KEF Reference 5 vs. B&W 802 D3 speakers - which one better? your knowledges & opinions

i have the KEF Reference 5s and really like them.  I listen mostly to classical music and they are like musical instruments to me. They took a long break in time and lots of setup adjustments. I considered B and W at the time I bought the KEFs but obviously preferred the Kefs. My equipment is different and so are my ears, but that’s my opinion.  I believe kef is still offering the Ref 5 in piano black, rosewood and walnut finishes for a big ($6000) discount..$13,999. 

Kentrent, 
it took several (6?)  months for the KEFs to break in. When I bought the Ref 5s, I had never heard them because no dealer within hundreds of miles had them (not the best way to buy speakers). I heard the Ref 3 multiple times and really liked the imaging, soundstage and other properties.  As  one salesman commented after demoing multiple speakers: I noticed that, when I play the KEFs, you smile.  I finally was persuaded that the properties of the Ref 5 would be similar to the 3 but with increased bass.  After the 5s were delivered, I thought for a while I had made a big mistake.  They just didn’t have the same magic in my setup and I wasn’t sure if it was the 5s, the room, my equipment, the setup.  I even borrowed some competing to compare.  I’m very glad I was patient because I love them now. 

What I think is that it’s irrelevant because you’re past that point. You have ordered some excellent speakers, brand new and with a warranty. Now you need to look ahead and stop looking back. 

Kentrent, 
I’ll do my best to give my perspective. Of course, speakers are very much a personal thing, we have different ears, and may listen to different kinds of music on different equipment in different rooms. 
I listen mostly to classical music. As I mentioned before. i was drawn to the Ref 5s for the imaging and soundstage.  Set up properly, the sound seems to come from behind and around the speakers, providing a pretty realistic concert hall effect.  I like the uni-q tweeters which, to me, capture the sound of instruments...especially string instruments... very convincingly.  The bass is well integrated and not obtrusive but it’s definitely there. My speakers are white and they’re beautiful looking and well finihed.  As for cons, I already mentioned the long break in time. Setup and positioning are critical and finding the optimum placement, toe in, etc. can be time consuming. You need comparable quality associated equipment.  
There are literally dozens of competing speakers and I can’t choose for you.  It would be great if you have a dealer where you can audition them (and even greater if you could negotiate a return/exchange privilege if, in the worst case, you don’t like them.  I’m not sure how else to help.  Good luck.  I hope you’re happy with your choice and will post your experience here.  

Congratulations! Hopefully, you’ll love them immediately. If not..at the risk of being redundant..be patient. I almost wasn’t. I had the same fear about being out so much money but started checking out other options anyway . My dealer came over along with the regional person from KEF to advise on speaker placement, break in, etc. I’m very glad I waited.  I think you will be happy. Good luck. 

I’ve experimented with the bass ports. Right now, I’m using four long ones and I’m pretty happy with the results. I think this is very system and room dependent so your preference may be different. You got a 33% discount on speakers that usually aren’t discounted.  I’d say that’s a good deal. But only if you like them. Don’t get buyer’s remorse...they haven’t even arrived yet.  

kentrent: you need to chill out!  This is supposed to be fun. You should be happy that you made a decision and also got a big discount. The euro price, assuming it was for a European purchase, is irrelevant to you since you would have to pay shipping and customs, and probably wouldn’t get a US warranty. Be excited about getting some of the best speakers available and looki forward to many years of enjoyment. 

kentrent,
Very glad you like the Ref 5s, especially after all the worrying and second guessing . As we’ve discussed, they will get better over time. The holographic soundstage is what  initially sold me.  The Rosewood finish is beautiful. Since I’m spending lots of time at home these days , I’ve been listening to my Ref 5s for many hours every day. Several months ago, I replaced an older Audio Research tube amp with a solid state Krell. Both amps produced great sound and, if anything, the Krell is better. The more I listen, the happier I am with the sound of the KEFs. I predict it will be the same for you.  Enjoy them. 

Audio Research was VT130se. Krell duo 175xd. 

Kentrent-It’s been a while since your KEF Reference 5 speakers arrived.  I know you were very anxious about whether you would like them.  Wondering how you’re feeling now.  I hope you’re enjoying them as much as I like mine. 

Glad you like them. I got the reference 5s a couple of years ago and also am very pleased, so no thoughts of replacing them.  I did have a guy come over and spend a day positioning the speakers and optimizing my system—expensive but glad I did it. I also had a dedicated 20 amp line installed and got Isotek Gaia footers for the KEFs.  All this was just before the pandemic hit-very good timing as I am spending countless hours enjoying the music. I got a new amp (Krell), Innuous Zenith 3 server, PS Audio Directstream DAC, Wireworld cables, Rega turntable so I’ve been busy. My preamp and phono stage (Audio Research LS22 and PH3) are about 25 years old, so I may replace them some day.  Right now, I’m just happy to relax and listen to beautiful music.