switching 802 Diamonds with 800's?

[longgone]

Hi... if your 2 channel system remained the same and you only switched the 802 Diamonds for 800 Diamonds... would you notice a difference?

[dukester]

I have 803Di's but have auditioned the 802Di's...the most noticeable difference to me was the bass response. I suspect it would be the same going from 802Di's to 800Di's...is this a trick question?

[Rod#S]

Hi... if your 2 channel system remained the same and you only switched the 802 Diamonds for 800 Diamonds... would you notice a difference?

Do you have the opportunity to listen to the 800 Diamonds? Based on specs alone one would think the only difference would be in the bass but the 800's have better crossovers and people here have reported that results in quite a difference between the two. I think you will get good responses to the question as the 800 Diamond owners see this post.

[Skyblue]

I made this switch. Primarily because the 800's killed the 802's in the midrange. However, I am not sure they sound better in my home than the 802's. You need the roomsize AND better amplification to get the best out of the 800's.

Hopefully I am moving within this year to a permanent residence, and then I can start looking at better amps.

[windshear]

I changed from 802D's to 800 Diamonds. The biggest change was in the bass extension. Also i found the speaker a bit less bright and surprisingly more efficient.

[Kal Rubinson]

I changed from 802D's to 800 Diamonds. The biggest change was in the bass extension. Also i found the speaker a bit less bright and surprisingly more efficient.

Ditto. http://www.stereophile.com/content/b...nd-loudspeaker

[Rod#S]

Kal, any plans to review the 802 Diamonds for Stereophile? It would be great to read your comparisons especially with your ability to literally A/B the two at your home.

You still owe us all some pictures of your new 800s

[Kal Rubinson]

Kal, any plans to review the 802 Diamonds for Stereophile? It would be great to read your comparisons especially with your ability to literally A/B the two at your home.

I understand but I just did the Sonys, I have another pair of speakers in for review now and I have obligated myself for yet another to follow, all in NYC. After that, I hope that I can avoid reviewing any speakers in NYC for a while so I can enjoy the B&W setup. I think you can appreciate that desire.

You still owe us all some pictures of your new 800s

When they are back in their rightful places.

[longgone]

... not a trick question. I don't know what you are talking about. I heard the 802 Diamond and was very impressed. I am contemplating new speakers and the 802 Diamond took a hold on me but a couple of things slowed me up. The slow up is turning into a good thing because I'm learning about the 800 Diamond and wondering if I should go for the gusto with the 800 or not. Big $$$ so I'm interested to hear some opinions.

I have Mac 1.2kw's FWIW. This is a 2 channel audio system - all McIntosh. I don't plan to change anything except the speakers.

I had some B&W discussion here a little while ago but I hoped someone else would like to say something about the 802 and the 800 or even the folks who contributed before might have more to say now.

I would have to travel a long way to audition the B&W's. They had every B&W model except the 800.

It is interesting, Skyblue, your comment about not being sure if the 800 Diamond sounded better than the 802 Diamond in your home. I will not be playing concert level very often. How big of a room do you think is appropriate for the 802's or the 800's?

[longgone]

whew!... Kal Rubinson!... talking to me! Hello. Thank you. And thank you for the equipment report. At the end of the day and a half that I spent listening to the 802 Diamond, as I was leaving the audio store, I saw the May 2011 issue of Stereophile on the shelf and I bought it because of the 800 Diamond on the cover. But I didn't know the difference between an 802 Diamond and a 800 Diamond at the time. And WOW, now I'm talking to the author of the review! Thank you for taking your time with me and everyone. That was the first ever issue of Sereophile that I have purchased.

I sure don't know a lot of technical things about audio gear but I spent 3 days hanging around the audio shop listening to the gear and playing my Ronnie Earl and Duke Robillard CD - the Duke Meets the Earl, over and over and over on the different B&W speakers (and a few others) until I got to those 802 Diamonds and then they really got my attention.

And since then I've read your review(s) and found this forum and read a lot of posts and spent a lot of time imagining how those speakers would sound in my system and I'm still on that journey.

[Skyblue]

... not a trick question. I don't know what you are talking about. I heard the 802 Diamond and was very impressed. I am contemplating new speakers and the 802 Diamond took a hold on me but a couple of things slowed me up. The slow up is turning into a good thing because I'm learning about the 800 Diamond and wondering if I should go for the gusto with the 800 or not. Big $$$ so I'm interested to hear some opinions.

I have Mac 1.2kw's FWIW. This is a 2 channel audio system - all McIntosh. I don't plan to change anything except the speakers.

I had some B&W discussion here a little while ago but I hoped someone else would like to say something about the 802 and the 800 or even the folks who contributed before might have more to say now.

I would have to travel a long way to audition the B&W's. They had every B&W model except the 800.

It is interesting, Skyblue, your comment about not being sure if the 800 Diamond sounded better than the 802 Diamond in your home. I will not be playing concert level very often. How big of a room do you think is appropriate for the 802's or the 800's?

Well, when I got the 802's I thought they lacked bass. I let them play for a month, then I ordered the 800s as replacements. They took 4 months to arrive, during which time the 802s broke in. Ie. at the end the bass was actually great.

The 800's I think require better amps for the bass to shine. My problem is that I have some DIY icepower monos which I suspect simply lack enough current to drive them sufficiently. On top of that, I moved and moved my speakers from a 15x24 feet room to a 12 by 15 feet room. And that too made a difference. I plan to move again and get me som better amps

All in all, you cant go wrong with the 802's. They are truly great. That said, the 800's beat them in all areas, but does require better components.

In your case though, I wouldnt worry. 1.2kw macs is more than sufficient for either speaker.

[Rod#S]

I understand but I just did the Sonys, I have another pair of speakers in for review now and I have obligated myself for yet another to follow, all in NYC. After that, I hope that I can avoid reviewing any speakers in NYC for a while so I can enjoy the B&W setup. I think you can appreciate that desire.

When they are back in their rightful places.

I can definitely appreciate the desire, I love my 802 Diamonds at it would indeed be hard to not be able to listen to them in their ideal positions when I wanted. I didn't realize you hadn't had the real quality time with the 800s due to all of the reviews you have been doing.

[Kal Rubinson]

I can definitely appreciate the desire, I love my 802 Diamonds at it would indeed be hard to not be able to listen to them in their ideal positions when I wanted. I didn't realize you hadn't had the real quality time with the 800s due to all of the reviews you have been doing.

Yup. I have little right to complain about it, though.

[Pedro]

I moved and moved my speakers from a 15x24 feet room to a 12 by 15 feet room. And that too made a difference. I plan to move again and get me som better amps
In your case though, I wouldnt worry. 1.2kw macs is more than sufficient for either speaker.

According to what I´ve said before to our friend longgone and your experience, he wouldnt have any problem placing the 800Di in his 33sqm room. I think It´s an ideal area for them, which in my opinion they also can play without problem in a 50sqm room. I am very looking forward to hear our friend opinion after listening the 800Di. He will be just blown away how better they are than 802Di :T

[longgone]

Hi Pedro... I'm patiently excited about the 802 Diamond and the 800 Diamond and I look forward to hearing the 800 before I make a decision to buy. They are very beautiful looking speakers. I got way excited when I realized that Kal Rubinson was reading my post and I displayed some quick emotion that tends to prove my novice status here.

If you are still tuning into this post, Kal rubinson, or anyone who might know the answer, would the 800 Diamond speakers that Kal reviewed be brand new with no burn in time? The thought occurred to me and I am admittedly a novice to this level of audio knowledge.

I am listening to some classical music right now on CBC Radio 2 and aside from enjoying it I drift off to imagining the dream B&W's in my system. In the meantime it is enjoyable to hear from others how their experiences with the 800 and 802 Diamonds are evolving. I read the review of the 800 Diamond in Stereophile again today. On one hand it seems a bit scary to spend so much $$$ for speakers and on the other hand it seems much much justified. More justified than scared! I look forward to the satisfaction factor that will present itself when some Diamonds are in my home. It is difficult to not set my expectations out of sight. I could certainly use the speakers but I have a couple of priorities that interfere with their purchase now. So, I have an opportunity to gather some more news and info before the big day.

By the way, the room I have is 18' X 11' X 22' X 24'. The speakers will be on the 18' wall. The opposite wall is 22'. Is that 33 sqm?

[windshear]

My room is 34sqm in size and was primarily designed for HT use. What i realise now, is that is it not wide enough to fully get the maximum benefit from my 800 Diamonds, resulting in a narrower sound stage than if i could have them further apart. The sound is good, but not nearly as good if it was a dedicated stereo room.

[longgone]

hi windshear... I should be able to place my speakers 9' apart and still have 4' between both speakers and the outside walls. Do you think that works?

What are your measurements?

[Kal Rubinson]

If you are still tuning into this post, Kal rubinson, or anyone who might know the answer, would the 800 Diamond speakers that Kal reviewed be brand new with no burn in time? The thought occurred to me and I am admittedly a novice to this level of audio knowledge.

I do not know with any certainty whether the speakers I received were burned in or not but I it matters not to me. I rarely rush a review in with less than 60days of use and, in this case, the speakers are still with me after nearly a year. The sound has been consistent but, then again, I do not believe in burn-in, anyway.

[Pedro]

. The sound is good, but not nearly as good if it was a dedicated stereo room.

That´s it what I´ve been saying. A dedicated room for stereo listening with 30-50sqm could be the ideal for 800Di speakers. But if you use the room for other purposes then you may need a big one. In my opinion if you have the oportunity to build HT and St dedicated rooms you´ll be able to enjoy the most your speakers/equipments can deliver :T

[stuofsci02]

longgone,

Where are you located? Must be Canada if you are listening to CBC2.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Rod#S]

longgone, here is a review of the 802 Diamonds in case you are interested http://www.sonusart.hr/files/Image/R...02_Diamond.pdf

[longgone]

stuofsci02... hi... I'm in south Ontario. CBC 2 is good radio for me. There is some pretty good FM radio still around.

Rod#S... thank you... good stuff.

[stuofsci02]

stuofsci02... hi... I'm in south Ontario. CBC 2 is good radio for me. There is some pretty good FM radio still around.

Rod#S... thank you... good stuff.

Where abouts in Southern Ont? I might be able to recommened some good places to audition.

Cheers,

Stuart

[longgone]

near Detroit.

[longgone]

Rod#S... I enjoyed reading the 802 Diamond review... thank you for the link. The 802 Diamond review is pretty high on the 802's. They are so beautiful. The 802's that I heard really grabbed my attention compared to the other speakers I heard. And you guys say that there will be an audible difference again with the 800's! Yow! I need to hear them. The black ones look pretty nice.

[longgone]

stuofsci02... WEMU - 89.1 and WHFR - 89.3 are two university stations around here and they are pretty good, too.

[Rod#S]

Rod#S... I enjoyed reading the 802 Diamond review... thank you for the link. The 802 Diamond review is pretty high on the 802's. They are so beautiful. The 802's that I heard really grabbed my attention compared to the other speakers I heard. And you guys say that there will be an audible difference again with the 800's! Yow! I need to hear them. The black ones look pretty nice.

You're welcome. I do love my 802 Diamonds and as I move towards continuing my speaker upgrades I may add another pair for my surrounds or get a pair of 800 Diamonds which would become my new fronts with the 802s moving to the surrounds. I know having 802s for surrounds is beyond anything I would need in that location but like you I absolutely love the look of the 802/800 speakers and since the 803 Diamonds win out for me over the 804 Diamonds for surround duty because they are a taller speaker, going from the 803 to the 802 is a financial decision I think I could live with. Of course getting a piar of 800s is a huge step up financially so when the time comes that's a decision I will spend a great deal of time considering. I'm a Canadian too but unlike you live on the east coast where I will never get an opportunity to listen to the 800s without buying them. I bought the 802s unseen/unheard and definitely do not regret that purchase.

Rod

[stuofsci02]

stuofsci02... WEMU - 89.1 and WHFR - 89.3 are two university stations around here and they are pretty good, too.

longgone,

I assume then that you are near Windsor.

The stores I Frequent are in the T.O. area, so probably too far to drive...

[SPACEMANRICK]

I think it is time to start the Canadian chapter of the B&W club. I nominate either Rod or Stuart as the chapter president

[Rod#S]

I think it is time to start the Canadian chapter of the B&W club. I nominate either Rod or Stuart as the chapter president

:B I like it, although perhaps the president should be the one with the most expensive B&W gear :P If memory serves that just might be KahunaCanuck

[longgone]

I'm just getting ready to listen to the Tigers and Yankees on the radio. Detroit has 97.1 - the Ticket as their broadcast station and they do a really good job. I wonder what the crack of the bat on a home run or the pop of the ball in a catcher's mit sounds like with B&W's?

Wow, Rod#S, good move on the 802's. I noticed a difference in the B&W line all the way up to the 802. Haven't heard the 800 yet. I will have to dig very deep to afford the 800's but it seems justified.

1st pitch a single for the Yanks.

yuk! Granderson tripled in a run. An ex Tiger come back to haunt the Tigers. Ok, a strike out... settle down Verlander. 99 mph pitches. I can just see the lights of Comerica Park shining on the Lion's Ford Field dome from my balcony. Bummer, sacrafice infield grounder to short scores Granderson. Two out. Verlander gets another strikeout to end the top of the 1st.

I have to go do some voodoo.

[stuofsci02]

:B I like it, although perhaps the president should be the one with the most expensive B&W gear :P If memory serves that just might be KahunaCanuck

Then I am definately out

I think you are right about Kahuna!

[stuofsci02]

I'm just getting ready to listen to the Tigers and Yankees on the radio. Detroit has 97.1 - the Ticket as their broadcast station and they do a really good job. I wonder what the crack of the bat on a home run or the pop of the ball in a catcher's mit sounds like with B&W's?

Wow, Rod#S, good move on the 802's. I noticed a difference in the B&W line all the way up to the 802. Haven't heard the 800 yet. I will have to dig very deep to afford the 800's but it seems justified.

1st pitch a single for the Yanks.

yuk! Granderson tripled in a run. An ex Tiger come back to haunt the Tigers. Ok, a strike out... settle down Verlander. 99 mph pitches. I can just see the lights of Comerica Park shining on the Lion's Ford Field dome from my balcony. Bummer, sacrafice infield grounder to short scores Granderson. Two out. Verlander gets another strikeout to end the top of the 1st.

I have to go do some voodoo.

Hmmm.. 6th inning and it looks like the momentum is on Det side..

[longgone]

Good game for the Tigers and Verlander. Verlander threw some 101 mph pitches. Can you imagine?

I don't have any B&W's yet but I would be happy to belong to any B&W Club.

I have a cardboard template of the 800 and 802 plinth's. heh heh...

[stuofsci02]

I don't imagine the cardboard templates sound very good.. Time to jump on board..

[Skyblue]

I don't imagine the cardboard templates sound very good.. Time to jump on board..

Maybe if he upgrades his source?

[htsteve]

I wonder what the crack of the bat on a home run or the pop of the ball in a catcher's mit sounds like with B&W's?

These sound quite excellent on my 802D based system! Especially when Cabrera hits it.

My wife, who is 3/4 deaf, says that she can hear that pretty well. So you know how clear that needs to be.

[longgone]

Go Tigers! I like listening to the game on radio and when they pick up the crowd or ball park noises it is the bonus. I'm jealous of you, htsteve. That's very considerate of you to have 802D's for your hearing impaired wife. I'm sure she appreciates it. I will think of you when I glance at my cardboard B&W templates and sigh. Maybe I have time to whip up some McIntosh 2kw cardboard templates? heh heh. Another big night at the ballpark.

My audio gear is on all day and evening most of the time. I will get a lot of use from some B&W's.

[AvMania]

Hi,

Joining this a bit late, but I have a set of older 802D's and love them. I have listened to a set of 802Di's and have not thought there was so much improvement over the older version to warrant an upgrade. From what i have been told the 800's are very room dependent and needs space to breath where the 802's are more room friendly.

Anyway, the mid and the high units of both are the same, only the bass cabinet and the drivers are different. so to me there should not be any difference in the midrange and highs of the two speakers, unless the electroics are different.

it seems so:

B&W 800D Crossover (has 3 boards google to see it)
Tweeter - 4.7uF Mundorf Gold/Silver Capacitor
Midrange - 22uf+22uF+10uF Mundorf Supreme Capacitors
Woofer - 100uf+100uF Mundorf Mcap Capacitors

B&W802D (mid & highs on one board and Bass on another)
Tweeter - 4.7uF Mundorf Gold/Silver Capacitor
Midrange - 47uFMcap + 10uF Mundorf Supreme Capacitors
Woofer - Same

So if this is changed we should get the midrange as good as the 800D. This is my next project after I have completed the power amp upgrade. I'm actually going to replace all the possible to M'dorf Silver/Gold in oil which is even better than what is on the 800D.

Here's hoping....... :W

[aarsoe]

You can use the Silver/oil instead of the gold/silver/oil and get what some describe as a better sound for about half the money. It is a bit more forgiving in the high end freq..

However if you are really into tinkering then having the added space in the 800 foot could make it possible to use foil inductors. Now that would really boost the sound quality, but boy do they get big awfully fast.

[nikos]

Hi,

Joining this a bit late, but I have a set of older 802D's and love them. I have listened to a set of 802Di's and have not thought there was so much improvement over the older version to warrant an upgrade. From what i have been told the 800's are very room dependent and needs space to breath where the 802's are more room friendly.

Anyway, the mid and the high units of both are the same, only the bass cabinet and the drivers are different. so to me there should not be any difference in the midrange and highs of the two speakers, unless the electroics are different.

it seems so:

B&W 800D Crossover (has 3 boards google to see it)
Tweeter - 4.7uF Mundorf Gold/Silver Capacitor
Midrange - 22uf+22uF+10uF Mundorf Supreme Capacitors
Woofer - 100uf+100uF Mundorf Mcap Capacitors

B&W802D (mid & highs on one board and Bass on another)
Tweeter - 4.7uF Mundorf Gold/Silver Capacitor
Midrange - 47uFMcap + 10uF Mundorf Supreme Capacitors
Woofer - Same

So if this is changed we should get the midrange as good as the 800D. This is my next project after I have completed the power amp upgrade. I'm actually going to replace all the possible to M'dorf Silver/Gold in oil which is even better than what is on the 800D.

Here's hoping....... :W

Anyone know what the crossover used in the 801D is?

also can someone post what crossover upgrades the 802Di, and 800Di
to have as comparisons. Thx

[aarsoe]

If you want to upgrade the midrange capacitors then the 22 uF Supremes that b&w is using is the largest capacity they have. So you cannot get better ones than what B&W is using. They don't exist as silver/oil or silver/gold models..

Don't know if you are aware but B&W actually switched to silver/gold/oil in the latest 800Di and 802Di models..

[SoundEngine355]

Bass extension is the only noticeable difference.