I think B&Ws definitely require just the right amp and setup to shine! They tend to sound more blatantly lackluster than many lines otherwise in my experience. I think its that inherently unassuming "British" tonality they tend to have in spades. They can sound dreary and muddy if not driven right, kind of like the stereotypical British dreary day rather than a bright and sunny one. And, given their popularity and numbers, I think a lot of B&Ws end up running that way, ie, in a mediocre setup and running less than optimally.
Oh no, not B&W again
I have had a lot of B&Ws of the years but the last pair I had sounded nowhere near their price tag in my opinion.I even complained to B&W about the so so sound from those things.Check my history and you will see I really knocked those 802Ds.Anyways,as you all know they recently updated the line and I was stuck with these 802D . I thought I would take a real beating on them but thought I would give the Wilson sasha a try.Then I remembered I would get full trade up from my dealer if I went with the B&W again.So I thought I would upgrade to the new series and just sell them off,perhaps I wouldn't lose quite as much and turn around and get the Sasha's.
I called the dealer up I upgraded to the new 800 diamond. After about a month I also upgraded my amps to the new bryston 7bsst2.
I will spare you all the typical audiophile details but in a word all I can say is WOW!!!!! These speakers may look the same as the old series but they sound absolutely spectacular.I was simply not prepared for the changes as they pretty much look identical to the previous D range.
I tried a few amps with them but the bryston 7bsst2 is simply a match made in heaven( imo).Don't even waist your time with low powered whimpy amps on these speakers.You will simply never realize what they are capable of.So, if you audition the new B&W 800 diamond just make sure it has a big kick-ass amp driving them.
I called the dealer up I upgraded to the new 800 diamond. After about a month I also upgraded my amps to the new bryston 7bsst2.
I will spare you all the typical audiophile details but in a word all I can say is WOW!!!!! These speakers may look the same as the old series but they sound absolutely spectacular.I was simply not prepared for the changes as they pretty much look identical to the previous D range.
I tried a few amps with them but the bryston 7bsst2 is simply a match made in heaven( imo).Don't even waist your time with low powered whimpy amps on these speakers.You will simply never realize what they are capable of.So, if you audition the new B&W 800 diamond just make sure it has a big kick-ass amp driving them.
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