805s vs 704!!

[ac81017]

The 805s and the 704 are almost the same in price here in Sweden, question is which one to go for?? I´m still new to the high end world. What should I look for when it comes to testing the difference between the 8052 and the 704?? I´m going to my local hifi store next friday to demo both speakers. I´ve notice that the people who work there aren´t very bright!! each speaker has some technical info like, 2 x 120 watts, 8 ohms, 47hz-22.000khz. and they people in this music store compare those three facts together with the price! Yeah, as I said, they are not much help, so that´s why i´m here!!

So what do i want??

I want the vocals to really stand out when listening to sacd and soft female vocals, and i want to be able to run them on HT, I´m doubting the 805 when it comes to HT because of there size, and I think the 704 might have more power??

I always use my sub when listening to both music and HT, I have a asw750!


HELP ;x(

[Karma]

HI AC,
I have the 805S and have never heard the 704's. I like the 805S's a lot but I can't compare the two.

Let's keep this simple. Go listen. Control the listening experience as best you can. Adjust the volume very carefully. Take your own CD's. Make sure they cover your areas of interest. When changing between speakers use the same stands in the same position using exactly the same electronics. The idea is to control the listening tests as much as possible. If you can get one, bring a Sound Pressure Level Meter to adjust the volume to be the same between the speakers. This is probably the most common mistake people make when doing comparison testing.

Then listen carefully. Take your time. Don't let the salesperson rush you. Take breaks. Our ears tire. Wear ear plugs when driving to the dealer. If you don't, it will take about an hour, or even longer, for your ears to recover from the trip even in a quiet car. I'm not kidding.

Trust your ears. Repeat, trust your ears. And have fun.

Sparky

[B&W 700 Guy]

AC,

Can you tell us what speakers and hardware you have at this time? Also, how many upgrades you see in the future, will the 805 or 703's be your main speakers for a long period of time or do you intend to move the speakers you are reviewing to the surround section of your system. In my experience, if you are not going to make any future upgrade on speakers, and depending on your hardware, I would go with the 703's. If you are looking at another upgrade (depending on how much you want to spend) I would go with the 805's. Then you could purchase 803's and one of the 800 series center channels and move the 805's to the Surround position.

It would help to have more info on your system.

[ac81017]

AC,

Can you tell us what speakers and hardware you have at this time? Also, how many upgrades you see in the future, will the 805 or 703's be your main speakers for a long period of time or do you intend to move the speakers you are reviewing to the surround section of your system. In my experience, if you are not going to make any future upgrade on speakers, and depending on your hardware, I would go with the 703's. If you are looking at another upgrade (depending on how much you want to spend) I would go with the 805's. Then you could purchase 803's and one of the 800 series center channels and move the 805's to the Surround position.

It would help to have more info on your system.

Hello

My system so far the Sony QS, 1070amp,900dvd, 930cd, 940md and rm-ax4000remote ops: I know people look down on Sony, and yet some people don´t really know about the qs series! I test it against yamaha, pioneer and denon. The Sony qs won! I have B&W 602s3 front and back, lcr60 centre and a new asw750, upgade from the asw300!! I am going to buy the rotel rmb1075 at some point. My wife god bless her, said, it´s either the 805s or the 704 and nothing else ever!! So I´m kind of doomed, this is my last upgrade for the next 20 years!! She thinks I´ve waisted to much money already! I am very very happy with what i have, but if I can just buy a new pair of speaker and a rotel as i´ve told the mrs, then I´ll be happy for the next 10 years or so..

[audioqueso]

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=18159&highlight=805+704

[B&W 700 Guy]

Hello

My system so far the Sony QS, 1070amp,900dvd, 930cd, 940md and rm-ax4000remote ops: I know people look down on Sony, and yet some people don´t really know about the qs series! I test it against yamaha, pioneer and denon. The Sony qs won! I have B&W 602s3 front and back, lcr60 centre and a new asw750, upgade from the asw300!! I am going to buy the rotel rmb1075 at some point. My wife god bless her, said, it´s either the 805s or the 704 and nothing else ever!! So I´m kind of doomed, this is my last upgrade for the next 20 years!! She thinks I´ve waisted to much money already! I am very very happy with what i have, but if I can just buy a new pair of speaker and a rotel as i´ve told the mrs, then I´ll be happy for the next 10 years or so..

It would be nice if you could take your amp and receiver in and demo the 703's. When I moved from my Denon receiver to my H/K 7300, using my RMB 1075 I found that the H/K was brighter then my Denon. The H/K seemed to excel over the Denon in HT, but I liked the Denon over the H/K for stereo material. When I moved to the Sunfire 5x200 amp both sounded great! It would be great if you could test the 703, 704 and 805 with your own setup and make a decision. I have no problem with Sony Receivers. But, it seems that this will be your larges priced upgrade for a while. You may find that with your setup the 704 sound better.

Trust your ears!

[Briz vegas]

Last purchase for 10 years - no pressure here!!!

I agree with the posters above. In addition, once you think you have a winner see if you can take it home for the weekend and play every cd you can think of, even ones that you previously have not been that fond of.

A&B testing is all good to a point but I am starting to suspect that some things only sink in over time when you really start listening to the components character. If when you go back to your regular system the music is just not doing it for you any more compared to the new speakers, then you know that the new speaker was the right decision.

I think the prices in Sweden are weird. In Aus the 704 are $4k and the 805 are $5k plus stands are extra. As a result most people compare the 805 to the 703 as when you add stands the price is about the same.

[EastCoaster]

I want the vocals to really stand out when listening to sacd and soft female vocals, and i want to be able to run them on HT, I´m doubting the 805 when it comes to HT because of there size, and I think the 704 might have more power?? (

Most people already gave you really good advice, but I'll add one thing. If you really want the vocals to stand out, then I think it's the 805S all the way - they do a much better job with the high notes, are much more focused and realistic in my opinion (and I even compared the 805 to the 804, and came out in favor of the 805 for the sweet high notes). I'm using them for home theatre as well (with an 825 sub) - unless you have a pretty large room, you'll not want for anything...

[B&W 700 Guy]

Last purchase for 10 years - no pressure here!!!

I agree with the posters above. In addition, once you think you have a winner see if you can take it home for the weekend and play every cd you can think of, even ones that you previously have not been that fond of.

A&B testing is all good to a point but I am starting to suspect that some things only sink in over time when you really start listening to the components character. If when you go back to your regular system the music is just not doing it for you any more compared to the new speakers, then you know that the new speaker was the right decision.

I think the prices in Sweden are weird. In Aus the 704 are $4k and the 805 are $5k plus stands are extra. As a result most people compare the 805 to the 703 as when you add stands the price is about the same.

Briz,

I agree, if the shop will allow him to take a set of speaker home for demo over a weekend, that would be the best way to eval a purchase.

Things do sound different in you own home.

[Tweir]

I would say the 805s any day. Think of in terms of reveiling the inner details and technology. The 703 to me is fine but not exceptional. The tweeter on the 705 is surrounded by foam so it does not have the ability to move. The tweeter on the 805 is surrounded by rubber and can move foward and back. Also the 805 tweeter is closer to the nautillis design then the 703. Then you have the cabinet which the 805 is using the matrix system of internally braceing to reduce vibration to almost nill. It is also curved to reduce standing waves. The 703 has for the bass drivers the paper kevlar mix which is like saying it is the old nautillis 800 series technology. Like audioquest uses the analogy of panes of glass between you and the music the 805 is simply less obstructions between you and the music you love. Oh yea the bass performance is better in my opinion. Test setup was the following, rotel rsp1098, rotel rdv1092, rotel rb1092 x2 in a biamp mode. So that is potentially 1000watt a speaker or 500 up top and 500 on bottom. Altough I am not a fan of the class D amps the bass performance out of them is quiet good. Doing a A and B test between the 703 and the 805 in the same room the 805 just sounded more real. It blew me away. I have also heard the 805 on mcintosh mc275 that was awesome and the ma6500 integrated amp also amazing. I love mcintosh.

[dknightd]

ac, when you have decided, please come back and tell what you decided on and why.

I think if I was in your shoes (part music, part HT, already have a good subwoofer) I'd have picked the 805 (especially for the same price as the 704).

I wanted two channel only speakers. I choose 703. For me the midrange was enough better than the 704 to justify the cost, and the 805 did not have enough bass (plus I got a good deal on a showroom 703 demo pair). I really liked the 803, but my wallet said no I like my 703 and expect to keep them for many years. For awhile I thought about selling them and starting over, but after adding room treatments I've decided they are keepers.

In the end, all that matters is that you like what you bought. It is your ears, and money, and personal preferences and situation.

[ac81017]

demo day

Well, I took the the time to test 805s, 704,703 and then the 804 just to see if I could hear any big difference.

First I tried the 704´s, there wasn´t really anything special!

Then I tried the 703´s, I found the midrange very harsh in a way, but they did sound very good all in all. I was a little disapointed with the FST midrange, and he´s where I think I went wrong!!! ops: The demo room was 3 x 4m!! I was thinking that maybe sitting to close might have be the reason why the midrange was a bit harsh?? Had the same problem with the 804´s!!

The 805´s, well, it´s seems like they are a class on there own!!, I was very impressed with the midrange vocals and the tweeter was very detailed!

I´m wondering if I should go back and try the 703´s in a bigger room?? I ´m also wondering if the 703´s have a bigger sound stage than the 805s if they were to play in a room that´s 6 x 5.5m??

I don´t think I could pass the 804´s through my wife, and I thought the 805´s sound much better!!

[ac81017]

which effect amp??

I´m planing on keeping my 602s3 as rear speakers, but in order to power what ever I get ( 805 or 703 ) I will need a good strong effect amp. If I buy an effect amp just for the front, say a rotel 1070 or two vincent mono sp996 would they be a big inbalance in sound and power?? As you can see, I don´t know much at all about effect amps!! :T

[EastCoaster]

I don´t think I could pass the 804´s through my wife, and I thought the 805´s sound much better!!

I really do as well think the 805S sound better than the 804S - I auditioned both extensively (trying to scratch my upgradtitis itch) but couldn't come up with a reason to upgrade (I also have an 825).

[ac81017]

I really do as well think the 805S sound better than the 804S - I auditioned both extensively (trying to scratch my upgradtitis itch) but couldn't come up with a reason to upgrade (I also have an 825).

Hmmm nice with the 825!! I bought the 750, no B&W dealers in Sweden had the 825, so I couldn´t demo it. I´ve heard people say that the specs are the same and there´s not much difference???

Yeah, I have an upgrade itch, that´s why I´m a little stuck between the 805s and the 703s!!

[EastCoaster]

Hmmm nice with the 825!! I bought the 750, no B&W dealers in Sweden had the 825, so I couldn´t demo it. I´ve heard people say that the specs are the same and there´s not much difference???

Yeah, I have an upgrade itch, that´s why I´m a little stuck between the 805s and the 703s!!

Well, I haven't heard the 750, but I did have the 700, and I can tell you right now, that the 825 is a completely different animal... Much, much more powerful and massive, but not just in delivering bass, but in creating thyroid-shaking air movement... :T Everyone here recommended upgrading to the 825 from the 700, and I'm really, really glad I did...

[alpina]

whats the perfectly matched center speaker for the 805's - htm4?

cheers,

julie

[Briz vegas]

Alpina/Julie - still looking for those main speakers - this has to be a record!

Out of the HTM range, you are correct HTM4 is the best match.

For a perfect match you might like to ask your dealer if they will sell you 3 805s. With a plasma screen on the wall this may be a viable option (just read an article that was talking about laser tvs - cheaper, less power consumption and better picture- will technology ever stop progressing).

[alpina]

hiya Briz Vegas,

Not really "still looking" anymore, just not ready yet.

Renovation is coming to an end and looking like we will be all setup for christmas

Have gone with Byrston SP2 prepro btw, so that is a big headache out of the way.

For fronts, we are going with 804s and htm3s unless we change our minds

How are your 804s going?

Cheers,

Julie

[Briz vegas]

Hey Julie, 804s are still my favourite component.

They had a bit of a rough time when my power amp failed but proved robust enough to come through it without any apparent damage.

Just been listening to an Ani Difranco's Trust DVD in 2 channel and I love the sound. She is an amazing musician & character if you are cool with her political/feminist thing (....and I guess am! After Al Gore's film I am feeling guilty if I buy anything but a super efficient digital amp - fortunately I can go for something like a Halcro Logic MC20 if/when I find the cash - a true Aussie super amp with leading edge technology.... mate! Excellent review in Stereophile online if you have not heard of this amp before)

I think this thread demonstrates that speakers are a very personal thing. Obviously for me the 804s were worth the extra dollars over the 805. I was thinking "these are my "last' speakers" and after the 705s I was concerned I would be left wanting more. I have not been disappointed.

[dknightd]

The FST can sound a little sharp. It benefits from having good first reflection point absorbsion (as most speakers will), and an amp that can deliver lots of current when needed.

[ac81017]

The FST can sound a little sharp. It benefits from having good first reflection point absorbsion (as most speakers will), and an amp that can deliver lots of current when needed.

Hello, I know might be a silly question, but does the 703 have the same midrange as the 804?? I´m not sure I have the money for a pair of 804´s, because I also have to buy a new effect amp! :T

[dknightd]

I don't know if the FST in the 804 is the same as the 703. They do sound similar though, at least to me.
Some people do not like the FST driver. I do on balance, but I can understand why some people might not.

I'm not sure what you mean by "effect amp". Is this a home theatre processor/amp?

IMO very few HT receivers can make the FST driver sound good. I'm sure there are some that can, but I really think you benefit by getting a good quality stereo amp that can really deliver current when needed.

For Home theatre I don't think I'd buy the 703. There is no center that matches until you get into big bucks, sorry I do not know the specifics. Like life, speakers are full of comprimises, what works best for me might not be the same that works best for you. Pick what you like and can afford. Smile and be happy.

[ac81017]

805 vs 703!!

After many hours of listening, I´m getting to likethe 703´s more and more! does anyone know if the 703´s use the same tweeter and the 805s´s?? the look almost that same! I noticed there was a cover over the 703 tweeter, but I didn´t dare remove it!! the 805 tweeter does seem brighter, but maybe that´s due to the crossover??? I´ve been backwards and forwards to the hifi shop, I´ve spent hours in there listening! some songs sound good on both in there own way!

what to do?? :roll:

[Briz vegas]

805 has a better tweeter in my opinion.

The 800 S models share the same tweeter which uses first order crossovers (ie simpler, more direct signal path therefore more likely to be cleaner). All 700 series use a different tweeter (although the 705 uses a different crossover frequency) and they all use more complex crossovers.

I just did a comparision yesterday because I was hearing some harshness in a particular recording (turned out to be the recording not the speakers- even heard it on the computers speakers). I compared my 804s vs my 705s using my available amplification options - ie a tube pre/100w power, then through my 110w Marantz receiver. Best sounding combo was the 804s with pre/power, then the 804s with the receiver, then 705 with pre/power (with and without a sub) then finally the 705 with the receiver. This was not done blind (I did close my eyes though) but I could always tell the 705 mostly due to the tweeter. Of the four combinations the 705/reciever option was the only one that I would not be ok with. I should also say that my power amp has had recent "surgery" and does not sound as good as it once did - its ok, it just seems to have lost some finesse.

The gap from 804s with receiver down to 705 with pre/power varied depending on the recording, on occasion it was hard to pick a favourite (although the sound was clearly different), but for 90% of the time the 804 was significantly better despite the receiver. Music sounds much more "right" and natural through the 804s.

Well thats my ears and preferences. I don't think you can go wrong with either the 703 or 805, but given you application (multi channel) it may come down to getting a suitable matching centre speaker without breaking the bank.

805 + HTM4 (same drivers) vs 703 + HTM3 for the FST (or a third 703 if you can get one)

"What to do" indeed !!!!!!

[ac81017]

805 has a better tweeter in my opinion.

The 800 S models share the same tweeter which uses first order crossovers (ie simpler, more direct signal path therefore more likely to be cleaner). All 700 series use a different tweeter (although the 705 uses a different crossover frequency) and they all use more complex crossovers.

I just did a comparision yesterday because I was hearing some harshness in a particular recording (turned out to be the recording not the speakers- even heard it on the computers speakers). I compared my 804s vs my 705s using my available amplification options - ie a tube pre/100w power, then through my 110w Marantz receiver. Best sounding combo was the 804s with pre/power, then the 804s with the receiver, then 705 with pre/power (with and without a sub) then finally the 705 with the receiver. This was not done blind (I did close my eyes though) but I could always tell the 705 mostly due to the tweeter. Of the four combinations the 705/reciever option was the only one that I would not be ok with. I should also say that my power amp has had recent "surgery" and does not sound as good as it once did - its ok, it just seems to have lost some finesse.

The gap from 804s with receiver down to 705 with pre/power varied depending on the recording, on occasion it was hard to pick a favourite (although the sound was clearly different), but for 90% of the time the 804 was significantly better despite the receiver. Music sounds much more "right" and natural through the 804s.

Well thats my ears and preferences. I don't think you can go wrong with either the 703 or 805, but given you application (multi channel) it may come down to getting a suitable matching centre speaker without breaking the bank.

805 + HTM4 (same drivers) vs 703 + HTM3 for the FST (or a third 703 if you can get one)

"What to do" indeed !!!!!!

I was wondering if room size could be an answer as to which speakers to buy?? I do want the biggest sound stage, and I think that the 703s have a bigger and stonger sound stage compaired to the 805s´s?? My room is only 7 x 5m!

I have talked to the wife, and I can forget the 804s :cry:

I think I would have to wait a year or two if I´m to get a new centre speaker, and I think it would be either a HTM3 or the HTM4, i´ve not tested any centre speakers yet! I have a lcr60 which is not the best, but I can live with that for the next year or so. :T

If my wife could get it her way, she would have a bose lifestlye 48!! NO WAY!!

[Kal Rubinson]

If soundstage SIZE is the issue for you, I would recommend 805S' all around, including the center, coupled with a good sub or subs. The smaller 805S will permit more flexible positioning than any floorstander; not because of the footprint (which is similar) but because of the limited bass which, in this case will give you greater freedom to position them for soundstage/imaging while letting the subs do the grunt work.

Kal

[Shyamalan]

What do you think about the 804?
Are much better than the 703 or the 805?
Does they deserve the extra money?

Thank you very much

[chinets]

I have auditioned and heard the 805s, 804s,703 and 704.



If you like Music more than HT then: If you have ample room 804s for sure, Small room then 805s.



If you are into HT more than Music then: 703 for a big room and 704 for a small room as the 704 are a little shy on Bass.



Yes, you can use 805s for HT too, but you will need a SUB of ASW 825 caliber or better to enjoy both Music and HT. Your ASW 750 is just too harsh for those smooth 805s or 804s. ASW 750 for HT with the 700 series would be sweet!!!



It all depends on what you will be using your system mostly for. Music Vocals, Jazz, classical, accoustics, SACD or DVD-A etc. and very natural and revealing speakers then stay with the 800 series 805s or better. For HT and some enjoyment of Music then stick with the 700 series.

I would recommend the 805s over any of the 700 series for clean accurate sound In Music and that applies to HT too. 703 are the best in the 700 series ,as it has an FST driver ,but it has NO correct center speaker to match ,unless you find yourself a used HTM1 forexample. 703 are great for HT, because they are in the box sound, with less Arc dispersion. So you can tell where the bullets forexample are comming from. The 800 series has a higher arc of disspersion, so you cannot tell from which speaker the sound comming from especially in HT. So that is why it is perfect for Music..In the air sound!

800 series are just better more audiophile speakers, so for Music,SCAD and DVD-A there will be no comparison with the 700 series IMHO.

Keep us posted!!
Cheers

[Shyamalan]

Chinets, thank you for your great explanation!! ;x(

I think that my listening room is a bit small: 16.50 x 20. Anyway, me and my wife, use to listen music a low volume so I think a bigger speaker would work fine.

We will listen HT in a 70% but the music is also very important because if we buy a good speakers probably we will listen more and more music.

Thank you.

[akhter]

The 805s and the 704 are almost the same in price here in Sweden, question is which one to go for?? I´m still new to the high end world. What should I look for when it comes to testing the difference between the 8052 and the 704?? I´m going to my local hifi store next friday to demo both speakers. I´ve notice that the people who work there aren´t very bright!! each speaker has some technical info like, 2 x 120 watts, 8 ohms, 47hz-22.000khz. and they people in this music store compare those three facts together with the price! Yeah, as I said, they are not much help, so that´s why i´m here!!

So what do i want??

I want the vocals to really stand out when listening to sacd and soft female vocals, and i want to be able to run them on HT, I´m doubting the 805 when it comes to HT because of there size, and I think the 704 might have more power??

I always use my sub when listening to both music and HT, I have a asw750!


HELP ;x(

If you always use a sub, its a no brainer--go for the 805.

[chinets]

You are welcome!!

Shyamalan,
You are more than welcome!! :T

I truely believe that if you want to expand your Music sessions ,and appreciate Music better and still have the best HT around ,then go for the 800 series, as I feel from your resonse that you are not to eager to upgrade, and will be satisfied with your equipment for a long time, and that will be really worth it IMHO!! So if you go with 800 series I believe you will stay happy with these speakers for a very long time.

If you go for the 805s ,which are book shelf speakers, you will need a Sub for sure. Get the ASW 825 , and you'll be extremely happy for a small room! :T

Keep us posted on what you have decided on!!
Cheers

[B&W 700 Guy]

What do you think about the 804?
Are much better than the 703 or the 805?
Does they deserve the extra money?

Thank you very much

I would buy the 703's, then in the future trade up to the 803'S (but that's my opinion). You need to go out and audition all of the speakers mentioned. What ever the case you will probably want a subwoofer, I would look at the B&W 750, Sunfire or Rel subwoofers for a starter.