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Heard the B&W N804d3s ...

I've owned the original iteration of the N804s since I bought them new in '01. After 15 years, I thought perhaps it was time to upgrade to a newer model. So, I auditioned the new N804d3s at a local retailer. They sounded great, and are an improvement over the originals in the areas of bass slam and airiness. However, that step up to my ears is equivalent to about 10-15%. Not sure that that sort of improvement justifies the price ($9K for the d3s vs. $3,500 for the original N804s), although "upgradeitis" tempts me to pull the plug. Is it just me, or does the law of diminishing returns apply in this case? Your thoughts on this or the qualitiative differences between the old and new Nautilus lines would be most appreciated.

rlb61

Showing 2 responses by joey_v

joey_v
652 posts
 
My thoughts?

 It is unfair to compare a speaker that is that a store demo to a speaker that you had for years at home that you have tweaked. 

 Your system is not the system at the store.  You have listening biases that you prefer in the store system might not appeal to your listening by us. 

 I find the new D3 to be highly transparent, meaning that it takes the shape and form of the system that you have in front of it. 

 I have the 802 D3. I had the 802D2 prior to the 802 D3 and had I not heard them side-by-side I would not have appreciated such a big difference.  
joey_v
652 posts
 
 Also bass is dependent on speaker positioning and the speakers relationship within the room. There's only so much you can get out of 2 mid size drivers.
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