B&W 800d's or MAGICO V3's?


considering a move from my 800d's to the V3's? is this a side ways move or will it be a big improvement?
koegz

Showing 3 responses by shadorne

Firstly you have great speakers so if you never ever changed I would understand as that would probably be the most sensible thing to do. As others have said you are changing for teh sake of changing. However, perhaps you have the 7 year itch.

What can I say about the B&W 800d's if I were to nit pick.

1) They are bass extended with a port at 40 Hz (this will not be quite as tight as a sealed box or a pro design that uses a port for higher efficiency or a subwoofer without port for the bottom octave) On the upside you get fantastic powerful bass - probably ideal for HT - but it may cloud or muddy the lower midrange except in large rooms.

2) The B&W midrange is exceptional - but it has one weakness - it is too large for a midrange and it beams. Therefore you get a weak presentation off axis from about 1 Khz to 3 Khz with most B&W's of this type and the 800d is no exception. When the dome tweeter kicks in around 4 Khz you suddenly get a proper presentation (wide dispersion off axis) and this tends to make for a relative sudden boost at these frequencies (remember you hear the primary direct and the off axis reflected signal which are combined to give an overal audio presentation to your brain - so things will jump out at you a bit more than they should - and this helps sell as it dinstinguishes B&W's and gives them their "detailed" but polite sound). In essence this type design is called the classic "BBC Dip" and although a coloration it is EXTREMELY popular - it is associated with a warm and less harsh sound - seeing as it is used in many of the most susccesful speakers on the planet - again not a real issue and if you like classical this is a great presentation!

Nothing to worry about. The above is in the category of extreme nit picking. (looking for faults when there really aren't any - as this is B&W's best speaker by far)
i want to be knocked out of my chair and for my wife to finally say "yeh that sounds better, so what". i do not mean an exagerated bottom end but to be real acurate enjoyable fantastic sound!

To be knocked out of your chair when your previous speaker is the B&W 800d simply ain't gonna happen in terms of sound quality.

{Magico mini or V3} i found the sound to be a little not there, held back. if this is detailed not for me.

All I can suggest is you try to audition some high end active speakers - perhaps this will get you that extra edge you are looking for - that extra level of detail, clarity, precise bass and blistering dynamics.

However, given where you are starting from - you simply ain't gonna be knocked out of your chair - no way no how.

A complete custom room design/rebuild by a pro like Rives is probably your only ticket to the next level...

...just two cents.