B&W 805 Diamonds vs. 804 Diamonds?

[ejr1953]

I am very happy with my current music audio system (NAD Masters Series M3, M4 & M5), Velodyne Optimum 10 sub, Furman power conditioner, Audioquest cables and B&W CM5's on stands. Silly me, I had some free time the other day and stopped by my favorite audio salon to audition the new PM1's. I would have been satisfied to upgrade to the PM1's, but my salesman offered to hook up the 805 Diamonds and I was REALLY impressed with the sound. I heard sounds on some of my favorite CD's I'd never heard before, very nice and very detailed, without any "rough edges".

I didn't intend to make a purchase that day, came home and reviewed the B&W website, comparing the 805 Diamonds with the 804 Diamonds (when you add the cost of the stands for the 805's, the 804's are "only" about $1800 more). I'm wondering if anyone has compared these two in detail. I suspect that the three way system would be better with vocals, violins, pianos, guitars, etc. I suspect the bass is better, but with a good sub, that's not as much of a concern for me.

Thoughts?

[leo2498]

Hi ejr1953, I have both speakers and they are really good, but I prefer the 804D for music listening because the FTS driver, in bass output a good subwoofer could be better but in mids the FTS worth every penny, if you plan could be a long listening sessions, I will prefer the 804D.

[ejr1953]

leo2498,

Thanks for the info. I'm invited to an event next week at my favorite audio shop, if I can, I'll preview the 804d's. Let's just say, my wife is not what I'd call an "audiophile", so I suspect it'll be better to make the leap to a much better speaker, one that I'd enjoy for a long time, and not get the urge to do another upgrade so soon.

[Skyblue]

leo2498,

Thanks for the info. I'm invited to an event next week at my favorite audio shop, if I can, I'll preview the 804d's. Let's just say, my wife is not what I'd call an "audiophile", so I suspect it'll be better to make the leap to a much better speaker, one that I'd enjoy for a long time, and not get the urge to do another upgrade so soon.

For the "no upgrade soon" feeling, I would recommend the follwing:

[wettou]

If I ever become rich I would love seven of those in a dedicated home theater room to look like an alien ship

Do they use diamonds?

[Pio]

Do they use diamonds?

The Nautilus doesn't use the diamond tweeter, they're aluminium. I heard the Nautilus last year at a dealer in Dallas in a good room with lots of Classe amplification. They sounded very good. Clean as can be and very 3 dimensional.

[madmac]

Jezzus....they're shaped the the human inner ear!!!.

[sgtjim57]

Jezzus....they're shaped the the human inner ear!!!.

That's what I was thinking....

[ejr1953]

Just for grins, I see there are a few 803/804's available on eBay. I presume the "pre-diamond" versions were quite good, the new "diamonds" are better. Any insight on the comparison?

[PewterTA]

Don't buy B&W off ebay... you'll probably never get them...or they'll be in pretty bad shape if you DO get them.

Audiogon.com is good though!

[stuofsci02]

Just for grins, I see there are a few 803/804's available on eBay. I presume the "pre-diamond" versions were quite good, the new "diamonds" are better. Any insight on the comparison?

Yes.. I have 804s (previous gen) and have listened to the 804Di...

There is no doubt the 804Di are better.. The bass output is especially better.. The sound stage is a little further back for me, but that could be the room..

But I still love my 804s...

[ejr1953]

stuofsci02,

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking, when it's time to make the change, I'd be best to get the latest B&W has to offer.

In my past life, I worked in high-end audio, and will probably never be a customer for used equipment, unless I actually personally know the seller.

Thanks to everyone for such great comments!

[ejr1953]

OK, last night I attended an event sponsored by my favorite local audio salon (Gramophone in Columbia, Maryland) and after attending two sessions on computer audio (NAD & Audioquest/Peachtree), I attended a session sponsored by Totem Acoustic and was blown away by the new Element Fire models. I suspect, introducing larger floor-standing speakers (like the 804 Diamonds) won't go over well, so I'll be comparing the 805 Diamonds with these Totems, as soon as I can.

[dan87951]

I have a set of 805D's in rosenut currently and love them for their small foot print. They were a huge upgrade over the CM5's I tried out before. The 805D's combined with a good well balanced sub will sound just as a good as a 804D.

[ejr1953]

Everyone,

Thanks for the great input. I've been a long-time B&W advocate, purchasing some DM602's, 685's and CM15's. I was ready to commit to the 805's but compared them to the Totem Element "Fire" models recently introduced and after 2.5 hours of auditioning, selected the Totems over the 805's. They are both great speakers, I just preferred the "musicality" of the Totems.

[Pio]

Everyone,

Thanks for the great input. I've been a long-time B&W advocate, purchasing some DM602's, 685's and CM15's. I was ready to commit to the 805's but compared them to the Totem Element "Fire" models recently introduced and after 2.5 hours of auditioning, selected the Totems over the 805's. They are both great speakers, I just preferred the "musicality" of the Totems.

Congrats on your choice! I've never heard Totems but have read great reviews on them.

[ejr1953]

Long Time with B&W's and NAD

I'm anxiously waiting for my Totem Element "Fire" speakers to arrive. I feel strange, having listened to B&W's for so many years. I think when you are at the level of the 800 series loudspeakers (and their competitors), you can't really say one speaker is "better" than another; I think it comes down to personal choice at that level.

When the Totems arrive my main system will be:

NAD M3 integrated amp
NAD M4 tuner
NAD M5 CD/SACD
Velodyne Optimum 10 subwoofer
Totem Element "Fire" (living room)
B&W CM5 (dining room)
Furman Elite 15 (power conditioner)
Audioquest cables

When I pick up the Totems, I'll be getting an NAD DAC1 unit, to improve the sound of the MP3's I'm streaming from www.mog.com

[ejr1953]

NAD DAC1/MOG.com Great Investment!

Everyone,

I set up my old XP Pro Dell laptop with a $5/month subscription to www.mog.com and an NAD DAC1 unit and am happy to report that I'm really happy with the result. MOG has lots of great content and the 320k MP3's sound really good (not "super audiophile" quality, but very good, like listening to a CD on a "regular" CD player).

I suspect NAD's M51 DAC sounds a bit better, but comparing $300 vs $2000, the DAC1 is "music to my ears".

[ejr1953]

Totem Element "Fire" Speakers are Just Wonderful!

Everyone,

I'm thru the break in period recommended for my new Totem "Fire" monitors and am really impressed by how natural they sound. Though the B&W 805 diamonds were really outstanding speakers, I'm glad I opted for the Totems. The next time you visit your local audio salon, I'd recommend you give them a listen.

[leo2498]

I think that it's difficult in a forum of B&W we will want change of brand, if you happy with your purchase well, good for you! but I think you are posting in the wrong forum.

[Skyblue]

Everyone,

I'm thru the break in period recommended for my new Totem "Fire" monitors and am really impressed by how natural they sound. Though the B&W 805 diamonds were really outstanding speakers, I'm glad I opted for the Totems. The next time you visit your local audio salon, I'd recommend you give them a listen.

Hey enjoy them!

I heard Totem with Ayre once, and that sounded faboulous and organic. You certainly can't go wrong.