B&W Owner's Thread - Page 405

Thanks. I saw your thread on the ATI amps over at audioholics. One of the posts seems to imply that you are running the ATI off of a 15amps circuit. Is that correct? If yes, have you had any issues? Reason I am asking is because our family room is 15amp and not 20 like the kitchen etc....

Thanks, ok now i have 804+scms , i am thinking to add svs ultra 13 subwoofer. or should i get cheaper sub but get 2?

IME, usually (but not always) less expensive dual subs give you better in-room results.

but there are a lot of variables; and the advantage of getting one of the one you want is that you can more easily upgrade.

Anyone? Beuler?

That is the exact sub I would upgrade to. I presently use 2 small ASW 2500's which I have been very pleased with. However, they are finicky to place and simply can't play to the mid to low 20Hz with any large amount of volume. the Ultra 13s have a larger driver, slightly larger case and bigger amplifier. I want two of the SVS's. I also am sealed sub biased - big time. WAF small form factor helps as well.

Having said all that, two subs of less capability are superior to one sub in most cases. if you also have an AVR or Pre that has dual sub EQ (as opposed to just 2 redundant sub outs) you are golden. The Denon 4311, 4520, and new Marantz 8801 have true Audyssey Sub EQ for 2 sub capacity as do a number of Onkyo/Integra units. 2 subs simply do a better job of placing consistent bass throughout your room. Properly EQ'd it is noticable.

What I might recommend is that you keep your current sub, add the SVS and EQ with one of the mentioned AVR's or Pre's. The EQing should make two disparate subs sound better. Then later, budget allowing you can get that second matching sub.

I have Onkyo 1007 now, I do have decidate amp. I am thinking get a Pre/amp. what pre amp do you recommend? by budget is $2000 used /new

I was always under the impression the Series 3 was much more of a "Studio Monitor", that it was so revealing that many did not like so much for home speakers but was heavily used in Studios and as a "Reference" for reviewers in the day. The Series 2 was more forgiving and thus better for a home speaker. If my understanding is wrong here, please set me straight.

Edit: I heard the Series 3 with Krell electronics about 20 years ago that are still to this day the "closest to being there" I have experienced. However, only four of our eleven CDs we brought with were recorded well enough to enjoy.
Edited by jima4a - 11/30/12 at 3:03pm

As I understand it: the tweeter was replaced with one cooled via ferro-fluid which allowed them to remove some protection circuitry in the crossover.

I have not listened to the speakers side-by-side. If you want to compare 801S2's and N801's; those I have in the house (hint: the N801 generally wins this comparison).

I know the previous owner of my Series 2's moved some components in the crossover that I moved back to get back to stock. He wanted to be more series-3 like.

I would recommend the Denon 4311. you can use it in pure Preamp mode or do what mny do, mix and match amplificationm acroos all your channels. you better hurry though as it is on closeout. the 4520 adds Neo-X and a few other potentially critical features but is above your budget.

I am also just one voice and this is but one opinion.

Has anyone AB'd the 4311 and the Integra DHC80.3 as preamps only? I came close to getting the 4311 instead and now wonder if that would have been the better choice. I don't use the video processing in the 80.3.

Ferro-fluid not only cools tweeter, but dampens it too. Some people like sound of S2 better, others favour S3. I used to have 802S3 driven by Yamaha electronics of the same vintage. For their average price around $1500 today they played better than what you can get in that price ranged new, like 683.

Question: How far apart are your L/R speakers? Mine are 8.5 feet apart. Is there an optimal spread

A lot of people recommend that they be placed in an equilateral triangle with your main listening position as the third corner of the triangle.

I understand that but my question maybe is how far apart do they need to be to sound best?

what do you think of Marantz AV7701?

It depends upon room size. Smallest distance that worked for me was 7 feet, when I was siting 7 feet away. Speakers like 800 or 802 can be used for up to 20 feet seating distance. But when you sit that far away you better have speakers closer to each other. You should adjust speakers location based on sense of width and depth of produced sound field.

The AT3005 requires a 20A outlet. The 20A power cord will not physically fit a 15A outlet. My HT room has 20A for the AT3005. I also have a 20A surge protector.

The AT3002 only requires a 15A. The channels that might need that kind of power are the front Left and Right (and subs). I doubt the Center and Surrounds will ever need more than 100wpc.

So you could just get the AT3002 ($1850) for the 802D2.

Or just install a 20A for your room.

But, I would be very comfortable with your Marantz 200wpc monoblocks powering the 802D2. Very comfortable.
Edited by AcuDefTechGuy - 12/1/12 at 9:36am

I just really doubt anyone could hear the difference between the Integra and Denon, especially if you bypass any EQ/ DSP modes. The Integra seems great.

PM sent since this is getting off subject of the beloved B&W's.

You really don't think I need more than the Marantz MA700 for the 802D2?


I am going to do some more listening with bi-amping them hopefully later today or tomorrow and will report...

I would think, as you get too close, you worry about comb filtering.

No, I don't think you need more than 200wpc for the 802D2.

I have also powered my 802D2 with 2ch of the ATI AT2004 amp, and they sounded fabulous.

Absolutely fabulous w/ 200wpc x 2ch.

Ok, I am new to the forum, and I am not sure if this the correct place to post my question.

I have a set of B&W 683 as main, 685 as surround, HTM61 center and a 610xp sub, all of this powered by a Onkyo 807.
I have had this setup for over 2 years and I am very pleased (for my hears), I primarly use it for movies and music, so it is 80/20 split.

I want to explore further the capacity of the speakers and I am looking to get an amp, within a budget of around $1000

So my question is:
Should i go for only a two ch for the front speakers, or i should go for a 5ch amp?
This are some of the units I am looking at, and not sure if it will be too much power for the center and surround speakers, or enadequate for the system.
Option 1 Emotiva XPA-5 5-Channel Power Amplifier
Option 2 Marantz MM7055?

Please note that i am aware that my receiver doesn't have preamp for the 5ch, so i am looking at the new model, the Onkyo 717 or 818.

They already sound great to you. So adding an amp won't significantly improve the great sound.

How is the bass from the 610XP sub? If they sound great, then I would not change either. Otherwise, there are many subs with a lot more output and deeper bass from Funk, SVS, HSU, Rythmik, etc.

I can see changing AVR if you like more features.

The sub works fine, I only have it at 3/8 gain and it rocks. The reason for the amp, was that I am aware that the 683 need quite a bit of power to perform, and i don't think my current receiver has enough power.
The other reason was to see if I would get greater clarity and control that would come with the additional power.

Jerry, I just sent you a PM regarding your 801 series 2's> I am interested in hearing how you think those 801's stacked up against your Nautilus 801's? Can you give us a sort of omparison?

If you decide to go with separate power amplifier, get one for three front channels. Surrounds can be easily handled by receiver itself. Look at 3 channels Emotiva, it should be sufficient.

I also suggest to replace sub. That is not a question how loud it is, but more how deep it can go down in frequencies and level of distortions. I would check SVS and HSU subs, you may want to go with 15" ones.

Buy an amp that has the 30 day free return policy. Try it out (but volume match) and see.

For example, set your current speaker channel levels in your AVR to 75dBC now. When you try the amp, set the levels to 75dBC again to match.

I really doubt the new amp will improve anything.

If no improvement, return the amp.

ap1

I am looking at the XPA-3, but with 200w rms @8ohms may be too much for the center chanel.

Also i am a bit confused by feedback provided by the other member, that the amp will not add any extra value to the listening expirience. So if that is the case, I may as well upgrade the receiver for the Onkyo 1010, it will have a bit more power than my current 807, and it is the same price as if i had to go with additional amp and a new 818, but with less cable/connections.

Would like your thoughs on this approach

If you're not getting any distortion at your listening volumes then yeah a different amp would most likely be a waste, I'd spend the extra cash on room treatment and calibration hardware.