B&W Longevity?

[Armbender]

I am in a position where I am currently upgrading my speakers.

1st Option
HTM1 and N802's. I am currently looking for the HTM1 and will purchase the 802's next year. One step at a time.

2nd Option
HTM3S this year and 804S next year.

I am leaning towards the 1st option right now, but worried about the age of thr speakers by the time I finish the system upgrade end of next year. What is the lifespan of these speakers. My current set-up I have had for 8 years and still sounds great. Should I be worried about the age of the speakers, or are they like a fine wine, better with age....

[PewterTA]

Option 1!

That's the way I was going to go until I decided that I'm betting the Ardents are going to sound better than the 802s. So I figured I'd try my handy work out on those with the help of WKHanna (we're going to build 2 sets). After hearing the Nat Ps, I was too impressed to not try building the Ardents at a lot less than the 802s.

But if I was sticking with B&W, 802s for sure. If I got the 804s I'd be wondering what I'm missing.

[Armbender]

Option 1!

That's the way I was going to go until I decided that I'm betting the Ardents are going to sound better than the 802s. So I figured I'd try my handy work out on those with the help of WKHanna (we're going to build 2 sets). After hearing the Nat Ps, I was too impressed to not try building the Ardents at a lot less than the 802s.

But if I was sticking with B&W, 802s for sure. If I got the 804s I'd be wondering what I'm missing.

thats exactly what I was thinking...

^^good luck on your build^^

[KyaDawn]

Another forum member just upgraded their 802 Matrix Series 2 (I believe) to 802Di's so I don't think longevity is an issue.

What is an issue is the condition of the speakers. But if the HTM1 and N802s are in decent shape, then personally I think they would be the better option.

[Armbender]

Another forum member just upgraded their 802 Matrix Series 2 (I believe) to 802Di's so I don't think longevity is an issue.

What is an issue is the condition of the speakers. But if the HTM1 and N802s are in decent shape, then personally I think they would be the better option.

excellent. This should be a decent upgrade over my current system...

[stuofsci02]

Where can you get the HTM3S? I am looking for one..

[wettou]

My current set-up I have had for 8 years and still sounds great. Should I be worried about the age of the speakers, or are they like a fine wine, better with age....

My 802N are 9 years old still kicking if you take care of them and have good amplification they should last 20 Years :T

[Armbender]

Where can you get the HTM3S? I am looking for one..

They pop up on audiogon every once in awhile

[Armbender]

My 802N are 9 years old still kicking if you take care of them and have good amplification they should last 20 Years :T

I'll be running my emotiva xpa-5 in 3ch mode at 250wpc for the front end, hopefully that will do until I can get a pass labs x250

[htsteve]

Option 1. I would take an N802 over 804S any day of the week. And I like the 804S, I currently have a pair.

Well treated, they should be like fine wine.


Happy hunting.

[scanido]

I agree with others and say go for Option 1.

I wouldn't worry about speaker longevity as speakers usually are the longest lasting component in a system.

If anything did go wrong you can be assured that parts will be readily available! Heck you could even change out all the drive units and the speakers would practically be new!!

[wettou]

I'll be running my emotiva xpa-5 in 3ch mode at 250wpc for the front end, hopefully that will do until I can get a pass labs x250

Get the mono blocks from Emotiva :T