Are B&W 804 Diamond good enough for me?

[smiletimeDK]

I'm seriously thinking about an upgrade to B&W 804 Diamond, because I love the design. I haven't heard them yet, but I could imagine, that they are much better than my current B&W XT4. I use Thule PR350B as preamp and Thule PA350BV (2x350w) as power amplifer.

I have used this 2channel setup for about 5 years now and I want more punch and overall better sound. I listen to all kinds of music, but mostly to dance, trance and techno. Will 804Di satisfy my needs for my music taste? Maybe with a PV1D subwofer, which also should be good for music - what I've heard.

My dream setup with B&W 804 Diamond are the CLASSÉ CP-800 and CLASSÉ CA-2300, but maybe my Thule amps are enough?

I do not have the opportunity to hear 804Di right now, so hope someone has heard them and can give their opinion I dont want too big speaker, that's why I'm interested in 804Di.

[nimrodasas]

hi
i bought 804Diamond and i have them only a month
i connceted them to music fidlity m6i
its sound amazing with alot of bass and soundstage
the only problem is i didnt have a chance to compare it to 803 or 802 diamond
i had the 600 series before..

[smiletimeDK]

That sounds great :-) How big is your room? If you compared it to 803/802, you properly didn't went with 804

[nimrodasas]

do you have skype i'll send you some pictures
its about 3 meter square..
i think you are right i didnt have a chance but now if i could go back i think i would take 803 diamond..
but dont get me wrong the speaker is awsome but just because of that
i must know how is 803 and 802..

[smiletimeDK]

I'd love to see some pictures, but I dont have skype. What about messenger?

I just think the 803 is too tall maybe and will be too expensive if the CLASSÉ CA-2300 hasn't power enough to drive them.

[Mark_NZ]

I just think the 803 is too tall maybe and will be too expensive if the CLASSÉ CA-2300 hasn't power enough to drive them.

I have owned the 803D for years and previously the 804S. The 803D is significantly larger and taller than the 804S (same size as 804Di). I am confortable with the size but the 804 is definitely more discreet if that is important to you. I typically listen below the tweeter height with no significant impact on sound quality.
I have run the 803D on various 60W to 200W amplifiers without feeling that amplifiers are struggling. In fact I once borrowed a Marantz SM11S1 that has an accurate power meter. My usual listening levels were averaging less than 3 Watts and the loudest sound level I could handle peaked at 40W! Having compared the 803D to 803Di - the 803Di is in fact a bit more sensitive. By deduction the 300Watt Classe CA2300 should be more than adequate for the 803Di.

[wowo5]

804 Diamond is a great speaker. I am sure you will be happy with it. It is not a difficult speaker to drive but it definitely loves power. The more power the better but it would sound fine with even a modest amplifier. A lot depends on what music you listen to, how big is your room, etc.

[Charlieu]

For your taste in music, 804's paired with a sub or two will be excellent with your current equipment. Your major concern should be the quality of the recordings. Low bitrate MP3s will sound disappointing as the 800 series speakers are accurate to the point where compression in a recording is very noticeable. Even some modern CDs can be compressed to the point where they are not enjoyable through the 804's. Out of your three favorite genres, techno and trance will really benefit from the extra accuracy. Dance, I'm not so sure about, but for me I only use it for background music.

[ullodea]

I own the 804Ds and also listen to a fair bit of electronic material. On the power front - your 250W per channel should be fine. You'll get tight (not boomy) bass (better with a sub) and great highs. But I would repeat what's been said above, when the music you are listening to is mastered well (e.g say an original Anjunabeats album, SBTRKT, James Blake, most Kaskade) they will sound amazing, and when it isn't, these speakers won't smooth things over, they'll just highlight the bad recording. I say this because a good proportion of dance (particularly the mix compilations) is badly mastered and compressed, so if you want a speaker that will make a wider range of music sound good instead, try something like the Sonus Faber Liuto. I wouldn't change the 804Ds though, when the music's right they sparkle like no other.

[smiletimeDK]

Sounds good that they will sound amazing on good quality records. I do not listen as much to dance, as I do in trance. I also watch alot of blu-ray movies in PCM 2 channels, which is super quality. I think I will give them a listen within 2 weeks.

Do you think the new B&W PV1D will be a great match for 804D, if I take two of them? They do look sexy and looks like a good match with the 804D.

http://s3.pji.nu/product/standard/800/1046993.jpg

[bigburner]

And so, smiletimeDK, ask not what your B&W 804 Diamonds can do for you - ask what you can do for your B&W 804 Diamonds.

Nigel.

[Forgive me, I've been watching (and thoroughly enjoying) "The Kennedys" on TV.]

[smiletimeDK]

Bigturner: Are you talking about amplifier? I am thinking about Classé CP-800/CA-3200 together or maybe Mcintosh MC-302/C-50w, which are about $1400 cheaper than the Classé combo here in Denmark. The think about Classé I like - you can put them into a closed hifi-cabinet. I dont now if the new Mcintosh can do that without getting too hot?

[dukester]

Bigturner: Are you talking about amplifier? I am thinking about Classé CP-800/CA-3200 together or maybe Mcintosh MC-302/C-50w, which are about $1400 cheaper than the Classé combo here in Denmark. The think about Classé I like - you can put them into a closed hifi-cabinet. I dont now if the new Mcintosh can do that without getting too hot?

I have a MC302/c2300 set-up in an enclosed unit (Salamander Berlin) and after hours of play they are barely warm...probably due to the C2300's tubes and more than likely my Oppo 83SE (a few inches above the C2300). I'm sure other Mac owners will chime in on how efficiently cool their Mac gear runs...but w/my set-up I do not worry about heat issues.

[ullodea]

I've got my 804Ds hooked up to an MC302, no heat issues in a pretty confined space (5cm clearance each side, 10 cm on top).

[smiletimeDK]

Thanks, I will definitely give MC302 a listen.

[dan87951]

Mcintosh equipment all the way, you can thank me later!