40th Signature Diamond

[akhter]

Hmmmmmmmm....wonder if i should ask my dealer about the possibility of a trade for my 802Ds...I really don't need all that bass and my room is so small I kind of like the idea of going for the smaller, more detailed speaker.

Ahh....bitten by the bug again. Don't wait too long as they are 'limited'

[Pato]

If Carmen Electra has deficient "bottom" I'm looking at the wrong pictures!

Pardon my french but less doesn't mean deficient... :W

[Maverick71]

Hmmmmmmmm....wonder if i should ask my dealer about the possibility of a trade for my 802Ds...I really don't need all that bass and my room is so small I kind of like the idea of going for the smaller, more detailed speaker.

If you love your 802D now, you'll miss them after trading them with these....

Mav

[DeepEndX]

Tripletes!!!

[Gremal]

If you love your 802D now, you'll miss them after trading them with these....

I'd miss the Rohacell in the lows. The 802D are just too perfect an all-around speaker.

[Russ L]

I wonder how many have been sold so far...for 18K? 3?or4? :P Just imagine, in three years time when only 8 or 9 have been sold I could probably get a pair for $2000. They might look alot better then! -Russ

[Briz vegas]

I wonder how many have been sold so far...for 18K? 3?or4? :P Just imagine, in three years time when only 8 or 9 have been sold I could probably get a pair for $2000. They might look alot better then! -Russ

Ever seen the film "The Castle".........you're dreamin' mate!

[misterdoggy]

Looks Like

UP PERISCOPE

me no like

[dknightd]

I can (pun intended) only hope they look better in person.

[Audiophiliac]

Has anyone had the chance to listen to these yet?

[hillen]

40th Signature Diamond

In Germany a reviewer compared the Sig 40 with the 802 D's.
His finding is, the 802 D's do have MUCH MORE DYNAMIC HEADROOM, and is more authorative while listening to big works like the Verdi Requiem and Organ music. He also got the impression, the 802's are superior in the bass range, going MUCH deeper. Big drums were MUCH more convincing on the 802 D's. Also his impresion is, the 802's plays MUCH louder without any sign of stress.
He is wondering, why the Sig 40 is 50% more expensive than the 802 D's HE PREFERS.

[jack667]

Strange.. don't see the appeal with these to be honest. I don't like the way they look, and I'm sure the 802s sound better.

[Russ L]

40th Anniversary Signature Diamond

He is wondering, why the Sig 40 is 50% more expensive than the 802 D's HE PREFERS.

Him and the rest of us. Personally, I can think of better ways of celibrating a 40th Anniversary. 8O Guess I can forgive B&W they don't make many mistakes. The DM602.5 comes to mind but thats a much less costly mistake.

[scottsol]

I am a B&W dealer and saw the Signature Diamonds up close and personal during a factory tour a few weeks ago. Like most of you, my reaction to their look based on the photos was extremely negative, but after seeing the real thing I have completely changed my mind.

Those of you in the Chicago area will have a chance to see for yourself as my company, Audio Consultants, is hosting what we believe is the first public demonstration in the U.S. of these speakers. Dr. John Dibb, the lead designer of the speakers and Mike Gough, B&W's head of product development will be here to discuss both the Signature Diamonds and B&W designs in general.

The presentations are from 7PM to 9PM and will be at our Evanston store on September 11 and our Hinsdale store on September 12. If you wish to attend you will need to reserve a spot by calling 847-864-9565 for Evanston and 630-789-1990 for Hinsdale.

For those of you not familiar with Audio Consultants let me assure you that there will be absolutely no effort made by any of our employees to sell you anything.... and refreshments will be served

[Andrew M Ward]

I wonder how many have been sold so far...for 18K? 3?or4? :P Just imagine, in three years time when only 8 or 9 have been sold I could probably get a pair for $2000. They might look alot better then! -Russ

Last I heard all of them were sold....

[Aldo]

Sold!

[scottsol]

Dealers have committed to almost all of the speakers earmarked for the North American market, I don' know about the rest of the world.

No doubt some dealers will not need all the units they committed too, but others will need more and it's pretty clear that B&W is not going to have a problem selling all the speakers they plan on producing.

[Russ L]

Dealers have committed to almost all of the speakers earmarked for the North American market, I don' know about the rest of the world.

No doubt some dealers will not need all the units they committed too, but others will need more and it's pretty clear that B&W is not going to have a problem selling all the speakers they plan on producing.

Thats surprising. Do you know how many were committed to the N.A. market? How many were manufactured in total? My B&W dealer has never had anything above an 803D let alone risk bringing in a pr. of Sig Diamonds. -Russ

[scottsol]

My understanding is that B&W is going to produce 500 pair with 200 of them for over here. It will take about 18 months to make them all which is about 1.3 pair per work day. The finish on these speakers is exquisite but very labor intensive. B&W had to develop a proprietary method for it which they are guarding quite closely. We were allowed to take photos of everything at the factory except the Signature Diamond production.

To put this in perspective- B&W is selling about 12 pair a month of the Nautilus which go for $60,000 US.

Chris Andow from Advance Electronics was on the trip and I'm sure he would enjoy talking to you about it.

[Russ L]

Chris Andow from Advance Electronics was on the trip and I'm sure he would enjoy talking to you about it.

Thanks...I'll talk to Chris. I'm sure he'll enjoy the change from me bothering him to take home equipment to audition. -Russ

[Andrew M Ward]

My understanding is that B&W is going to produce 500 pair with 200 of them for over here. It will take about 18 months to make them all which is about 1.3 pair per work day. The finish on these speakers is exquisite but very labor intensive. B&W had to develop a proprietary method for it which they are guarding quite closely. We were allowed to take photos of everything at the factory except the Signature Diamond production.

To put this in perspective- B&W is selling about 12 pair a month of the Nautilus which go for $60,000 US.

Chris Andow from Advance Electronics was on the trip and I'm sure he would enjoy talking to you about it.

FYI: Sold out..!!!!
you you can get in line and purchase a pair from your dealer... but Bowers & Wilkins is sold out..

product over...

:Z

they've moved on... new stuff on the way...

[Relentless]

Those of you in the Chicago area will have a chance to see for yourself as my company, Audio Consultants, is hosting what we believe is the first public demonstration in the U.S. of these speakers. Dr. John Dibb, the lead designer of the speakers and Mike Gough, B&W's head of product development will be here to discuss both the Signature Diamonds and B&W designs in general.

Are you guys going to use the Boulder processor and amp with the Ayre CDP or is B&W requesting you audition them with Classe equipment?

[Aldo]

My understanding is that B&W is going to produce 500 pair with 200 of them for over here. It will take about 18 months to make them all which is about 1.3 pair per work day. The finish on these speakers is exquisite but very labor intensive. B&W had to develop a proprietary method for it which they are guarding quite closely. We were allowed to take photos of everything at the factory except the Signature Diamond production.

To put this in perspective- B&W is selling about 12 pair a month of the Nautilus which go for $60,000 US.

Chris Andow from Advance Electronics was on the trip and I'm sure he would enjoy talking to you about it.

B&W make about 2 Nautilus pairs per month, in more than 10 years they made about 300 pairs. It takes 8 weeks just for the paint job.

[scottsol]

Are you guys going to use the Boulder processor and amp with the Ayre CDP or is B&W requesting you audition them with Classe equipment?

We haven't had any discussions about this, but I suspect we'll end up using Classe. Eventually we hope to have a pair on "permanent" display and then you can listen to them with anything you want!

[Russ L]

Those of you in the Chicago area will have a chance to see for yourself as my company, Audio Consultants, is hosting what we believe is the first public demonstration in the U.S. of these speakers. Dr. John Dibb, the lead designer of the speakers and Mike Gough, B&W's head of product development will be here to discuss both the Signature Diamonds and B&W designs in general.

I'd like to hear that presentation. B&W claims the Signature Diamond is the best sounding 2-way speaker in the world. Maybe the unusual shape to the cabinet contributes to that sound. As well as the marble enclosure for the Diamond tweeter. If it sounds like no other speaker (in a distinctive way) then people could live with the looks. And the sea weed Wakame finish is much better than the bathroom white. -Russ

[RedWolf]

I would happily pay the price for the Signature Diamond if they stand up to the claims and I would buy 4, 2 in front and 2 in back. Number one reason is the size. I don't have the room for oversized 803, 802 or let alone the 800 series. The Signature Diamond is smaller than an 804. I wish B&W would realize there is a market for over engineered boutique equipment and quit letting price drive product. Currently I am planning a trip to preview the Lumen White at the factory, the cost of my trip is clearly half of the cost of these Signature Diamonds but the Lumen White is over $100k and I cannot get a dealer to get a pair of the Signature Diamonds to audition. They compare it to buying a collectors watch, but I have plenty of those already.

[Audiophiliac]

Well we got a set of Wakame Sig. Diamonds in! 2 things....in person, they look much smaller and much better than any pics you have seen. I only had a short listen....and they arent broken in yet, but they do sound much bigger than they are.....and have more bass than I expected.

[Race Car Driver]

Well we got a set of Wakame Sig. Diamonds in! 2 things....in person, they look much smaller and much better than any pics you have seen. I only had a short listen....and they arent broken in yet, but they do sound much bigger than they are.....and have more bass than I expected.

Pics now, or you are banned.

[Audiophiliac]

ban me....i dare you

[Joey_V]

ban me....i dare you

Pics here or on Martin Logan Owners forum or I'll ban you there and RaceCar will ban you here.

[AlanB]

Hi fi Choice - The Collection 2007.
'It took the place of 800D's in the listening room. While it obviously lacked the weight, muscularity and bottom end of its larger brother it compensated very effectively through coherence, sweetness, delicacy and sheer charm. Male voices have a delightful continuity, free from chestiness, though bass guitars do lack a little punch and the low bass could be tighter. It was a delight to listen to and a fine musical communicator while the top end detail supplied by the tweeter seemed marginally superior to the 800D. Perhaps the chunk of marble has a beneficial mass -loading effect.
Sweet, first class imaging, fine lateral psitioning and good depth perspectives, no audible boxiness. Wide dispersion slightly diluted by contributions from listening room reflections. This might reduce the monitoring precision but at the same time it creates a more convincing ippusion of bringing the musicians into the room, a trade off and a matter of taste which many listeners will undoubtebly favour.'
Having a small room if I could afford them I'd love them in place of my 805S's. Wonder if they'll do a straight swap?????

[Aldo]

I'll post some pictures soon!

[Russ L]

I'll post some pictures soon!

Did you buy a pair? To go with your Nautilus? We want pics of marble tweeters and seaweed coloured cabinets! ;h Wakame ;h wakame ;h wakame ;h

[Race Car Driver]

Someone better post pics soon or you all are going to be banned!

[bullitt731]

[QUOTE=Race Car Driver]Someone better post pics soon or you all are going to be banned!

My AD is having an open house on Nov 1st with reps coming in from Rotel, Classe (which they are just picking up), and B&W. He said they would be bring in a set of the Diamonds for this event. If they actually show up I will definately get pictures. :T

[Greg Gale]

Yes I have heard them

Interesting look, but I think I'll stick to the 800 series myself. Anyone heard them yet?

My local dealer in Chicago had the engineers who developed the speaker give a presentation of the speaker and played a variety of different types of music using Classe Delta mono blocks. I must say the sound from the signatures was incredible through the mid bass all the way up to the treble. This is a classic two way design with a minimal cross-over which sounded very clean. I own N802 and my dealer which I have known for a long time owns the 802D's and we both admitted the Signature edges out the 802D in the midrange and treble for clarity however in the bass the 802D (802N) is far more dynamic with low frequencies you can feel in your bones.

Since I am a heavy rocker I need to feel bass slam and therefore the Signature would not be the speaker for me, but if I was into jazz, or classical type music, they would be tough to beat.

They are quite expensive ($18,000) at pair and look quite nice in the dark finish. I am sure they will sell out quite quickly and become a classic B&W two way statement design.

[Aldo]

Did you buy a pair? To go with your Nautilus? We want pics of marble tweeters and seaweed coloured cabinets! ;h Wakame ;h wakame ;h wakame ;h

Sorry, White for me!

[Audiophiliac]

Id like to see a pair in white.....

Anyway. I had a chance to sit down and really listen to some music on the Sig. Diamonds and WOW....these are amazing little speakers...best B&W speaker I have heard since Silver Sig/Sig 30 days gone by! And I could even live without a sub with them if I had too! They have way more depth and extension that I would have ever thought! They do everything a 800D does, only a little bit better.....without that last eek of bass extension.

[Audiophiliac]

http://www.hostdub.com/Audiophiliac_album06

[RebelMan]

They do everything a 800D does, only a little bit better...

That's a pretty strong statement Audiophilliac. The 800D are world class and they look the part too. Maybe it was the excitement of the moment? First impressions can do that sometimes. How were the two demoed to leave you with such an impression?

[Audiophiliac]

Its just that...my impression.

[RebelMan]

Its just that...my impression.

True, and I am interested to know how the 800D was demoed to give you that impression, if you please.

[wolfgang]

http://www.hostdub.com/Audiophiliac_album06

The painted verneer is much better then the white dustbin look but still way over priced.

[RebelMan]

The painted verneer is much better then the white dustbin look but still way over priced.

Agreed.

It's probably their finest two-way to date but it's only advantage over the larger floor-standers is its obvious smaller foot print. The marble tweeter gains some resonate damping properies but are necessary to compensate for the shorten transmission tube.

MDF can also be an improvement over sandwich plywood if done properly but for the critical midrange the Marlan composite is more inert and a better choice of materials.

Coupled with the lack of low frequency drivers the Signature Diamond becomes nothing more than a statement of compromise compared to the 800D. It's not intended for mainstream listening. Rather its place is as a converstational piece. Although the smaller size has Paul Messenger reeling he would keep the 800D instead.

Though I bet it would give the Magico Mini 2 a run for its money. I could take interest in the Signature if it came in high-gloss piano black. The choice of white still makes me wonder what the heck were they thinking. :roll:

[Russ L]

http://www.hostdub.com/Audiophiliac_album06

Thx for the pics. The wakame version of the Sigs is incredible with the "burled(?)" finish. I detested the white appliance look. And the sound is world class as well... May be the answer for those looking for true high end but only have a small to medium size room. -Russ