801 D anyone?

[PavelL]

I'm just wondering if ANYONE actually buys 801Ds? I remember that raving review on Stereophile years ago... Newer series 801D must be even better. Specs ARE impressive...What are your fellow forum members' thoughts? Since 800 series were designed for large rooms, so why not 801s?

[Race Car Driver]

Anyone else think the 801s are to "fat" to look at?
800 D...... stands for DROOOOOL!

Gimmie some 800 Ds please. :T

[caleb]

I agree with RCD - if you have every seen a pair of 801s - they are VERY FAT.

Give me 800s any day - PLEASE ! !

[Pieter]

Give me 800s any day - PLEASE ! !

And when would that be?

[DavidB]

My dealer told me they thought the 801D's are the best in the range but they never sell any because of the looks!

[misterdoggy]

[PavelL]

Yeah, they do look like front-loading washing machines. At least to me they do. A TRUE audiophile's choice?

[krellfan]

The 801 is result of R2D2 messing around with a washing machine. It's a thing only a mother could love.

[PavelL]

Mother

[Blazar]

the 802d's have amazing linear bass response and barely need a subwoofer except for true LFE. the 801's must have just perfect bass with those drivers.

[Guy]

The 801s have a better octave range than R2D2 thats how you can tell the difference :rofl:

[Race Car Driver]

The 801s have a better octave range than R2D2 thats how you can tell the difference :rofl:

Hit the nail right on the head. :T

[Indytown]

Hit the nail right on the head. :T

I also agree here, the varying degrees of octave range is the distinguishing feature between the 802, 801, 800d. The richness and fullness of sound with the 800d is spectacular.

[Matt M.]

The 801D is the most impressive speaker of the range, IMO.
It is very dynamic, and it is able to supply an acoustic pressure (notably in the bass, but not only), higher than any speaker I know (incuding the 800D, even though the 800D is more subtle and airy).

However, this speaker is particularly demanding (more than the 800D !),
in term of amplification, but also (and mainly !) in term of listening room.
A very big room, with a good acoustic (ideally, an acoustic treatment) is
necessary to obtain its best !
That is for these reasons (and not only for its look !) that this model is less common.

But I can guaranty you that a pair of 801D, well drived, it is... 8O 8O

Unquestionably, it is my favourite model

[RobP]

The 801s have a better octave range than R2D2 thats how you can tell the difference :rofl:

True, but can the 801's project an image of Princess Leia on your table top, or shut down the trash compactor when your trapped inside? :lol:

[RebelMan]

The 801D is actually an angry 802D (R2D2). A HULKified 802D (R2D2) if you will. :rofl:

[dortiz]

those are two of Abbey Roads 3 large studios. The third missing shot is the largest studio with the 800Ds.
The guys there, in very general terms think of the 801Ds for Rock and soundtracks and use the 800Ds for Classical and all other music. Mind you they do a lot of both in all of the studios.

[gerardhn]

What I read is that the 802d is the most priceworth of the big range....
Is that true?

[PavelL]

Found this picture of one of the forum member's setups. Looks quite proportional in the room that does not seem HUGE.

[Matt M.]

What I read is that the 802d is the most priceworth of the big range....
Is that true?

IMO, the most priceworth of the new range are...the 805S, an awesome
bookshelf (at least as good as the famous 805Signature), not really
expensive, and the 803D, that bring the exceptional tone qualities of the
new 'D' series, in a model not so expensive (although not cheap, obviously!),
and above all, not really demanding.

But I think, all the new range is quite priceworth, and the model I would buy
if I could is...the 801D !

[morphdj]

Hi guys, new to this forums and just checking around. I have the 801's upgraded to D (new tweeters) and the missus chin hit the ground when they arrived even though they are going in quite a large room. Anyways, she doesnt hate the so much now and you do get used to the size, eventually :-)

[PavelL]

A cordial welcome to you. Could we have some pictures? Always wondered what 801Ds look like in REAL environments. IMHO taste for these things is always accuired. Just like caviar - noone likes it the first time they try it...

[morphdj]

only this one, will take some more after I finish my system updates in a few weeks....

http://www.jasonkent.co.uk/801.jpg

[worldys]

Hi guys, new to this forums and just checking around. I have the 801's upgraded to D (new tweeters) and the missus chin hit the ground when they arrived even though they are going in quite a large room. Anyways, she doesnt hate the so much now and you do get used to the size, eventually :-)

i am understanding correctly? did you take a pair of nautilus 801 and replace the nautilus tweeter with a diamond tweeter, isn't the crossover tuned for the nautilus tweeter, does that cause any problems

do they attach in the same way as the old tweeters?

how much did it cost to buy the 2 diamond tweeters?

s

[PavelL]

Thanks for the picture. They ARE Naut 801s. - not diamond. The tweeters still look aluminium - not diamond/diamond is somewhat whitish/. So did you upgrade the tweets to the new alum. tweeters? /I believe they were improved too in the new 800 line/ But the looks are good. ))) IMHO.

[Alaric]

8O

Found this picture of one of the forum member's setups. Looks quite proportional in the room that does not seem HUGE.

8O

[PavelL]

8O
8O

I can see you are sooo happy to see these fat babes. SEXY aren't they? :lol:

[Dennis DeJulio]

I'm new to this forum so please be kind. But to answer the question, I've got 801D's. Their size or looks aren't a concern, because I've had a pair of every model 801 since B&W came out with them, including N801's. The other models are the ones that look strange to me! But they are amazing speakers. I definitely prefer a single, larger bass driver to twin smaller ones, particularly with the improved speed and power of the 801D. If you've had 801's all this time, you can immediately tell the difference between them and 800's on the bottom end. Just my .02. It's not as if the 800's aren't fabulous, too.

It's still surprising, though, not to have seen either the N801's or 801D's on display anywhere. It's as if the speaker doesn't exist. It's a shame, because people aren't getting the chance to audition them for themselves. Has anyone even seen a review of them?