower Speaker Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the KEF R11 Meta floorstanding speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $3250 each. The R11 Meta is gorgeous looking with high gloss finish and cabinet that has been shrunk as much as possible to basically hug the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Sammy77]

KEF is also a large, established manufacturer with ample R&D:

KEF R11 Meta Tower Speaker Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the KEF R11 Meta floorstanding speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $3250 each. The R11 Meta is gorgeous looking with high gloss finish and cabinet that has been shrunk as much as possible to basically hug the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

My Klipsch vs whatever I can make an educated guess on buying next

 

[IngMishael]

I am assuming your non response to me means you're not able to demo? @Sammy77
cos if you said something it didn't show

 

[Sammy77]

I am assuming your non response to me means you're not able to demo? @Sammy77
cos if you said something it didn't show

Sorry, I’m getting acquainted with the page layout ,

 

[Ropeburn]

Ah, the good old F4! We had those too and affectionately called them Luftverteidigungsdiesel (air defense diesel) for their characteristic smoke trail.

Every jet fighter aircraft looks better with an iron cross on it. We basically invented the concept.

 

[Sammy77]

Held many records at one time , I believe even speed record before SR71

 

[Ropeburn]

Held many records at one time , I believe even speed record before SR71

Old McDonnell had a f4rm

Ee-aye, ee-aye-oh

Blew it up with fighter plane

Ee-aye, ee-aye oh

 

[Sammy77]

Sorry, I’m getting acquainted with the page layout ,

I feel kinda clutsy , can’t find your earlier post, but I’m from the Bay Area in California and unfortunately there’s not that may audio places left, there’s 1 in Mnt. View Ca and I will def check them out , it’s all a matter of shipping return fee , you know , actually I just demoed PS audios new small speakers and they were ok, but they just for acoustic or music that lead with guitar, so unfortunately I had to return them and you can guess how much that cost

 

[Sammy77]

Ah, the good old F4! We had those too and affectionately called them Luftverteidigungsdiesel (air defense diesel) for their characteristic smoke trail.

View attachment 515990

Every jet fighter aircraft looks better with an iron cross on it. We basically invented the concept.

 

[Sammy77]

The Navy’s model was/ is my favorite, i think Japan is still flying a few

 

[Ropeburn]

@Sammy77

Brotip: you can click the reply button, and then actually write a reply under the quote so your post makes sense.

 

[Sammy77]

 

[Sammy77]

If you could demo these. It will be better imo. Cos B&W is hit or miss (mostly misses for me personally) but maybe one may resonate with you

Found it !! Will def. Check out !

 

[Chrispy]

Haven't had much chance with B&Ws but those I have had I surely wasn't impressed nor am I by various testing/reviews. Lots of others I'd consider before....

 

[Everett T]

Hello folks , I am in the market for speakers and from research conducted have corralled myself into possibly purchasing some B&Ws.
I have been using Klipsch FR2 speakers paired with ps audio m700 amps and dac , sound has been ok and only some music sounds good not all, so I have decided to finally upgrade, have been combing eBay and am wondering if someone can give me advice on which speakers to buy .. here is my list so far .. (would be so grateful for some down to earth advice, frankly I don’t want to pay more than 6,7,8 grand as this will be an investment that will last me a long time hopefully )
1.802 D2. $8,399
2.802 D4. $11,400
3.804 D3 $ 7,395 and 11,000
4.803 D3 800 series $9,000
5. 703 S3 $5,600 and 5,800
6.804S $3,498
7.804 Diamond $4,499

Would be super grateful for some advice on what sounds better , thanks guys

They're gonna sound more similar than different thanks to B&W house curve. The 802d2 would be my choice if I ever was inclined to purchase their products.