B&W 800 series jump from 600 series.

[Rod#S]

Good to hear, not long now then. What do you mean by "B&W stopped drop shipping the 800 series"?

[PewterTA]

They will no longer ship from the B&W warehouse directly to your home... I've heard another person say that as well... So now the speakers have to be delivered to the store and then work out how to get them to my home... Just have to see if they will deliver them for free or what happens. My friend goes up to cleveland a lot so I might even be able to get them a ride in his silverado either this next weekend or the one after if he goes up and they are willing to do that. Who knows. Now the suspense is killing me (especially since my friend just gave me the first payment on my speakers). He's only got my 2nd set of 602s over at his place currently and he's amazed by them...so I know he's wanting to get the rest of my 600s over his place.

[stevek]

I would be concerned about buying these expensive speakers when he is not financially ready to do so. IMO, toys should be paid for in cash with truly extra funds, above and beyond any potential house repairs, education savings, retirement funding and all other living costs, etc.

Our US Government may think it's OK to continually borrow (print money) for discretionary spending, but that is not the prudent course of action for responsible individuals. Just look at our current economic mess and the majority of people comprising our cash stapped society, if you need a prime example of how buying above your means works out in the long haul.

well said,but i would be willing to bet that most if not all of us on this site are much more responsible than the" socialists" wrecking the country right now.it sounds like he has his personal budget pretty well balanced to the point of knowing how much money is left every month.
to me the only concern with financing would be are you safe from the almost certain collapse of the economy and the dollar.
unfortunately being a small buisness owner in america today makes my personal economic future very uncertain.sorry for the rant but in todays america you have to look at more than your own situation and worry about what's happening around us and how is it gonna effect us as individuals.very very sad.

[bigburner]

i would be willing to bet that most if not all of us on this site are much more responsible than the" socialists" wrecking the country right now.

I think you guys should bring back that responsible chap who ran your country before the "socialists" started wrecking it. You remember, the chap who left his job with America facing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

I think people forget that the five former Democratic Presidents (Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, and Harry S. Truman) all reduced public debt as a share of GDP, while the last four Republican Presidents (George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford) all oversaw an increase in your country's indebtedness.

The modern era rot started with Ronald Reagan who cut taxes in order to deprive the federal government of revenue in an attempt to force them to reduce spending. The result of this strategy was increased public debt rather than reduced spending. George W. Bush, being a man who did his best to repeat the mistakes of history, implemented the same strategy. Consequently public debt increased from $5.7 trillion in to $10.7 trillion during his watch.

It's easy to blame the current "socialist" but I don't think he's entirely to blame.

Anyway I'm doing my best not to overspend on hi-fi because I don't need a financial crisis in my household (so Lex, you can see that there's hi-fi angle to my rant).

Nigel.

[PewterTA]

The best option is to get rid of politics completely... but that's just me. ha ha.

Yes, finances are not a problem, I'm only financing half the price of everything and have 2 years to pay it off for 0% interest (roughly equates to $400 a month), so it's not a big deal on the purchase of these. Actually a lot easier since I just got two very nice raises in the last 2 months.... I will still be putting well over $400 a month away towards savings/retirement each month on top of the purchase. ...and still have a little left over every month for whatever comes up. So I should be okay to purchase these...well too late now!

I'm just figuring now I'll find the girl of my dreams that'll make me spend all my money on her.... ARGHHH. LOL :P

[stevek]

:Z :Z :Z :rofl:

The best option is to get rid of politics completely... but that's just me. ha ha.

Yes, finances are not a problem, I'm only financing half the price of everything and have 2 years to pay it off for 0% interest (roughly equates to $400 a month), so it's not a big deal on the purchase of these. Actually a lot easier since I just got two very nice raises in the last 2 months.... I will still be putting well over $400 a month away towards savings/retirement each month on top of the purchase. ...and still have a little left over every month for whatever comes up. So I should be okay to purchase these...well too late now!

I'm just figuring now I'll find the girl of my dreams that'll make me spend all my money on her.... ARGHHH. LOL :P

better get all your audio needs handled before you find that women,thats why i have the cm series,haha
looks like the media in new zeland is tied to ours.how else could someone be so misinformed. :Z

[wkhanna]

Nigel!!!
You should know better.
This is an audio forum.
You can not confuse the issue at hand with facts.
This act of blasphemy should not be allowed without interdiction of the ‘Audio Inquisition’.

[wkhanna]

Regarding Dan’s financial responsibility…….

If he were contemplating the purchase of a motorcycle, or a boat; I sincerely doubt anyone would be raising such questions.

Why is it that an audio equipment purchase would be held in any different light than recreational vehicle?

[bigburner]

Nigel!!!
You should know better.
This is an audio forum.
You can not confuse the issue at hand with facts.
This act of blasphemy should not be allowed without interdiction of the ‘Audio Inquisition’.

Quite right Bill. I apologise.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

I'm just figuring now I'll find the girl of my dreams that'll make me spend all my money on her....

With a pair of speakers like those it's going to be easier to find the girl of your dreams. When she hears those beauties she is going to be amazed. All you need is the music that's going to make her realise you are the man of her dreams.

Although the majority of the listening done on my system is by me on my own I go to a lot of effort to ensure that when my wife is listening she has a great experience that encourages her to support my obsession. In the process of doing this I am discovering (or rediscovering) wonderful music that I never thought I would like.

Those speakers are going to be with you a long time I suspect, probably long after the price has been forgotten.

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

Quite right Bill. I apologise.

Nigel.

No, It is I who should apologize.
I gave the "Inquisition' your address.
Sorry.

Oh, and maybe tell your wife not to answer the door. :W

[PewterTA]

The first girl that likes my speakers because of how good they sound ...well... I'll be keeping her. lol

She can have everything else...BUT the speakers in the divorce! lol

If I have to choose between her or the speakers...she'll be finding another place to live. lol

I think I can keep going on with these....... lol

[wkhanna]

Revision ‘B’ to the HTG Rules & Regulations:

HTG Rule #1: There is no such thing as too much power

HTG Rule #2: See HTG Rule #1

HTG Rule #3: List the 802's as 'untouchable' in the pre-nuptial contract. :W

[Skyblue]

Hee hee........... :E

The iPad2 remote was a nice touch as well. Though the Kaleidescape system was a nice toy to play with as well... even if it did cost the price of the 802Diamonds (almost).

One of the best times I've had going for a little road trip! Ended up at AudioVideoInteriors in Middleburg, OH (just south west of Cleveland - by the airport). One of the NICEST show rooms and people I've ever had the pleasure of going into.

You know it's going to be good when you first walk in the door and are offered Beer, Wine, Water, "What can I get you?!"

Btw. I just want to say that I think this is a fantastic picture. The joy just radiates out of the face.

[leo2498]

The first girl that likes my speakers because of how good they sound ...well... I'll be keeping her. lol

She can have everything else...BUT the speakers in the divorce! lol

If I have to choose between her or the speakers...she'll be finding another place to live. lol

I think I can keep going on with these....... lol

Hi PewterTA, congratulation for your new babys, what kind of amp you will use to feed this beasts?

[PewterTA]

Skyblue you are correct... that's pure happiness there!!!!

Leo... I've got a Rotel RB-1090 that's been modified, 380w per channel... I think it'll be able to push the speakers quite nicely... I might not get the refinement that some higher end amps could do...but the 1090 has not failed me pushing any speaker yet!

Bill, you are right about #3... that'll HAVE to go in there!

Ohhh... and it looks like Tuesday is the day for them to arrive! :T :B

[Rod#S]

You'll have to post pics of the arrival, unpacking and setup :B

[PewterTA]

Most definitely. They are delivering it and doing all the unpacking and "setup." We'll see how much they actually do!

That's like having someone else unwrap and open your christmas presents and just handing you the toy... some of the fun is gone at that point!

[SPACEMANRICK]

I don't know those babies are big and heavy......best left to the experts. I guess this will be one long weekend for you waiting :B

[Rod#S]

Most definitely. They are delivering it and doing all the unpacking and "setup." We'll see how much they actually do!

That's like having someone else unwrap and open your christmas presents and just handing you the toy... some of the fun is gone at that point!

If your dealer is like mine you won't have to touch them, he hired movers to bring them over and up to my place and then he unpacked them and set them up, checked that the cones were all in good order, unlocked the midrange driver, etc. I was definitely impressed with the service.

The night before was brutal, I couldn't sleep at all

[PewterTA]

I think you're right... I think sleeping is going to be rough tonight!!!! Can't wait for tomorrow!!!!!

They are bringing them early in the morning...so I'll have all day to play with them!! What's nice is they are bringing them in their own truck and the guy I bought them from is personally coming to set them up. Can't beat that! Though I'm sure I'll do just as much as them. ha ha.

[Rod#S]

So.....how are you getting along with the new beauties?

[leo2498]

Hi PewterTA, how was everything with the new speakers?

[PewterTA]

Just got them yesterday set up. I'm getting them broken in right now as we speak (about 6 hours on them now --- maybe 7). I adjusted the screw on the mid range and HOLY CRAP did I find out how to make them SING!!!! WOW!!!! 8O I think they look like they belong here!

The best part is in the shop they were VERY forward sounding...and we pulled them out about 3 or 4 feet from the wall before the sound stage moved to be equal with the speaker vs in front of it. I was a little worried about them being in my home as I can only have them out about a foot or so. But this is the deepest I've ever heard the sound stage and the sound stage starts MAYBE at the speakers and goes back through the wall.... it's definitely the deepest I've ever heard my system... So apparently they LOVE my room. :B

That and they are already a GOOD bit better in the bass and need to still break in! Love that! Might be the first time I've heard reall good bass before! :E

[wkhanna]

I stopped over to Dan’s yesterday to help welcome the 800’s to their new home.

I am thoroughly familiar with his system having spent many joyous hours bathed in its competent articulation of musical reproduction. It was a system that few would not envy.

Now, however, he is in a place far from that benchmark. Green as they could be with less than 10 hours on them, the presentation was nothing less than a spiritual epiphany. We all just sat speechless with big shit-eating grins. We did not even have desire to open the bottle of Mumm’s Cuvee I brought over to christen them. Needless to say, as Dan said, they V much like their new home. And as far as I am concerned, they could never have a better one.

Well......... at least until he gets a truntable, that is. :W

Congratulations, Dan!

[Rod#S]

Great pics! I'm glad they meet and by the sounds of things perhaps even exceed your expectations. It's a great feeling to get something you are so pleased with.

[madmac]

Just got them yesterday set up. I'm getting them broken in right now as we speak (about 6 hours on them now --- maybe 7). I adjusted the screw on the mid range and HOLY CRAP did I find out how to make them SING!!!! WOW!!!! 8O I think they look like they belong here!

The best part is in the shop they were VERY forward sounding...and we pulled them out about 3 or 4 feet from the wall before the sound stage moved to be equal with the speaker vs in front of it. I was a little worried about them being in my home as I can only have them out about a foot or so. But this is the deepest I've ever heard the sound stage and the sound stage starts MAYBE at the speakers and goes back through the wall.... it's definitely the deepest I've ever heard my system... So apparently they LOVE my room. :B

That and they are already a GOOD bit better in the bass and need to still break in! Love that! Might be the first time I've heard reall good bass before! :E

Very nice!!. However, you are doing a disservice to your great center channel speaker having it so high!. I would arrange it 'right' and tight below your monitor and arrange a shelf to put your gear above the TV. The center will 'blend' better with the mains that way and have more 'presence' in the sound when playing in 5.1

........Just my 2 cents!!. At least try it and you'll see and hear what I'm talking about!! :T

[SPACEMANRICK]

I am glad that they have finally arrived and you can enjoy them in their majestic beauty.....Enjoy in good health :T

[HedgeHog]

Congratulations, PewterTA! Enjoy them.

BTW, regarding the midrange adjustment screw, how tight is tight and how loose is loose? Or does one just do 1/4 turns till it sounds right?

Cheers,
-H

[PewterTA]

Yes... tight is a "how tight is tight". I'd do 1/4 turns while something is playing and I'd say probably not to go over 1 and 1/2 turns while tightening. Every 1/4 turn go back to the sweet spot and listen again. That's the best I can say to do... Mine is tight enough with a screw driver it takes a little effort to get it turned...but I would say with 3 fingers on the screw driver I CAN turn it. Just remember where you had it and if you don't notice any difference then might as well put it back.

Madmac... you would be VERY surprised with the center where it is... it very rarely sounds like it's coming from there. With the sound staging from the L/R (and this is with my old 600 series too)... you very rarely feel like the voices are coming from up where the center is sitting. Now yes, it would ideally be nice to have the center sitting on the stand, but I can't get the current TV lifted at all without a bunch of work and then the TV is too high. When I get a new TV I'll get one of those stands for the TV that goes under the shelf below to hold it up (or buy a new stand all together). That's in the future though as I won't be buying anything anytime soon. lol

There's some really nice pictures my friend took that I'll have to post up, however we forgot to clean the speakers after opening them so there's lots of dust on them and it shows up in EVERY picture...so might have to do another photo shoot... ha ha.

So far I'm loving the speakers, still haven't listened to a ton of stuff as work is keeping me busy at the moment...but I'm making sure to give them some use every night! ha ha.

[PewterTA]

Here's a few of the pictures my friend took...low res as the high res is well too darn large! lol

[leo2498]

[QUOTE=PewterTA]Here's a few of the pictures my friend took...low res as the high res is well too darn large! lol

Just wonderful, PewterTA!! congratulation, good for you. Enjoy them.

[PewterTA]

Thanks Leo... I'm breaking them in nicely with about 4 hours or so roughly per day of use... they keep getting slightly better each day it seems to me. Or I am becoming more and more comfortable with their sound (which ever way one believes)...

Either way they are going to be very very very happy here as well as I am going to be very very happy with them.

Though it'll probably cause component upgradeitis in the next few years.... Thinking Classe will be the way I would go if I do.

[leo2498]

Thanks Leo... I'm breaking them in nicely with about 4 hours or so roughly per day of use... they keep getting slightly better each day it seems to me. Or I am becoming more and more comfortable with their sound (which ever way one believes)...

Either way they are going to be very very very happy here as well as I am going to be very very happy with them.

Though it'll probably cause component upgradeitis in the next few years.... Thinking Classe will be the way I would go if I do.

Hi Dan, jajaja definitively it's a curse; few month ago I though "this would be my final upgrade" when I bought my 804D system, I said this to my wife but now I'm just thinking go with the same amp that you are thinking.
I listened the mac252 in my dealer and don't like much, he could sell me the classe but only I can buy this without listen(he haven't a demo of this). In my country it will cost 11000 usd(ca5300), I will not buy something if I not listen first, the only solution I could have is travel to USA and listen it and if I really like it I will Buy it here in Bogota. How you could compare the sound of rotel vs classe in your opinion?

How much costed your 802D? you got a discount with your dealer?

[mrciave]

Yes... tight is a "how tight is tight". I'd do 1/4 turns while something is playing and I'd say probably not to go over 1 and 1/2 turns while tightening. Every 1/4 turn go back to the sweet spot and listen again. That's the best I can say to do... Mine is tight enough with a screw driver it takes a little effort to get it turned...but I would say with 3 fingers on the screw driver I CAN turn it. Just remember where you had it and if you don't notice any difference then might as well put it back.

Congratulations for your purchase.

Maybe I remember wrong, but wasn't the midrange screw to be left untouched (factory tightened)? I own 802D, not Di, so maybe the older model wasn't adjustable.

[madmac]

This whole screws on speakers 'thingy' is interesting. I believe that all speaker screws will, over time become loose on speakers and that they should be re-tightened after time. I was rather surprised when I took a screw driver to my speakers at how loose they were.

[mrciave]

Any tightening torque figure? Or maybe it's too low for a common torque wrench. My lower limit is 5Nm.

[PewterTA]

What I did... which infact I just redid them... is I backed the screws out until they got pretty loose (could actually see the screw starting to come out as compared to flat with the rest of the opening). Then using 3 fingers only (just enough to hold the screw driver), I tightened until I felt tension, then went about a 1/4 turn more until it felt "snug." Maybe even less than 'snug' ...basically where you could tell there was tension. I don't have any torque wrench to estimate it...but from what I've read and Bowers and Wilkins have sent me there should be just a little bit of tension on it. Otherwise you're compressing the "gel" that the driver sits upon.

MadMac, you're right, I've always tightened my screws on a yearly basis and it definitely (in my mind) helps. On my 604s3s that I had, I tightened the one screw the first time I did it and it was completely loose, I could've unscrewed it with my fingers... after that I've always been careful to snug them up pretty good, especially on the bass drivers.

[PewterTA]

Mrcaive, from what they told me they often slightly over tighten the screw for shipping and throughout the shipping process it'll come loose regardless. You should be able to see, but the 802Ds should be able to be tightened.

Leo...I'd say I got a fair deal on my speakers. Got a discount and saved in a few other "areas" as well. All in all... I'm happy with the deal I got....could I have gotten better...maybe...but I could've done a LOT worse as well.

Course I haven't seen the bill yet (started the payments on them)...so that'll make it sink in as to what exactly I just bought! LOL

[PewterTA]

Oh yeah... and I thought something sounded wrong... the center imaging wasn't where I thought it should be, slightly to the right of center...so I went and measured the speakers from the back wall and got them lined up so they are the same distance and then marked off three points on the speakers so I had them toed in equally... just that little bit of tweaking (moved maybe an inch at most in any direction) and they imagining snapped into place. I sort of dislike the fact that I can realize the smallest changes or "problems" in my system anymore and have to figure out what's causing them. lol Is there such a thing as super-hearer like super-tasters!??!

[mrciave]

Mrcaive, from what they told me they often slightly over tighten the screw for shipping and throughout the shipping process it'll come loose regardless. You should be able to see, but the 802Ds should be able to be tightened.

Mine are already pretty tight. Already 2 years playing on the speakers. So maybe no need to touch them.

[mrciave]

Oh yeah... and I thought something sounded wrong... the center imaging wasn't where I thought it should be, slightly to the right of center...so I went and measured the speakers from the back wall and got them lined up so they are the same distance and then marked off three points on the speakers so I had them toed in equally... just that little bit of tweaking (moved maybe an inch at most in any direction) and they imagining snapped into place. I sort of dislike the fact that I can realize the smallest changes or "problems" in my system anymore and have to figure out what's causing them. lol Is there such a thing as super-hearer like super-tasters!??!

As said, I have the previous 802D model, and they are super sensitive to positioning and toe-in.

Distance from back wall is critical for bass, while toe-in is super sensitive for imaging and tonal balance:
- Not enough toe in: sound is bright and airy, no body, small focus, hole in the middle, but big soundstage
- Too much toe in: sound gets dull, everything seems to play with hand brake on, and honestly focus is not that great either

In fact, it's one of the features I dislike. In my room, there's practically no way of getting a decent soundstage, focus, and tonal balance together. Finally I went for tonal balance rather than soundstage. The sweet spot for me is when, sitting in my listening position, I can barely see a vertical line of wood on the external side of the speakers (with grilles on).

But the bottom line is that, the higher you go with your system, the more sensitive it will be. Same as with a crap or high performance car: the high performance one is definitely faster, but also more sensitive to environmental conditions (grip, weather, whatever). You'll always be faster than the crap car, but the day you won't be 100% you'll feel it performs like s**t.

Pretty much the same as the Scooby (I have a '06 Sti :W ).

[leo2498]

Mrcaive, from what they told me they often slightly over tighten the screw for shipping and throughout the shipping process it'll come loose regardless. You should be able to see, but the 802Ds should be able to be tightened.

Leo...I'd say I got a fair deal on my speakers. Got a discount and saved in a few other "areas" as well. All in all... I'm happy with the deal I got....could I have gotten better...maybe...but I could've done a LOT worse as well.

Course I haven't seen the bill yet (started the payments on them)...so that'll make it sink in as to what exactly I just bought! LOL

Hi Dan,
thanks for your input, What do you think about the comparison between rotel vs classe with 800 series?

[PewterTA]

Classe is just that one step better than Rotel in my opinion. Classe' stuff is the same thing as buying the 800 series over the CM or 600s... you're paying the money for that little extra something! I think the Classe has a slight bit better neutrality and little better imaging.

There's a lot more similarities than differences in my opinion... Classe (if I decide to go up to) will be my end point for components I think...

[wkhanna]

... Classe (if I decide to go up to) will be my end point for components I think...

:roflmao:
You realize this conversation may be recorded for quality control prepossess?