those individually are nice components though the receiver is a bit dated. to really answer this, we will need to know a bit more.

How do you listen to music? Do you listen in multi-channel or in 2 channel?
Are you happy with the sound in 2 channel sound?
I assume you are unhappy with 5 channel, why?
How do the front and center speakers meld together?
How is your speaker placement relative to what would be optimal?
Do you feel that surround sound is unbalanced and distracting?

A new receiver or pre/pro and power amp might make a big difference. In recent years, receivers have added dynamic Equalizers that balance sound between the speakers in a multi-channel setup. Audyssey is the most common dynamic EQ, but a few companies use different dynamic eq's that are typically proprietary. I had a very high end Carver 5 channel system and always found multichannel disappointing. I finally refreshed my system to newer, Marantz units and the major difference maker in performance to me is Audyssey. It gives you that true, Immersive 3D sound that could only be accomplished via perfect speaker placement previously.

Alternatively, if you are unhappy with your 2 channel performance or you are having a problem with integration of your front and center speakers, then you need to think about different solutions.

I just had to do some research...

At first, I immediately dismissed your receiver as being the issue, and easily resolved by purchasing even an under $1,000 Class A or A/B design with today's technology..
HOWEVER...after doing some serious research, your receiver is quite serious indeed. It even employs 192/24 Wolfson DACs and a sophisticated amp Onkyo labels WRAT technology at 150 Watts per channel and plenty of headroom. WOW!?? And this is back in 2004???!!

HOWEVER....in the end, after much research, I've found though their design approach is very sophisticated and clearly top of the line home theatre, it is ultimately a little dated and Class D, what they call WRAT application. I found this stereophile review of a different Onkyo receiver, but utilizing the same tech:

http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/907onk/

So... though your receiver is actually one hell of a serious beast, it is I fear now a little dated if you are mating it with the B&W 801 Matrix 2's as output.

I would suggest an easy "fix", if money is now a constraint:

Purchase nearly any class A/B Integrated Amp or pure Amp, of around $1,000 - $2,000, and you should hear very significant sonic improvement. With many modern designs, they have high-end home theatre clients such as yourself in mind with the ability to integrate the pure class A or A/B amp into your system with the press of a button allowing it to handle the front left and right channels seamlessly, with your existing home theatre receiver handling everything else. Or, you can just add the pure stereo receiver to your rack and have a sort of speaker selector switch .. I am certain a solution can be found as many many people are now realizing the benefits of two-channel systems over home theatre; even if the home theatre is highest end.

To get you roughly started, I can easily recommend some good two-channel integrated amps such as Creek Evolution 50A, or Rogue Audio models... all of which are around or under $2,000. Though caution should be exercised in trying to get enough power...and you probably will need to spend north of $2,000 to get the power to match or exceed the rest of your existing 150 Watt/channel system..Now here is more confusing information..recently, some manufacturers are starting to introduce class D as high end two channel or mono block use... Rogue being one of them! But I caution 2015 class D is most likely superior than 2004 vintage class D....

If budget permits, I personally would try to find either what is called a "dual - mono" configuration, with two mono blocks encased in a single enclosure, for lack of better description like the Muscial Fidelity 6si..220 Watts per channel.. but that is around $3,000. Or, purchase mono block amplifiers. (one amplifier drives just one speaker aka channel). And mono blocks are not cheap. But this would *definitely* and guaranteed outperform your current setup.

Other Stereophile members feel free to add to my analysis... this was a very difficult one to figure out and recommend....

In short, I can safely recommend if budget permits the Musical Fidelity 6si Integrated or M6prx pure amplifier from same product line. it *will* improve your stereo listening experience significantly.

Good luck with your decisions, and I would seriously also consider calling up a specialist or seeking further advice here or elsewhere..but I've hopefully got the gist of your issue and a decent recommended solution.

Respectfully,

Ron

Every married man who reads this is going to groan in sympathy over our wives affinity to Bose. I had the same conversation with my wife. I wish you luck.

JamesJ-

you have fine gear indeed. The 801 speakers will require higher power. You could research an integrated amp or just go all out for separates.

The nature of multi-channel is to dramatically de-emphasize the fronts with the majority of the sound coming out of the center. I find this to be outstanding for movies but much prefer listening to music in 2 channel. It sounds like you do too.

I think you are absolutely going in the right direction. The Onkyo you have is lacking in power to drive those 801s. I like Parasound.. The JC in JC1 stands for John Curl who is a serious amp designer. This is Parasounds best equipment and will drive those 801 really well. The A21 is a John Curl inspired design. It is mimicking the JC stuff. It's like the difference between a V6 Mustang off the lot vs a Shelby Cobra. The Mustang off the lot is nice, the Cobra is much nicer. If you can affor it, the mono blocks are a no brainier.

Alternatively, given your price point I would look seriously at Bryston, Krell and the Musical Fidelity M6PRX. Personally, I really like Krell as I find it to be ultra detailed with just a hair of warmth. That being said, the Musical Fidelity represents a monstrously good value and is Stereophile A rated for $3500. Bryston has THE 20 yr warranty and has a sterling reputation.

All of these are available from AudioAdvisor with the 30 day return policy.

In the longer term, you may find that your Onkyo will be inadequate as a preamp. You would want to find a nice pre-amp with home theatre pass through. Ayre Acoustics, Rogue Audio and Parasound all make real nice pre-amps with home theatre pass through. Ayre acoustics K-5xe, Rogue Audio has multiple tube units if you prefer or the Parasound has the JC-2 which is what I would pair with the Mono-blocks. If you were to go with the A21, a Parasound P5 would be more than adequate. You will need to find a local dealer if you are interested in Ayre. Rogue Audio is available from NeedleDoctor with a 30day return policy

jamesj:

You are right on point in the idea of adding dedicated hardware for 2 channel listening.

All of the suggestions I have seen seem decent; including your own recommendation of Parasound.

I will attempt to place my preference in order of best to least with YOUR system in mind:

1. Musical Fidelity M6PRX
i. it is Sterophile A recommended amplifier. if you desire an Integrated, go with it's close cousin and newly refreshed M6SI.
ii. it will integrate with your existing Onkyo nicely at 230 Watts per channel @8 ohm.
iii. did I say it was Stereophile A recommended? lol. Seriously though, these folks take their gear and reviews very seriously and that rating and recommendation is gold. Hence it's being number one ahead of even the Parasound with THX certification.

2. Parasound Halo A21
i. it is THX certified; for you this is an excellent plus. this is extremely rare in the realm of 2 channel hi-fi.
ii. it has the power: 250 watts per channel @ 8 ohm

3. Krell Duo 175 or 300 if you want 300 watts
i. plenty of power
ii. Krell consistently gets excellent reviews and is known for *power* as well as ability to reproduce music.
iii. Krell is an innovator. They introduced a thing called iBias; which rocks. It means full power on tap at all times; while simultaneously requiring the least amount of energy to drive when energy or power are NOT required. For a class A/B design, that is a design feat.

I'll stop my list there..as I am certain any of those choices will net a huge increase in sonic 2 channel performance. You will be delighted.

As for bi-wiring... I can say that this very valid concern may be abated when you purchase a dedicated 2-channel amp or mono blocks. I think what is going on in your current setup is the bi-wiring is allowing your slightly under-powered receiver for the speakers you are driving to come up to spec by bi-wiring. Again, this is just a guess, but you may find you no longer need to bi-wire once you've purchased dedicated hardware for 2 channel music enjoyment.

I have kept price a consideration; with Krell topping the point near $7,000 for the Duo 175 which I think is enough power. Krell power is a little different; one gets perceptively more than they advertise.

If budget can be increased, then the solution is obvious: go mono block all the way. I'll leave that for you to decide. We are then talking on orders of tens of thousands. I'm not sure of your goals here...However, intellectually and taking your existing system and speakers into consideration, I stand behind any three of the pieces I recommend. Ultimately, only *your* ears will be able to pick a winner; but I think at these levels, you would be truly well served by any of them.
Best of luck, and let us all know what you decide as well as if you have any more questions.

Respectfully,

Ron

I assumed Classe was out of budget.

Congratultions on what is no doubt an amazing system!

Ron

jamesj91384 wrote:

It really was out of the budget. This guy is just a very nice person and I think part of him was glad the speakers and amp were being kept together. I have to say those focal speakers are amaizing and sound even better with the tube amps. I got to start buying lottery tickets. I'll let you know how it sounds, I have a feeling I'll be having preamp questions in the near future.

How did this combo turn out? I'm looking for an amp for my 801s2 and would like to know. Thank you!

sqitis wrote:

jamesj91384 wrote:

It really was out of the budget. This guy is just a very nice person and I think part of him was glad the speakers and amp were being kept together. I have to say those focal speakers are amaizing and sound even better with the tube amps. I got to start buying lottery tickets. I'll let you know how it sounds, I have a feeling I'll be having preamp questions in the near future.

How did this combo turn out? I'm looking for an amp for my 801s2 and would like to know. Thank you!

Those B&W 801 need a lot of power in order to perform optimally and do justice for your speakers. I would recommend using monoblock amps from Classe such as the Classe CA-M 600 monoblock amps or some monoblock amps from McIntosh like the MC600 or the MC12k. Classe, Rotel and McIntosh will sound very good on the B&W 800 series.
At much lower price point the Rotel RB-1580 stereo power amp will have enough power to drive those 801 but it won't have the same kind of finness and refinements as the Classe or the McIntosh.

What preamp and source component(s) are you currently using?