804 Owners...What else did you consider?

[Bluespower]

Hello All,

I'm a B&W/Rotel owner that is in the middle of a bad case of upgraditus. I currently have the 603/600/DS3 mated to a 1068/1095 combo. I'm a stereo listener 75% of the time and the remaining 25% are usually concert videos. I've just ordered the Modwright stereo preamp to integrate into the surround set-up. I've got about $4K to invest in front speakers. I'm a wink away from ordering the 804s BUT I do want to audition a few others before I write the check.

The reviews for the Gallo 3.1s are intreging. Thiel 2.4s have a following. From your experiences, what should I put on my short list to listen to before making the jump?

Thanks to everyone in advance...

[miner]

Before I got a closeout deal on some N804 I was close to purchasing some Polk Audio LSi25 - before your cringe at the name I suggest you listen. For $2100/pair (after discount) they were very pleasing to listen to. The LSi15 with a sub was also pleasant. I have not listened to the Gallos or Theils.

[wkhanna]

With two -channel being your priority, fronts mains are everything.
Might I suggest Dali, Wharfedale, and ML.
Do make sure to audition with the specific components you will be using, at home if at all possible. But I'm sure you knew that!

[alpina]

will be interested to see how this thread develops

have locked in 705s for rears with aws750 sub. now deciding on fronts and center - b&w options are either 703/htm4 or 804/htm3. now that i've locked in rears and sub i doubt i would look at an alternative supplier to look after the front end.

julie

[r100gs]

Check out Monitor Audio G60's, Aerial Acoustic model 6, Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand, and Joseph Audio RM25 MkII. B&W 804's are great speakers. I wound up with the Joseph Audio's.

[Boone38]

I looked at the Areial 6's and the 7bs. Dealer would not come a penny off the retail cost. I had the 601's prior and really liked the Aerials. I tried to A/B but the Aerial dealer would not let me borrow or bring the 804s in to compare. Playing the same tracks I tried to listen for the differences. I noted that the 6's were not as deep in the bass and the highs were not as open. The mid bass was very close. I ended up buying the 804S and other electronics all from the same dealer. What really made my decision was the attitude of the dealer. The B & W dealer was more then willing to compare the two.
As for the other speakers I have compared was the Meridian, M & K, Polk, and Triangle. None were close to the B & Ws. Just my thoughts. Good Luck

[Karma]

HI Blues,
I'm very embarassed to admit this but I didn't listen to any non-B&W alternatives before buying my 805S's. Once I decided on the 805's, as opposed to others in the 800 series, I did a lot of amplifier testing before choosing Krell. This was a pure case of building a system around the speakers.

You see, I have a lot of experience in high end hi fi. After a while we all begin to become aware of our tastes in sound. I have liked B&W's sound for a long time. While I've never owned any (I prefer electrostatic's) I have listened to many starting with the original 801's.

If you you don't feel confident that your ears will reveal the truth, comparison shopping is necessary. After you totally trust your ears and understand your taste in sound, life gets easier. The 805S's (with the mandatory subs) are outstanding in my listening environment. I'm in love!

Sparky

[grit]

I looked at the Areial 6's and the 7bs. Dealer would not come a penny off the retail cost. I had the 601's prior and really liked the Aerials. I tried to A/B but the Aerial dealer would not let me borrow or bring the 804s in to compare. Playing the same tracks I tried to listen for the differences. I noted that the 6's were not as deep in the bass and the highs were not as open. The mid bass was very close. I ended up buying the 804S and other electronics all from the same dealer. What really made my decision was the attitude of the dealer. The B & W dealer was more then willing to compare the two.
As for the other speakers I have compared was the Meridian, M & K, Polk, and Triangle. None were close to the B & Ws. Just my thoughts. Good Luck

I'm a proud Aerial Acoustics owner (7b's up front), which I chose after about 2-3 months of tests and debating. And I noticed everything Boone said. Here's the deal (and you'll find this with Thiel too) : the speakers require more power to drive. Every time, the B&W's sounded like they had better bass. Until increased the amp power (eg, more watts) to the Aerials. Then they bested the B&W's (IMO). Both Thiel (which I also love) and Aerials are considered "power hungry".

Now, between the Thiel's and Aerial's, I think the Aerial's are less critical of placement and seating position. Thiel's really require precise placement and have a more narrow "sweet spot" margin. Both, IMO, have a very natural and unfatiguing sound.

[Bluespower]

Thank you everyone for the input so far. I am cursed by the fact that based on my location I have to travel about 2 hours in any direction to listen to any of the contenders. I'm planning a sweep though Maryland this weekend to try and audition a few of the suggestions on my short list.

My B&W/Rotel dealer in Chambersburg (Squires) is 50 miles away but is awesome. It's not a HiFi only shop but the owner is an enthusiast and has treated me wonderfully in both pricing and service. If I decide on a brand he carries, he will definitely get my business.

There is a better than 75% chance that the 804s ARE THE ONES, but I do need to satisfy my curiosity (the SOB dealer held me down and made me listen to 804Ds the last time I was down)...

[miner]

If you like bass you may need to add a sub later on, but dependant on your electronics. I had a Rotel RC-1070 pre, RB-1070 amp driving my N804. Six months later I added a B&W ASW800 sub. Since then I have upgraded my pre to the RC-1090 & amp to RB-1092. To my delight I really do not need the sub now but it does fill in nicely on the below 45Hz. One reason I suggested the Polk LSi25 - a built in powered 10" sub in each beautiful tower. Between the LSi25 & B&W 703, I would have taken the Polk if not for the deal I got on my N804 ($1250 each).