Looking to Trade Up - 801/D or 802D

[Ch8]

Hey all,

I have a fairly small dedicated theater room (22 x 15) but have managed to pack some large speakers into it (4 x Dunlavy SC-IV, 1 x Dunlavy SC-II, 1 x Velodyne HGS-18 sub). I'm currently driving the 5 Dunlavy's with 5 Briston 7B ST mono blocks.

Issue: The Dunlavy's are very nice sounding but need to move in to the center of the room another foot. This will block the my screen (the Dunlavy's are about 7 feet tall).

I'm thinking of swapping them out for shorter speakers and I've always liked the B&W 801's. Is my room too small for these (as if that made any difference so far)? Is my amplification sufficent, matched? Are the 802Ds just as yummy?

Anyone interested in some Dunlavy's?

Thanks!

[Audiophiliac]

Dang. Nice setup you have there. And the room is not too small at all.

If you want to change to B&W, best do the whole nine yards and replace all 5. Comparing 801 to 802D is another story. THe diamond tweeter really is an evolution for B&W. It is remarkably better than the previous design. So if you want, try the 801D. I always like the looks of those short phatty speakers. Match it with the center and surrounds and you will be in HT heaven.

[Aussie Geoff]

Ch8,

I'd be really nervous about the 801s or 801Ds in a smaller room like that. They both have a reputation of requring a larger space to avoid the bass being tubby etc... They seriously move a lot of air...

Now the 802Ds are a safer propesition - I have hear them sing in a room that size...

Geoff

[PavelL]

I seriously doubt anyone on this forum ever heard 801D in a domestic setting. :cry: I asked B&W a question about differences between 800D and 801D and the answer I got from Stephen Baker was "It is a fact of life that most domestic listening rooms are far from ideal acoustically and on average the 800D will perform better. In an acoustically good room, the 801D will be the better choice, especially if there are fairly high ceilings. However, it is impossible to make recommendations without experiencing a customer's room first hand.

It should be noted that, because two 250mm drivers have approximately the same radiating area as a single 380mm driver, and the excursion capability is the same in each case, the 800D and 801D are capable of outputting the same maximum sound output at low frequencies. It's just that the balance with the midrange and treble is different."

[jlr_1304]

You dont see often someone referring 801D as smaller speakers. 8O

Maybe you could try 802D.

[Ch8]

Thanks for the responses folks...

Yeah, I guess it is a bit funny to hear 801's as a "smaller" speak option. Though, anyone familiar with Dunlavy's will know what I'm talking about. Perhaps the proper terms is "shorter". THe comments re: the 801's needing a larger room than the one I have sounds reasonable. The Dunlavy's are begging for more space themselves. Sounds like the 802's may be a good compromise. Other than 5x 802's, is there a good surround speaker from B&W to match the 802's?

Thanks again for your insights :T

[Kal Rubinson]

I just hooked up a pair of 804S' to complement the three 802Ds in the front. Will report as soon as I get the opportunity.

Kal

[james_dmi]

I just hooked up a pair of 804S' to complement the three 802Ds in the front. Will report as soon as I get the opportunity.

Kal

Fom your review in sterophile:

I try to restrict the speakers I review to those that interest me and that I can afford, and sometimes I question whether I should replace my current references. The 802D is pretty much at the outer limit of what I can afford, but it has forced just such a consideration.

So I take it you went past consideration and got some?

[Race Car Driver]

Fom your review in sterophile:

I try to restrict the speakers I review to those that interest me and that I can afford, and sometimes I question whether I should replace my current references. The 802D is pretty much at the outer limit of what I can afford, but it has forced just such a consideration.

So I take it you went past consideration and got some?

:lol:
:T