Downgrading from 800 to 600 series - Will I Hang Myself Later?

[emig5m]

Want to get a new car and need to put away some money towards a down payment. Thinking of selling my 800 series and dropping back to the 600 series and using the difference towards my down payment. Don't get me wrong, my speakers are in the top five favorite things I've ever owned and I'm not disappointed in them in any way. I just don't use them much anymore - three years later, hobbies change, priority's change, etc. Ironically with these fine speakers I find myself listening to music only in the car through the smartphone and headphones on the computer at home while web browsing - I just don't ever see myself doing any dedicated 2-channel music listening anymore. I only use the loudspeakers for the occasional movie or video game which I barely do either of anymore as well - I've turned into a car nut lately, lol. I'm just worried I'll regret it later as the new 800 series are so much more money than my S series and I'll never pay that much for speakers and got mine for 20% off brand new and worried that I should just keep them for life and not include them in paying for other hobbies and just always have some very nice speakers on standby when I watch that occasional movie or play a game, lol. But wouldn't the 685's suffice for occasional movies and gaming?

The downgrade would be from a pair of 804S and a HTM3S to 685's (already using 685's in the rear). What would be a fair price to ask for the 804S and HTM3S? Would like to sell them all together only. Errr... that HTM3S is so nice for movies.... gonna hang myself later, I know it, lol....

[KyaDawn]

I think the best thing you can do in this case is to forget nice speakers altogether. Getting 685s for your fronts and center will just be a daily reminder of what you once had and lost. If you bought just a super cheap HTIB set-up to replace your 800 series then psychologically you won't even compare them to your 804Ss since they are a totally different animals and so far apart in price and quality. It's like going cold turkey. The 685s will just be like a rash that you constantly itch, torturing yourself. Since you listen to music mostly in your car and on headphones nowadays and enjoy them, I think it should be easy for you to adapt to a HTIB set-up.

The other side of the argument is if you go with 685s all-around, you would actually have a more balanced system that you currently have. That is a positive. However, since your passion is now cars and not speakers, I think the money you would spend on the new 685s would be better spent on paying for your car down-payment or getting some nice after-market accessories for your car.

I totally get your car vs. speaker dilemma though. I just spent enough on a new car that could have paid for a full Nautilus surround set-up including amps. However, I'm perfectly happy with my 800 series set-up and the new car brings me far more enjoyment than my old one. So I'm with you on choosing the car over the speakers.

[emig5m]

I think the best thing you can do in this case is to forget nice speakers altogether. Getting 685s for your fronts and center will just be a daily reminder of what you once had and lost. If you bought just a super cheap HTIB set-up to replace your 800 series then psychologically you won't even compare them to your 804Ss since they are a totally different animals and so far apart in price and quality. It's like going cold turkey. The 685s will just be like a rash that you constantly itch, torturing yourself. Since you listen to music mostly in your car and on headphones nowadays and enjoy them, I think it should be easy for you to adapt to a HTIB set-up.

The other side of the argument is if you go with 685s all-around, you would actually have a more balanced system that you currently have. That is a positive. However, since your passion is now cars and not speakers, I think the money you would spend on the new 685s would be better spent on paying for your car down-payment or getting some nice after-market accessories for your car.

I totally get your car vs. speaker dilemma though. I just spent enough on a new car that could have paid for a full Nautilus surround set-up including amps. However, I'm perfectly happy with my 800 series set-up and the new car brings me far more enjoyment than my old one. So I'm with you on choosing the car over the speakers.

I could never adapt to a HTIB for movies or even games! LOL. But 685's with a sub is a damned good performing system that I could live with. I think I'd miss the FST midrange more than anything and to buying new 683's with the questionable matching center I wouldn't pocket enough money for it to be worth the downgrade. Still don't know what to ask for the 804S/HTM3S. Maybe $3000 for the 804S and $1900 for the HTM3S? Still have all original boxes, manuals, and everything...

[PewterTA]

On Audiogon 803S are only $3400 - $3900. just as a reference point for pricing.

[leej]

You wouldn't miss the FST, if you don't listen to them - you'd miss the idea of ownership. But you could get over that - at least, until you change your mind again (when the new car gets old). Then you could sell the car and buy some 800 Di's.

[audioqueso]

I'm just worried I'll regret it later as the new 800 series are so much more money than my S series and I'll never pay that much for speakers and got mine for 20% off brand new and worried that I should just keep them for life and not include them in paying for other hobbies and just always have some very nice speakers on standby when I watch that occasional movie or play a game, lol.

That is one long sentence! LOL

If I were in your shoes, I would just patiently save money for the car. You are buying a brand new car, right? Do you NEED it or want it?
Everyone has different financial circumstances, right... but I think it would be easier to swallow waiting for the new car than it would be to sell something very nice and special just for quick money, and later say to yourself "it wouldn't have killed to wait another few months".
When I moved this year, I found myself in a living situation where I couldn't even use any of my speakers anymore. Couldn't use surround, sub didn't work out well, center was pointless with only 2' of separation from the left and right. I ended up selling my speakers, and actually trading my N805 and sub for a pair of 804S. Didn't think I would end up that way, but I did, and you know what, I am actually enjoying the 2-channel world much more even though my audio system is on less than before. My speakers were very special to me, but like you said "three years later, hobbies change, priorities change, etc" Before my kids started elementary school, I use to have tons of time after work. I used my 5.1 system a lot for movies and games. My family schedule is so busy now, but music is always on around the house, and the 804S pair does more than a great job.

If you want a new car, but want a bigger down payment, I would recommend to strict up your budget for a few months, save more money, go through the dedication of saving and then being able to buy your new car. Not only will your have kept your audio toys, but I believe you will enjoy the benefits more of a the dedication you went through to save for something that you really want. That's just my advise.

Oh, and I mentioned the moving from 5.1 to 2.0 because if you decide to go that way, I really don't miss the surround setup.
Good luck~!

[grdn1987]

The 685's are not a very good speaker measured against some of the legends in B&W history.

Sell the whole thing and buy a used set of 804 or 805 Matrix speakers. Way. Better. Better drivers, crossovers, and way, way better cabinets. You'd come out ahead in terms of finances as well.

[PewterTA]

The answer to the subject is, in the long run, 'Yes'.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Coming from a huge car fan and a huge music fan I see the merits and attraction of both. The thing with cars is that they depreciate 50% or more over 4 years and they seem to lose their excitement and wow factor much faster than a nice set of stereo speakers like the 800 series. I think a well kept set of 800 series speakers should depreciate at the most 40% over the same 4 year period and the depreciation slows considerably after 4 years.

I have changed cars 3 times in the past 8 years and upgraded from the 804S speakers to the 802 Diamond speakers over the same 8 year period. Even the appeal of a very nice sports sedan seems to lose some of it's appeal after about 2 or 3 years hence the change to a newer model with new features, new design, more horsepower etc. I have had my 802 Diamond speakers for 2 years now and have absolutely no plans to upgrade them and I am totally satisifed with them. Every time I pickup some new music for my stereo I am able to enjoy my speakers with something new just like the first day I had them delivered. I just picked up yesterday the Eagles first 6 albums set from HD Tracks and for me when I play these new downloads sitting back on my sofa I get more of a smile than I do from blasting out of a corner with my foot floored to the accelerator :T

[PewterTA]

Well said. Well said.

[ShadowZA]

That is one long sentence! LOL

If I were in your shoes, I would just patiently save money for the car. You are buying a brand new car, right? Do you NEED it or want it?
Everyone has different financial circumstances, right... but I think it would be easier to swallow waiting for the new car than it would be to sell something very nice and special just for quick money, and later say to yourself "it wouldn't have killed to wait another few months".
When I moved this year, I found myself in a living situation where I couldn't even use any of my speakers anymore. Couldn't use surround, sub didn't work out well, center was pointless with only 2' of separation from the left and right. I ended up selling my speakers, and actually trading my N805 and sub for a pair of 804S. Didn't think I would end up that way, but I did, and you know what, I am actually enjoying the 2-channel world much more even though my audio system is on less than before. My speakers were very special to me, but like you said "three years later, hobbies change, priorities change, etc" Before my kids started elementary school, I use to have tons of time after work. I used my 5.1 system a lot for movies and games. My family schedule is so busy now, but music is always on around the house, and the 804S pair does more than a great job.

If you want a new car, but want a bigger down payment, I would recommend to strict up your budget for a few months, save more money, go through the dedication of saving and then being able to buy your new car. Not only will your have kept your audio toys, but I believe you will enjoy the benefits more of a the dedication you went through to save for something that you really want. That's just my advise.

Oh, and I mentioned the moving from 5.1 to 2.0 because if you decide to go that way, I really don't miss the surround setup.
Good luck~!

Spot on! This is fantastic advice!

[emig5m]

So far I haven't had the balls to put the speakers up on Audiogon because I know they'll sell... I think B&W speakers has been the easiest and quickest thing to sell out of anything I've ever tried to sell online. I dunno... maybe I should wait until the 'next gen' of the cars I want which is due in 2015... But I'm the type of person who likes to live in the now... tomorrow might never come...

[SPACEMANRICK]

I was diagnosed with Lupus 7 years ago just after I bought my 804S speakers and they helped me get through some pretty rough times. Fortunately I have been in complete remission for the past 5 or 6 years. A few months ago I came down with what might be another life altering disease (generally non fatal). I am still waiting a final diagnosis from a specialist in a few weeks.........I generally believe in delayed gratification but you have to balance that with living for today because things can change pretty fast when you least expect it.

[RebelMan]

Here's a shocker, I say ditch the whole system, the 804S the HTM3S and the 685 and scale back to a complement of M1s. Do not underestimate their capability. Once setup and dialed in correctly the M1s will easily go toe-to-toe with the 685s for both music and movies and it will save you a boat load of money to boot. In addition you would free up space in the room and add a touch of aesthetic elegance, they are quite nice in appearance and form factor. This is what you need to do to satisfy your current requirements. You will have no regrets giving up the FSTs as you will be left with fond memories of them. Things are going to change and your system must change with you for you to remain completely satisfied. I did it and I couldn't be happier. Of course my circumstances were different in that I was dealing with domestic constraints after the move and I wasn't prepared to give up entirely on music so I have a pair of standalone speakers to go with my setup. Oh and by the way, when you get the right car you'll hold on to it for a while maybe even indefinitely. My '09 Stang ( purchased new in '08 ) is not a perfect car nor is it the best drivers car but I love driving it, tweaking it and flat out admiring it five years running. It's not going anywhere AND I enjoy my more modest A/V system just as much too.


:driving: A little self indulgence.

[wkhanna]

Reminds me a bit of Steve McQueen's ride from the movie 'Bullitt'.
V nice, RebelMan

[RebelMan]

Good eye, wkhanna. It is, literally, the 21st Century reincarnation of it.

I don't believe our passions ever waiver but our time devoted to them does. It's been cyclical for me as I believe it is for many. My first passion was cars then came stereo then surround then computers. Over the years my time has vacillated between each of these in varying degrees but they have always remained my passions. Lately my time has been mostly spent with my 7 year old. Helping him with school, being involved with him in sports and church and just spending quality time playing with him. I am still involved with my hobbies when I can be but I also include my son in those hobbies as much as he is interested in them. From where I am sitting it appears that emig5m interests are maturing and he has found alternative methods to still enjoy the music. Isn't that the point? It should be.

[wkhanna]

The naked grill & 'mags' are iconic.
I heartily endorse your choice.

I too have had to adapt my hobbies to my changing life style over the years.
In my mid fifties now, my passion for road racing motorcycles & cars & audio now sees the limited leisure time I have devoted more to 2-channel audio both for its convenience & ability to provide relaxing, meditative short interludes without having to invest hours of maintenance. While my Porsche is now only a distant memory, my motorcycle still waits patiently for the day when I will have the freedom to once again spend entire weekends on the road.