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Waiting on 802D3 to arrive -- Will I need a sub?

It's a rainy gray Sunday afternoon here in Atlanta today. I probably have better things to do but I've spent hours reading and researching trying to ascertain if I will need a subwoofer(s) once my B&W 802D3 arrive here in another week or so.

I can't decide and so I've decided to try posting here and crowdsource an answer, ha ha!

My goal is to create a system that will allow me to listen to 2-channel music for hours on end without fatigue.  The room is my living room and is a quasi open floorplan. It is around 24 feet long by 18 feet wide.  There are 10ft ceilings with an open stairwell back behind the seating position and an opening to my dining room that adds another 400 square feet or so of floor space.

Previously I've had B&W 804D2 towers with two B&W ASWCM10 powered subs.  I've sold the towers and the subs and am waiting on 802D3 to arrive as mentioned above.  The 804D2 absolutely had to have the subs.  The bass just wasn't there without them unless I really cranked the volume up.

So as I sit here I'm wondering if I made a mistake in selling my subs already.  With the 802's will I miss them or will those guys have me covered for 2 channel listening?

If it's likely that I will still need a sub (or 2) what do you guys think would be a good match to the 802D3?

Here is the rest of my equipment in case its helpful in offering an opinion:

Preamp:

·     PS Audio BHK Signature Preamplifier

Amplifiers:

·     Qty. 2: PassLabs XA60.8 Monoblocks

Inputs:

·     PS Audio DirectStream Junior (DAC)

·     VPI Traveler 2

·     Audio Technica AT33EV Phonograph Cartridge

·     Apple TV 4K 

Power:

·     Qty. 2: PS Audio P5 Power Plant

 Other:

·     Pro-Ject Tube Box S Phono PreAmplifier

 Speakers:

·     Bowers-Wilkins 802D3


Thanks!
Bryce
brycethomason

Showing 3 responses by gat3

gat3's avatar
gat3
0 posts
 
Nice room... after seeing it, I think the low end will be more than adequate in your space - especially after seeing where the left speaker is placed in the corner.  You will likely have tremendous bass build up there.

If you’re not listening extremely loud with extremely heavy bass content, Your amplifiers will be just fine.  Could you get more from the 802’s with more power? ... absolutely!  But I think you’ll be thrilled.  Some tasteful room treatments and proper bass trapping would be of more benefit than anything else I’d venture to guess.
gat3's avatar
gat3
0 posts
 
When I first read that I was concerned that it may not be enough.  I think it will depend on a few factors, such as how loud you want to listen, musical tastes, and the room.

In an acoustically tuned mastering room, where we are working on music that has to be compressed, equalized, and limited for commercial distribution, we have to listen at various volumes and hear very subtle dynamics changes.  This may not be the case in a normal listening environment.  I know the XA60.8 wouldn’t be enough power in my situation.

In fact, while the 350.5 is plenty loud enough, I have wondered if more watts wouldn’t even pull more from the speaker in my circumstance.  I hope to get around to trying the X600.8 at some point in the near future.  I do know a mastering engineer using 802D2 using X600’s and he’s thrilled.

i hope that helps, but I think you’ll have to test it and see.
gat3's avatar
gat3
0 posts
 
We have the B&W 802D3's in our mastering suite at our professional recording facility.  They are mated with a Pass Labs 350.5.   While we certainly have different needs than the typical hifi user, these speakers have plenty of bass response, BUT they need tremendous amounts of power to deliver properly, particularly in the extreme bottom octave.

However, this series of B&W is truly incredible.  I demoed Magico, KEF, Focal, Revel, Vadersteen, etc (ranging from $30K-$50K) and the B&W's were what I needed to work on.  I was also auditioning with records that I have produced, mixed, and/or mastered, so I know what the material was supposed to sound like.

I know you'll enjoy them!
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