N803 vs 804s vs 805s

[HawkRSX]

It looks like I might be getting a pair of N803. I live in an apartment and am thinking that the N803 might be a little too big. I listen to 80% movies and 20% music.
I am thinking about a few different option.
1. Keep the N803
2. Sell the N803 and buy the 804s and the HTM62 center channel
3. Sell the N803 and buy the 805s and the HTM4s center

What do you think the best option would be?

[rodH]

Sell them and get 800 sig

You might want to also mention that you are running 120 WPC (5X120W Rotel Amp), as this is a huge factor as well. the larger B&Ws require power, lots of it.

[Race Car Driver]

Sell them and get 800 sig

You might want to also mention that you are running 120 WPC (5X120W Rotel Amp), as this is a huge factor as well. the larger B&Ws require power, lots of it.

I used to think that myself.
I agree more power the better!
However I am currently running my N802s, NHTM1, and SCM1's off a 120x7 Yamaha receiver and am quite content for the time being.. even without a sub.

I would choose N803s over any 804 or 805 anyday of the week. 803s are less than 2 inches taller than the 804, and about 2 inches or so deeper, not all that much of a savings in space.

Just my opionion.

[cug]

I would choose N803s over any 804 or 805 anyday of the week. 803s are less than 2 inches taller than the 804, and about 2 inches or so deeper, not all that much of a savings in space.

If you can get them for the same price: agreed. If you have to pay the premium for them: not worth it.

just my 2c

[dan87951]

N803's are definitely worth it over the 804's and 805's. The bass is leaps and bounds ahead of the 804's and 805's!! For an apartment though its probably over kill unless thats one big apartment, plus you will get to the know the neighbors real well with 803's. I recommend 805's and no sub if you want to stay on the neighbors good side or you can be like me and right before you move out hook up your sub and show them who you really are!

[rodH]

N803's are definitely worth it over the 804's and 805's. The bass is leaps and bounds ahead of the 804's and 805's!! For an apartment though its probably over kill unless thats one big apartment, plus you will get to the know the neighbors real well with 803's. I recommend 805's and no sub if you want to stay on the neighbors good side or you can be like me and right before you move out hook up your sub and show them who you really are!

I have heard that some people prefer the 804 over the 803, something about them blending better, etc......I had heard this when I was looking for speakers and ended up with 804s. I have a HUGE sub and a lot of power.

I have also heard someone say that they prefer the N803 over the 803S, and others would call that crazy, so who knows??

btw, why are you running 802 with a Yami receiver? Get rid of that thing, I am a fan of the stuff if you run less expensive speakers, but to make those 802s sing, I think you would benefit with more/better power.

[shep]

Race Car Driver: I doubt the Yamaha receiver can handle the load or control the speakers, even if you aren't listening at high SPLs. Better get a high energy amp for those speakers - use the Yamaha as a pre-amp if you are really attached to it.

[HawkRSX]

Well hopefully I'm not living in an apartment too much longer. Luckily I know my neighbors pretty well and they don't care about the noise.

Does anyone know if there is any truth to rodH's comment about the N803's sounding better than the 803S?

[Race Car Driver]

Race Car Driver: I doubt the Yamaha receiver can handle the load or control the speakers, even if you aren't listening at high SPLs. Better get a high energy amp for those speakers - use the Yamaha as a pre-amp if you are really attached to it.

Ive ran Bryston 7b amps for the last year, and Aragon before that. Just sold them all in the last 2 weeks.

I was conerned myself until I actually hooked it up for a listen... After listening I am not worried about using the reciever on these speakers. The receiver and speakers are doing just fine.

I will be using it until I save some scratch for some Krell stuff.. Until then... no worries and all smiles over here.

[rodH]

Your gonna run KRELL with B&W????? Hmmmm, interesting choice, do your research, I have heard they aren't the best match, but like anything, it is all personal preference

Ive ran Bryston 7b amps for the last year, and Aragon before that. Just sold them all in the last 2 weeks.

I was conerned myself until I actually hooked it up for a listen... After listening I am not worried about using the reciever on these speakers. The receiver and speakers are doing just fine.

I will be using it until I save some scratch for some Krell stuff.. Until then... no worries and all smiles over here.

[sikoniko]

Your gonna run KRELL with B&W????? Hmmmm, interesting choice, do your research, I have heard they aren't the best match, but like anything, it is all personal preference

Krell has some of the best bass response you'll hear. My problem is I can only listen for about 15 minute increments... Too fatiguing.

[RobP]

Regarding the N803's sounding better than the 803's, no, the 803 s has better bass response and the top end is a bit smoother.
I think what the current thought/question is that do they sound that much better for the price difference? most would say no.

[Pedro]

Krell has some of the best bass response you'll hear. My problem is I can only listen for about 15 minute increments... Too fatiguing.

Have you listened some Krell gear with some BW that have Diamond tweeter?

I ask that because usually the Diamond series are much more laidback/smoother than the other series, and could make a good combo with Krell

[HawkRSX]

Thanks for everyone's input, it sounds like I should stick with the N803's.

My next question is what I should do about a center channel? I am on a little bit of a budget and was looking at an HTM61. Will this be sufficient or should I look at a used center at a comparable price?

[Race Car Driver]

IMO i would save for as "good" as a center you can get. You obviously want a center because you watch movies.

I originally was gonna get a used HTM2, and that was with alot of saving. However I bit the bullet and when HTM1 and do not regret it one bit.

I would say you got great fronts, try and match the center as best as you can afford.
I dont know what the HTM61s go for, but used HTM2s go for anywhere between 500-700.

I used an HTM2 a few weeks ago and was impressed with it, as long as you have a good sub I think that would do just fine.

[dan87951]

Its all subjective! To me the 803's are much better bargin than the 804's on the used market. I have a big room to fill, so to me the 803's sound stage is much bigger over the 804's not only that it fills the room ALOT better with bass than the 804's ever could! Yea the 804's are a great speaker for smaller rooms and would be great for his apartment but don't even tell me most people prefer the 804's over the 803's cause thats all news to me! There is a few pair of used 803's on the GON for around 2500-2800 bux, thats what used 804's go for! Seems like a no brainer to me!? Good Luck with it!

[HawkRSX]

Race Car,
How does the sub have relate to what center I get? My sub is probably going to be the weakest part of my system.

[Race Car Driver]

If you are watching movies, the center is the most important speaker as the majority of what you hear is from the center speaker.

If the center is weak, the movie will be weak. I suppose the sub can help with that bottom end. (even though sub is for "sub bass")


If you have a decent sub, you can "afford" to "skimp" on center.

All my opinion.

[rodH]

Its all subjective! To me the 803's are much better bargin than the 804's on the used market. I have a big room to fill, so to me the 803's sound stage is much bigger over the 804's not only that it fills the room ALOT better with bass than the 804's ever could! Yea the 804's are a great speaker for smaller rooms and would be great for his apartment but don't even tell me most people prefer the 804's over the 803's cause thats all news to me! There is a few pair of used 803's on the GON for around 2500-2800 bux, thats what used 804's go for! Seems like a no brainer to me!? Good Luck with it!

The used market is irrelevent in this situation, he is being "given" a set of 803 or 804s. Actually I am in line to get the 803 and give him my 804 (he is my bro, and my dad is getting some 802d and passing down the 803). The 803 is black and large. I have a pretty small to medium size room and the pair of 804 with a GREAT sub (when I got the 804, I was told the 804 actually "blended" better than the 803, and all kinds of other stuff.). I also have the light cherry which I really really like compared to the ash black of the 803. I think I am keeping my 804 and let my little bro get the 803s.

[sikoniko]

Have you listened some Krell gear with some BW that have Diamond tweeter?

I ask that because usually the Diamond series are much more laidback/smoother than the other series, and could make a good combo with Krell

I have heard a pair of 802d's powered by a full CAST system powered by the 2 ch preamp and the 700W fbwhatever it was...

Very impressive in short doses!

[rodH]

why do you guys want to listen to gear that is fatiguing? If it hurts your ears, that is NOT good (otherwise we would all own Klipsch). I am not sure that it what it is supposed to be all about, I was always taught that it should be very soothing on your ears to the point where you might want to turn it up a bit more and you listen, NOT to the point where you want to turn it down as you listen.

[Pedro]

I have heard a pair of 802d's powered by a full CAST system powered by the 2 ch preamp and the 700W fbwhatever it was...

Very impressive in short doses!

right... I´ve seen some posts where you said you have listened the Evolution series. Have you heard the Evo with some BW model?? Or do you think the EVOs arent so bright than the FPB series??

thanks in advance!