B&W 803D vs N802

my vote for 803D

Brb9, you're right. That's why I vote for 803D. I heard them and heard the N802 and to me the 803D is just more refined. That diamond tweeter is silky smooth. The bass is tighter and more resolving than the N802's. And the mids are smoother and more full sounding.
I own N803 and although I got them to sound pretty good, the 803D is in another league. So much so, that it outperforms even the N802 by a nice margin. Just my personal observation.

Rps944, I'd go for 803D if I were you. Better tweeter that provides very smooth highs, 3 bass drivers that will equal if not exceed the bass performance of the N802 and improved crossover. I heard both speakers more than once. 803D is superior.

you're welcome

courtvision, I'd have to disagree with you on something here. I think the new 803D sounds more relaxed. I think it's due to the new D tweeter, which is smoother. I audiioned 803Ds in 2 different stores and both times they impressed me as a much smoother sounding speaker than the Nautilus series. Due to this fact, I think, they could be more forgiving to components upstream, which in itself is an advantage over the N series. Whereas the N series is very critical in this regard. Being a smoother sounding speaker, at the same time the new D series doesn't lack resolution and defines images sharper than the N, this is where I agree with you. But the 803Ds do not present a more forward soundstage. I found it to actually be more laid back than the N802. If I would upgrade speakers and wanted to stay within B&W lineup, I'd go for a new 803D. No second thoughts. Just my opinion. Of course based on my room size, electronics, etc...

I appreciate what you're saying.
I've owned a pair of the N803s for a long enough time to know exactly what these sounds like and what they react to best and worst. So, my opinion, B&Ws Nautilus series of speakers are great speakers and I really like them, but the fact that they are all very picky when it comes to upstream components, makes it pretty much an art to match with proper electronics. Now, the 803Ds are a little different in this respect, I think, like I said before, I found them more forgiving, just based on what I heard them with. As far as midrange enclosure, I can not argue, the N802/802D are superior to 803, but not by a huge margin. Where I think the advantage of the 803D comes from is that it produces the midrange let's say 95% of what the N802 does but the extremely smooth highs and big, thight and powerfull bass on the 803D beats the crap out of N802 in this department.
I'm just saying that for the type of music I like to listen to, even if they cost the same, I'd go for 803D over N802. I was able to make my N803s sing with the electronics and cables I currently use. It was a pain to get all these things right(may be not yet, but close), but the end result is what counts.
I recommend 803D you say N802. Both of us are correct. Simply because each one of us heard it differently and pointed out some strong and weak points of each speaker. But, the most important thing is, that no matter how right or wrong you are, the person that is asking for advise should go and LISTEN TO THE SPEAKERS and not to what we are mumbling about here. LOL