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Pondering a Speaker Upgrade

I have had my new integrated amp Lyngdorf 3400 for almost 3 months now and I'm enjoying it thoroughly.  This is my first venture into high end audio with my previous set up being a Marantz AVR with Rotel 1582 power amp.  I am running the Lyngdorf with Martin Logan Motion 40 tower speakers.  Most on this site would consider these budget speakers  but in my view they sound pretty good.  Lots of detail with the Lyngdorf but still pleasing to listen to.  Good soundstage and imaging is fantastic.  I am using with a Sub which the Lyngdorf integrates perfectly for a bottom end that is really sweet.  The Room Perfect correction (a must in my space) is excellent.  However I have always wanted a complete high end system and I'm wondering how much better premium speakers would be with the Lyngdorf. I have been eyeing Bowers 805 d3 thinking standmounts might be better in my somewhat small listening space especially with a Sub.  I went to hear the 805s at Magnolia and though they get a lot of praise I was totally unimpressed.  To my disappointment they were driving the speakers with the same Rotel 1582 amp I upgraded from.  Not only did they not sound great the setup sounded small and in no way came close to the Logans driven by the Lyngdorf even with the Sub turned off.  I also greatly admire the Sonus Faber Olympica line of speakers but they have no dealers in the Washington DC metro area.  So my question is how much improvement might I expect in my system upgrading to a speaker like the 805 d, 804 d or Sonus Faber Olympica I or II  or similarly priced speakers. The Kef Reference I had also peaked my interest.   Especially if I'm using the sub could I expect an overall improvement in sound quality in the 30% range or would the difference be more marginal?  I know that different speakers will have different sound qualities but wondering in general if I want to consider an upgrade.  What I liked about the Logans when I bought them were the highs and mids.  They sounded much more alive and forward than Bowers and the Faber Venere similar in price.  While I still like the Logans I think my taste is changing and I would maybe choose something a little more laid back but not too laid back.
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Showing 2 responses by auxinput

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I previously owned 805 D2 speakers and now own the 805 D3.  I absolutely love them.  The upgrade to the 804 or 803 series will give you a clearer midrange and some more bottom end, but I will say that the 805's are extraordinary speakers.

I heard 802 D3 speakers in three rooms at RMAF.  You really cannot grade this speaker based on one listening at Best Buy.  There was one room with 802D3 that just sounded so un-impressive that if that was my only exposure to B&W, I would have walked out and completely forgot about this speaker permanently.  The other two rooms were better, but they had their own unique sound, which is entirely dependent on the amp/electronics.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I suppose it depends on who is listening and what equipment they are being played through.  As I have said, I have heard the D3 be absolutely amazing and also be very poor sounding.  In my own system, I think the D3 have one of the most natural sounds I have heard in a system.  There are others, of course.

I don't know that you have to turn up the volume a lot on the D3's.  I guess it depends on the room and the electronics.  I do know that you definitely want a high current amp with the B&W.
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