It is time to come home to "Marlan Head" country

[ShadowZA]

Took the plunge and invested in a new pair of 802D's as front L & R. The 803D's have been moved to surround duty & the Nautilus 804's are being sold.

The reasons for this upgrade:

1. It has always been my intention to aim for a pair of 802D's.
2. Diamond tweeters all around.
3. A greater percentage (80%) of my own listening is 2 channel & the 802D's certainly will deliver (the 803D's do deliver too, no complaints at all here, but what's life without a bit of something better thrown in for good measure). In addition, to this I have the Krell KAV amps setup such that Front Left speaker is driven by a channel on the KAV 3250 & the Front Right speaker by a channel on the KAV 2250. Also, the amps receive power from separate wall sockets. So for 2 channel critical music listening, one could say that the amps are being used as dual monoblocks, each channel having its own independent 2000VA Krell power supply. The HTM2D, even though not perfectly timbre matched to the 802D's, should be adequate as a centre for movies & live music. There is no space or inclination to get an HTM1D. If I wanted to go for absolute perfection then, for me, that would be 3 x 800D's (plus amp upgrade, etc) for a seamless front end. But there are always compromises and these are mine.

Overkill to have 803D's as surrounds? Maybe!

Excellent advice was given to me regarding a way to go being: "Keep the Nautilus 804's as surrounds and rather sell the 803D's, replacing them with the 802D's." This would have been better financially plus it can be said that the Nautilus 804's perform quite adequately as surrounds. I wholeheartedly agree with this advice and would suggest it to anyone who is planning to do something similar to what I've done.

But ... I'm a little bit stubborn plus I love the diamond tweeters. I hope that I can be forgiven for this.

[ChrisssB]

Congrats ShadowZA! :T enjoy

[mjb]

Nice! Congratulations.
Couple of questions: how far away do you sit, and is that a carpeted panel behind the TV?

[Pedro]

Fucking awesome Shadow!!!!! Congrats!!!!!

I´m still waiting for a huge review comparing the old 803D with the new ones.

[Allegiance]

They look really nice :B

[style]

Congrats ShadowZA :T

For me the 802D is the Top (personaly the 800D &Co. are tooooo Big/Much!!)


Cool, no words. :E

Greetings from Switzerland
Omar

[ShadowZA]

Thank you

[ShadowZA]

Nice! Congratulations.
Couple of questions: how far away do you sit, and is that a carpeted panel behind the TV?

I sit exactly 10 feet away as measured from the center of the rack. Yup, the back wall is carpeted, same as the floor (blend is 90% wool & 10% nylon).

[ShadowZA]

At this point I've clocked up 1 hour of listening to Stacey Kent (Collection II) & Paul Brown (White Sand). I am finding that the imaging is more 3 dimensional than that of the 803D's. It is as if the sound does not eminate from speakers but rather a sound stage. Make no mistake, the 803D's are awesome, but imho it seems as if the 802D's are going to be just that little bit better.

[Allegiance]

At this point I've clocked up 1 hour of listening to Stacey Kent (Collection II) & Paul Brown (White Sand). I am finding that the imaging is more 3 dimensional than that of the 803D's. It is as if the sound does not eminate from speakers but rather a sound stage. Make no mistake, the 803D's are awesome, but imho it seems as if the 802D's are going to be just that little bit better.

I hope they are better than just a bit :E :P

[sikoniko]

At this point I've clocked up 1 hour of listening to Stacey Kent (Collection II) & Paul Brown (White Sand). I am finding that the imaging is more 3 dimensional than that of the 803D's. It is as if the sound does not eminate from speakers but rather a sound stage. Make no mistake, the 803D's are awesome, but imho it seems as if the 802D's are going to be just that little bit better.

This is very characteristic of the marlan head and the reason why I like the 802Ns better than the 803D's.

congrats on your upgrade! looks great. :T

[scanido]

congrats on the new speakers Shadow, you got a gorgeous setup going with the cherry/black theme!

In the early hours with them, how are they comparing to your 803D's?

[ShadowZA]

congrats on the new speakers Shadow, you got a gorgeous setup going with the cherry/black theme!

In the early hours with them, how are they comparing to your 803D's?

I love the 803D's. But ... I am loving the 802D's more. Their soundstage is fantastic!

[ShadowZA]

Thank you. I appreciate the comments.

[beden1]

I love the 803D's. But ... I am loving the 802D's more. Their soundstage is fantastic!

The same soundstage you're noticing, I am now getting as well with my 803D's. After having my CP-500 serviced and adding the CAM-350's, I am mesmerized by the great soundstage in stereo.

But, the soundstage may be most affected by the quality of the amps powering the speakers.

I have been contemplating moving up to the 800D's, so have been spending a lot of time in listening lately. So far, I think I'm going to be happy staying with the 803D's.

Congrats on your new addition.

[style]

Hallo ShadowZA,

How much (meter) do you have between the two mains?

You have an inclination towards the audience of 40 degrees(+ or -) or not?

the 803d surround what are distant? (from your audience)

Omar

P.S.

A nice combo with 5 speakers, one in black, cherrywood, rosenut,...
well I think will be not so bad!!!)
what do you think about?

[Ash]

Beautiful addition, to your already great system. I'm sure you will enjoy them very much. The sound is better, so are the looks of the 802s, you just have to have that marlan head. :T

[ShadowZA]

Here are a few angles and measurements in metres:



Red square = listening position

[ShadowZA]

Beautiful addition, to your already great system. I'm sure you will enjoy them very much. The sound is better, so are the looks of the 802s, you just have to have that marlan head. :T

Thank you, Ash. I recall that it took a while for me to get used to the 803D's after originally having the Nautilus 804's as fronts. A problem that I had with the 803D's is their height. Now it's perfect. The height of the 803D's as surrounds is exactly what is needed in terms of tweeters not being "hidden" behind the couch. Oh, and wife likes the 802D's too.

[Indytown]

Shadow,
Congrat's on the new 802's. I think the HTM2D the way you have them is perfect. The tweeters across the front stage are at ear height, you have a perfect set-up there for HT. Those who have not seen the HTM2D in person, it is quite large, it's size is between a 803 and 804, 7 inch woofers, but with dual ports in back. The HTMD2 is very clean, full and non nasal sounding.

[ShadowZA]

Thank you, Indytown.

Here's a pic of the Left Surround 803D. Height of surrounds is now much better too.

[ShadowZA]

The same soundstage you're noticing, I am now getting as well with my 803D's. After having my CP-500 serviced and adding the CAM-350's, I am mesmerized by the great soundstage in stereo.

But, the soundstage may be most affected by the quality of the amps powering the speakers.

I have been contemplating moving up to the 800D's, so have been spending a lot of time in listening lately. So far, I think I'm going to be happy staying with the 803D's.

Congrats on your new addition.

Thanks, beden1.

I tend to agree regarding the 803D's soundstage. I also don't believe that it's any coincidence that the finest recording studios use B&W 800 series speakers as their reference monitors. :T

[btf1980]

Wow Shadow, that's a classy and enviable system you have there. 803D for rears? I'd be happy with 803D's for my mains!! :E

[artv4]

Wow Shadow, that's a classy and enviable system you have there. 803D for rears? I'd be happy with 803D's for my mains!! :E

i feel the same!!!!

[Ash]

Now it's perfect. The height of the 803D's as surrounds is exactly what is needed in terms of tweeters not being "hidden" behind the couch. Oh, and wife likes the 802D's too.

Yeah, I can see from the picture that the tweeter is above the couch, so everything seems perfect! And the wife liking the speakers, thats extra icing on the cake. My wife thinks the N800s I have to be huge, hmmm I can't argue with that, they are huge hahaha, but I love them for that

[Gump]

Congratulations Shadow, I'm very happy for you. It must sound great surrounded by all those diamonds!
Enjoy your system!

Neil

[ShadowZA]

Thanks guys. :T

I had the 803D's as mains for quite a while and I've had no complaints with them at all. Neil, I've already listened to a few music dvd's and the tweeter matching is something that I am liking a lot. Regarding the 802D's, I am noticing more of a lower-midrange presence in addition to a fullness in the upper bass regions compared to the 803D's. I recall the 803D's sounding better over time. No doubt this will also happen with the 802D's.

[style]

Hy Shadow,

I have the 803D at mains..
I agree 100% with your setup...only a question:

803D versus 802D is really so BIG different??

well, I think the big jump is from 804s-803s to the D serie (like 803 or up..)!!
from 803s to 803d is a big jump versus 803d to 802d OR???

greetings Omar

[ShadowZA]

Hy Shadow,

I have the 803D at mains..
I agree 100% with your setup...only a question:

803D versus 802D is really so BIG different??

well, I think the big jump is from 804s-803s to the D serie (like 803 or up..)!!
from 803s to 803d is a big jump versus 803d to 802d OR???

greetings Omar

Omar, yes I would say that the BIG jump is from the "S" series with their aluminium dome tweeters to the "D" series with their diamond dome tweeters. Regarding the differences between the 803D & the 802D, they are there ... but the jump is not as great as the jump from S to D imho.

[Briz vegas]

You are keeping the 803D. But I thought you were going to give them to me when you were finished with them. Some friends visited SA recently, they could have brought them back for me.

Just as well I still love my "humble" 804s.

You possibly have the best sound on this forum given that you have treated the room and you have great kit. Enjoy.

[ShadowZA]

You are keeping the 803D. But I thought you were going to give them to me when you were finished with them. Some friends visited SA recently, they could have brought them back for me.

Just as well I still love my "humble" 804s.

You possibly have the best sound on this forum given that you have treated the room and you have great kit. Enjoy.

Thank you, Briz.

Weather in Cape Town's been bad. Lots of rain & cold. Perfect excuse to stay in & do some listening.

[wettou]

Overkill to have 803D's as surrounds? Maybe!

No way that must be a killer system, I have three 802D in front and two 802N surround and loving it, yes I could have sold the 802N but when watching an action flick or listening to symphony on multichannel SACD awesome!:T

[htsteve]

Welcome to the club

ShadowZA,

Welcome to the marlan head club. You will be amazed at these, especially once they've opened up. Your system is very, very nice. Mine is similar, except I have N804's in back (the 803D's must rock) and I have McIntosh driving things.

I thought about doing the 803D's in the rears. Still a possibility. But since I was building an HT room, I needed to spend on a projector. It's all worked out well.


I'm glad your wife likes the 802D's. My wife calls them the Dolly Parton's, but she does like the sound. She had a bad ear infection this spring that has affected her hearing. She like the 802D's because they are so clear, she can enjoy listening to the movie or music.


Have fun listening.

[ShadowZA]

Thanks guys. :T

What I've also realised is that if one can attain some type of an equilibrium by finding a balance between sound quality maximization & compromise minimization then the summit has been conquered.

[miner]

Shadow,
Where's your turntable? With that setup you need to enjoy some vinyl.

[Race Car Driver]

Awesome man! Very cool! Cant wait to see the thread "Just bought 800Ds and moved 802ds to surround"

HMT1D next?

[Russ L]

Shadow,
Where's your turntable? With that setup you need to enjoy some vinyl.

If my memory serves... Shadow has a $15,000 Meridian 808 CD player instead! A perfect source for those 802Ds. A belated congrats on the new speakers, Shadow. I'm glad you're near your dream setup

[wettou]

Awesome man! Very cool! Cant wait to see the thread "Just bought 800Ds and moved 802ds to surround"

HMT1D next?

Sweet, you are giving me the willies, may be I should do the same if only Wall Street would stop hemorrhaging, with what I lost I could buy a hole new system...:M

[beden1]

Sweet, you are giving me the willies, may be I should do the same if only Wall Street would stop hemorrhaging, with what I lost I could buy a hole new system...:M

You should start listening to me then, cause I'm up even with all of these crazy gyrations.

[ShadowZA]

Originally Posted by Race Car Driver
Awesome man! Very cool! Cant wait to see the thread "Just bought 800Ds and moved 802ds to surround"

HMT1D next?

Heheh, hey thanks man ... I think that this is as far as I can go regarding speakers (at least, that's what I'm telling myself right now )

Originally Posted by Russ L
If my memory serves... Shadow has a $15,000 Meridian 808 CD player instead! A perfect source for those 802Ds. A belated congrats on the new speakers, Shadow. I'm glad you're near your dream setup

Thanks Rus. Yup, the Meridian 808 is the source for 2 channel listening.

[wettou]

You should start listening to me then, cause I'm up even with all of these crazy gyrations.

Any light!

[misterdoggy]

Congratulations Shadow,

Beautiful looking setup and the Meridian CD player to boot.

What Amps are those ?? Krell with a Krell Processor ?

Very nice indeed. Love the Natural Wood Look too, its what I picked too

Enjoy

[ShadowZA]

Congratulations Shadow,

Beautiful looking setup and the Meridian CD player to boot.

What Amps are those ?? Krell with a Krell Processor ?

Very nice indeed. Love the Natural Wood Look too, its what I picked too

Enjoy

Thank you, Misterdoggy.

I'm using the Krell KAV 3250 & 2250 amps together with the Krell Showcase processor.

[misterdoggy]

Thank you, Misterdoggy.

I'm using the Krell KAV 3250 & 2250 amps together with the Krell Showcase processor.

I,ve had the very same amps and its a great combo with B&W. Even moved up to the FPB which was outstanding

Enjoy its all coming along nicely on the road to paradise ;x( ;x(