B&W N804 vs. new 805di

Ask your dealer to let you audition them. Thats his job. Let him do it. :-)

It depends on your electronics. The D series are brighter but less grainy so if you electronics are warm you will like the difference but if they are detailed you won't.

Perfect description above. As an owner of the prior 805S; 804S and now the 805Di; a warmer front-end component (ie McIntosh)- balances the (brighter) but detailed-diamond tweeter. Although, the 804 has the FST mid-range, and dual woofer- I think you'll be quite surprised with the changes in the bass drivers in the Diamond Series.

TONE Audio (e-magazine) features a detailed review of the model as well as Hi Fi News (UK publication) on the new 805Di were fairly accurate in description.

Ultimately, your ears and dealer assistance are key...

Final bit, the stands filled with sand or lead are a must.

Jp:
Which issue of TONE has the review??

Newest edition, tone audio issue 31.

Glowing review...

http://www.tonepublications.com/

I have a rotel RSX 1065. How do you think that would pair with the 805di?

The 805's usually require at least 50 wpc but sing as you go up the ladder. Rotel in general (being a sister company) along with Classe- historically have great synergy with B&W, as do Mcintosh pieces. As a previous Rotel owner 75 wpc should suffice but it's analytical or clinical sound may be considered bright with the new diamond tweeter pairing. Audition first when possible- to avoid any disappointment.

May I bump this old question?

I've been using the N804 for over 12 years with an Accuphase E-407 integrated amp (Class A/B, 180W/ch @ 8 ohm). I feel its lacks detail, bass and doesn't feel very immersive/involving.

Recently I demo-ed the Franco Serblin Accordo and it's a fantastic (monitor?) speaker but too pricy for my budget & needs a subwoofer. I also tried the 803D, 804D, SF Cremona-M, & Dali (forgot the model). The rest of them didn't really do much for me.

FInally I demo-ed the 805Di on a different floor with a different setup (and sadly different music tracks too). Whilst not as good as the Accordo (felt congested whilst the Accordo's soundstage & separation was amazing), I felt I actually preferred it to the 803/4D.

So here's the question. I -think- the 805Di extended deeper and tighter in bass, had more detail, and felt more immersive than my N804. However not being able to compare side-by-side, I don't know if it's setup, or if the 805Di speakers themselves truly big improvement over my ageing N804s.

In Tokyo there's no "1-week" demo concept nor returns. Once you've bought, it's yours and will have to sell at a loss. I do not intend to change my Accuphase E-407 integrated amp.

Is there truly a big improvement between the N804 to 805Di or was it just placebo in my mind?

I've been using the N804 for over 12 years with an Accuphase E-407 integrated amp (Class A/B, 180W/ch @ 8 ohm). I feel its lacks detail, bass and doesn't feel very immersive/involving.

It only took 12 years?

That's a long time for a demo !!!!!!

@Anaakchan - IMO yes you will hear an improvement with the new 805's over the N804's. Whether it fully satisfies, that I cannot answer.