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Splendor D9’s.2 vs B&W 803 D2 which I own

I’ve had the 803 D2’s for about 9 months now and enjoy them but they don’t connect with me for all music, especially more rock oriented music. They excel at jazz and even country! Because of them, I’ve become quite the jazz fan. But, most of my collection is rock of many varieties, so I’ve always been kind of curious about other options. I’m visiting Houston this week and there’s a pair of Spendor D9.2’s that interest me. I read they are pretty neutral and a bit more fast sounding. I’m thinking they could be a fit and the owner says I can audition if I’m a serious buyer. To me the B&W’s are more on the laid back side. This is based on my limited exposure to speakers but will say they are not as forward/fast as my previous Cornwall II’s or maybe even Triton 1’s. Any thoughts how the Spendor D9.2’s would compare to the 803 D2’s and if they would be more versatile for rock? Thx. 

Gear:
Livingston 532H
Audible Illusions L3 preamp
Herron phono preamp
Technics 1200 G
Sony HAP Z1 server
McIntosh MB 50 Streamer/DAC
Assortment of mid to lower level IC’s
AQ Rockefeller speaker cables
bfoura

Showing 9 responses by bfoura

bfoura OP
88 posts
 
Thanks for your feedback, soix!
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
I appreciate the feedback @milpai. My room is 26x13 with a vaulted ceiling that goes from 8’ to 9’ to 4’ behind my listening couch. My speakers are 9’ apart and my listening position is 9’ away. There are a pair of D7’s listed in Houston and might be able to audition. I thought the D9’s would be a better fit but know the D7’s are highly regarded. 
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
More imaging and a bit more bass would be nice! The 803’s produce respectable bass but not like the sub power GE Triton 1’s or my Cornwall’s with 15” woofer. The Corns produce the best bass of all the speakers I’ve owned. I’ll play around with placement on the 803’s to see if I can increase imaging. But looking forward to demoing the D9.2’s. 
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
I had the XA 30.5 which I really liked but it did produce heat in my already warm upstairs room and did not pair well with my Audible Illusions line stage. Always got a hum with those two. No issues like that with the Levinson. Thanks for the feed back @
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
I was able to demo the Spendor D9.2’s and they were impressive. I get the faster transient thing with this particular speaker. I think they would work well for what I’m seeking right now in my audiophile journey. However, the owner was powering them with Boulder amp and preamp, along with some exotic silversmith speakers wire. Is that a fair demo? My system as noted above is nice but no where near the Boulder level components. Will I be disappointed if I get them in my system? 
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
@photomax that’s a nice system. The XA30.8 has plenty of power for the Spendor’s? 
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
So, would you say the Spendor’s are more particular about amp matching than other speakers? 
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
@avanti1960 nice to hear that you think the D9’s would match well with my Levinson. It does offer plenty of power. When I heard them, they were placed close to 8’ from the back wall which had room treatments. They weren’t also spread very far apart. The owner told me he took no time to place them and pointed out they were partially on the rug and hardwood floor and they still sounded great. I’ve got someone interested in my B&W’s so maybe I’ll make a move on the D9’s soon. 
bfoura OP
88 posts
 
Any feedback on speaker wire on the D9.2’s? A pair of Silversmith ribbon wires were connected to them during demo. Are the Spendor’s kind of benign to speaker cables? 
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