B&W 802D or N800s... Which choice?

What's "B stock?"

what pre and power you are using? digital or analog source?

I will be using digital.

B stock is refurbished from the factory

Buy the 802 with the new diamond tweeter - very sweet sounding. I bought them off the floor long before they were even broken in. I use Halo JC1 monoblocks to power them. I'm very happy I couldn't afford the old version.

IMHO, I would get the N802D also. As superb as the N800 is, you will get the absolute latest in B&W's R&D with their new tweeter, as well as the latest technology in crossover design. Also the tweeter has been moved forward physically on the housing for better time/phase alignment. All this points to even deeper, more accurate imaging. Perhaps you can listen to both systems running to confirm, as it is your decision as to which is your favorite design.

thanks for the help guys.

One last question guys... I can get 800Ds for $7K net more than the 802Ds. Both at a decent discount. Any recomendations?

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I love reading your posts Peter, it always seems like you're trying to get a job again at B&W


Umm, what exactly IS the "latest technology in crossover design"? (one *might* assume it was digital active crossovers, but there must be a new type of 1st order technology or something) And since the speakers aren't time/phase aligned (especially the tweeter) according to their design brief.............

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If your finances can handle it SRT, I think 800D's are worth every penny IMHO.

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Hi Joel, Unfortunately, I wish I had the time to type out all the latest results obtained in the latest crossover and 1st order time alignment technology, but the TC-Group (Tannoy) beckons here, so if you would like to read this PDF file, I am sure it will answer your excellent question.

http://www.bwspeakers.com/downloadFi...ment_Paper.pdf


I only have a few minutes in a day to help folks on here, plus all their e-mails too, so I hope you understand

Already read it. That's why I asked those pertinent questions That's okay, I'll let you slide. It's tough for a speaker engineer to rationalize B&W design choices. I just enjoy your posts, they make me smile. So, yes, I understand

Many thanks Joel, I always think of this quotation when I post on here:


"If I have caused just one person to smile or wipe away a tear of laughter, that's my reward - the rest goes to the Government!"

- Victor Borge (1909 - 2000) - Danish Comic pianist.

Interestingly, there apprears to be no significant reason that the "D" tweeter couldn't be dropped into the old speakers as the FR is almost identical, which leads me to believe that the motor structure is the same. If that's the case, you might only need the diaphragm. However, I'm wondering if B&W isn't counting on the trade-in thing rather than upgrading existing owners. Word has it they want $1000 each for the tweeters, a hefty profit, but not as much as selling a whole new speaker! Still, it warrants investigation for current owners.

Different crossover and physical alignment with the D series tweeters.


Kal

Yes, but if they're electrically identical, it doesn't matter. The only that much matters is the FR (basically the same) and the impedance/efficiency, which, I'll bet, is the same.

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Perhaps, if they are electrically identical. OTOH, the other differences mean that you cannot expect identical performance by simply swapping the drivers.


Kal

Looks like the only problem is cost - I believe now it's $1300 each for the tweeters. But there shouldn't be a downside, but getting a dealer or B&W to cooperate would probably be tough - there's no incentive. And, while there's no way a diamond tweeter should cost $1300 each, they can say it costs whatever they want because it's proprietary. They could say $5000 as easily as $500. So, a high price tag discourages people from upgrading and helps justify the price increase on the new versions all at once. I bet there was a 3 hour high level sales meeting at B&W to just decide what to set retail at on the tweeter

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Conspiracy theory.


Kal