Do your B&Ws move you?

[Briz vegas]

Having recently moved from stand mount to floor standing speakers I had expected my system to be more of a visceral experience, particularly with punchy rock music.

Prior to getting my current 804 speakers I listened to a pair of Naim Allae driven by a 100w Arcam integrated (chosen because I use a 100w power amp) with a Quad CD-P2 CD player then a Naim 5x CD player. The Allae is a 2 way speaker with one 200mm (8inch) driver. Playing rock, even at moderate levels, you could feel the kick from this system (with either CD player). I have to admit that this was kind of ....fun.

Have others experienced this from 804 or 703 (which has similar driver size and configuration) and if so are there any secrets to a more physical hi fi experience?

Apart from the 8 inch drivers (surely a midrange and 2 bass drivers plus a 10inch sub can push more air) the only other difference is that the Naim system was in much larger room with about 6 metres open space behind the seating position (My room is only 4m wide so I sit near the wall behind me) and the Allaes did not have their grills on. Does the 804 start to push more air with more powerful amplification even though the upstart 2 way Naim could do it with 100 watts?

[dknightd]

Did you get a chance to try the Naim and the B&W driven by the same amplifier.
Two things come to mind. 1st not all 100W amps are created equal, the b&W's need one with plenty of current (not sure if the Naim are this way or not). 2nd, you might like the Naim more - if so go back and buy them. Oh, a third thought, if you just got your 804's it might take a few weeks of use to loosen up the woofers (and other parts) till the speakers can show their true capabilities (My 703's took a good 100+ hours of use before they had opened up - during that time the highs got smoother, and the bass got deeper - I suspect the 804's also take time to break in)

[scanido]

I home demoed an Arcam AVR300 which is a 100w integrated on my 804S and it was not enough power to properly drive them. It sounded miles better than the Yamaha i was using but it still sounded under powered at higher volumes. The mids/highs were great but the bass was very thin sounding.

These 804S's need a lot of clean, steady current to properly drive them. I would say to look no further than a 200w+ amp. I am powering mine with a Bryston 4B-ST now and oh the bass at all volumes is fabolous! Authoritative, clean, full come to mind.

[george_k]

Mine move me, it usually take a little adjusting on my part to find the sweet spot

[Jmac]

I may be able to pass an opinion that may be of help.

I currently own a full Naim system, including SBLs. These are an ealier model than the Allaes, but the better speaker - the update of these is the Naim SL2.

I currently own an ES series Sony SACD/DVD/CD player and TA-DA9000ES integrated 7 channel digital amp, and consider it to be better/prefer this kit OVERALL to my Naim electronics, over a wide range of musical genres.

I recently audtioned B&W 703s, 804s, and 803D with intention to replace the SBL's for use with the Sony digital electronics.

Personally I would not change the SBL for the 703's. The 804S I judged to be better in the mids and treble than the SBL, and a lot better as regards air and space/imaging etc if that is a priority for you. A performance parameter that is important to me, is dynamics and in that regard, perhaps, the SBL might edge the 804, but it would be close; either way I thought the 804 quite superb in this area for a largish 3 way; no doubt the first order crossovers help a great deal as regards timing and coherency here, as must do the new rohacell bass drivers.

The 803D I thought to be superior overall to the SBL, and having heard Allaes extensively, it would be no contest IMHO in favour of the B&W speaker.

The setup I heard the B&W's with, was Electrocompaniet CD player, and an YBA amplifer, on my own 'test' CD's.

Hope this helps

Best

John...

[Briz vegas]

Don't get me wrong, I am more than happy with the 804s and preferred them over the Allae (which is why the 804s are sitting in my living room). I was just listening to a Massive Attack CD and the improvements in timing, clarity and character of the sound are significant, and I know that better is to come.

I once auditioned a B&W 675 sub with 705s in a small listening room and it kicked like the sound system at a live gig (in fact I have been to gigs since that have had less impact). The Allae could do it in a room at least four times the size at much lower volumes, although it was a little less dramatic (but still fun to feel the music).

I was just curious to see if anyone else was feeling a physical kick from their speakers and if they had changed something to achieve it. Not suggesting changing the 804s, they are staying thank you!

[dknightd]

I had a nice long response to your post, but then the power blipped and my computer went down - arg. . .

I can't retype it all, but let me summarise.

Speaker placement, listener position, room modes, and room acoustics can play a big role in your speakers ability to "move you". You might benefit by experimenting with speaker and listening position. You would almost certainly benefit by installing lots of bass traps in your listening room.

[Briz vegas]

dknightd
Thanks for the suggestion. If I find some time this weekend I may try moving things around a bit, although I am limited by the HT side of things. I only have one wall suitable for the projection screen.

Don't you hate it when the power dro..............