805S concern

[kylek100]

Ok, I just got done with my demo pair of 805S's. They sounded wonderful. I was pretty sure I was going to get them until I plugged back in my 602's. They sounded great as well. I never did an A/B, but now that I have my old speakers plugged in, I can't remember really any significant difference between the two speakers. That scares me a bit considering I'm going to drop over 2 grand for what appears to be no improvement. What gives? Anyone have any advice?

[tboooe]

The bottom line is, if you cant hear the difference or if the difference does is not worth the $2K for you then dont do it. For me, there was a huge difference coming from my little 601 S3.

Out of curiosity, did you use your setup to demo the 805S or were you in a showroom?

[kylek100]

I used my setup. My question though is, is it abnormal for me to not remember the difference after I've unhooked them? Because I can tell you, I have an HTM7, and I can tell a difference in the highs between that and the 602's, and when I was buying the 602's, I A/B'd the 705's and 602's and there was quite a difference in the highs as well. Maybe I'm just hallucinating?

[junior77blue]

602s are not bad speakers...the 805s are better, but do require better CD's/source units/amplification to gain their full potential.

The big differences would be soundstage and attention to details.

Keep in mind the "Law of diminishing Returns" comes into play...

i.e., Just cause the cost is double, don't expect DOUBLE the performance. B&W speakers are definately not a bargain buy nor very economical...but they sure are nice!

[kylek100]

So you think a better cd player will help? Hah, right now I'm using one that I got like 6 years ago at circuit city for 80 bucks. But I have a Denon 3910 on the way...think it will make a difference in this case?

[RebelMan]

So you think a better cd player will help? Hah, right now I'm using one that I got like 6 years ago at circuit city for 80 bucks. But I have a Denon 3910 on the way...think it will make a difference in this case?

Everything in the reproduction chain will make a difference. Most notably source devices like CD players and preamplifiers and processors. When I added a "CD only player" to my system and compared the quality of the playback music to that of my DVD player there were subtle improvements. The untrained ear may have a harder time distingushing the difference but it was there.

[jim777]

When I added a "CD only player" to my system and compared the quality of the playback music to that of my DVD player there were subtle improvements. The untrained ear may have a harder time distingushing the difference but it was there.

Did you compare using the analog or the digital outputs? With what pre or pros?

[RebelMan]

Did you compare using the analog or the digital outputs? With what pre or pros?

I tried it both ways. The analog out using "by-pass" mode on the RSX-1056 pre/pro was best in both cases but better with the CD player.

[Rolex]

Hopefully the 805S you listened to were broken in. If they were, the placement may not have matched the room. In a correct setup, with the same gear, it should be fairly easy to tell that the 805S is the better speaker.

[akhter]

So you think a better cd player will help? Hah, right now I'm using one that I got like 6 years ago at circuit city for 80 bucks. But I have a Denon 3910 on the way...think it will make a difference in this case?

Oh yes it will. For a week until I got my Denon 2910, I used a PS2 to play my N804s. It sounded like cr4p. Then the Denon made is sound much better, but still nowhere near as I heard on the store. Then I got an Arcam CD73, and now I love it . I knew my source was at fault when one of my friends bought over his Linn CD player at and I hooked it up to my system and realized how good it can sound.

[kylek100]

It's just hard for me to believe that a CD or DVD player can make speakers sound that much different. Unless of course you're using analog output and there's an A/D stage. But if I'm completely digital with...say, denon link, how could it make a difference?

[RebelMan]

It's just hard for me to believe that a CD or DVD player can make speakers sound that much different. Unless of course you're using analog output and there's an A/D stage. But if I'm completely digital with...say, denon link, how could it make a difference?

The differences lie in the conversion of the signal. Some DACs are better than others. The DACs in many quality CD players, for instance, are far superior to those found in many high-end pre/pro's. On the other hand, if a pre/pro utilizes the same or very simliar DACs as the CD player, then the differences can be more difficult to discern.

Bottom line... "If YOU don't hear it, then YOU don't need it."

[weijst]

I once owned the DM602 S3 before upgrading to the 705's. I remember I was staggered by the great performance OF THE 602'S when compared to the much more expensive 705. The 602 outperformed the 705's in almost every department, especially the bass department. The bass the 705's did produce was somewhat tighter (better housing). As the 705's higher frequencies were a litte on the bright side in the beginning (as is the case with the 805S's?) I understand it is very hard to prefer them over the 602's at a direct A/B comparisson when the 805S's are just unpacked (805S: less bass and brighter). Later on, the 705's preveiled in almost every aspect (especially a wider soundstage. Ofcourse the never went as 'low' as the 602's...)

I recommend a decent breakin-time for the 805S before your second A/B comparisson...

Secondly, your experience strenghtens my opinion I always had about the 602's: the are indeed very good speakers and a real price / performance winner (maybe even B&W's best...)

[akhter]

It's just hard for me to believe that a CD or DVD player can make speakers sound that much different. Unless of course you're using analog output and there's an A/D stage. But if I'm completely digital with...say, denon link, how could it make a difference?

I know, and I was quite baffled myself, as I used the optical out of the PS2. I believe it has to do with the transport itself and small timing errors caused by it (I may be wrong). In anycase, you have 3910 coming so you can compare pretty soon yourself. With a could CD-player I found the sound to be much more satisfying using the analogue connection in 'Direct Stereo' mode i.e. no DSP processing done by the receiver.

[Parsonsk]

It's funny but this brings up an old argument of mine.
Doing an a/b between 2 speakers is great, we can justify so much in such a short time, money especially. Overall?, it's fun. We hear lots of great things , notice better of this and less of that, it's louder and softer, it's has more bass, better tweeters, good imaging less sound stage blah blah blah. BUT when we have the speakers alone what do you remember about the other speaker...nothing. My point is your memory of sound is very short and if you were trying to decide between 2 speakers and they were very close, what are you going to notice when the other speaker isn't around?

[scottielee]

My point is your memory of sound is very short and if you were trying to decide between 2 speakers and they were very close, what are you going to notice when the other speaker isn't around?

i will notice how the other speakers/gear made me feel differently. when i listen to my system, instead of picking out details, i try to feel the music and let myself be obsorbed by it. after living with my current system for almost a year now, whenever i am not listening, i can vividly recall how i have connected with music played before, how it made me smile, feel warm and fuzzy, and have goosebumps. when i audition new speakers/gear, i will take notice some audible differences, but it is how well they connected with me that will leave me a lasting impression.

[jim777]

My point is your memory of sound is very short and if you were trying to decide between 2 speakers and they were very close, what are you going to notice when the other speaker isn't around?

You are just going to think what it would have been like to have the other model :lol:

[jim777]

i can vividly recall how i have connected with music played before, how it made me smile, feel warm and fuzzy, and have goosebumps [...] it is how well they connected with me that will leave me a lasting impression.

THAT is how I choosed my current system It had to communicate me the emotion in the music or I wouldn't have bought anything.

[RebelMan]

I concur with scottie, nicely put.