New Speakers under consideration - but I’m afraid


I really like my speakers but I am considering an upgrade. I have B&W 801 S2 MkIII that I bought new in 1999 (re-coned with modded x-over). I’m afraid that what I get will not equal them and new may  just be different.

They are bi-amped with McIntosh up top and Krell on the bottom. Analog is Revox B77 and dig is Oppo 105D with Bryston DAC3.

I will also likely upgrade the DAC but this thread is about speakers.

I need a dynamic loudspeaker that is as good with chamber music as it is with acoustic jazz, rock and electronic music (everything but Country and Rap).

I haven’t heard anything yet but am considering Borrersen X3, Wilson Sasha and B&W 803 D4.

Should I be afraid or will these speakers all best a 25 yr old design?

ritter06

It's all a matter of taste.......I had B&W 802  ...rubbed me the wrong way.   I now have Vandersteens and am happier

I’m a big believer in physics and can’t see (or hear) how the X3s go very deep, but I failed to mention that I have a VMPS Larger sub driven by Crown K2, so deep bass is not an issue. Will try and have listen in Fla.

In my room, I estimate the -6dB point of my X3s is around 35Hz. That’s with about 3’ between the speakers rears and the wall. The X3 specs are misleading because the woofers are quoted as 4.5” units, but that’s their actual cone diameter. Most manufacturer’s claimed woofer sizes are the diameter of the entire driver to include the surround and frame. So the “4.5 inch” Børresen units would actually be considered 5.5 or 6” woofers by typical convention. For example, the “7 inch” Seas woofers in my Tyler standmounts have only a 1” larger diameter than the Borresen units. One also has to consider that a woofer can create deep, powerful bass with either surface area or cone excursion. The Børresens have a good amount of linear excursion for their size. I would say they produce at least as much bass output as a typical medium floorstander fitted with either a single 10” woofer or two 6.5” woofers. The bass extension is plenty low for most music.

 

Regarding your somewhat vintage 801s, they perform really well on paper, arguably better than the newest 800 series. They were certainly more linear (though linearity isn’t everything), and it seems many prefer the older 800s to the newest line. IME, it’s not uncommon for a good 25-year-old design to compete well against newer models, adjusting for inflation (and then some). I haven’t heard your speakers so cannot say whether speakers like the X3s would be a worthy upgrade if an upgrade at all. I have auditioned a couple of the D4 800 series B&Ws, compared to those, I think the X3s give them a run for the money. I think B&W’s current diamond tweeter produces a hair more extension on top, but the Børresen tweeter is completely non-fatiguing and equally “fast.” I find the midrange sounds pretty similar between the two brands. Both manage nice bass definition as well. The D4 series might be the preferable choice if wall proximity is a concern.

But truthfully, if you were to go out and audition half a dozen options between $10 and $15K/pair, and conclude you should just keep what you have, that wouldn’t surprise me at all.

 

Not true , I am semi retired and go to many Audio meets in the north east 

the mk4 is much better in several areas drivers improved in several areas 

and Xover for sure much better I have heard them side by side 

 My good friend sells B&W and gives very respectable deals 

I cannot say online send me a email.

@OP - You might want to give some thought to an alternative option, namely Theoretica's Bacch4Mac sound processing system.  It is The Absolute Sound 's 2024 product of the year:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xq48klNJ8i0

Here is Steve Guttenberg's review: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ484SKyOA

I bring this up because there's a fair chance that you can get what you want (dynamic) with the 801's that you like so much.  Theoretica allows you to install and try it out for 14 days.  Return it if it doesn't fit the bill.  Personally, I would recommend the Bacch system no matter what speakers you end up with.  Best of luck.

What are you looking to experience with the speaker change? What are you missing or looking for? Depending on your rooms acoustics and space you may find one brand or style better suited. Not to mention your equipment pairing. 
I have the Wilson’s in one system and Legacy Focus SE’s in another system, both about a year old and find them more dynamic and engaging than my 25+ year old is B&W 801’s. 
You may also want to consider a Sub or two depending on what you find. 

Go hit a few stores on the east coast if you can and if a store can set up various speakers you can a/b test. 
the Speaker Shop in Buffalo NY carries many brands as well as Audio Classics in Binghamton Ny who is also a great McIntosh dealer