803di or 804di

[cyisone01]

I am currently debating between these two speakers. They will used for both HT and good old music. They will be in a room that is 20 ft wide by 34 ft long. The listening point is about 17 ft from the wide wall.

My local B&W store only has the 804 diamond to listen to and I love the sound. However, I have read many post indicating the 803 diamond is better all around. I am also considering the HTM2 Diamond or HTM4. My local shop only has the HTM4 Diamond to audition.

I have a 7.1 system every where else also with B&W speakers. I have a 250 per channel amp.

I would appreciate if anyone could assist me with the following:

1. Which speaker would you recommend and why
2. Is one speaker easier to drive than the other or will the 250 be plenty
3. Which center channel would you pick and why

Thanks and I love this board!

[Antus]

i will go for 804 or go up to 802. 803 is in an awark position.

[cyisone01]

What is your reasoning behind that? Just not worth the extra money for the difference in sound?

[leo2498]

Hi I have the 804D+htm4+805D and the blend is awesome, what you will use for rears? I think that the 804 is a good small speaker because they have many benefits of his bigger brothers, with the 803D you could be a better bass output but no enough like a 802D; if you don't have a problem with money go for 802D instead, but if money is a factor you would look at a better sub with the 804D and save some for the rears, the sound in both is pretty the same(804D with 803D).

[cyisone01]

Thanks - I do have B&W in walls for the sides and rears. They are the higher end models.

I do have a good size sub and as much as I would love to just can't wait for the 802 diamonds.

I had just read so much data on the difference between the 803 and 804 that I did not want to make a mistake in not considering the 803 diamonds.

[cyisone01]

I was also concerned with the room size and amp size and the pros and cons I would see with each speaker.

[Chucka]

Hi I have the 804D+htm4+805D and the blend is awesome, what you will use for rears? I think that the 804 is a good small speaker because they have many benefits of his bigger brothers, with the 803D you could be a better bass output but no enough like a 802D; if you don't have a problem with money go for 802D instead, but if money is a factor you would look at a better sub with the 804D and save some for the rears, the sound in both is pretty the same(804D with 803D).

I am just curious to find what you are powering these with?

Chucka

[kcsun]

My vote is for 803di and htm2di. The midrange is awesome with 803's and I have lowered the sub from 80hz to 40 using the 803's. The difference between the htm4 and 2 is chalk and cheese. The htm2 has alot better dialogue sound and is more rounded due to the additional 2 midrange drivers. The htm4 does not work in a large room with only a small midrange and tweeter. I also use 7nt in wall speakers as my rears.
The difference in cost between 804 and 803's makes the 803's alot better value for money - the htm2di is expensive but worth every penny in my view

Go find a dealer with the 803 htm2 as demo - you will not be dissappointed
kc

[cyisone01]

I am using 2 rotel amps to power the entire system. On dedicated to the fronts and one for the other 5 channels.

I have one vote for the 803 and one vote for the 804.

Keep the opinions coming!

[leo2498]

I am just curious to find what you are powering these with?

Chucka

By Rotel RB-1582.

[leo2498]

My vote is for 803di and htm2di. The midrange is awesome with 803's and I have lowered the sub from 80hz to 40 using the 803's. The difference between the htm4 and 2 is chalk and cheese. The htm2 has alot better dialogue sound and is more rounded due to the additional 2 midrange drivers. The htm4 does not work in a large room with only a small midrange and tweeter. I also use 7nt in wall speakers as my rears.
The difference in cost between 804 and 803's makes the 803's alot better value for money - the htm2di is expensive but worth every penny in my view

Go find a dealer with the 803 htm2 as demo - you will not be dissappointed
kc

What is the main difference in your opinion between the 803 vs 804 Instead of 0,5 " in bass driver diameter and aditional bass driver that all together have only 3 Hz bellow in bass output?

[cyisone01]

Has anyone auditioned them both? If so can you comment on the differences you noted?

[kcsun]

I auditioned both about two months ago, 803's dwarf 804's in physical size and the sound is sooo much bigger, rounder, fuller, believe me 1/2 an inch and an extra bass driver DO make a massive difference
They are worth every penny of the additional cost and more

kc

[Pedro]

i will go for 804 or go up to 802. 803 is in an awark position.

I second that. I´ve never liked the midrange of 803D/Di, I much prefer the 802 or 804 for that reason.

[cyisone01]

I had heard the mid range in the 803 diamond is not as tight and clear as the 804. Seem like everyone is split on these two. Just trying to determine if there is a difference that will make up the cost.

[Briz vegas]

803
-big, more bass
-midrange in bigger baffle not ideal
- Hard to drive 3 bass drivers, really need the biggest amp you can throw at them
- in less than idea room bass can be too much- need bass traps
804
- treble hump reported- sounded a little like that to me also
- need a good 200w plus to get best, but easier than 803 to drive
- midrange in smaller baffle helps quality
Thats about the size of it. Fact is Ive been talking to audiophiles for years and there is no right answer, everyone has personal bias and your room may hate one or the other also. You pick the compromise, as nothing is set in stone. I have old 804s and sometimes would not mind bigger sound but I would not go 803di(thats me). If you like a big sound get some second hand 803D and sell for minimal loss when you can afford 802Di. My personal opinion, but sounds a good compromise to me.

[Pio]

I second that. I´ve never liked the midrange of 803D/Di, I much prefer the 802 or 804 for that reason.

+1 the 803Di has something going on in the midrange that just doesn't sound right when you listen to it side by side with the 802Di and the 804Di.

Personally, I plan on upgrading my HT speakers to either the new 805 or 804...

[cyisone01]

I ordered the 804 diamonds today. Thanks for the help and lets hope I love them as much as I think I will!

[dukester]

I ordered the 804 diamonds today. Thanks for the help and lets hope I love them as much as I think I will!

Congrats! What finish?

[leo2498]

I ordered the 804 diamonds today. Thanks for the help and lets hope I love them as much as I think I will!

I glad you did it, I think you will be very happy with this choice.

[cyisone01]

Rosenut!

[SPACEMANRICK]

Congratulations, I loved my 804S speakers, I have never heard the 804 diamonds but I am sure they must sound a few notches above my old 804S speakers!

[cyisone01]

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the help. My speakers came in today and I have hooked them up and been listening for about an hour. I am not sure if is the room or the equipment but these suckers sound absolutely incredible. I could not be happier! It makes me sick that I waited so long to pull the trigger. I am going back to listen some more but just wanted to make sure I thanked those of you that provided me with the guidance to move forward.

[Chucka]

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the help. My speakers came in today and I have hooked them up and been listening for about an hour. I am not sure if is the room or the equipment but these suckers sound absolutely incredible. I could not be happier! It makes me sick that I waited so long to pull the trigger. I am going back to listen some more but just wanted to make sure I thanked those of you that provided me with the guidance to move forward.

So what are you powering these with?

[leo2498]

Hi cyisone01 is good to know that you finally are happy with your up grade, you could put some pic of your set up.

[Rod#S]

Congrats on your purchase, It's great to hear you are satisfied . My dealer has a pair of 804 Diamonds set up and they sound wonderful. As for your center, even though the HTM4 Diamond is marketed for the 805 Diamond and 804 Diamond, I would go for the HTM2 Diamond without hesitation. For home theater you should always go for the best speaker you can afford that will of course also meet any placement limitations you might have, the center is just so darn important in a discrete surround system. Heck if your setup allows I would recommend a 804 Diamond for the center over the HTM2 Diamond. I would have loved to add a 3rd 802 Diamond to my setup but I have a 60" plasma that can not be mounted on the wall thus with it being on a stand having a tower speaker for the center was not an option so I went with the obvious choice, the HTM2 Diamond. That speaker definitely holds it's own even with the 802 Diamonds.

[beden1]

I have the HTM4Di and also an HTM2D, and the HTM4Di holds it's own very well along with the 804Di(s).

I would only poney up to the HTM2Di along with the 804Di if I ever planned to replace the 804Di fronts with either the 803Di, 802Di or 800Di.

Unfortunately, the 802Di and 800Di don't have a current center channel speaker that matches with them very well as did the HTM1D.

[cyisone01]

Good advice. From the looks of it the HTM2D is basically an 804D. Mr room is also pretty good in size so wanted to get something that was large enough to fill the room and yet sonically was a good match.

[beden1]

Good advice. From the looks of it the HTM2D is basically an 804D. Mr room is also pretty good in size so wanted to get something that was large enough to fill the room and yet sonically was a good match.

The HTM2Di is a match for the 803Di. The HTM4D is a match for the 804Di. Match meaning both physically and audibly.

[cyisone01]

So would the HTM2D not be a good choice for the 804D?

[beden1]

So would the HTM2D not be a good choice for the 804D?

IMO, it's not needed unless you plan to upgrade the 804Di main speakers down the road. The HTM4D does a great job, so I guess I'm saying why spend more money than is needed?

I happen to be very pleased with my HT system with the 804Di and HTM4D and don't have any plans to upgrade the speakers in this system. But, I also have a separate stereo system in another room which I prefer for pure music listening.

[leo2498]

IMO, it's not needed unless you plan to upgrade the 804Di main speakers down the road. The HTM4D does a great job, so I guess I'm saying why spend more money than is needed?

I happen to be very pleased with my HT system with the 804Di and HTM4D and don't have any plans to upgrade the speakers in this system. But, I also have a separate stereo system in another room which I prefer for pure music listening.

I agreed with you they match very good, I bought the HTM4D because some bluray concerts could use the center channel and I want a better timbral match with the 804D but if my main uses is HT movie, I would with a HTM2D because the FTS midrange is a better driver.

[beden1]

I agreed with you they match very good, I bought the HTM4D because some bluray concerts could use the center channel and I want a better timbral match with the 804D but if my main uses is HT movie, I would with a HTM2D because the FTS midrange is a better driver.

I agree that the HTM2D is an overall better center channel speaker (I have one in another system), but, the HTM4d is voiced to match the 804D speakers whereas the HTM2D is not.

A balanced system can be your friend!

[dan87951]

With a room that big your new 804D's might sound rather "bright" or lacking in the bass department. I definitely would have gone with the 803D's. Hope it works out for you!