If 805D comes will new finishes come too?

[Nolan B]

Unless my sources are wrong I guess the 805D is coming. If so do you think its likely new finishes will come with it? Even for a limited time?


Right now the current finishes in the 800 series is the only thing holding me back from purchasing. Personally I think the flagship line should offer more finish choices...even if its offered as a premium.

[kmcheng]

The wood finishes will glow on you over time. I was initially very skeptical about the rosenut color. Now I love it against my white/silver cabinet.

[style]

Hi Nolan,

If dont' think the B&W come with a 805D.
we have the new CM serie. an is very apprecied as speaker!!!
"the best B&W never made 8O !!" and if the serie 700 will be replace the last thing is a new 800 with the Diamond....


well, if the 805D come in the next years I will be very happy but for will is only a very sweet dream...

we go see.
Style

[style]

CM serei review:

http://www.audiogamma.it/upload/pdf_news/HFC_July09_CM9.pdf

go read this *.pdf.......


I have a 803D but the new CM9, with price/performance today I don't not:
the 803D is sure a great speakers but for a HT system the CM9 can a big surprise 8O


please opinion!
Style

[dknightd]

Maybe. Time will tell. . . What do your sources say?

[dknightd]

style - link didn't work for me.

[Nolan B]

CM serei review:

http://www.audiogamma.it/upload/pdf_news/HFC_July09_CM9.pdf

go read this *.pdf.......


I have a 803D but the new CM9, with price/performance today I don't not:
the 803D is sure a great speakers but for a HT system the CM9 can a big surprise 8O


please opinion!
Style

Thanks or the link, good read. I havet o get back to me dealer and listen to thee again hooked up to Classe to understand better ho they will sound in my place. Also I will only be able to give them maybe 6-8" clearance from the wall so i will have to give that a try.

[BWLover]

if B&W is coming out with a 805D, would they not have to replace the 804S & 803S with diamond tweeters to?

[ninja12]

if B&W is coming out with a 805D, would they not have to replace the 804S & 803S with diamond tweeters to?

I would not think that they would. You can still use the 805S with the 803S and the 804S. If they decide to come out with a 805D, it would be for the 803Ds, 802Ds, 801Ds, and 800Ds. That's just my guess, and I have been known to be wrong in the past. :B

[Audio_ElF]

Premium Stand-mount

I'm not sure of the market in USA for it, but there certainly seams to be a market for a premium (higher than 805S) stand mount in the UK. Now weather just adding the diamond tweeter (along with changes to crossover, etc) to the 805S is going to do it, or if there needs to e a more radical redesign / enlargement of the 805 I'm not sure - of course nothing to stop the two 805 speakers having different cabinets, etc - the two 803 are different in more than just tweeter.

Eloise

[Audio_ElF]

If they decide to come out with a 805D, it would be for the 803Ds, 802Ds, 801Ds, and 800Ds.

And to stand alone in systems where a stand mount is more appropriate / desirable. I could see an 805D being priced between 804S and 803S and still selling.

Eloise

[MikeFL52]

- the two 803 are different in more than just tweeter.

The 803S and 803D are entirely different speakers (size, speaker configuration, cross-overs) at two entirely diffent price points. They should not be thought of as varients of the same speaker.

And to stand alone in systems where a stand mount is more appropriate / desirable. I could see an 805D being priced between 804S and 803S and still selling.

I think that if they do this, based upon the replacement price of the diamond tweeters, that the price of the 805D would be greater than the price of the 803S, not between the 804S and 803S.

Of all the "S" speakers the 805 is the one I could see them doing as much for surround applications as anything else.

[William]

The 803S and 803D are entirely different speakers (size, speaker configuration, cross-overs) at two entirely diffent price points. They should not be thought of as varients of the same speaker....

I think that B&W would have preferred to give them different model numbers but because of their limiting (and backwards) nomenclature system they were stuck calling both 803's.

[emig5m]

If the diamond tweeter is all that why not offer it as a option on all 800 series? Some people might have smaller rooms and don't need/want huge speakers but would like to have the best possible mid and top end performance. They also might want a smaller speaker for surround channels to match better to their front mains. They could keep the aluminum tweeter a option for the 804S and down for people that wouldn't want the added price of the diamond tweeter.

[MikeFL52]

If the diamond tweeter is all that why not offer it as a option on all 800 series? Some people might have smaller rooms and don't need/want huge speakers but would like to have the best possible mid and top end performance. They also might want a smaller speaker for surround channels to match better to their front mains. They could keep the aluminum tweeter a option for the 804S and down for people that wouldn't want the added price of the diamond tweeter.

Who can guess what decisions are made at an OEM or why they are made. If you look (on paper) at the specs of the 700 series they are not too differernt from the 800 "S" series speakers. When they introduced these to replace the CDM speakers (I still have a pair of CDM7NTs - my daughter uses them) I think that they thought that it might be more successful in terms of sales (I am not saying that they are not good speakers, they are, they just didn't sell that well) and if they had been I think that we would have never seen the "S" 800 speaker range and it would have gone all diamond. This is just absolute guesswork on my part so treat it with a very large grain of salt.

[Briz vegas]

Most folks will purchase at the price point that their wallet will stand. For example, I wanted a quality tower speaker but over 10 grand Australian was too big an ask, both from at psychological and a financial standpoint, particularly as the purchase was in stages and the speakers were the first component on a long list of gear.

Companies know this and will try and ensure that they match as many budgets as they can to maximise sales. Dumping 804 or 803 for a slightly tweeked standmount would put a big hole in the product lineup. Personally I think the diamond tweeter is nice rather than essential - optimising midrange with quality crossovers (or the FST)would be my preference but that is a less obvious upgrade on a spec list so punters that like ticking boxes would be less likely to fork out the cash. The diamond has more prestige than the FST - more bling factor. When the current series was released I recall reports that B&W felt that the first order crossovers made a more significant improvement to the series than the diamon tweeter. Again I would assume this is because of the impact on the all impotant midrange where the vocals reside.

[Mikael]

If you ask me it would make a lot of sense to drop the S versions of the 800 series, and make a new 7 matrix serie with the old matrix series design, to close the gap between the CM and 800 series. And make a proper 3-way center speaker too.IMO

[Briz vegas]

Ther ewould be a perceived loss of value in that price range if you did that. It might add to the prestige of the higher models. I would be reluctant to change the mix, but then I don't have a degree in marketing.

I do wonder what B&W are doing with their product range at present. People say they never read a bad review of a hifi product these days but the one on the B&W soundbar made it sound like overpriced rubbish - all bass, coloured midrange and ordinary highs. They might as well have said it was made by Bose.

[RedWolf]

Call me crazy but people have been calling for an 805d since the diamond series was released, so why has B&W not released a product. We all understand it would drive the cost up, but it would also provide a product that better matched as a surround to the existing diamond lineup and it would offer a high end speaker to those who don't want the physical presence of the 803d or larger speakers. The existing 805, though good is still an average performer in the market.

[ray5]

What is the source of the information that they are coming out with 805D? On searching this discussion was hot about 3 yrs ago also and we have not seen anything. Personally I would buy them as my rears but where did you hear the news?
Ray

[Kal Rubinson]

Call me crazy but people have been calling for an 805d since the diamond series was released, so why has B&W not released a product. We all understand it would drive the cost up, but it would also provide a product that better matched as a surround to the existing diamond lineup and it would offer a high end speaker to those who don't want the physical presence of the 803d or larger speakers. The existing 805, though good is still an average performer in the market.

How about just using the Marlan head and Diamond tweeter from the big ones? All one needs is a nice stand with a cradle.

[JargonGR]

Marketing wise it does not make financial sense to them to introduce a diamond tweeter on the 805s much like it does not make sense for Porche or Ferrari to produce a 20,000 pounds car.

Their thinking is along the line that if you want it you have to pay for it and those who pay for the bigger speakers can maintain their prestige and distinguish their buy (justify) from the S series clearly. For, me buying my 800Ds was also great value for money because of the excellent construction, distinguishing looks and the fact that they produce all this at a price most high-end manufacturers wouldn't even dream of.

I imagine that many could go for 805Ds coupled with good subs for a much lower cost than getting 803Ds should they exist. I for example, went for 803Ds for surrounds (just for movies) only for the diamond tweeter and in reality the speakers are only under-working most of the time. I am using 2 803Ds at the moment but I will go for an extra pair too for 7.1.

If 805Ds were available would have gone for 4 of these at the cost of one pair of 803Ds so in essence they would have received 1/2 of the money they will now.

This theory works well for people that can afford 803Ds and upwards of course, while it stops sales when budget is an issue. Probably, their sales are strong with the 800 series though and they don't feel a change is needed abiding by the golden rule of "if it doesn't break don't fix it".

[WelshOne]

By chance I was talking to my dealer today regarding this. I was told that all of the new 800 series will be diamond, and the range reduced. By this I understand that 803S/804S/805S etc would be dropped.

Prices will start at £5500 GBP approx and out next March!

Apparently 2nd hand 800 series D speakers are going to rise because of this.

[RedWolf]

The news that they may be released in March makes sense based on B&W history. The current diamond range of improvements followed the previous signature series of speakers. Now with the Signature Diamond nearly sold out, it is time for them to make some money on their R&D and update the line.

[MikeFL52]

I assume that the HTM3S and HTM4S would also disappear. I wonder what they would do with the DS8S which is their 800 series surround. It would need 6 diamond tweeters per pair to become DS8Ds, expensive :E. Then there is the CMS which could become a CMD.

[Audio_ElF]

If they drop the non-diamond 800 series there is going to be a HUGE gap between the CM series and the 800 series.

Top of CM is around £1800 then big step to 805D at £5000.

Maybe there will be a reworked 805S / 804S / 803S rebranded as a new 700 series or something in between??

Eloise

[wgriel]

If they drop the non-diamond 800 series there is going to be a HUGE gap between the CM series and the 800 series.

Top of CM is around £1800 then big step to 805D at £5000.

Maybe there will be a reworked 805S / 804S / 803S rebranded as a new 700 series or something in between??

Eloise

Assuming the rumors are true, it would make sense to come up with a re-worked 700 series in between the CM & 800s. I admit that would be pretty cool :T

[Mikael]

Assuming the rumors are true, it would make sense to come up with a re-worked 700 series in between the CM & 800s. I admit that would be pretty cool :T

That is exactly what I said a couple of days ago.

If you ask me it would make a lot of sense to drop the S versions of the 800 series, and make a new 7 matrix serie with the old matrix series design, to close the gap between the CM and 800 series. And make a proper 3-way center speaker too.IMO

[Relentless]

How about just using the Marlan head and Diamond tweeter from the big ones? All one needs is a nice stand with a cradle.

now we are thinking :T

[sal1k]

CM serei review:

http://www.audiogamma.it/upload/pdf_news/HFC_July09_CM9.pdf

go read this *.pdf.......


I have a 803D but the new CM9, with price/performance today I don't not:
the 803D is sure a great speakers but for a HT system the CM9 can a big surprise 8O


please opinion!
Style

My wife and I just purchased a pair of CM9's recently. We take delivery this week. We were blown away! Totally epic performance for a great price.

Sal

[Recruit]

I'd love to see an 805D speaker, the 805S is a beautiful sounding speaker but with the D tweeter....umm

[William]

How about just using the Marlan head and Diamond tweeter from the big ones? All one needs is a nice stand with a cradle.

The main problem with this approach may be low(er) frequency response since the FST is limited to mid-range compared to the suspended Kevlar cone (and probably more expensive too). Also isn't the head more expensive to manufacture than a cabinet, further driving up the costs. There also may be problems installing a crossover since it's not contained in the current head.

[Kal Rubinson]

The main problem with this approach may be low(er) frequency response since the FST is limited to mid-range compared to the suspended Kevlar cone (and probably more expensive too). Also isn't the head more expensive to manufacture than a cabinet, further driving up the costs. There also may be problems installing a crossover since it's not contained in the current head.

Of course. Didn't you see the invisible smiley?

Kal

[Audio_ElF]

How about a dumpy little 805 box with a 7 or 8" driver and the marlin head on top? ... like a mini 800D

Eloise

[Briz vegas]

:rofl: :rofl: This is like a soap opera - come back a year later and the story has not moved on. I did this in January last year and got introuble because people believed it. ops:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=28874&highlight=805dd