Upgrade from 804's before wedding?

[sikoniko]

I would really like a pair of 803s's. I am past my 1 year mark and my options for upgrading my N804's are 2 fold. 1. I can either ebay them and hope to get $2500, which would bring the cost down to $2500US (w/ 10% discount) plus tax or the dealer said he would give me $1800 in trade in towards the 803s's.

My question is, is the difference between the 2 speakers worth it? Id rather not deal with ebay because of the size of the boxes and not sure how I would ship them even though the buyer would pay it. The $700 potential gain from ebay would be worth it though. I really wanted a pair of N802's, but all of the dealers that had them have already sold them. My thought it that I won't be upgrading speakers for another 10 - 20 years, so what I end up with when I get married in November is what I will have. I know 804's are a good place to be as it is and Im not complaining. Just evaluating my options.

So my question for those of you who have compared the 2. is the difference worth the price and what would you do in my position?

thanks,
dan

[jericho]

If you get married in November I certainly would go for a pair of 802's, because once married, there are other things that become more important towards the wife than high-end gear.

[Aussie Geoff]

Sikoniko,

Old friend... Take Jericho's advice and save and get the 802Ds - they are such a step up it is scarey and your Cinenova Grand will drive them well... I know you will not be happy with anything less. Think of it as your final wedding present before "your priorities go elsewhere". IMO the 802Ds are speakers for life - you could be happy with them for the next 20 years (until the kids grow up!)

Geoff

[K.K.]

If you get married in November I certainly would go for a pair of 802's, because once married, there are other things that become more important towards the wife than high-end gear.

LOL. Exactly what came first to my mind too! And it's too late for her to change her mind if you're $2500 poorer now. .... or not.... hmmm

[Pieter]

...there are other things that become more important towards the wife than high-end gear.

Few and far between are even the girlfriends to whom high-end gear is important. The wife has legitimate grounds from which to curb your excesses, the girlfriend none. You can boot the girlfriend, but booting your wife may just cost you your HT setup.

I'd suggest you bite the bullet and go for the 802s. You'll always be looking at those 803s in the front of your room and be thinking, "Should've...Damn, too late now!"

[misterdoggy]

Amen to that brother....... Once your married, you're on a short leash.

Do what you're gonna do now, before its too late. What was "I" becomes "WE"

[JetFlyGuy]

I made my 'final' upgrade a couple months ago, and I traded in the 704s and Rotel for Classe' and 803Ss, and I bought the girlfriend an engagement ring the same week, and by using HT Alegebra, they cancel each other out... I am hoping that after a few years of marriage we can renew our vows and I can get some 800Ds!

[sikoniko]

802d's are way over budget. not an option. I would have loved a pair of N802's but none of the local dealers have any left.

[RNKC]

If you want 802, then get 802; don't stop at the 803. You'll forever look at those 803 and think you should have stretched that bit more and gone for the 802 ...

Surely there's a FedEx or UPS or BaxGlobal in Jacksonville Florida. Although it might be difficult for you to transport your speakers to the shipping place, you might still want to consider selling the exisiting 804 on audiogon or eBay. At the same time, you can easily pick up a pair of N802 on audiogon. At worse, all you have to do is rent a van for a day to get your speakers from your home to the shipping place.

[RobP]

Those speakers are not really that bad to ship, just make sure to fill up the voids in box with bubble wrap, those voids are the box's weak area and they will be breached if you dont fill them up. As far as what speaker to go with, get the ones that you really want, if you dont you will be looking at the ones you settled for later on wishing that you did.

[sikoniko]

I dont feel comfortable spending that kind of money on something without being able to put my hands on it first. I rather buy new instead of take my chances. 802d's are out of my league price wise.

[RobP]

Hey Sikoniko, here is another idea for you, just tell everyone that you are registered at your local B&W dealer for the wedding gifts.!! LOL!
When I got married I told a few people as a joke that I was registered at the local Sears craftsman tool section, and a few of my buddies actually got me...ooops I mean "us" some tools.!! My wife got a huge kick out of it.

[gostan]

Sikoniko:
I would post the 804's for sale on Audiogon for local pick-up and see if you find any takers. The listing will cost you $4.00. If you are patient, I would be willing to bet that there is somebody in the Jacksonville area who would love to own the 804N's and who see's them on Audiogon. Then, if you find a taker you can conclude the upgrade for the 803S's. While the 802D's are way out of reach economically for almost all of us-the upgrade to the 803S's will be a good upgrade and it will get you into the current series. It would help facilitate an easier upgrade to the 802D's at some future date.

If you are not able to sell the 804N's then simply sit back and enjoy them. I was somewhat crazed to upgrade my 803N's last winter when the new S&D series was announced, but I simply took the grills off my N803's and enjoy them every single evening. You can do the same with your 804N's and life will still be good. And if you were considering the upgrade you should have done so before giving her the ring.

By the way, congratulations and best wishes for a beautiful wedding in November and a long marriage.
Stan

[sikoniko]

Well, I did it. I am in savannah, ga for the weekend for a wedding thing. Today I walked into the local b&w shop and they had a pair of red cherry 802's sitting there. I walked out with a couple grand downpayment... My dream speakers will finally be mine.

BUT, I have to sell my 804's before I can bring them home. They will be going on ebay soon. If anyone is interested, please, PM me, or email me (sikoniko@comcast.net) for price. They are red cherry. 1 1/2 years old. I still have the boxes and I've never registered them so transferring won't be an issue. IF there are any scratches on them, they are VERY minor, as I have not noticed them and have taken good care of these speakers. I will also be selling them with the sound anchor stands.

[RobP]

Well, a bit of congrats is in order for you!! On your upcoming marriage and on your new speaker purchase!! arty:

[RebelMan]

I couldn't be happier for you sikoniko. Way to go on both accounts! :T

[Aussie Geoff]

Sikoniko,

Way to go!!!!

Congrats... :T

and

Congrats

arty:

Geoff

[georgev]

Congrats Sikoniko,
You will have no regrets, and you will enjoy your music infinitely more.
God Bless on the wedding too.
George.

[misterdoggy]

Congratulations on joining both the '802D club' and the 'Ball and Chain club'.

They both offer alot of loud feedback !! Both will give you great pleasure though !!!

All the Best

Bruce (misterdoggy)

[gostan]

Dan:
Great news! We were all checking the B&W bridal registry. Now we can look at the Macy's registry for some beautiful china or vase to match the red cherry 802's and you can really get full use of your Cinenova Grande Amp with those new 802's. Good luck with quick 804 sale so you can expedite 802 delivery.
Stan

[tboooe]

dammit, i should have bought those 802D before dropping $30K on my wedding!!!! Funny how the wife thought nothing about spending $30K on a wedding which lasts one day and freaks about me wanting to spend $16K on some 802D that will last a lifetime...until of course I get the upgrade bug again in a few years....back to saving my pennies so that I too can join the 802D club...i am already part of the ball and chain club...can I get my initiation fee back...i want out....

[sikoniko]

Thanks guys. The wedding wasnt this weekend. It was a "tea." The wedding will be in november.

I didn't get the D's. They are way out of my price range. I got the nautilus 802's. I like them a lot and look forward to getting them home. Physically, there are a couple of minor scratches on them unfortunately, but the dealer gave me a great price which includes a 5 year warrantee and they sound awesome. I wouldnt have done it if they werent red cherry either. I want my system to match. they had some N803's, but I didn't even bother listening. My wallet might have been a little happier, but it is a long term investment.

Now, I have to figure out how to break it to my fiance. If I can't sell my 804's, I wont be bringing them home. I'll need to do it fairly quick too. Im going to put them on ebay one day this week.

[sikoniko]

The 804's are now up on ebay. Wish me luck guys! (hope im not breaking any rules by posting this here!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5796728744

[roundmound]

Sent you a PM on an issue unrelated to your speakers.

[JürgenW]

Sikoniko,

Great that you got the N802. I have listened to them quite intensively. They sound great with the right amplification.
Have fun with it.

[sikoniko]

ebay cancelled my auction. got it fixed. new link is as follows:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5797403694

[RobP]

I noticed that it was gone, I thought that you sold them. Why did Ebay remove it?

[sikoniko]

because I had put "please add 3% to cover paypal fees." That is apparently against their rules and considered "circumventing their policies."