Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 and 802 D4 -- Two Boldly Go!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.พ. 2022
- I went to Stereo Exchange in NYC to listen to Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 and 802 D4. stereoexchange.com
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As someone who's owned 801's for over 30 years, I'm sad to see an 801 with dual woofers! I still LOVE the (now vintage) look of my Matrix 801-S2's with their 12" woofers. For all their foibles, I still really enjoy the sound of them. I've done many crossover mods over the years... I kind of wonder how much they've strayed from their original sound!
That's like saying I wonder how a 1980's Ferrari drives compared to a new one
I auditioned the D3s a while back and they are hands down the speaker with the best sounding mid-range I've ever heard. Voices sound so real. This is what makes a speaker for me. It's the mid-range.
epos es14
Agreed. Certainly for TV use, but vocals are of course very important in music as well.
As always, I appreciate the music recommendations. The Dick Hyman record is wonderful Sunday morning listening.
I still love my old B&W 801F and 802F 80 Series from the 80's. They still hold a soft spot in my heart and ears. I've heard most of the new lines of new B&W's, being much better in design and specs they miss the warmth of the old days.
Ok I’m sold. Now I just need another $25,950 to buy them. They sound like a dream come true. Glad you had a good time testing them out.
This is why I need to win the lottery…
I first heard Atoms for Peace (aka Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich) debut on BBC Radio 1... I was a Radiohead fan from long before but that was an awesome mix!
I am an 800 series fan. Keep reviewing them!
Just now breaking-in a new pair of 802D4’s which are replacing 804D2’s paired with a PV1D. My initial impressions are the same as yours Steve - highly resolved, from high to low, and yet I have only heard one song - Year of the Cat - where that resolution allowed hints of sibilance. I am not familiar enough with the recording to say whether or not it is simply “there” in the master, but I can say that everything else I have listened to is recognizably better than with the 804D2’s. I agree that the “musicians in the room” feeling instantly comes to mind. In my case, the most distinctive example thus far being “Harrison Crabfeathers” on Wood - Brian Bromberg. I am a very moderate volume listener, and still, it is like sitting at a stage-side table in a nice jazz club. Visceral.
Again a nice shirt and analyse ;-)
Hi Steve I have a B&W center speaker and I love it 800 series
Hey Steve, thank you so much for the great video. Would you do an impression comparison of the upcoming Klispch Jubilee with this B&W 802 D4 or 801 D4 if they were in similar price bracket? I understand that theoretically high sensitivity speakers can sound as good as the best systems in the world, but I'm curious if that's true in reality or if there are real benefits to high powered amplifiers with lower sensitivity speakers. If you know the answer, you can let me know too even if you have not done this comparison. I love high sensitivity speakers and low powered amplifiers, mainly because of its cost and eco friendliness, and I wonder if it's the way to go in the long run.
Very nice.. i have the 802 D4 now for 1 week, and can the experiences of Steve fully confirm. I am playing with a NAD M33
Thanks for the thorough overview, Steve. And, my life has been incredibly enriched over the last few years via my B&W 805 D3s, bought on your recommendation. Thanks for that, too.
Thanks, nice to hear!
@@keplermission4947 I might need some acoustic room treatments in my nissan hut. I have a few machine-gun holes that need plugging.
@@keplermission4947 you need help
I see kepler is back with the usual diarrhea of the mouth. Nice job
Always really liked the 802’s my dream speakers for sure. Great review as always. See that technics 1200 in the background which cartridge are you using with it? Have a 1200 and want to experiment with some different cartridges for it.
I run an Audio Technica 95, Grado Platinum3, MoFi MasterTracker, Zu Denon 103, Grado Epoch3.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thanks for the reply heard great things about the zu version of the demon 103. On my list to try out. Haven’t made it yet to mc carts although my current phono stage supports them. I have a np-200 now that has been pretty good but doesn’t wow me. Looking to take the next step.
Hello Steve, what do you think about the Prism Sound Callia Dac?
Many people actually prefer the 802's over the 801's in almost any iteration past or present. I could also agree with them, as I've listened to both. The only thing I might contribute it to is the fact that the smaller woofer-midranges might have a quicker response and better resolution because of their smaller size and thereby makes placement easier, for a more seamless sound and better imaging. Both are quite good, though the newer Diamonds seem a lot brighter than the earlier models. It could be too much of a good thing with the new Continuum design replacing the Kevlar design which I actually preferred, for it's more neutral sound. Also the crossover might have changed with more increased treble emphasis because it does increase perceived imaging to the human ear. But to each their own taste. I would probably buy the 802's or 803's which I have also heard and they both sounded supremely clear and detailed, when I listened to them. Good review as always.
Are those Magnepan MMGs behind you? I noticed they are completely vertical. Whose stands are you using?
Curious how do these (particularly the 802s) compare to the ATC SCM 50 actives?
The look like the tentacles from the Day of the Tentacle to me
It would be amazing if you could review the crown xls 1502 or 2502 sometime, those are 2 ohm stable per channel. "I've tested this extensively and they held up perfectly fine" They have a better noise floor than the 1002. They have absolute control over your woofers, pretty much effortless, the mid's are decent, well bodied, the highs can be slightly bright, but not in a bad way, if running them with a warmer source, or better yet a tube preamp, you'll get a lot of love and control from them. Pretty much limitless power, you won't have to push them hard at all to get what you want from them. I have the 1002 at the moment and have pushed it very hard just below clipping into 8, 4 and 2 ohms as well as 8 and 4 ohms bridged, even with straight up 20hz, 30hz, 40hz sinewaves and it has been very solid, never overheated, never complained, just as the others in the lineup. Right now, my 1002 has been left on for over 2 years day and night, never being turned off once, it is as solid as the day I got it. It sounds especially good running balanced. Only thing is, if running single ended rca's in the back, you'll have to adjust its input sensitivity in the main menu to .775v, otherwise you may not get enough gain, as the normal sensitivity setting is 1.4v which that is intended for balanced operation. Hope to see a review sometime soon to hear your thoughts. The 2502 or even the 1502 would power those b&w's to ear busting levels, but still sound great doing it, and also not break your back to move that kind of power.
Hey Steve! Amok is Atoms for Peace and has Thom Yorke, Flea, Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco. It's not Thom's solo work!
hi, how these speakers compare with ATC SCM150 ASL? Thanks. Beau
I have older 802D2s and I found you need a lot of power to get the best sound out of them. Also, bi-wiring (yes its true). The bass is very fast and accurate but if you like a lot of bass you may need tone controls or a warmer preamp to get the best sound. When I added 1200 WPC at 4ohm mono-blocks and a 5DB increase in the bass coming out of my preamp the speakers went to a new level.
I have a pair of the original B&W 802 Nautilus speakers paired with a B&W ASW-2500 as my main listening setup. What you described about the D4s is exactly how I would describe the original 802s. I can't imagine how much better the D4s are. Did have a chance a few years back to try the D3s and they blew me away already!
Been watching/reading/listening to your stuff for years love the content keep it up! Hope to meet you in person someday!
Dear Steve.
A brief impression (opposite/different of your's one) of BW speakers. Last year I went to a local specialized studio to listen to BW speakers. Bookshelf speakers series 6 with Marantz gear and large 802 D4 floorstanders with Mitchi gear. In both cases, at my request, I was listening EST (Esbjorn Svensson Trio) at which concert I was in 2003 on national television. Two parts of the concert of this trio were recorded there. So, I know the sound of this trio live, as well as from various other audio devices, speakers, including through Magnepan 1.7.
In the first version by BW spekars, it sounded untruly - intrusive, rude. In the second, much more expensive variant with 802 speakers..., it was even interesting from the point of view of individual details, but which were not incorporated into the sound image, into the soundstage as a whole, and all over again there was some disturbances of sound elements cutting, peaking out....Worst of all, the piano had an iron-ish sound on both systems. OMG!!?? ... very disappointed I left listening to the “mighty”
BW speakers. If this is a good sound, than certainly is not for my ears at all. Kind regards.
I preferred the 802 D4s to the 801s. While scale, presentation and mid & upper ranges were similar, I found the slightly 'faster' presentation of the 802's bass to be more natural sounding and more on the right side of being evident but not overly dominant.
The bookshelf loudspeaker in the background. What are they? The look like the Cyrus 781 from back in the day...
They’re Buchardt S400 MkII speakers
You've got to hand it to a shop like B&W.
They're certainly not alone, but they've been grinding... just grinding away at loudspeaker weakpoints, addressing system compromises for decades.
Design at this level is a fascinating multi-disciplinary endeavor ... and it's always interesting following that development.
We're fortunate for the handful of mfrs like B&W,... developing technologies, transducer elements, materials science across all three driver bandwidths.
They've been adept pursuing this approach, minimal cabinet interaction... sculpted bezels with near zero baffle diffraction, with a fully braced and inert LF section.
I've never owned B&W, but I've experienced some wicked good B&W rigs.
I characterize them mostly as transparent... an odd adjective for speakers... but they don't seem "lossy" like other high performance rigs. Perhaps the brightness others mention. ...
I'm told we adapt, pyscho-acoustically ... to voicing tilt, etc.
My take; I'd build a rig around them, but they're too expensive...(by 2x) but, obviously I'm in the minority... sales seem fine.
B&W, KEF, Focal, Dynaudio, and maybe a couple other bug Euro mfrs, grinding away at the state of the art.
Most importantly, it's always a pleasure hearing your take on current, flagship type offerings.. I know it's not your primary focus.
Always appreciated
Technically Amok is by Atoms for Peace. Which, yes, Thom Yorke is part of.
The D4s have the same problem that most conventional driver speakers do - they "beam."
If you play something like a trumpet located in just one channel, you can instantly identify the sound not as a trumpet coming from "over there," but rather as the sound of a trumpet coming from THAT driver RIGHT THERE.
There are various reasons this can happen, and the only conventional driver speakers I've heard that manage to avoid this are higher end Wilsons and those from Vivid Audio.
i have the exact opposite impression as you. Especially when I audition orchestra music on Wilson speakers (ALEXX, Chronosonic etc.), there's no instrument separation. The sound got so mixed together that listening to Mahler Symphonies became a torture-like session.
How much of a change takes place between the different series? I own a pair of 801n and they sound great. I wonder if I should try the new 801 D4 and see if they would be better or different. I think that many times we confuse between the two.
If you like your present sound don't change.
thx @@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac
Hi
I have 802 D3. Can you comment on the differences between D3 and D4 if you have heard them both.
Thanks.
I concur, big B&W’s good at recreating a live experience of the music HITTING your body. Deficiencies for me is all my B&W speakers sound crappy at low levels and are a bit on the bright side.
Excellent Speakers 👌👍🎵🎶🎵
These speakers appeal to me more than other box speakers. A lot of innovation and refinement has gone into them. The unique and separate structures of the tweeter, mid and bass cabinets. The diamond tweeter. The fact that the three enclosures are isolated and placed for time alignment are all interesting innovations. And now this new spider.
I think they overcome the drawbacks of the box architecture and present a visual appealing and sonically engaging product.
I'd love to hear the new PS Audio speaker and the 802 D4 back to back. And then someone else pay for them and send them to me.
Though I know they have their adherents, B&Ws were never to my taste. Your
"Neutral to bright/forward" comment hints at my issues with them. IMHO, they typify the difference between "hifi" and "organic" presentation. Also, there is a discontinuity between the tweeters and remaining drivers that I have never heard well integrated. Oh well, somebody must like them; but not me. Cheers and keep up the good work!
This discontinuity has been an issue with virtually every B & W speaker I have ever listened to. Obviously, there are people that like them but I wonder sometimes if B & W marketing hype is so strong that people do not consider other options.
Everytime I see a Mac amp I just know that it is there to 'fix' aggressive tweeters.
Haha, that’s exactly what I was thinking. The BWs are notoriously bright.
Hahahah so much truth to this statement
@@ZZ-yv5ux Same for Focals.
While both Mac and B&W have their detractors, the combination is a match made in heaven. My vintage MC2105 driving 803D's is hard to beat IMHO... until I win the lottery!😁
@@Roof_Pizza yea but focals dance with Naim, they love the grip and pace
I was on the fence between 801 and 802. for my room size I now want the 802. the dealer said the 801 would be a much better speaker - but he is the dealer and surely likes to take another 6000.
I liked 803 D3 so much I almost bought them. Almost!
I liked the 803 D3 so much I did buy them.
@@patl709 Very good choice. I've have been a horn speaker guy for decades but D3 almost changed me.
How do they compare with the Wilson audio Sashas
Townes is my hero!
Hi Steve,
Thanks for this mini double-review. How would you describe the sound of the 801 D4's to the older 801 D (with the 15" woofer), if you had any experience with them? I very much liked the latter, in fact it may be the best B&W's I've heard so far.
Sure, I’ve heard them but unlike many other reviewers I can’t mentally compare speakers heard in different rooms, with different electronics, and different sources decades apart!
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Makes sense, of course.
@@keplermission4947 bell end
Mr. Microphone on top of a bowling ball stuffed into a trash can...is what someone said of my original Nautilis 802s some years ago...
LOL
Steve, for what it’s worth, I auditioned the 801D4 with the Luxman’s L-595ASE (you reviewed earlier), among others. To my astonishment the Luxman drove the B&W’s with ease. I can’t speak to the need for a minimum of 200w/8 ohms to sufficiently drive these speakers. But Luxman 30w class A was more than sufficient to drive the 801’s to high Spl’s with power to spare. And, to my ear, it was more musical then the other, higher watt, higher priced, ‘high end’ amps I listened to. Just goes to show there’s watts & there’s class A (Luxman) watts… thanks for the terrific videos!
Looking forward to your review of the new Audio Research integrated you teased in the final frame!
I am a loud listener myself. I find myself screaming so loud that I can hardly hear the music. Do you have any suggestions?
Good B&W sound, but two Magnepan 3.7i loudspeakers with two Rythmik F12 subwoofers would be much cheaper and sound pretty darn good.
Not even in the same league, man.
Hi Steve, Thank you as always for what you do. I would have thought any speaker in front of a DCS Bartok DAC and the Luxman SACD player would sound much better than what they are.
My dream speakers 🔊 hope one day I will achieve a pair
No viewer system of the day? I missed that...
What - no Viewer system of the day?🤔
Hey Steve always a pleasure to see and hear you they were once my dream speakers back in the Nautilis days 20 years ago I don’t dream about these guys for some reason I guess I’m satisfied with what I have Tekton Lore’s McIntosh MA 252 a Rel 5xi
@@keplermission4947 thanks for the feedback bro I also have
B&W Little guys 607S2 anniversary Steves speaker of the year 2020 they are amazing with the Mac The clarity and imaging really on another level
@@keplermission4947 just give it up man no one cares what you have to say it’s BS all the time nonstop. Bell end
Had the "B&W 802 D4" at my place for a week,comparing with my "Nubert Nuvero 170".The 802 had no Chance against the 170 (more mids,more bass etc.). And that's for have of the price....
Where did you buy the Nubert Nuvero from?
@@cory3685 directly from Nubert in Germany (you can only buy their speakers directly from them!)
Hello brother!
I have nuvero 60 ( small room), and I'm searching for amplifier. What do you think is good for NuVero series?
@@mihaihertz1059 recommending between 500-2000€:
Yamaha AS 701
Magnat MA 900
Yamaha AS 1200
“BIOMIMETIC SUSPENSION” wo- marketing is working overtime
Not really; the company developed the design & has trademarked it. The Greek word simply describes the effect on the sound the company attempted to achieve.
What would you have called the new technology to promote it properly to audiophiles?
@@keeferdog5617
hahaha
You 'think' using 7 words is less "working overtime" than 2!!
That's hilarious!
Do you plan on doing a review on PS audios new speaker I think it’s the FR 30
(nitpicking) The band is Atoms for Peace - Thom Yorke, Flea, Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker. AMOK is a great album
and the band is/was AMAZING live. Would love to hear them on a system like that!!!
Could not afford to discuss the speakers, but ecstatic about this music.
Atoms for peace - Amok is a sonic textural tour de force. Very good hifi test album for complex dynamics.
TODAY I LEARNED a NEW WORD: Ambiophonics
... Although I know you don't answer questions 'Steve,' what do you know about this Ambiophonics stuff?
Suddenly feeling very inadequate with my 702 S2's :)
Buchardts in the background 🤘
7:18
That would actually be a pedal on the piano. It seems impossible to attenuate the tune once the key is struck. Like Freddy Mercury says:
"We're just waiting for the hammer to fall YEAH!"
-✌🏼
Steve, it would be very interesting, and valuable to your members if you were to compare the sound of these more expensive speakers to that of some classics back in the day that are now selling for pennies on the dollar. I'm certain these B&W's sound better than my PSB Stratus Gold i's, but with my McIntosh MC2205 they sing! At $700 to $1200 used, the PSB's are stellar bang for your buck, and it would be a service to all if you gave a comparison opinion, or even just an updated opinion on some of the older classics that are available inexpensively for audiophiles on a strict budget. 👍✌
@@keplermission4947 lol, I get that live, player/singer/band is in my room glorious sound out of this pairing so I have no idea what you're talking about. Type the model name in eBay, and there are 2 pairs available now for $800 when the retail was about $2800 back in the day. Here's another point you won't believe. When I bought mine, the UPS guy dropped one, and dinger the front and side putting a few inch dent in each. The dealer called PSB to see if he could still sell them, and I got that brand new pair for $1200! Unbelievable I know, but it's true, just as the sound is true, and the best I have heard in the under $5,000 category. ✌
P.S. I also paid $800 for my MC2205 in almost mint condition, I did pay close to retail for my Rega Planar 9, but it's worth a whole lot more now. I also paid $1900 for my Audible Illusions M3A.
P.S.S. Believe it? Your' a knob if you don't I have never been a liar, and there is no reason to lie, what would I gain from that? I'm 61, and long past games, except Holdem! 😁
@@keplermission4947 Well, I don't know what the heck you're gibbering on about. I gave Steve an honest request, and you have barged in making a fool of yourself with unwarranted, unwanted, and ridiculous opinions, BYE! ✌
@@keplermission4947 That's the first response you have made that doesn't sound like an intellectual trying to show off his IQ! I know how great these PSB's are because I own them, and when I saw what they could be had for used, I'm thinking what a fantastic speaker for those audiophiles who don't have much to spend. That's it, everything else you are spewing is nonsense!
@@keplermission4947 good god man give up already
@@keplermission4947 Mr. psychologist, you sound more like the snobbish listener that buys on pure looks, and brand cachet. Believe it or not, I have never owned a home theatre. That Rega Planar 9 I paid $1200 for some 20 odd years back now sells for over $2500 used which totally contradicts your thoughts on old gear being better than new. I had $8,000 set aside for my speakers, and listened to many, many brands upwards of $10k, and though many of them looked the part, the sound, UHG! I bought what gave me goose bumps, and still gives me goose bumps, that's an audiophile. There's such a thing as diminishing returns on investment, and nowhere does this apply better than the audio world. I could have spent $20,000, and not received much more than I have with the $5,000 I actually spent. My stating prices, $800 for what is now on the used market, a $3,000 to $4,000 amp, a turntable bought for $1200 that is now worth $2500, and speakers I bought for far less than half of what they retailed for new show I made excellent calls on the sound I invested in. Heck, if I were to sell my amp, and turntable, I'd have more cash than I originally spent on the whole system! It's about the sound, bottom line for me! I had more to spend, but didn't find it necessary to achieve that live sound I was after, and wound up with what I consider a budget, high end system. The original comment, again, to drill it into your head, is all about ascertaining which older speakers on the used market are worth the investment of someone on a budget. Are you, like 15 or something, your arguing, and assuming are something I would expect from a younger person, or a fool who gets off on posting fake contradictory posts to stir things up. The later is more likely as much of what you say is foolishness! ✌
Good day to you. I will NEVER be able to afford these speakers since they are simply out of my financial reach. However, I actually have heard the 802's before. And I must agree they are an experience you wont forget! Awesome "Soul Patch" btw!
Thanks Steve for your impressions. You are moving further and further into the sound stratosphere - Great! Maybe Avantgarde soon? - I think that there is a suitable model in this price range that would definitely appeal. ;¬D Greetings to you and yours.
11:46 why wouldn't one be doing the Spotify thing anymore?
A lot of users ditching Spotify because of the Joe Rogan thing and a bunch of bad PR on how little Spotify pays artists.
@@m_DT I was being sarcastic, this isn't a politically themed channel and Steve chose tonwade in anyway.
@@jamesrobinson9176 ah. YT needs a sarcastic filter then 😜
Hi Steve. Regarding bass hitting power you refer to Cornwall vs 801. if you want, and wish and have the opportunity, please review the JBL 4367. These have the most advanced woofer ever made by JBL, the woofer in 4367 is an improved version of the M2 woofer. The TCR voice coil wire this woofer uses is probably one of the most significant developments ever made by any speaker company in decades. They might put the 801 to shame in bass power. The 4367 was tested by Home theater hi fi magazine. They've measured it. The speakers showed lower distortion levels than Quad 2912 at all spl levels. I am almost sure they beat the 801's in distortion level at all frequencies and at all spl levels.
I listened to the B&W 800 D3 (Playing Led Zeppelin) and the JBL 4367 at the same HI-FI show in the UK. I bought the JBL 4367 . Both loudspeakers need more than 200 watts to drive them.
Before you crank those "beemers" too loud, check with your dealer for the cost of replacement tweeters (well over $1000 ea.?).
I've had my B&W' CDM-1NT's for exactly 20 years now and they have taken everything I could throw at them and no problems, yet...
@@oryxgto And they have diamond tweeters?
I’m surprised that you didn’t listen to _801 Live_ my favourite live recording...
@@keplermission4947 Showing your ignorance again? 801 = Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, Bill MacCormick, Andy Mackay, Mick Jones and Paul Thompson.
@Mikro Phonie 801 band members listed here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/801_(band). I have both the live recording at Queen Elizabeth Hall and the studio album _Listen Now_
The bright / neutral sounding is also my issue with B&Ws. All the B&Ws I’ve listened to were too bright and edgy for my taste.
I think you haven’t heard the D3 in a right system. They never sound bright or edgy to my ears.
@@HaVu-qf5ir thanks. I’ll have to try listen to them again.
I can also confirm that there is zero brightness at all. I have had the entire d3 line up to the 800d3. 800d3 was a complete show stopper. Past couple months now I have been in awe with the 801d4. Amps are Dual 860Av2, 740P and 780D. Nothing remotely bright about it. Extreme clarity with no harsh edges of any kind.
Hijack question. Anyone else have some IMF RSPM Mk 4 ?
Do you think they still stand up as decent sounding speakers compared to more modern speakers to might own?
I used to sell the "D' 800 series back in the day of the Series 1 and 2. Best I heard back then was the 802D/2's with the Krell 350 monos. SuperTramp just slayed you. Unbelievable.
Funny thing. I now use speakers that were made back in 74. Their nickname was Quad's with Bass, hehe.
Dahlquist ?
Been a fan of B & W I heard the Nautilus eons ago. Budget permits the 600 series which is a little bright but a subwoofer balanced it out. I listened to it a low to medium levels and quite pleased with B & W
Sounds like a perfect match; ma12000 and 801 D4. That is one I really would like to own.
No viewer system of the day?????
Owned the 802D4’s…lacking in emotion and warmth. Previous model was superior musically. After a few months I realized I made a mistake and sold them. My replacements were Klipsch Cornwall 4’s and I could not be enjoying the music more! Alive, dynamic and full sounding with realistic detail.
Good to know. I am also considering both. Heard the 802 D3 and was impressed. Plan to hear the Klipsch heritage line soon.
Forgot to mention $35,000 for the pair
Back in the late '80's when I was much more interested in audiophilia it seems folk just said "B and W", and didn't bother to mention the names, and B&W itself seemed to be like that. Then recently, 25 years alter, as I started reading and listening to what is happening in audio-phile-land I was surprised to hear so many people actually write/say "Bowers and Wilkins". I guess it's just a trend, perhaps marketing by B&W in light of so many brands being pushed globally.
I suspect it's more to do with the internet, marketing appeal and the rise of BMW as a car brand. B&W sounds too much like BMW when it rolls off the tongue, and if you google B&W New York dealer it gives you a load of BMW dealers.
@@ruk2023-- - lol, it has nothing to do with the car brand, which by the way predates B&W by about 50 years. They started using the full written name about 10 years ago, I assume as part of a brand renewal effort and to give them a more premium sounding name.
@@keplermission4947 what a bell end
@@ruk2023-- Humorously enough, you can get a Bowers and Wilkins stereo in a BMW automobile, so you can have a B&W in your BMW. 😁
The name B & W did not become an issue until the company was commissioned to build speakers for Jaguar automobiles. B & W sounded too much like Jaguar's competitor BMW. Hence, the change to Bowers and Wilkins. John Bowers started out as the co-owner of a retail electronics shop in Worthing, England named Bowers and Wilkins. Bowers' interest in building loudspeakers grew out of this, since he was dissatisfied with the loudspeakers that were available at the time. He started a separate speaker company named B & W. To change the name to Bowers and Wilkins many decades later, the company had to buy the rights to the name from Mr. Wilkins' estate.
"Thinking about Bix" 👍👍👍
Define “a bigger room” where 801s would be preferable?
25 feet x 40 feet with 10 foot ceilings
18 x 28 or more feet.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thanks!
A medium church or empty warehouse.
Gymnasium size
Mama and Papa Geese? Lol
Buchardt S400 MKII review incoming?? :)
I read it already here on the channel! Just a month or so ago
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac opsie!
I looked for it and I couldn't find it...
Worse part? I checked again and I found that I already had seen the video. I certainly have to re-watch it.
Thank you very much for your answer :)
Those looks probably account for 80% of the selling cost…….crossover 2%,drivers 18%
Manufacturing more likely. I watched a video of how they make them. Bonkers attention to detail and manual labour. Plus retail cost is probably double what it costs dealers to buy them in general. Sounds like a huge profit margin, but by the time you have paid for shipping, stock holding, the store overheads and business overheads it probably only comes out to a 15-20% margin for the dealer which is fair enough.
@@ruk2023-- love the factory tours. Focal tour was another laboratory of magic
Most of the time taken to build these is focused on the cabinets. The appear to connect the wires to the crossovers with steel quick connectors. These are beautiful pieces of furniture but your sonic dollars might go further elsewhere.
@@miheadhurts Have you listened to them? I haven't so I can't say, but I get the impression you have experience with them.
@@ruk2023-- alas I haven't but for $26,000 a pair they have a lot of competition.
SG covers B&W. As only he can.
Your podcast is great!
Thank you!
What your thought on 805 d3 compared to 805 d4. I have the 805 d3 they are epic.
Your speaker is great, if you’re happy don’t change a thing. The new one is just a tiny bit more transparent.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I appreciate that you took the time to reply back thank you very much. I was seeing some demos and I pulled out some headphones and ran them through the home theater system in different no speakers when they did an AB comparison and on another TH-cam channel. th-cam.com/video/Q_EQ5paxCNc/w-d-xo.html. It’s almost kind of like what the 805 D3 you’re in the front row but maybe the 805D4 as an example is right up next to the stage near the performer beyond first row possibly.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac you’re right. I am really happy with the my D3 it’s too easy to lose yourself I. This hobby. You could buy million dollar speakers and not be happy
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac worked on some of the setting and I was able to achieve the 805 D4 sound and transparency on the 805 D3 saving myself over $10,000 I’m pleased
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I ended up adding the 805 d4 to be fronts and the 805 D3 as surrounds in a 4.2 configuration and passive bi amped really amazing sound. It shows me I don’t need a huge floor standing speaker to get my enjoyment
we (another audio reviewer) came to the conclusion we'd need a house with bracing too. Also, we'd need bracing on our 'bank account,' He's married is concerned about 'divorce,'
..... I told him it wasn't so hard, but he knows I'm a musician without a girlfriend.
Wow... biomimetic spider Daleks!
Wonder if they'd "Exterminate" the PSAudio obelisks, Steve.
(Maybe you'll find out for us)
🎶🤔🎶
I knew Townsends, he was kind to me when I opened at my 1st big time venue in Austin, I sucked, and pissed off management because of my songs. He stood between me and the Management bouncers who had orders to clobber me and maybe even my X-Wife who did sound but had no-experience. I'd go to his Sunday Party behind the old Austin Airport in a couple of Train Cars that were a bar. He got married after Poncho & Lefty money came and had a kid. I told him 'hope he grows up to be like you Townsends.' ... Next thing I knew his green bean butt was waving his 2 oz arms over me 'pissed.' I wasn't hurt, but I was surprised by what I thought was a nice thing to say.... "I do that a lot,"
Dick Hymen rocks.
Nothing like early Jazz.
I’ll bet your Klipsch play MORE music 🎶 (former owner of 803D3)
Design-wise I consider these the ugliest speakers ever.
That design is so not appealing...IMO BTW I am just now noticing your duckie listening buddles..haha
B&W 801 ist well known in Europe for a very bad sound for the money.
I have listened to all series of the 801 and all of them sounded bad.
So I do not understand this rewiew.
Seems like you get payed for.
It’s a reference speaker, I believe still at Abbey Road. You can have your opinion of course, but to say that other people share your opinion, I think that’s just your opinion. The company makes very very popular speakers.