if i can get the new 804d at the approx same price as the 803d previous model what would you get? i like the smaller size of the 804d but is the older 803d still a better speaker? thanks....
New 804d or prior version 803d?
Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
-
I don't think anyone will be able to tell you until auditioned, but just on the basis of the old 804s, 803s and 803d, I would say the old 803d is the better deal if you can get those at a good price. The 803s was always substantially better than the 804s, more bass punch, broader soundstage, just a better speaker, the 803d added diamond to that, although a little heavy on the bass. But still, I think the new 804d might be better than the old 804s, but due to smaller cabinet, will still not be as good as the old 803d.
But those are just my thoughts...- Bottom
-
If it's between the "old" 803D and the "new" 804D, then the "old" would be my choice. I felt the 803D did a better job with the midrange and bass on 2-channel listening when I was demoing my 804S's. I doubt that they changed much with the 804D.
So, my pick is the "old" 803D.Panasonic TC-P65VT30
Onkyo Pro PR-SC5508 | M2Tech Young DAC | Emotiva XPA-1 (x3), XPA-2
Oppo BDP-93 | DirecTV HR23-700 HD-DVR | Pioneer PL-670 Turntable
Sony Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii | Apple TV 2, Mac Mini (iTunes Server), iPad
B&W 804S, HTM3S, CWM DS8 | SVS PB12-NSD | Denon AH-D2000 Headphones
Tripp Lite HT1210ISOCTR Power Conditioner, SMART1000LCD UPS System
My Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Setup
Next Upgrade: Cables- Bottom
Comment
-
No doubt 803D will be the better speaker. Law of physics apply.. as you get a bigger cabinet and more bass drivers. Sound stange should be dramaticly improved as well as over lower end punch. As another poster said even the standard 803 was a big improvement over the 804 and I have to agree.dan87951
audio guru- Bottom
Comment
-
This is his/her second post about this so size must be a real issue. I would just get the 804D and crossover to a decent sub. And you might be surprised that the new 804D might have better crossovers and revised driver internals that might make it have more subtle detail than the previous generation 803D. I thought I read the Diamond tweeters have been revised to make them sound more open? Just get the 804D, you obviously want the smaller footprint and I doubt the 804D is going to disappoint in the sound quality department.- Bottom
Comment
-
thanks for the replies ( i am a him ) you are right i did post the question twice- once before the new launch and now afterwards after i thought someone may have seen the new speakers , etc.. i saw the older version 803d yesterday again and now think it is not really much bigger than the old 804s and what i think is the exact same size new 804d....so now leaning to just grabbing the 803d's and moving on with life- Bottom
Comment
-
Grab the 803d's and run if you have the money and never look back. They will hold there value and they still have the diamond tweeter. They old version will be hard to get, i would grab them if i had the cash. I like the new look, but for the price difference i can't imagine the sound difference would justify the huge price increase.- Bottom
Comment
-
Originally posted by duketbrd88Grab the 803d's and run if you have the money and never look back. They will hold there value and they still have the diamond tweeter. They old version will be hard to get, i would grab them if i had the cash. I like the new look, but for the price difference i can't imagine the sound difference would justify the huge price increase.- Bottom
Comment
-
arube1,
Excellent choice. You will enjoy them. What are you running today for main speakers? Also, what are you driving them with. 803D's really need an external amp to drive them, not a receiver. The more current you throw at them, the better the performance.
Hope this helps?- Bottom
Comment
-
Without having head the new 804 Diamonds, I still think the current 803Ds would be superior, for all the reasons already stated. However, if it was between the choice of the current 803S and the new 804 Diamond, I think that's a different story... :B- Bottom
Comment
-
i think the old 803D will have a better overall sound from top to bottom. however, the new 804 diamond might have better top end due to the upgraded crossover.
also depends on your room size. if you have a smallish room, (say 300 to 500 sq/ft) i'd say 804 diamond will work. if you have a larger room, you may need 803D to fill the space.
another thing, if you like the piano black or magnet attaching speaker grill, go for 804 diamond.- Bottom
Comment
-
Originally posted by Antusi think the old 803D will have a better overall sound from top to bottom. however, the new 804 diamond might have better top end due to the upgraded crossover.
also depends on your room size. if you have a smallish room, (say 300 to 500 sq/ft) i'd say 804 diamond will work. if you have a larger room, you may need 803D to fill the space.
another thing, if you like the piano black or magnet attaching speaker grill, go for 804 diamond.
I bet good money the crossovers are almost the same and no-one would be able to pick the old or new one in a blind test.
old 803D over new 804D (Extra woofer)
new 803D over old 803D (If they are the same price, otherwise whichever is cheaper)
bottom line is 803D will sound "fuller" due to the extra woofer than the 804S/D
Another thing on the "upgraded" crossover its probally the same crossover just they have changed capacitor brands. Don't sell out to marketing!SoundEngine355
-------------------
[Music] B&W 800D | Classe CDP202 +M400s | Velodyne DD15- Bottom
Comment
-
Sorry but this tbread sums up what is wrong with much of the advice that is given out on audio forums.
This is all just guess work.
Crossovers and drivers are the big difference between the 802D and the 800D. Many forum members in the past who compared the two happily payed the price difference.
The changes that B&W have made have the potential to improve the all important midrange. In addition my dealer has warned me of the difficulty in driving the 803D at its potential, even with my amp which is rated at 300W into a 4ohm load. It is quite possible that the 804 diamond may sound better depending on the amp being used, or regrdless of the amp (within reason)
You can't even go with the speakers that looks best as no one has seen the 804 Diamond yet. If it is the 803s cabinet it may look better in the piano finish than an 803D.
Buying based on the advice in this thread is probably no better than just flipping a coin.Mac 8gb SSD Audirvana ->Weiss INT202 firewire interface ->Naim DAC & XPS2 DR->Conrad Johnson CT5 & LP70S-> Vivid B1s. Nordost Valhalla cables & resonance management. (Still waiting for Paul Hynes PS:M)
Siamese :evil: :twisted:- Bottom
Comment
-
Just seen the photo on the other thread - so it is possible to pick based on looks.Mac 8gb SSD Audirvana ->Weiss INT202 firewire interface ->Naim DAC & XPS2 DR->Conrad Johnson CT5 & LP70S-> Vivid B1s. Nordost Valhalla cables & resonance management. (Still waiting for Paul Hynes PS:M)
Siamese :evil: :twisted:- Bottom
Comment
-
Originally posted by Briz vegasThe changes that B&W have made have the potential to improve the all important midrange.
Originally posted by Briz vegasJust seen the photo on the other thread - so it is possible to pick based on looks.- Bottom
Comment
-
I would have once agreed with the bigger speaker arguement partly because my 804s setup was bass shy.
With improvements to the system power helping my components (dedicated line etc) and the addition of bass traps in my room it is no longer an issue (the other side of the "its just physics" arguement).
The 804s is not bass shy if you can get the bass to your listening position.
That being said I think there are many camps in the hifi world and for some bass is king, For others balance and tranparency is where it is at, and there are a thousand shades of grey in between.Mac 8gb SSD Audirvana ->Weiss INT202 firewire interface ->Naim DAC & XPS2 DR->Conrad Johnson CT5 & LP70S-> Vivid B1s. Nordost Valhalla cables & resonance management. (Still waiting for Paul Hynes PS:M)
Siamese :evil: :twisted:- Bottom
Comment
-
Originally posted by Briz vegasI would have once agreed with the bigger speaker arguement partly because my 804s setup was bass shy.
With improvements to the system power helping my components (dedicated line etc) and the addition of bass traps in my room it is no longer an issue (the other side of the "its just physics" arguement).
The 804s is not bass shy if you can get the bass to your listening position.
That being said I think there are many camps in the hifi world and for some bass is king, For others balance and tranparency is where it is at, and there are a thousand shades of grey in between.- Bottom
Comment
-
- Bottom
Comment
-
Originally posted by Briz vegasThat being said I think there are many camps in the hifi world and for some bass is king, For others balance and tranparency is where it is at, and there are a thousand shades of grey in between.
I previously owned the 804S and replaced them with the 803D. I liked the 804S, but prefer the 803D in my large room due to much better bass weight and overall tonal balance.- Bottom
Comment
-
Having heard and compared the old 804S, 803S and 803D, I thought the 803S was actually the most satisfying of all; and am sorry to see them go. The 804S sounded "small"....which they are....to the extent that large-scale works seemed "squeezed", as though out of a tube of toothpaste. :-) The 803D, on the other hand, was somewhat overblown with an exaggerated "lush" midbass....seductive to some but not at all neutral.
If the new 804D has a cabinet approaching the size of the 803S, it may well be the perfect solution!- Bottom
Comment
-
Originally posted by bombayteddyHaving heard and compared the old 804S, 803S and 803D, I thought the 803S was actually the most satisfying of all; and am sorry to see them go. The 804S sounded "small"....which they are....to the extent that large-scale works seemed "squeezed", as though out of a tube of toothpaste. :-) The 803D, on the other hand, was somewhat overblown with an exaggerated "lush" midbass....seductive to some but not at all neutral.
If the new 804D has a cabinet approaching the size of the 803S, it may well be the perfect solution!
Panasonic TC-P65VT30
Onkyo Pro PR-SC5508 | M2Tech Young DAC | Emotiva XPA-1 (x3), XPA-2
Oppo BDP-93 | DirecTV HR23-700 HD-DVR | Pioneer PL-670 Turntable
Sony Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii | Apple TV 2, Mac Mini (iTunes Server), iPad
B&W 804S, HTM3S, CWM DS8 | SVS PB12-NSD | Denon AH-D2000 Headphones
Tripp Lite HT1210ISOCTR Power Conditioner, SMART1000LCD UPS System
My Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Setup
Next Upgrade: Cables- Bottom
Comment
-
Pricing is not as bad as many have suspected.
I do miss the 801D and the HTM1D from that lineup though
Not a fan of the new subwoofer style however. I wish it looked like the 855.B&W- Bottom
Comment
-
Originally posted by Race Car DriverNot a fan of the new subwoofer style however. I wish it looked like the 855.Last edited by Ken49r; 15 January 2010, 18:54 Friday. Reason: deleted portion not belonging to this thread...oops- Bottom
Comment
-
Comment