Processor/Speakers

[bluemeanies]

I did not know whether to ask this question in the STUIPID QUSTION section so please have mercy.
I might be getting a little ahead of myself but I am seriously considering replacing my B&W804S speakers. At this point I will still remain with B&W but I have an open mine and an open ear. My choice of B&W was a dream come true a number of years ago and the 804S speaker have been a great speaker to listen to both with music and HT.
Now I have an opportunity to step it up a notch.  My 804S are in perfect condition and I have the original packaging.  I probably will be trading these in as opposed to putting them on E-Bay which  I do not like to put it mildly.
I have been reading reviews by both consumers and professional reviews about these three speakers which are all in the 800 series of the B&W catalog.
804D

803D

802 nautilus

Every review on these speakers were excellent. While from what I read between all of them they each carry there own weight. At this point with B&W at least it comes down to making a decision as to which of these speakers will work well in my dedicated room.
My room is 25' long 7' ceiling but at its widest point the rear of the room is 13' wide and up front where my screen is located it is only 8' in width.
While I like all three of these candidates I do not want to do something stupid and pick one that would be overkill for my room. However the Mrs. and I do have plans for the future to move and at that time I will be forced to give up a dedicated room and pretty much I will be strictly in a 2channel setup. I am mentioning this b/c we intend to have whatever 2channel system we having in a family room which I anticipate to be larger than my present dedicated Home Theater.

The 804D' s would fit in perfectly with my present situation and are a quality speaker that Andrew from Emotiva has complimented since they have these speakers in their business office. They are no slouch when it comes to quality sound.
The 803D's are a bit of a step up. They are very easy to drive and with my XPA1's gen 2 from Emotiva I can only imagine how they would sound.
The 802N which I am in love with there design and have read that musically in people's opinion even though they are not a diamond speaker are perhaps one of the best speakers musically that B&W has to offer. These speakers in my present room would have a big footprint and at only 8' apart I am not sure that they would live up to my expectations, however they would be a perfect fit in our dream house when my wife retires.  Not sure if choosing these speakers would be a rash move therefore a STUPID mistake on my part.
I also have the Outlaw 990 processor and I do not know whether this piece of equipment will do any of these speakers justice. This is my dilemma and where I need some objective  input.

thanks everyone...I will be waiting for any and all comments but like I said....have mercy. 

[pop]

If you feel any of these options are a rash move, then don't do it. These are all very expensive speakers. I have listened to the 804d many times at my local magnolia in their insanely awesome dedicated HT room. They are incredible. In fact, last week I spent about 2 hours in there listening to music and watching movie clips. I could have stayed all day. I like to bring new cds/movies there to listen with the guys. The tweeter has this beautiful "twinkle" to it. The tweeter is really what stands out to me.

Let me know when you put all three in your house, and I will buy my plane ticket.

[djoel]

I say move forward, and not back with the D line even thou I had the 802N and love them truly I would have jumped on the 803D just for the diamond tweeters.
You have the bass going with the JL audio subs, and I from what I recall the 803 stature is a medium one.

Do have to say that my room is smaller than your 13.5 or so by 23' 8' ceiling, and the 802N sounded just right, never overwhelmed the room.

Good luck

Dan

[djoel]

Oct 10, 2014 9:30:28 GMT -5 pop said:

If you feel any of these options are a rash move, then don't do it. These are all very expensive speakers. I have listened to the 804d many times at my local magnolia in their insanely awesome dedicated HT room. They are incredible. In fact, last week I spent about 2 hours in there listening to music and watching movie clips. I could have stayed all day. I like to bring new cds/movies there to listen with the guys. The tweeter has this beautiful "twinkle" to it. The tweeter is really what stands out to me.

Let me know when you put all three in your house, and I will buy my plane ticket.

My oldest daughter was working for best buy up in RI, and she printed for me a list of B&W that she could have purchase, and I saw the 802D almost half price, I could have buy them if I sold my 802N, and my HMS3???. Then her manager started to give her a hard time about it. She folded, and my dreams went poof! I was so ready for them even though I was going have to live with out a matching center for some time.

Sad story

Dan

[jackpine]

I read recently that B&W is retooling 800 series factory for a new 800 series update. I expect it will be tweaking of current series with maybe a slight price increase.

[garbulky]

I say before spending all that money. Give the XSP-1 a trial. See if that helps.
What are you trying to improve?

[restless]

I happen to be in the same situation.

I have B&W 704's now, and they are quite excellent. However, I have always wanted a pair of 803D's, since hearing them several years ago.

I recently heard a set of 803D's again, and found a demo set for a reduced price nearby. I was also considering 804D's during this time.

Next week will be the final decision, but I believe I will be picking up the 803D speakers. My 2 channel will then be a XSP-1, 2 XPA-1 Gen 1 and a B&W Subwoofer attached via the XSP-1. These will become my L&R channels for HT, with the XMC-1 driving another pair of XPA-1 amps and I will move the 704 to the rear channels. The XPA-1 does such a wonderful job with the B&W speakers, and I shall enjoy overkill with the combination of 803D/704 speakers.

[restless]

I would really be interested in which path you decide. I have been working on this for about 4 months.

John

[bluemeanies]

Oct 10, 2014 9:30:28 GMT -5 pop said:

If you feel any of these options are a rash move, then don't do it. These are all very expensive speakers. I have listened to the 804d many times at my local magnolia in their insanely awesome dedicated HT room. They are incredible. In fact, last week I spent about 2 hours in there listening to music and watching movie clips. I could have stayed all day. I like to bring new cds/movies there to listen with the guys. The tweeter has this beautiful "twinkle" to it. The tweeter is really what stands out to me.

Let me know when you put all three in your house, and I will buy my plane ticket. :)

LOL....thanks POP and if I could afford to have all three in the house I would buy you a plane ticket and have you chauffeured to my house.
I think you misunderstood me or I did not explain it correctly but I do not feel I am being rash for wanting to purchase new speakers. I was talking about making the choice of getting the B&W802N as being rash.
Glad to hear you enjoyed listening to the 804D.

[bluemeanies]

Oct 10, 2014 16:10:51 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I say before spending all that money. Give the XSP-1 a trial. See if that helps.
What are you trying to improve?

A bit more clarity and detail.
The XSP1 will not help in that department with my existing 804S speakers. I have had both Integra and Marantz on loan from a couple of friends and we decided the issue is the speaker. Not that you are not getting your monies worth with the 804S it is just surpassed with the diamonds series.

[bluemeanies]

Oct 10, 2014 16:27:47 GMT -5 restless said:

I happen to be in the same situation.

I have B&W 704's now, and they are quite excellent. However, I have always wanted a pair of 803D's, since hearing them several years ago.

I recently heard a set of 803D's again, and found a demo set for a reduced price nearby. I was also considering 804D's during this time.

Next week will be the final decision, but I believe I will be picking up the 803D speakers. My 2 channel will then be a XSP-1, 2 XPA-1 Gen 1 and a B&W Subwoofer attached via the XSP-1. These will become my L&R channels for HT, with the XMC-1 driving another pair of XPA-1 amps and I will move the 704 to the rear channels. The XPA-1 does such a wonderful job with the B&W speakers, and I shall enjoy overkill with the combination of 803D/704 speakers.

Trust me with the combination of the XPA1 and the B&W803D it will not be overkill.
And yes you will enjoy the results.

HAPPY HUNTING!

[garbulky]

Oct 10, 2014 17:33:36 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

Oct 10, 2014 16:10:51 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I say before spending all that money. Give the XSP-1 a trial. See if that helps.
What are you trying to improve?

A bit more clarity and detail.

That's what I believe the XSP-1 will deliver. The soundstage will be more solid imo. The mid-range will be clearer and the soundstage slightly larger with more depth. Also dynamics should be significantly improved. Not that better speakers will not get you better sound but if your sources are a DAC and an oppo (which I've used - the 105) then you're going to need to fix that first with a dedicated stereo pre-amp specially with your XPA-1's.
Give it a go and tell me I'm wrong

[AudioHTIT]

I love the 802D's (and feel for you djoel), it's the only speaker I would trade my Maggies for (seriously if anyone's thinking of a change). The new 802 Diamonds are pretty pricey, but the closer you can get to the original D's the better.