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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
livinon2wheels
75 posts
 

I too am speaker shopping...and very afraid...I think I will have to go for some company that offers a home trial, which is the only way to truly audition a speaker. If it wont work at home, it doesnt work at all. So that puts me in a quandary. I think I want a pair of Ohm F5s but at 16k plus shipping its a tough sell, but they do have built in subs, and a free home trial. If I dont like em I ship em back and I am out only the shipping cost. Then there is the Legacy Focus SE which is less money, more efficient so it needs less amplifier, but with no home free trial. GRRR. I think the Fs are gonna take it.

ritter06 OP
29 posts
 

If you read my circumstances , that was not possible but clearly the preferred route.

That said I am no longer afraid- I'm excited. I have confidence that the WWPs exceed my 801s by every important metric.

upstateaudiophile
32 posts
 

I think you'll love the new Watt Puppies. I have BW 805's, same gen as your 801. I also was split between the new 803 D4 and Wilson Sabrina X. Listening to both, same equipment etc, to my ear the Wilson was a far better speaker in every regard. The diamond BW tweeter I find harsh and that the system lacks bass etc. The Wilson, it is an OMG I can't believe that sound is coming from this speaker. 

ghdprentice
7,046 posts
 

@livinon2wheels 

If you are considering spending that kind of money then it is worth investing in a trip to hear them and a few competitors, even it it requires flying. Hopefully you have heard and like Walsh… but i owned a pair long ago and would not give them a second look… no more than Bose. That doesn’t mean they are wrong for you. But you should listen to Sonus Faber, Wilson, and B&W as a minimum before purchasing.

While listening elsewhere will not show you what they will sound like in your space, they will reveal their basic character. Also, speakers need a couple hundred hours of use to break in and you need to spend a lot of time positioning them and treating the room to get the most out of them. The positioning, unless you are an expert needs a week of listening… move a bit, a week or two of listening… move… a dozen times. So, just trying speakers for two weeks and deciding is a very difficult way to go.

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