We enjoy B&W 802Ds in our family room, and Focal Kanta 3s in our more ‘dedicated’ (and smaller) home theatre room. I own both because, in my opinion, they sound amazing but of course, different...and one isn’t better than the other. For me, the B&Ws sound more balanced, with a deeper and wider soundstage; deeper bass, and liquids highs. The midrange is a little more “laid back” than the Focals, and overall when listening at reasonably high volumes the B&Ws fade into the background and the soundstage takes over, the musicians precisely and clearly etched in my family room.
Alternatively, while I don’t feel the soundstage with my Focals is as deep or wide than the B&Ws, this isn’t a problem in my smaller room. What I do enjoy with the Focals, to my ears is a tighter bass, amazing vocals (particularly female), thrilling if even a touch bright highs, and a “faster” and overall more forward presence than B&W. For movies, I feel the Focals offer a more engaging, if a touch less “lifelike”, performance.
Obviously your ears will make the best choice. However, my guess is if you like B&Ws “signature sound”, and can work them into your budget, you should at least audition the 802Ds.
Alternatively, while I don’t feel the soundstage with my Focals is as deep or wide than the B&Ws, this isn’t a problem in my smaller room. What I do enjoy with the Focals, to my ears is a tighter bass, amazing vocals (particularly female), thrilling if even a touch bright highs, and a “faster” and overall more forward presence than B&W. For movies, I feel the Focals offer a more engaging, if a touch less “lifelike”, performance.
Obviously your ears will make the best choice. However, my guess is if you like B&Ws “signature sound”, and can work them into your budget, you should at least audition the 802Ds.