802 vs 802d

[beden1]

I have the opportunity to purchase a used pair of 802's, and had recently been focusing on getting a pair of 802Ds that I had been auditioning in a B&W dealer store. I have not heard the 802s to compare.

I really like the 802Ds as the highs and mids sound very articulate to me, and the speakers have a full body. If anything, the diamond tweeters may be too sharp, but, I know that B&W speakers mellow with use.

As I have not been able to audition the 802s, I would appreciate anyone's help who may have experience, and can compare the sound charicteristics of these two speakers.

[Kal Rubinson]

Check reviews of the "d" series and most will say that the "d" is less 'sharp' or bright than the predecessors.

Kal

[chinets]

More detail and brighter go for "D", but more Neutral and less forward and less brightness, but then also a wee bit less detail ,then go for the N or S series.
I have both and I like both. "D" for High Rez music brilliant ,but for normal CD playing I think I prefer the N and S series. HT for sure the N series, as it is more neutral and I find the S and D series in HT quite annoying sometimes, due to sibilance and too clinical. Go figure!!
If you can afford the "D" series I would jump on them pronto. I did ,and I am a very happy camper.
Cheers

[beden1]

More detail and brighter go for "D", but more Neutral and less forward and less brightness, but then also a wee bit less detail ,then go for the N or S series.
I have both and I like both. "D" for High Rez music brilliant ,but for normal CD playing I think I prefer the N and S series. HT for sure the N series, as it is more neutral and I find the S and D series in HT quite annoying sometimes, due to sibilance and too clinical. Go figure!!
If you can afford the "D" series I would jump on them pronto. I did ,and I am a very happy camper.
Cheers

I really appreciate the input. I have 703s in my other house setup (more for stereo listening), and although I like them even more - the more I listen to them, it is a different (very accurate, although possibly producing more fatigue) sound than my vintage A/D/S 910s produce - that I have had for more than 30 years. The difference may be best summed up like the difference between listening to CDs versus vinyl.

My ears are still geared/preference towards the smooth and sweet sound response of vinyl. With respect to the "D" vs the "S", would you say that the "D" is more of a CD/digital sound, vs the "S" that may produce a softer sound more like vinyl?

[chinets]

Beden1,
To my ears "D" sound more crystal clear and extremely detailed ,so bad recordings show immediately ,and yes quite sharp and very realistic. On the other hand, "S" is warmer more like the "N" series ,but has sibilance so I personally prefer the "N" more, being both ("S" and "N") extremely neutral and very warm over the "S". :T
Of course the "D" with good recordings is a pleasure and a treat to the ears in all aspects ,very clear,detailed, large sound stage and extremely 3D. All 800 series have great dispersion ,so you can't go WRONG with either or.
I personally like "N" and "S" series for HT and normal recordings in Multi Channel etc.. But for serious auditioning in Stereo Bypass or High Rez stereo "D" are the KING!!! ;x(
This is my opinion ,and I hate to offend anyone as that is what my ears hear, and what I had or have NOW as speakers!!
Cheers

[johan]

D-series is a refined version of Nautilus and therefor of course better. But if you can find a used set of N802's for maybe half the price there is no doubt that it will give you most quality for your money. Difference in sound is not that big, as long as your other stuff is on the same level the N802's is among the very best speakers around for reasonable money.

PS. I have N802's and have listened to 802D a lot. If I would upgrade I would go for 800D or 801D, dont think 802D is worth difference in cost compared to N802. DS.

Good luck!!

[Cambs12]

Interesting discussion..How about Nautilus 800 versus 802d??

I have seen a few sets of the 800s for about 3 uk thousand less than new 802ds,and am curious what would be better value.

[Aldo]

Interesting discussion..How about Nautilus 800 versus 802d??

I have seen a few sets of the 800s for about 3 uk thousand less than new 802ds,and am curious what would be better value.

For some time I had the N800 as fronts and 802D as backs, make your conclutions! :T

[Cambs12]

thanks Aldo!

What would you say the main differences are,i ask because i am hoping in the hopefully not too distant future to apgrade my CDM9nts to either Nautilus or 802ds.And if one was better,but cost a lot less,then my wife would be happier!

[RNKC]

I dropped by the store the other day and decided to listen to the 802D that were setup. I was actually surprised by how different they sounded to my N802. The amps and other stuff they were using were all very similar to mine (it was an all Mark Levinson setup) so really the only thing different was the speaker. (Arguably their listening room is a lot better than mine too though.)

The 802D sounded much more detailed than my N802. Female vocals, particularly high sopranos were literally stunning. But weaker recordings such as those made in the 1960s and remastered as ADD or even AAD showed their flaws in very noticible and quite annoying ways.

When I think about it, this is about par with B&W over the years. The older (pre-Nautilus) speakers were and still are great speakers that are far above average even 20 years on. But the older speakers, while decidedly less detailed than today's D series and the Nautilus lineup, are ultimately more forgiving speakers. Old recordings still sound OK on the old speakers whereas on the newer ones they can and sometimes do sound like garbage.

I generally find that as you move into the newer B&Ws, they sound a lot better but they also demand more from you as a listener and they also demand more from your system. I've got a great amp (Mark Levinson 432) and now a fantastic CD player (Mark Levinson 390s) but if I moved to 802D from my N802, I just know that I would probably want to change my pre-amp (Proceed AVP2) to complete the system upgrade. This is of course, just my own bias but I really do find that top-notch speakers demand top-notch systems. Correspondingly, upgrading a speaker such as B&W tends to lead to greater demands on everything else.

If I had lots of $$$ I would be awfully tempted to go for the 802D as they are better speakers than N802. But I can't say that I'm unhappy with my setup as it is and I doubt that most sane people would complain about having N802. Ultimately I think it's just the knowledge that there's something out there that's better and newer so you get that nagging feeling that it is possible to get a better sound.

Sorry - guess I'm rambling here. In summary then, I really love my N802. But if I was doing it from scratch and if $$$ was not the primary driver, I guess I'd go for 802D.

[melantone]

I dropped by the store the other day and decided to listen to the 802D that were setup. I was actually surprised by how different they sounded to my N802. The amps and other stuff they were using were all very similar to mine (it was an all Mark Levinson setup) so really the only thing different was the speaker. (Arguably their listening room is a lot better than mine too though.)

The 802D sounded much more detailed than my N802. Female vocals, particularly high sopranos were literally stunning. But weaker recordings such as those made in the 1960s and remastered as ADD or even AAD showed their flaws in very noticible and quite annoying ways.

When I think about it, this is about par with B&W over the years. The older (pre-Nautilus) speakers were and still are great speakers that are far above average even 20 years on. But the older speakers, while decidedly less detailed than today's D series and the Nautilus lineup, are ultimately more forgiving speakers. Old recordings still sound OK on the old speakers whereas on the newer ones they can and sometimes do sound like garbage.

I generally find that as you move into the newer B&Ws, they sound a lot better but they also demand more from you as a listener and they also demand more from your system. I've got a great amp (Mark Levinson 432) and now a fantastic CD player (Mark Levinson 390s) but if I moved to 802D from my N802, I just know that I would probably want to change my pre-amp (Proceed AVP2) to complete the system upgrade. This is of course, just my own bias but I really do find that top-notch speakers demand top-notch systems. Correspondingly, upgrading a speaker such as B&W tends to lead to greater demands on everything else.

If I had lots of $$$ I would be awfully tempted to go for the 802D as they are better speakers than N802. But I can't say that I'm unhappy with my setup as it is and I doubt that most sane people would complain about having N802. Ultimately I think it's just the knowledge that there's something out there that's better and newer so you get that nagging feeling that it is possible to get a better sound.

Sorry - guess I'm rambling here. In summary then, I really love my N802. But if I was doing it from scratch and if $$$ was not the primary driver, I guess I'd go for 802D.

Hi fi Choice reviewer (I don't remember his name) found 802d far better than 800n.
In my opinion - I own 802d - 802n are great loudspeakers, too; but differences are worth price.

[sikoniko]

I dropped by the store the other day and decided to listen to the 802D that were setup. I was actually surprised by how different they sounded to my N802. The amps and other stuff they were using were all very similar to mine (it was an all Mark Levinson setup) so really the only thing different was the speaker. (Arguably their listening room is a lot better than mine too though.)

The 802D sounded much more detailed than my N802. Female vocals, particularly high sopranos were literally stunning. But weaker recordings such as those made in the 1960s and remastered as ADD or even AAD showed their flaws in very noticible and quite annoying ways.

When I think about it, this is about par with B&W over the years. The older (pre-Nautilus) speakers were and still are great speakers that are far above average even 20 years on. But the older speakers, while decidedly less detailed than today's D series and the Nautilus lineup, are ultimately more forgiving speakers. Old recordings still sound OK on the old speakers whereas on the newer ones they can and sometimes do sound like garbage.

I generally find that as you move into the newer B&Ws, they sound a lot better but they also demand more from you as a listener and they also demand more from your system. I've got a great amp (Mark Levinson 432) and now a fantastic CD player (Mark Levinson 390s) but if I moved to 802D from my N802, I just know that I would probably want to change my pre-amp (Proceed AVP2) to complete the system upgrade. This is of course, just my own bias but I really do find that top-notch speakers demand top-notch systems. Correspondingly, upgrading a speaker such as B&W tends to lead to greater demands on everything else.

If I had lots of $$$ I would be awfully tempted to go for the 802D as they are better speakers than N802. But I can't say that I'm unhappy with my setup as it is and I doubt that most sane people would complain about having N802. Ultimately I think it's just the knowledge that there's something out there that's better and newer so you get that nagging feeling that it is possible to get a better sound.

Sorry - guess I'm rambling here. In summary then, I really love my N802. But if I was doing it from scratch and if $$$ was not the primary driver, I guess I'd go for 802D.

you know, I have 802n's and have no desire to upgrade. Im going to enjoy what I have for now. Im going to get a new classe ca-3200 amp for the speakers and will just enjoy the system. Sure there is newer out, and better out, but there always will be. I prefer the soundstage and imaging of the 802N to the detail of the 803d, and the jump to the 802d is too much right now.

[Cambs12]

Hi Sikinoko,

You have answered my next question,how the 802n compares to 803d,has anyone else compared these two,please accept my apologies if i should have started a new thread for this topic.
I have the amp and cd player i want for the medium term,the speakers is the last upgrade i want to do,that is why i am desperate to get it right!

[Aldo]

you know, I have 802n's and have no desire to upgrade. Im going to enjoy what I have for now. Im going to get a new classe ca-3200 amp for the speakers and will just enjoy the system. Sure there is newer out, and better out, but there always will be. I prefer the soundstage and imaging of the 802N to the detail of the 803d, and the jump to the 802d is too much right now.

:agree:

[johan]

I have compared N802 to 803D and while 803D may have a slight refined top end the midrange of N802 is far better, it's hard to believe that marlan head does that much for the sound but obviously it does. The bass is also better on N802, nothing wrong with the bass of 803D, it's plenty and it goes deep but compared to N802 it feels kind of surreal, it's more natural on N802. The whole experience is more natural on the N802 I think.

However the 803D is a first class speaker that you certainly would love and in some rooms it may be better suited than N802.

Good luck!!

[Cambs12]

Thanks Johan,

What size of room do you need for N802,my listening room is about 13 feet by 20 long roughly..

[sikoniko]

Thanks Johan,

What size of room do you need for N802,my listening room is about 13 feet by 20 long roughly..

mine is 13 by 18.. you would be fine.