Eggleston Works Andra II versus B&W 800

I've lived with the Andra II's for about a year (converted foom Andra I's), and am very familiar with the B & W 800's, both at dealers and one of my friends' houses. I very much prefer the A II's, and find something a bit (comparatively hard) and bright about the 800's with most solid state amps (exception might be the big Lamm hybrids, which are very good at putting a bit of space around big speakers, or the new Rowlands. You use Krells, and I wouldn't think that was a particularly good combination with the 800's, but I've never heard them together). One factor you might consider is that the A II's, like the originals, are designed to go pretty close to a back wall, while the 800's, like most speakers their size (e.g Eidolons, Revel Salons, Kharmas), are not. To use my previous B & W's in my (22 X 13.5 X 9') living room, I had to put tube traps behind and to the side of the speakers, while the A II's sound better without them.

Hi. My Andra II's are positioned along the long wall, slightly toed in. I haven't compared the AII's as rebuilt to new ones. My understanding is they are exactly the same--same drivers, same enclosure, but with the old bass cabinet modified to the new specs. For the complete answer to that, you'll have to ask Eggleston.