Deaf, dumb, but not blind!

[ac81017]

I´ve tested 602s3 against 805s, I couldn´t hear much difference!! Everthing was plugged in ok, they both sounded good, but I can´t understand what the differnce is. The guy in the shop said, the 805s have a better tweeter and midrange! OK, but in what way?? He didn´t know, only that they are a little brighter?! there´s nothing worse than going to a hifi store and finding out that the people who work there know beeep all about the products that they are selling!! I love music, I can sit there for hours in front of my 602s3 just absorbing the good sound!

Can someone please tell what i should look for when listening to the 805s.

[chinets]

805's are way better in the tweeter and mid Range area and is warmer and smoother than the 600 series by far.

For HT I would stick with the 600 series, but as you said that you like Music ,then for sure the 805s. They have better dispersion of sound , more and bettersound stage that is deeper , more open and more 3D in every way.

The 600 series sounds like it is coming from a box, and you can tell where the sound is originating from,that is why it is good for HT. The 805s are fuller smoother and warmer sound and you cannot pin point where the actual sound is comming from.

The 805s are a correct,neutral and have a more natural sound: Fantastic for Jazz and Classical Music.

600 series is good for HT as I stated, and for Rock and Pop Music. Harsher and brighter sounding IMHO.

That is my sincere experience with the 600 series and the 805s as you suggested.

Let your ears decide, and let your budget confirm your total impression.

If i had to choose FOR MUSIC, I would select 805s HANDS DOWN!!!! The WOW factor applies here too!!!!

Best of Luck !! And I hope I was some how helpful here!!!???

Enjoy and Cheers!!!

P.S.: Audition!! Audition!! Audition!!!

[amdan]

There is no difference

I´ve tested 602s3 against 805s, I couldn´t hear much difference!! Everthing was plugged in ok, they both sounded good, but I can´t understand what the differnce is. The guy in the shop said, the 805s have a better tweeter and midrange! OK, but in what way?? He didn´t know, only that they are a little brighter?! there´s nothing worse than going to a hifi store and finding out that the people who work there know beeep all about the products that they are selling!! I love music, I can sit there for hours in front of my 602s3 just absorbing the good sound!

Can someone please tell what i should look for when listening to the 805s.

From your post, it is obvious that there is no difference to YOU. I believe that that is the important point here. Perhaps you should count yourself lucky, save the money and enjoy the music. I wish I were in your shoes.

'I love music, I can sit there for hours in front of my 602s3 just absorbing the good sound!'

You are a lucky guy. This is what it is all about isn't it?

[Aussie Geoff]

AC81017,

Everyone has a personal threashold where small improvements in sound are not worth it, and a second threshhold where they are not repeatedly noticable noticable. For some this evolves as you listen more, you get more critical (over months or years). Others they reach a limit. Luckly for you, right now your limit is very affordable... Many are happy with lessor speakers than the very fine B&W 603 S3s... So my advice is my and enjoy the music... I know several who are saving to upgrade to the B&W 603 S3 or 604 S3.

B&Ws hold their value well. If one day you find youself wanting / needing more - there is always more... But why pay now for what you don't need or value...

Geoff

[Jesse111]

From your post, it is obvious that there is no difference to YOU. I believe that that is the important point here. Perhaps you should count yourself lucky, save the money and enjoy the music. I wish I were in your shoes.

'I love music, I can sit there for hours in front of my 602s3 just absorbing the good sound!'

You are a lucky guy. This is what it is all about isn't it?

I agree. It's all about the music.

However, I now sit in front of my MSRP $20,000 800D's and absorb for hours. Yes, I can appreciate what I have. But it's like any other fine cultural lifestyle. Appreciation comes with experience. Like wine for instance. I'd rather drink grape juice. But "winephiles" can taste the year, region and grape differences. They would cherish a 1K bottle of vintage wine. It would be wasted on me. I'm ok with that.

You can start by listening to the differences in detail between speakers. Also listen for the accuracy of the bass. Is it boomy, muddy or muffled? Or is it tight and musical. It is so very subjective that it takes time and experience to appreciate some aspects of high end audio. But beware, if you proceed down this road, one day you will be sitting in front of a pair of 802's or 800's. Laugh if you will but mark my words. When your ears become sophisticated and the bug bites, there's no turning back. Do you have good credit? :W

[chinets]

Ouch amdan, that was below the belt. However, you have a good point!!

If ac81017 can't hear the difference between the 805s and 602s3 ,and is so happy about it ,then he has just saved himself a Bunch of $$$$!!!

Wow, wish I had his ears and his love for those 602s3 and be sooooo happy with it!!
I am deeply impressed here!!! No Upgraditis symptoms whatsover. He is cured my friends!!!! What do you take for that????

I bet you it was those magic marbles in a jar that he has connected to his 602s3!!! Never thought of doing that myself!!! We are all learning here!!!

Don't look for those 805s if you are happy with what you have and saved a whole lot!!

Man, that is why one should always choose and audition everything first hand ,as your ears will make your final decision!!!!

This dude got off very cheap!!! Lucky Boy!!

Good Luck!!!!!!

[ac81017]

OK, a lot of info!! Does anyone for example know a song that I might know of, where one can really hear, say deep bass, vocals that really stand out that I could use to compare 602 against 805s, I listen to almost everything from Bessie smith (1929) Doo wop (50´s) Hendrix, the stones, eric clapton, pink floyd, motown (60´s) Deep purple, iron butterfly, family, the stranglers, kate bush (70´s) Alot of 80´s classics, the KLF, gun&roses, dire straits, alice cooper, KORN, system of a down.

Maybe it´s a good idea to introduce my system?? Maybe I´ve reached my peak? Or should stop with what I´ve got and not go for the 805s??

Sony strbd 1070 qs
Sony 900qs dvd
sony 930qs CD
Sony 940md qs

Two pairs of 602s3 (front and back)
ASW 750 (One month old) upgrade from asw 300!!
Lcr 60 centre

Ps, don´t laugh at my Sony, A friend need money, and I got the whole system for £200! He had the system three weeks when he found out that he couldn´t afford it!!

[Lewing]

ac81017,

I think i realised why you can't hear much sound improvement with the 805s. IMO, i strongly believe the 805s deserves better amps and preamps. That's all i want to say.

[jim777]

I agree with Lewing, you need better electronics if you want to benefit from the 800 series. If your happy with the sound, go for the 600 series, be happy, and save money

[Aldo]

I pay to have your ears! I can't imagin how much I could save....

[ac81017]

Well, I´ve been in touch the shop that sells the 805s, and I´ll get them home on trial tomorrow! I´ve called a friend who is a hifi neard!! He has 803D, ASW855 and classe amps and so on! I want him to open my ears and explain the difference between my 602s and the 805s! My friend also has a rotel rmb 1075 which should bring both 602 and 805s to life!!

I have to say, to everyone on this thread!! I really appreciate all your tips and advice!!

[chinets]

Good Luck ac81017,
Yes, I think you should go with your Hi-Fi friend ,and he would point out for you the differences of the 805s and your 600 series LIVE and on the spot!!
That's the way to audtion. Good work, man.!!
Yes, and I believe better electronics such as the amp and pre/Pro and CD player should be upgraded, to give those 805s any justice here.
We were all one day in your boat, so don't worry, because your ears will get tons of practise once you start auditioning various speakers and equipment.
Next year, you will be the one telling everyone on the forum what the characteristics of the 800 series sounds like in detail, and you will be laughing at your superior knowledge with regards to Music ,speakers and equipment. Good Luck!!
Have a wonderful audition and enjoy!!
Cheers.

[amdan]

Ouch amdan, that was below the belt.

chinets,

Nothing was intended under the belt! I genuinely think he is a lucky guy. I used to be like him with my NAD electronics and 25 year old Wharfedale speakers. I was very happy with the sound.

Then I decided to get an amp with a remote control and started researching equipment. Tens of thousands of dollars later - I am still not happy with my system.

ac81017 - Pay heed!!

[chinets]

I guess amdan that you are lucky too with your ears. I started out early ,and all I have been doing for the past 25 years, is to keep improving my set-up ,and I am NEVER satisfied at all!!
I have this Upgraditis disease with NO cure. That is why you guys were lucky!!
OK! not below the belt, but I do agree with you!!
Wish I had his satisfactory ears!!!
I just want to keep going to the next step!!!
Cheers!!

[ac81017]

oh dear! have I just been brain washed??

My god, the 805s sounded sooo good with my asw750!! My friend brought his rotel rmb 1075. He used a cd with an artist named FEIST!! Very nice and detailed music!! My friend Allan, explained what a sound picture/stage is, and what there is to listen for, like vocals, and each and every instrument that is playing!!! The vocals on the 805s came right at me, where the 602´s sounded like they came from around the speaker itself! The rotel also made a big difference as someone in this thread did say would help!!

I can hear a big difference now, but is it worth paying the extra for the 805s?
I know I´ll never go any higher price wise due to house and family!

what about 602´s for HT and 805s just for music?? Or should sell a pair 602´s or better still replace my bose am5 as my computer speakers!

Ok, have a go at me, I admitt, I have a bose am5 system as my computer speakers, I got them free from a friend, so I couldn´t say no..

I might as well come clean, I was a bose freak up untill about 3 years ago, I´ve had them all from 301´s, 401´s, 701´s and three pairs of 901´s, am3 and a am5 which I still have!

Boy am I going to get stabbed at!! ;zx

[Lewing]

Uh oh... upgrade bugs are biting you now, and you have ears just like us :B

[EastCoaster]

I can hear a big difference now, but is it worth paying the extra for the 805s?
I know I´ll never go any higher price wise due to house and family!

In my opinion, sell all your other stuff and buy the 805s... Try to perhaps get them used...

Get four of them, and an HTM4, so you can do proper multi-channel sound.

Or, if $$ is a problem, get two 805s and the HTM4, and keep the 602 for the sorround. That way at least you'll get proper two-channel stereo (if that's what you listen to).

And if $$ is a huge problem, don't get the HTM4, just get a 600 matching center. That way, again, at least you'll get proper two-channel stereo.

[Clepto]

For demo material, female vocals I think are a good thing to use, as they tend to be more revealing... Maybe a diana krall or norah jones disc would be a good disc to help spot differences.

[ac81017]

For demo material, female vocals I think are a good thing to use, as they tend to be more revealing... Maybe a diana krall or norah jones disc would be a good disc to help spot differences.

If you like Diana Krall and Norah Jones, then you should listen to Feist, the album is called "Let it die"

I have Norah Jones on sacd, wooow very nice!! :T

[Briz vegas]

Ah, the Bose 301. Going to the hifi shop with my older sister to pick up her 301 speakers was my first hifi experience and started me on this hobbie. Heaven knows what I would think if I listened to them today.

[Aldo]

I had the Bose professional 802 for about 10 years (when I was 15) and never ever hear any phantom image, I did not even know it exists back then!
No highs, no lows it must be bose! :B

[chinets]

In my opinion get the 805s for Music at least, and have those 602s you have ,and put them for surround duty.
Get the HTM4 for the center and you will need a Sub like the ASW 750 at least, or the ASW 825 if you buy those 805s ,as they don't have much bass.
For serious music In stereo, you will need the 805s over those 602, but for even
more serious MUltichannel music like SACD or DVD-A, then you would need four of those 805 puppies, and a HTM4 center or a used HTM1 Nautilus for a center, as you could get a cheap used one, as it is a sensational center for those 805s.

You see you have good ears: All you needed was to change your electronics, such as your using the Rotel ,that made a difference, and if you audition your speakers with good electronics and good sources and make time to sit and have a long session you will be able to make the difference between One speaker and another, and you will LOVE the 800 series.
Upgraditis will soon follow after!!! As we all went through this nerving scenario!!

CONCLUSION:

Good ears>upgraditis>more money spent>small improvements>more money, better sound> Even more money, even better sound>getting poor, and Upgraditis sickness>this never ever ends.

Bad Ears>all sounds good to me> Wow Bose the best I have heard> No spending> satisfaction guaranteed.

These two scenarios both have there rewards : The first gets better sound and gets poorer from his pocket to the bank, The second is happy with a T.V. that has speakers and yes, he too will be in Audio heaven with lots and lots of cash in his pocket and bank!! Ouch!!

My 2 cents,

Good Luck on your ears ,and your future purchases. Please keep us posted as to what you finally buy. We are all curious Georges here!!
Cheers.

[ac81017]

after borrowing the 805s and my friends rotel, I might just have to invest in both of them, I even had my asw750 running together! The result almost brought a tear to me eyes when i heard a few female artists like Kate bush, Diana Krall and Feist. If you want to experiance everything from bone shaking bass to strong, rich and detailed vocals, you have to buy the Feist cd called "Let it die" !!!


The asw 750 is one of the best subs I´ve ever heard, it´s also a giant leap from AS6(R.i.p) , asw300 and now a asw 750 in maple!

Thank god my is in charge of my pocket money, otherwise I would be upgrading every year or so.

I have decided to keep my sony qs system as my friend says, there´s nothing wrong with it, I just need to buy a power amp, like the rotel rmb 1075.

[ac81017]

Ah, the Bose 301. Going to the hifi shop with my older sister to pick up her 301 speakers was my first hifi experience and started me on this hobbie. Heaven knows what I would think if I listened to them today.

Hey, your cat is looks very cool!!

I have two cats, one called bowers and the other wilkens, I call them B and W most of the time!!

:T

[ac81017]

I had the Bose professional 802 for about 10 years (when I was 15) and never ever hear any phantom image, I did not even know it exists back then!
No highs, no lows it must be bose! :B

I´m in a band and I´m looking for good pa speakers, it a shame B&W don´t do any!!

What do the 802 sounds like??

[ac81017]

For demo material, female vocals I think are a good thing to use, as they tend to be more revealing... Maybe a diana krall or norah jones disc would be a good disc to help spot differences.

If you like female vocals like i do, then I you have to buy FEIST, the album is called let it die!!! All the hifi people I know have it in there cd collection, and they say that it´s of the most detailed cd´s they´ve evey known!! :T

[bigburner]

Ah, the Bose 301. Going to the hifi shop with my older sister to pick up her 301 speakers was my first hifi experience and started me on this hobbie. Heaven knows what I would think if I listened to them today.

In 1976 I spent 6 months in a flat in London with a pair of Bose 301 speakers. They were just great. It's hard to reconcile that experience with all the venom the brand attracts today.

The other speakers in the flat were a pair of KLH CB8's. Also very good.

Nigel.

[Clepto]

They probably weren't bad back in 1976, but the scary thing is that a brand new one would likely have the exact same driver configuration (;