802 / 802D owners

[smjc99]

While trying to pick spkrs for front Left and Right, what else is a good comparison to 802D's . I want to evaluate spkrs of simialr calibre ( till now I liked Thiel Cs2.4 , ofcurse thy are not at the same price point as 802d;s which I also love, did not care for Paradigm signature S8's )

anything else is a good spkrs to audtion ( My goal is listen to few good one's and pick the one I love the most not necssarily the most expensive one)

[EAmin]

Maggies?

Of course, they are not a box speaker. But I've been intrigued by the Magnepan 3.6s. I've yet to hear them, but I hear so many great things about them. Plus, they are a third of the price. I hope to audition them soon.

[dknightd]

Maganepan's are nice. So are the Quad 989. These are both panels and need some space to work with. Totem makes some nice speakers. Martin logan. Lots and Lots of posibilities. I don't know how big your local
market is. I'd suggest you get out the phone book and listen to as many speakers as you possibly can. Find out who sells "high end" audio and go listen to what they have. Don't let brand name scare you off, or suck you in.
If possible take your time (I got rushed by a deal too good to pass up, in a speaker I knew I liked well enough - sometimes I regret that, except I can likely resell my speakers for at least as much as I paid for them if I have to). Also, if possible try to bring 1-3 pairs of your favorites home to listen to. Often a speaker will sound different in your home than it does in the show room.

Have fun!

[Karma]

HI EA,
I love Maggies! But comparing Maggies and B&W is comparing apples and oranges. Everything about them is different. Imaging is one of the major differences. So is bass performance. B&W's, in the 800 series, have far better bass. Plus, I think it is nearly impossible to add subs to Maggies and have a fully integrated, seamless sound. One must make difficult choices choosing one over the other. I can't imagine using Maggies in a 5.1 HT environment. But I know some folks do.

Sparky

[perato]

Other brands to consider: JMLab/Focal, Wilson, Von Schweikert.

[EAmin]

HI EA,
I love Maggies! But comparing Maggies and B&W is comparing apples and oranges. Everything about them is different. Imaging is one of the major differences. So is bass performance. B&W's, in the 800 series, have far better bass. Plus, I think it is nearly impossible to add subs to Maggies and have a fully integrated, seamless sound. One must make difficult choices choosing one over the other. I can't imagine using Maggies in a 5.1 HT environment. But I know some folks do.

Sparky

Thanks for the info on the Maggies, Karma. Funny you mention the 5.1 HT --- one of my good friends is doing a 5.1 setup with 1.6 mains. I can't wait to listen.

smjc99: Another speaker you might want to listen to is the Revel Studio. There are some former owners on this forum who actually bought 802Ds. But I think they are definitely worth a listen.

[Joey_V]

Wison Sophia
Martin Logan Summit
Von Schweikert VR4SR or higher

[Phil Rose]

There are many great speakers some of which have been suggested here. What ever you do, make sure that you buy a pair that fit your room and listening preferences. You might also look at smaller speakers used with a sub and an crossover/equalizer such as the Velodyne SMS-1 http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/pro...5&sid=189q993x

[DrJRapp]

I went thru the same agony for months till I heard The Summit by Martin Logan. Much cleaner, clearer mids and highs, lows are deeper and tighter than the 802D...close in fact to the 800D. See review in March Absolute Sound. $10,000-$12,000 a pair depending on finish. The rest of your gear needs to be top notch since they are unmerciful at revealing defects.

[Audiophiliac]

I think you will get biased opinions in the "B&W CLub forum" (with good reasons of course because the B&Ws are AWESOME), but of what has been mentioned already, I like the Martin Logan stuff very much. Its a different sound altogether.

But my personal favorites are the Wilsons....nothing I have seen or heard can cake their cake. We have sold several W/P 7, a couple Sophia, and a pair of Maxx II, and they are all amazing! You have to hear them. They have the new Duette out which looks promising at ~$8k

Our main demo theater has had the 802 in it for along time and now the 803D are in with the matching diamond center channel. I really like the diamond tweeter MUCH better. But the theater sounds AWESOME! Anthem D1/P2/P5/ Esoteric DV-50/ ASW825. GOod stuff.

But my vote goes for Wilson......and you can get them in Ferrari Red....what? you dont think you would like bright red speakers?



(picture whoring opportunity)

[wkhanna]

....what? you dont think you would like bright red speakers?

Along with what looks like a Music Hall Ferrari Red TT with them in that pic.....????

You Betcha!

[Joey_V]

Wilsons and Classe...... *sigh*...

[dyazdani]

Wilsons and Classe...... *sigh*...

Yep, looks very nice, sounds nice too I bet! I haven't heard the Wilsons in a while. The last I heard were the MAXX I think, just outside New Orleans.

[Audiophiliac]

To be honest, I havent "REALLY" heard the system. I didnt install it. Another crew did. I helped a bit here and there positioning things, setting up the Classe, and doing a bit of Crestron. But yeah, what I did hear was nuts. There are a pair of the Watch Surrounds on the back wall. The Classe racks look like butt with anything but Classe gear in them. I wish we could have used something else.

But its a nice setup for an affluent client. The video is equally as good. Runco 61" w/DHD. Its a nice little setup.

Maxx II are SWEEEET!!! Just dont play Metallica - Blackened at "88" on the VTL TL-7.5/Krell FPB-700cx stack!!!!! You may end up with only tweets and woofers...wondering what happened to the midrange? I found out the hard way....hehe