804 d3 or 802 d2

[See-Fu]

Now that the D3's are out should the D2's even be considered?

THis is assuming i have a fixed budget, so would be comparing used to used

[BWLover]

Based on price, yes. A second hand pair of D2's would be a lot cheaper than a brand new pair of D3's. That's my plan at least. Get a used pair of 802D2's. But ya, depends on your budget, and what your ears like for sure.


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[See-Fu]

what if both were about the same price?

[TomScrut]

802D2 second hand price in the UK is about the same (well, slightly cheaper) than the new 804 price. A lot of it would depend on how big your room is, how much you care about residual value (802s hold their value better than 804s in my experience even before you consider the 802s in this case will already have depreciated a lot) and how important bass and volume are to you. I would hazard a guess based on my brief experience with the 804D3 that it would beat the 802D2 in a small room (such as mine, I just don't think it's worth changing) or in a large room with the assistance of subs.

The 804D3 and 805D3 have crossed my mind for replacing my 802D2s as I have a small room and two subs but I think selling them will be more trouble than its worth for a near cash neutral upgrade. If I had a big room it wouldn't be a consideration I don't think, would stick with 802s.

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[dan87951]

I would recommend you listen to both. The D2's and D3's sound very different. I wasn't impressed with the D3's at all so I prefer the sound of the D2's.

[Edgeyboy]

802D2 second hand price in the UK is about the same (well, slightly cheaper) than the new 804 price. A lot of it would depend on how big your room is, how much you care about residual value (802s hold their value better than 804s in my experience even before you consider the 802s in this case will already have depreciated a lot) and how important bass and volume are to you. I would hazard a guess based on my brief experience with the 804D3 that it would beat the 802D2 in a small room (such as mine, I just don't think it's worth changing) or in a large room with the assistance of subs.

The 804D3 and 805D3 have crossed my mind for replacing my 802D2s as I have a small room and two subs but I think selling them will be more trouble than its worth for a near cash neutral upgrade. If I had a big room it wouldn't be a consideration I don't think, would stick with 802s.

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A pair of 805 D3's with (ideally) a pair of good subs or a single Arendal Sub 2 might make an interesting proposition, but would you still benefit from the fantastic midrange that the 802 has?

[Kal Rubinson]

A pair of 805 D3's with (ideally) a pair of good subs or a single Arendal Sub 2 might make an interesting proposition, but would you still benefit from the fantastic midrange that the 802 has?

I do not think so. Despite the similar size and the similar cone material, the midrange in the 802 is distinctly different from the woofer/mid in the 805 in 2 ways:
1. Because it handles only mids, it has a unique edge termination to further minimize cone break-up.
2. It is mounted and loaded by the Marlan head instead of standard box/panel mount.
(3. Also, it doesn't have to handle bass.)

[Edgeyboy]

I do not think so. Despite the similar size and the similar cone material, the midrange in the 802 is distinctly different from the woofer/mid in the 805 in 2 ways:
1. Because it handles only mids, it has a unique edge termination to further minimize cone break-up.
2. It is mounted and loaded by the Marlan head instead of standard box/panel mount.
(3. Also, it doesn't have to handle bass.)

Yes, I had feeling that would be the case. The midrange on the 802 is very seductive. The 802 Diamonds I had were something to behold. I may have a look at some 804 D3's but there's always going to be that feeling that something is missing.....

[Kal Rubinson]

Yes, I had feeling that would be the case. The midrange on the 802 is very seductive. The 802 Diamonds I had were something to behold. I may have a look at some 804 D3's but there's always going to be that feeling that something is missing.....

Well, the 804D3 eliminates distinctions 1 and 3.

[Edgeyboy]

Thanks Kal. I will investigate the 804 D3's.

[TomScrut]

The 804D3 is far beyond the 805D3 IMO. I am flirting with the idea of home demoing some 804D3s to see how they get on vs my 802D2s but I demoed the 805 and 804 against each other and it was a non contest as far as the midrange was concerned (I was disregarding the lack of bass as I have two subs anyway). Also good to see you may be getting back into the game Tom!

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[TomScrut]

Well, the 804D3 eliminates distinctions 1 and 3.

Eliminates half of distinction 2 as well as the FST is mounted in the same way as it is on an 802 just without it being in a head, i.e with the rod to the back of the cabinet rather than being screwed on from the front.

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[Edgeyboy]

I would recommend you listen to both. The D2's and D3's sound very different. I wasn't impressed with the D3's at all so I prefer the sound of the D2's.

That's interesting you say that. How did you find the sound different? I had a pair of 802 D2's which I loved. Midrange and treble were sublime. Thank you.

[Edgeyboy]

The 804D3 is far beyond the 805D3 IMO. I am flirting with the idea of home demoing some 804D3s to see how they get on vs my 802D2s but I demoed the 805 and 804 against each other and it was a non contest as far as the midrange was concerned (I was disregarding the lack of bass as I have two subs anyway). Also good to see you may be getting back into the game Tom!

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Thanks Tom It's good to be back. I can't afford a pair of 802 D3's, so it's a second hand pair of 804 D2 or D3's or a pair of 802 D1's. The 802 D2 second hand is a bit of a stretch for me right now.

[TomScrut]

Thanks Tom It's good to be back. I can't afford a pair of 802 D3's, so it's a second hand pair of 804 D2 or D3's or a pair of 802 D1's. The 802 D2 second hand is a bit of a stretch for me right now.

The 804D3s are great. Depends on how much bass you want and how much space you have but the midrange on the new series is far far superior to the old one in my opinion.

New 804D3s are similar money to a used pair of 802D2s I would say. £6750 vs £7k-7.5k as a guess. I think if I tried selling mine I'd really struggle to get £7500, as much as I'd like to. That's the thing putting me off trading down to 804s, even if they are better I'll have hassle selling mine, and won't free up any money worth the bother either and end up with something that will depreciate a lot quicker than what I have now.

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[Edgeyboy]

The 804D3s are great. Depends on how much bass you want and how much space you have but the midrange on the new series is far far superior to the old one in my opinion.

New 804D3s are similar money to a used pair of 802D2s I would say. £6750 vs £7k-7.5k as a guess. I think if I tried selling mine I'd really struggle to get £7500, as much as I'd like to. That's the thing putting me off trading down to 804s, even if they are better I'll have hassle selling mine, and won't free up any money worth the bother either and end up with something that will depreciate a lot quicker than what I have now.

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Hi Tom,

I think the going rate for a used pair of 802 D2's is circa £6300 - £6800 at the moment.

I've not had 804's since the first Nautilus range a good while ago. I liked them but the bass always frustrated me, or lack of it. Haven't heard the D3's yet so don't know how improved / extended it is over the previous models.

Real issue is we're spoilt on the 802 D2's. They are excellent speakers....

[TomScrut]

Hi Tom,

I think the going rate for a used pair of 802 D2's is circa £6300 - £6800 at the moment.

I've not had 804's since the first Nautilus range a good while ago. I liked them but the bass always frustrated me, or lack of it. Haven't heard the D3's yet so don't know how improved / extended it is over the previous models.

Real issue is we're spoilt on the 802 D2's. They are excellent speakers....

Yes so the 802D2 are realistically about the same as what you'd pay for 804D3s excluding any discount you can get. I haven't researched the prices of 802s other than thinking they would be on that ballpark

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[aarsoe]

For once I would say forget the sound. Having a room with a pair of 802 compared to a pair of 803's is simply no contest. Love the look and feel of the 802. You can really see the quality from far away. If your room can handle them then I would pick the 802 any day. Also as others have mentioned you will most likely not experience the same drop in value as most of the value loss have been taken by others.
Good luck with your new 802's.... ;-)

[Edgeyboy]

It looks like it'll be a pair of 803D3's. My last B&W's were 802 Diamonds, but I'm hopeful the 803's will give what I need low end wise with the midrange that is so good.

[Edgeyboy]

So, I went to listen to a pair of 803 D3's and although the midrange and treble was something to behold, I felt that they didn't have a bottom end to match.

First impressions were of a transparent, almost holographic sound. Excellent imaging.

I listened to mainly older recordings that I know very well and the 803's certainly didn't mince their words.

However, as I listened further into the tracks, the lack of bass started to make the speaker sound a little tiring. I would best describe the 803 D3 as a more "modern sound" which may sound a bit weird, but it seemed to be all about resolution.

As I said earlier, my last pair of B&W's were 802 Diamonds. Though they not be as ruthless to older source material (aka music) and transparent, they were an easier listen as the low end gave the music more warmth. I had Classe electronics at the time which no doubt helped - the CDP202 was superb.

I will go and listen to the 802 D3's in the next few weeks, but have settled on a second hand pair of 802 Diamonds for now and until I have a chance to spend some serious time with the 802 D3's.