B&W 805 Diamond Unboxing

[AV-OCD]

Got my first pair of 805Di's in gloss black today. :T

Listening impressions and final pics will come at some point in the future, but for now I hope these pics make you feel like you were here when I unpacked them.

[fauzigarib]

Holy mother of....

I have tears in my eyes, thats so beautiful!

Congrats!

-Fauzi

[Nolan B]

eye candy.

I was just thinking about the 805Di s tonight.

what stands are you going to use? Can you let me know how high they sit on the stands?

Thanks

[97disco]

LOVE IT!!!

I also love the unpacking pictures. Reminds me of being a kid at Christmas.

Your gonna need to tell us all what you think!

[AV-OCD]

Holy mother of....

I have tears in my eyes, thats so beautiful!

Congrats!

-Fauzi

[AV-OCD]

eye candy.

I was just thinking about the 805Di s tonight.

what stands are you going to use? Can you let me know how high they sit on the stands?

Thanks

I haven't shown the speakers on stands because I'm still waiting for them. But to answer your question, I'm getting the matching stands, which are 24 inches tall. That would put the mounted speaker height at just under 41 inches (including the height of the tweeter).

[audioqueso]

I also love the unpacking pictures. Reminds me of being a kid at Christmas.

Except we didn't get $5k toys for Christmas. ha ha ha (well... I sure didn't)
They look awesome though. You were quick on getting them, huh? Congrats.

[audioqueso]

I just realized they changed the box too. 3 piece styrofoam, not 2 piece.

[Orb]

Grtz Tim and as usual thanks for the pics
Cheers
Orb

[AV-OCD]

Except we didn't get $5k toys for Christmas. ha ha ha (well... I sure didn't)
They look awesome though. You were quick on getting them, huh? Congrats.

No $5K toys for me as a kid either. I guess that's why I'm overcompensating now.

It may seem like they came quickly to you, but I placed my order at the start of Feb, thinking that they would be out a couple of weeks later. :cry:

[ShadowZA]

Absolutely superb + beautiful too. Congratulations!
:T

[alebonau]

congrats they look superb ! bet cant wait for the stands to get them going

[iabyss]

Congrats AV-OCD!!! Hope to see more pictures after you have set it up. : )

[btf1980]

Congrats Tim.

[scanido]

I just realized they changed the box too. 3 piece styrofoam, not 2 piece.

Probably because it needed to support that new accessory box. Looks like a nice sum of money went into that presentation box! Seems kind of excessive to put the cables and cleaning cloths protected in foam though. Nevertheless, it definitely exhibits a more appeal.

Congrats Tim. I know unboxing new toys is definitely a special occasion. What are you using to power these new puppies?

[style]

Hi Tim,

great. I go send my pictures from the 804D too.

I have placed the 804D as mains and the 803D rear...amazing!!!

need a break in time but I'm very happy!! :T

the stand coming in black correct?

over this point I'm confused: B&W say that the stand from 805s are good But in some brouchure the 805D stand are "different"?!?!where I dont know (same design)

only a marketing operation?

Style

[miner]

Beautiful speakers and top-notched packaging. Enjoy your new toys.

[KyaDawn]

Congrats AV-OCD! They look beautiful!!! :T

[John22614]

By now I bet you have them hooked up to those outrageous electronics you have tucked away in your wall cabinet with the beautiful glass door......very nice indeed.

[sikoniko]

to grill, or not to grill... that is the question!?

[AV-OCD]

Probably because it needed to support that new accessory box. Looks like a nice sum of money went into that presentation box! Seems kind of excessive to put the cables and cleaning cloths protected in foam though. Nevertheless, it definitely exhibits a more appeal.

Congrats Tim. I know unboxing new toys is definitely a special occasion. What are you using to power these new puppies?

Yeah, it is overkill to box the accessories the way they did, but for $5K for a pair of stand mounts, I would expect no less. In fact, one of my peeves with most of the high-end is that they don't do enough to make the purchase seem "special".

On that note, the fit and finish on these speakers is second to none. I'm a sucker for details, and no detail has been overlooked with the build of these speakers. . . The mirror smooth finish, the magnetic grill attachments (no attachment holes in the face of the speaker, yeh!), the cast metal tweeter housing, the custom binding posts (gorgeous!), the polished aluminum phase plug, and even controversial midrange driver mounting ring all give the speaker a look of polished elegance. Even the jumpers use custom fittings at the ends that look like they were lathed from solid brass.

Color me impressed. :T

[AV-OCD]

Hi Tim,

great. I go send my pictures from the 804D too.

I have placed the 804D as mains and the 803D rear...amazing!!!

need a break in time but I'm very happy!! :T

the stand coming in black correct?

over this point I'm confused: B&W say that the stand from 805s are good But in some brouchure the 805D stand are "different"?!?!where I dont know (same design)

only a marketing operation?

Style

Congrats to you too! Looking forward to seeing pics of your new 804Di's.

Yes, I'm getting the black stands. To the best of my knowledge, they are identical to the 805S stands. I only wish that they would have offered them in a slightly taller version.

[AV-OCD]

Just wanted to thank everyone for stopping by to share this moment with me. It is this sort of camaraderie that makes the hobby fun!

[AV-OCD]

to grill, or not to grill... that is the question!?

I like no grill. But the wife .....

[hifiguymi]

Now that the grills are very easy on and off, you can both be happy.

Eric

[Glenee]

Congratulations, The 805's have always been a favorite of mine, and Who's wouldn't they be. I can hardly wait until we gets some reports on what you think, I'm sure they will be Glowing. I mean How could they not Be.

[kobestonecold]

i will wait 4 years to save money to buy 805D

[jamesdaman]

Please please tell us what you think. I'm either getting A new amp
or new speakers (805d to replace my 805s) so I'd love to know what you think?

[AV-OCD]

Please please tell us what you think. I'm either getting A new amp
or new speakers (805d to replace my 805s) so I'd love to know what you think?

I certainly will.

[KahunaCanuck]

Very cool, I luv the pic of half your dog!

Take your time and enjoy!

[stuofsci02]

Oh man... These suckers have to be running by now... I am eagerly awaiting more! :T

[wettou]

AV-OCD

VERY NICE LOVE THE LOOK :T Hope they sound as good as they look? I heard from many dealers that the 805Di is the revelation in the series.

Pair them with two JL Audio F112 and you are in business

[AV-OCD]

AV-OCD

VERY NICE LOVE THE LOOK :T Hope they sound as good as they look? I heard from many dealers that the 805Di is the revelation in the series.

Pair them with two JL Audio F112 and you are in business

I've found one JL F112 works well in my mediun sized room, though I'd like to have two.

[jamesdaman]

Enough about the subs More About The Speakers! lol

[wettou]

Enough about the subs More About The Speakers! lol

How about 7 805D for surround sound :B

[AV-OCD]

805Di - Did a bit of music listening tonight

OK, so I know I should give this a bit of time, but I thought I'd share some early listening impressions of the 805Di's in my room, with my music. Please keep in mind, however, that I might waffle a bit in my opinion in the future. I've found that it can take some time to dial in on the sound of a new system, and depending on the day, my mood, and the particular music I listen to, initial impressions can change.

I also don't have proper stands for the speakers yet. They are simply sitting atop some make-shift stands that I made out of scrap wood. Too ugly to even show, but they work well enough for the time being.

First, I had a bit of a "scare" last night, for a lack of better words. When I fired them up and put the AVR into "pure direct" mode to run them full-range, there was very little bass. Nothing like what I heard in the showroom about a week ago. I figured that the bass wouldn't be identical in my room, with differing room acoustics and all, but this was way off.

Thinking that they might be a little stiff right out of the box, I ran a break-in CD all day while I was work. When I got home from work today, I took another listen, and the bass was still MIA. After some troubleshooting, I discovered that the problem was with the web interface that I can use to control the AVR. Apparently its a little buggy, and when I put the AVR into "pure direct" using the web control, it kills the sub output, but it keeps the mains crossed-over. By going back to the standard remote control to change the mode, bingo! the bass that I remembered was all there. Tight, punchy, well-timed, tuneful and just much better than a speaker this size has any right to have.

As for the new diamond tweeter, as to be expected, wow! Simply amazing resolution and transient response. Clearly better than the Be tweets in the Focals and the Revels that I've owned. Both of those lacked the sparkle I was after when I bought them. Not the B&W Diamond. The strike and then the decay of things like cymbals, chimes, and bells are more clearly delineated than I've heard before, even when there are other sounds or instruments layered on top. Which reminds me. That is something that stood out right away from the midrange on up with the 805Di when I listened today. Every element of sound is just so cleanly separated from the others. Yes, "I did hear things that I haven't heard before" but these things weren't new, rather each musical element was more distinct from the others. The Monitor Audio Platinums had similar resolving power, but their soundstage was compressed and I didn't like the tonal quality of that speaker in the midrange.

Oh yeah, the imaging. I've never placed a lot of value on pinpoint imaging. I guess because I've never really had it that good in my room, and I'm more concerned with tonality and the size of the soundstage. While listening to one of my reference tracks, a Dianna Krall song that I listen to for vocal quality, I realized for the first time that she was sitting at the piano to sing, slightly off center to the left and facing to the right. I swear that I could hear her shift from singing directly into the mic in front of her to shifting to face the audience. In other words I could hear her sing diagonally out into the room. That was a first. Up til now, her vocals were just a phantom center image.

All wasn't perfect though. My last system, the Wilson Benesch / Classe rig, had a smoothness / naturalness that sounded closer to "real" than anything else I've owned. The sound of that system could be a bit to withdrawn at times, but it was always pleasant. The B&W 805Di / Denon combo is a more vivid and digital sounding presentation. The vivid part I like, the digital part, not so much. It's not offensive, but there is that fine grain to the sound that subconsciously reminds me that I'm listening to a recording. So, if after I take the the time to get the EQ dialed in and everything set-up properly, and after I live with the sound for a while, if the digititus doesn't subside a bit, I may look for a prepro that is a bit smoother.

[sikoniko]

are you getting 5 805Di's or 4 with an htm4 center?

[beden1]

Unfortunately, B&W speakers demand very good electronics. You should have kept your Classe gear.

[jamesdaman]

Im going to listen to the 805d on tuesday with my quad gear, im hoping my amps can get a better sound from the new speakers and i hear a differnce from my current 805s, enough to justify the price hike

[btf1980]

Unfortunately, B&W speakers demand very good electronics. You should have kept your Classe gear.

I think he'll be fine with the 5308. The 5308 is a very good piece and is more than capable for the 805 diamonds.

[marsboer]

I think he'll be fine with the 5308. The 5308 is a very good piece and is more than capable for the 805 diamonds.

In power, most likely yes, but it still isn't the kind of quality the 805 deserves.

[AV-OCD]

are you getting 5 805Di's or 4 with an htm4 center?

4 805Di's and the HTM4 Center. Though, from what I've been told, the HTM4 is at least a month away from being available. That wait would be harder if it weren't for the enjoyment I'm getting from the pair of 805Di's. I'm passified for the time being.

[pazu]

Ops! I'm in later!

ops:

But... what a beautifull emotion to exit the 805 Di from their box!!!

My congratulations!

:T

[Ken49r]

Congrat's Tim - they do look superb in the piano black with your room decor. I'm sure many will want to know how the gloss finish works with screen reflection once you get your HTM4Di added in.

All wasn't perfect though. My last system, the Wilson Benesch / Classe rig, had a smoothness / naturalness that sounded closer to "real" than anything else I've owned.

I would suspect B&W used Classe' gear to perfect the 805Di in their listening tests and I have a hunch you will be pairing your 805Di's with Classe' or similar gear again in the future.

[Briz vegas]

Why would you sell a setup like the Wilson Benesch / Classe if it had such a natural sound? So few systems sound that way in my experience. Mindyou little things can change sound significantly and you may be right, all you need is the right setup. I just got a new sofa and it has taken some of the 3d and space out of my sound. I now understand why some folks have just one listening chair for 2 channel.