Test in STEREO: 803s against 803d.

[gerardhn]

In the august number of the german magazine STEREO there is a review of a direct comparison of 803d vs s.
This magazine is not so good available here in Holland.
Could any german participant be so kind to make a scan available for this forum?

thx

Gerard

[JürgenW]

Stereo is one of the German magazines which can be bought in Holland in e.g. many stationery-shops at railway-stations.

[gerardhn]

Jurgen, that was the case, it seemed as if stereo disappeared and only stereoplay and audio (same distrubution firm!) remained....
I dont see the magazine anymore... thats why I ask.

[JürgenW]

The august number isn't yet available in the Netherlands. Where I live the july number is still in the racks. The august Stereoplay and Audio are already here. (information from yesterday)

Jürgen

[gerardhn]

where do you live?

[JürgenW]

South of Limburg.

[JürgenW]

Saw today in the shop the august number of Stereo. It contains a test of the 803D with a comparison to the 803. I had a look into it. I got the impression that the 803 did quite well (but not as good as the 803D). In fact so well, that I would think again about spending more money or buying the old 803 (perhaps even second hand).

[gerardhn]

Can Anybody Scan This Article?

[gerardhn]

I found the magazine!
Conclusion (in short)
-803s is a good speaker. 81% out of 100% rating. "last station before B&w ' s top Liga"
-803d is the thing to have! sounds more like a 801d than 803s! 90% rating.
-both are easy to drive. impedance never much below 4 ohm.
-amplifier for perfect marriage: symphonic line RG 14.

[JürgenW]

Good that you were able to get one.

If I remember well, that's concluded from what they say to hear. The article also states that the 'frequencycurve' of the 803s is the better one.

[tboooe]

dang...it looks like i will HAVE to get the 803D now...my wife is going to kill me.


jurgenW: i dont understand your comment. you say that the 803s frequency curve is the better one?

[RebelMan]

Listen to them side by side first tboooe. I did and for the money the 803S was the better buy, you know, price/performance wise.

If you want top-end performance, you will need to turn to the 802D's (800D's). They are "World Class" in my opinion.

[tboooe]

rebelman: the plan is to defnitely do an a/b test. sometimes I get into this mode where I just want to spend money without doing all of the normal responsible (i.e. not fun) things like research, etc.

so what was your take on the s vs the d?

[RebelMan]

...(i.e. not fun) things like research, etc.

so what was your take on the s vs the d?

Yeah, the research is time consuming, but necessary and it should be fun (depending, of course, on the dealers).

My short take is this...

803D's: Smooth and slightly laid back highs, clear and well voiced mids, and full but heavy lows. Overall: A smooth yet slightly weighty presence.

803S's: Slightly bright and forward highs, clear and well voiced mids, and tightly controlled lows. Overall: A balanced yet slightly sibilant presence.

[JürgenW]

jurgenW: i dont understand your comment. you say that the 803s frequency curve is the better one?

Yes. I just got the overall impression from reading the test that the difference between the two isn't so great as the conclusion suggests.
Seems like RebelMan confirms this.

[gerardhn]

Jurgen, thats is not the right conclusion.
Stereo states that the 803d is more a sister of 801D than a sister of 803S!!!! The s is a class speaker; the d is an entrance to B&W's Top-Liga. They rate the d version even higher in price to performance ratio.

[jim777]

I still wonder why the 803D is the only B&W with three bass drivers.. am I right? Maybe just to keep the width of the speaker ok..

Well now I can't wait to see a 802D/803D comparaison. Some say that the Merlin is a must and others say that you don't get quite anything more for your money.

Then a 800D/802D comparaison someone?

What about the 801D? Is it only good for studios, with tons of acoustic treatment..

Anyway, my dealer is going to get 803D's, so I will be able to listen to them; but maybe I shouldn't, because I may not like my 703's as much after that

Well, I'm a bit off subject, but hey this I a nice thread

[gerardhn]

Jim,
I'am sure you have audiphilic ears. Otherwise you wont be here. But after listening to the s version you wont like your 703. I didnt like my 804's anymore after listening to 803s&d .... so now I own 803s.

[jim777]

Jim, I'am sure you have audiphilic ears. Otherwise you wont be here. But after listening to the s version you wont like your 703. I didnt like my 804's anymore after listening to 803s&d .... so now I own 803s.

Does that mean that the 803D's where not worth the price in your opinion (or the price was just way much too high..)

[gerardhn]

This is fun!
I scanned the impedance curves for 803 s/d. They dont become lower than 4 ohm. So they are not power hungry. This is funny conclusion. Maybe something for a new topic/thread even.
I hope my jpg attachment is readable.
Gerard

[JürgenW]

gerardhn,

Is the left thumbnail from the 803s en the right from the 803d?

[Pieter]

My guess would be, as you've said Gerard, S left and D right.

[JürgenW]

Jurgen, thats is not the right conclusion.
Stereo states that the 803d is more a sister of 801D than a sister of 803S!!!! The s is a class speaker; the d is an entrance to B&W's Top-Liga. They rate the d version even higher in price to performance ratio.

We just draw different conclusions from the article, because we are obviously weighting what's written differently. Nothing wrong with that.

[gerardhn]

Excuse for omitting S = left D = right tumbnail
Jimm: I could get a pair of second hand (6 weeks "old") S for 4000 euro. That made my decision to be made quite easily.

[stewfoo]

I have 803s. When I was a/b testing I noticed a HUGE difference between 803s and D. I even listened to the Krell resolution 1. I would rank them in the following order (best to worse): 803d, 803s, krell resol 1. After comparing the power hungry krells to the 803d it sounded like the krells did not have a tweeter or as if someone put a pillow over it. The 803d diamond tweeter is simply stunning. But, the krell had great punch/bass. The 803s is a little more laid back than the 803d.... also a bit muffled in comparison to the 803d. But, the 803s kicks that krells butt in the highs dept. But, once again, the Krell's bass destroys the 803s. I chose the 803s over the krell res 1 which was 50% off. In fact, Sounds like music in phoenix, az still has their Krell resolution 1 demos gear for about half off.