801d and 800d

[thaile88]

Hi all!!

Do you have any experience compare A/B between the 801D and 800D? If you do can you tell me something about it.

1: Is the bass between the 800d and 801D that much difference? (the punch, bass-weight, deep,v..v?????)

2: i think in the 800d model, B&w put a totally difference cross-over(better) than what they put in the 801d and 802D. Is it help? Did it help the 800d sound more details, open, wider-sound stage than the other?????

3: Overall dynamic, which one have better sound? (800d or 801d)

Thnk
I will appreciate all your reply.

[RebelMan]

1: Is the bass between the 800d and 801D that much difference? (the punch, bass-weight, deep,v..v?????)

The 801D delivers more bass extension but the 800D delivers more bass accuracy.

2: i think in the 800d model, B&w put a totally difference cross-over(better) than what they put in the 801d and 802D. Is it help? Did it help the 800d sound more details, open, wider-sound stage than the other?????

Yes, yes and yes.

3: Overall dynamic, which one have better sound? (800d or 801d)

The 800D is quicker and more dynamic but the 801D can pack a punch.

If you have the room and need the lowest octaves then the 801D maybe the ticket. My preference was the 800D for it's brilliant presentation balanced across the entire spectrum.

[DM3000 Owner]

Hi all!!

Do you have any experience compare A/B between the 801D and 800D? If you do can you tell me something about it.

1: Is the bass between the 800d and 801D that much difference? (the punch, bass-weight, deep,v..v?????)

2: i think in the 800d model, B&w put a totally difference cross-over(better) than what they put in the 801d and 802D. Is it help? Did it help the 800d sound more details, open, wider-sound stage than the other?????

3: Overall dynamic, which one have better sound? (800d or 801d)

Thnk
I will appreciate all your reply.

I don't have the D's, but I have the N801's and Signature 800's. I can say that they are more similar than different. Imaging is a little different on the S800's (maybe bigger and higher up).

I do need to state that my room is very large and I have always needed a subwoofer, even with speakers with 15" woofers so I cannot really speak to the differences in bass response.

[beden1]

I read somewhere in an article directly from B&W, that proper room placement and acoustics are critical for the 801Ds to perform properly. I think they also said that the 801Ds were more designed to be in controlled environments like studios. It was mentioned that the 800Ds were designed to perform well in the normal everyday home environment.

[DM3000 Owner]

I read somewhere in an article directly from B&W, that proper room placement and acoustics are critical for the 801Ds to perform properly. I think they also said that the 801Ds were more designed to be in controlled environments like studios. It was mentioned that the 800Ds were designed to perform well in the normal everyday home environment.

I found placement to be relatively easy for the N801's and the S800's. Again, no overwhelming bass issues either.

[thaile88]

HI! Thank you

Thank you guy for reply.
That is exactly what i am looking for.
:T
Appreciate it.
So i think i should go for the 800D.

Just one more question FOR RebelMan

You said "The 801D delivers more bass extension over the 800D"
SO IS THE BASS-EXTENSION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 801D AND 800D BIG OR JUST A LITTLE BIT"

If anybody also know about the bass-extension, Please tell me more about it
:B

[RebelMan]

Just one more question FOR RebelMan

You said "The 801D delivers more bass extension over the 800D"
SO IS THE BASS-EXTENSION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 801D AND 800D BIG OR JUST A LITTLE BIT"

Relatively noticeable.

[wettou]

Relatively noticeable.

I personally would get the 800D and a couple of JLAudio Fathom F113 or the Gotham

[Pedro]

I do need to state that my room is very large and I have always needed a subwoofer, even with speakers with 15" woofers so I cannot really speak to the differences in bass response.

How larger is your room to still use SW ?

[DM3000 Owner]

How larger is your room to still use SW ?

My family room and kitchen are one room,about 19' x 50' x 9'

[wettou]

My family room and kitchen are one room,about 19' x 50' x 9'

You will need several subs to fill that kind of space.

Check out the new JL Audio Fathom F212 :T

[Pedro]

My family room and kitchen are one room,about 19' x 50' x 9'

My Goodness ;x( , that represents almost 88 square meters ??

[wettou]

My Goodness ;x( , that represents almost 88 square meters ??

Yes this is real American size for you super size everything that is why there is so much Obesity in the US ovr 60% of adults are obese!!!! Which explains the mega houses, mega sofas, mega cars......:B

[Allegiance]

My family room and kitchen are one room,about 19' x 50' x 9'

Holy hell! :E

[Luke Skywalker]

wow
:E

[Matt M.]

Hi all!!

Do you have any experience compare A/B between the 801D and 800D? If you do can you tell me something about it.

Yes, quite often...

1: Is the bass between the 800d and 801D that much difference? (the punch, bass-weight, deep,v..v?????)

801D has deeper bass, more punchy and dynamic too...

2: i think in the 800d model, B&w put a totally difference cross-over(better) than what they put in the 801d and 802D. Is it help? Did it help the 800d sound more details, open, wider-sound stage than the other

800D is more detailed, and also more subtle, more clear.

3: Overall dynamic, which one have better sound? (800d or 801d)

No doubt: 801D. It is more dynamic, more "alive", wereas the 800D is more
"fluid", subtle, and more "calm".

Last point: contrary to appearencies, the 801D is much less demanding
regarding the amplifier.

In sort, both are awesome and each is its advantages. Some can prefer
the 800 whereas others will prefer the 801.

My personal opinion is...a clear preference for the 801D.

Rgds
Matt

[beden1]

Yes, quite often...

801D has deeper bass, more punchy and dynamic too...

800D is more detailed, and also more subtle, more clear.

No doubt: 801D. It is more dynamic, more "alive", wereas the 800D is more
"fluid", subtle, and more "calm".

Last point: contrary to appearencies, the 801D is much less demanding
regarding the amplifier.

In sort, both are awesome and each is its advantages. Some can prefer
the 800 whereas others will prefer the 801.

My personal opinion is...a clear preference for the 801D.

Rgds
Matt

Thank you for the nice comparison between these two speakers. I agree with your impressions. I thought I was one of the very few who liked the 801D. Everytime I ask a B&W dealer about their impressions of the 801D, they just say they don't like it. In fact, most I've visited don't even display a pair in their demo rooms.

I had the opportunity of finally listening to a pair this year and I really liked the 801Ds, and also felt they were more dynamic. The only issue that I have is that they look like monsters, even as compared to the 800Ds.

It's interesting that you mentioned they were less power hungry. I had asked that during the audition, but got a differing opinion from the dealer. I asked this as I sensed they seemed to be more "alive", and with more breathing room when powered with the CAM-400s as compared to the 800Ds.

[Matt M.]

I had the opportunity of finally listening to a pair this year and I really liked the 801Ds, and also felt they were more dynamic. The only issue that I have is that they look like monsters, even as compared to the 800Ds.

Yes they do !
But they sound so well...

It's interesting that you mentioned they were less power hungry. I had asked that during the audition, but got a differing opinion from the dealer..

Maybe many of them (dealers or not), still have the impression let by
previous series. The 801 Nautilus indeed, was particularly difficult to drive
and to integrate in a domestic environment.
However, it is no more the case with the 801D...

This review from "hifi world" (available on BW's home page), is extremely instructive:

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1158&terid=1346&sc=hf

In particular this section:
"Where the 801Ds score over [Yamaha] NS1000Ms, and in a massively convincing way,
is their amplifier friendliness. Yams will eviscerate any half-decent amp
that’s called upon to drive them, and simply start to say, ‘come and
have a go if you think you’re hard enough’ (and few amps are). But the
801Ds are a far, far more forgiving load. This means that they’ll go loud
with surprisingly few watts, and not tax valve amplifier output transformers
either. For me personally, this is the ‘genius move' of the B&Ws."

I asked this as I sensed they seemed to be more "alive", and with more breathing room when powered with the CAM-400s as compared to the 800Ds.

And you were right !

My experience with both of these speakers made me totally agree with
the author of this review.
With its two 10" woofers, the 800D is, regardless of its outstandind sound
quality, a much less forgiving load.

Cdlt
Matt

[DM3000 Owner]

Yes this is real American size for you super size everything that is why there is so much Obesity in the US ovr 60% of adults are obese!!!! Which explains the mega houses, mega sofas, mega cars......:B

Easy cowboy. I'm 6'1" and weigh 184 lb. But yes, you are generally right.

[wettou]

Easy cowboy. I'm 6'1" and weigh 184 lb. But yes, you are generally right.

Didn't mean to offend any one we just need to go exercise and eat smaller portions!! The 801D weight more that I do and yes I am much taller 5'9"

[DM3000 Owner]

Didn't mean to offend any one we just need to go exercise and eat smaller portions!! The 801D weight more that I do and yes I am much taller 5'9"

None taken.

As for finish, try the 801's in black with black grills.

[beden1]

None taken.

As for finish, try the 801's in black with black grills.

I was just on the B&W website, and they only listed Rosewood and Cherry finishes.

I also found it stange that they do not list size specs for these speakers. Those sections were blank?

Does this mean they are phasing out this speaker?

I could only use black to go with my other speakers. Not that I am ready to jump on them at this point.

[Pedro]

About the colours, the rosewood is the best for 800D/801D IMHO

[wettou]

About the colours, the rosewood is the best for 800D/801D IMHO

It depends on your taste, I agree the rosewood looks very nice, the Cherry is not bad either it depends on the look you are looking for! :P

[DM3000 Owner]

About the colours, the rosewood is the best for 800D/801D IMHO

it is all personal preference. The old 801 with a 12" woffer had better proportions. The 15" woofer gives the newer 801's an odd proportion and the other colors seem to call attention to the circles that break up the front.

When I bought my N801's I did not want black, but after having them and putting the grills on I found that I prefer the black to the other finishes because it accents teh speakers outter lines rather than its big circles.

[wettou]

When I bought my N801's I did not want black, but after having them and putting the grills on I found that I prefer the black to the other finishes because it accents teh speakers outter lines rather than its big circles.

What a beast I could never get this in my house

[beden1]

it is all personal preference. The old 801 with a 12" woffer had better proportions. The 15" woofer gives the newer 801's an odd proportion and the other colors seem to call attention to the circles that break up the front.

When I bought my N801's I did not want black, but after having them and putting the grills on I found that I prefer the black to the other finishes because it accents teh speakers outter lines rather than its big circles.

I agree with you that black is the right color for this speaker. The other colors make the unit look too alien with the large circle bass speaker.

Your system must sound excellent, and very full bodied with those 800's and 801s.

I'd like to see more pictures of your setup, and with what is the size of your room?

[DM3000 Owner]

I agree with you that black is the right color for this speaker. The other colors make the unit look too alien with the large circle bass speaker.

Your system must sound excellent, and very full bodied with those 800's and 801s.

I'd like to see more pictures of your setup, and with what is the size of your room?

N801's are gone. I just run 2 channel with the Signatures. Every once in a while I put the DM3000's in (Great 20+ year old B&W speakers that I tuned up)

[beden1]

N801's are gone. I just run 2 channel with the Signatures. Every once in a while I put the DM3000's in (Great 20+ year old B&W speakers that I tuned up)

So I guess that means you like your Signatures better than the N801's. What was the primary benefit of the ones you have now over the other?

[DM3000 Owner]

So I guess that means you like your Signatures better than the N801's. What was the primary benefit of the ones you have now over the other?

Signatures benefits: The Signatures are prettier and should go up in value.

N801's Benefits: The N801's are significantly less expensive and have a grill for the woofer to ward off evil spirits (my cleaning people).

[wettou]

Signatures benefits: The Signatures are prettier and should go up in value. N801's Benefits: The N801's are significantly less expensive and have a grill for the woofer to ward off evil spirits (my cleaning people).

Let me know when you see a pair of Speakers go up in value, they are worst than cars the minute you take them out of the dealer they drop in value by 50% (thanks to the dealer mark-up) Check Audiogon and see what I mean!!:B

[DM3000 Owner]

Let me know when you see a pair of Speakers go up in value, they are worst than cars the minute you take them out of the dealer they drop in value by 50% (thanks to the dealer mark-up) Check Audiogon and see what I mean!!:B

Signatures are not available new. They should hold their value and possibly go up (not a lot). This is especially true if I want to ship them to Japan.

I was interested in a pair of N805's for my office a while ago. They sell for more now than they did a year ago (generally) because the new speakers have been getting more expensive.

[wettou]

Signatures are not available new. They should hold their value and possibly go up (not a lot). This is especially true if I want to ship them to Japan. I was interested in a pair of N805's for my office a while ago. They sell for more now than they did a year ago (generally) because the new speakers have been getting more expensive.

No offense but a lot of people in Japan is well know to pay premium prices for brand ever spend time in Hawaii!

Any way the best to you if you think they are an investment great, sure better than the stock market!:B

[DM3000 Owner]

No offense but a lot of people in Japan is well know to pay premium prices for brand ever spend time in Hawaii!

Any way the best to you if you think they are an investment great, sure better than the stock market!:B

I don't understand your first sentence and yes, I have every cent to my name in these speakers and I am counting on them to retire. :T

[sikoniko]

my dealer wants to get rid of his signatures from his personal system and replace them with 802d's...

[DM3000 Owner]

Does he just have the S800's or does he have a complete surround system and where is he located?

[wettou]

I don't understand your first sentence and yes, I have every cent to my name in these speakers and I am counting on them to retire. :T

What I mean is that in Japan B&W speakers commend a premium price and you will be able to sell them at a premium that is all. :T

[sikoniko]

Does he just have the S800's or does he have a complete surround system and where is he located?

PM'd you. forgot to tell you where he is located. Will tell further through PM.

[DM3000 Owner]

What I mean is that in Japan B&W speakers commend a premium price and you will be able to sell them at a premium that is all. :T

Cool, then I am on my way to retirement. :P :T I actually called on a pair of S800's that were sold to someone in Japan at a premium.

In any event, I am not looking at these as an investment, but they should hold their value and may go up. I had a pair of rare Klipschorns in tigerwood (6 pairs made) and they did go up in value.

[wettou]

Cool, then I am on my way to retirement. :P :T I actually called on a pair of S800's that were sold to someone in Japan at a premium. In any event, I am not looking at these as an investment, but they should hold their value and may go up. I had a pair of rare Klipschorns in tigerwood (6 pairs made) and they did go up in value.

Cool :T