Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

B&W 800 Diamond loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital Sources: Sony XA-5400ES SACD/CD player, Oppo BDP-83SE universal Blu-ray player.
Preamplification: Parasound JC2 BP, Classé CT-SSP surround-sound processor, Meridian HD621 HDMI audio processor & 861 Reference v4/V6 digital surround controllers.
Power Amplifiers: McIntosh MC303 (three-channel), Bel Canto Design REF1000mkII (monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: B&W 802D, Canton Reference 3.2 DC, Revel Ultima/2 Studio.
Cables: Digital: Black Cat Veloce. Interconnect: van den Hul Flat 180, AudioQuest Vodka HDMI, AudioQuest Cheetah balanced. Speaker: AudioQuest Mont Blanc biwire. AC: JPS Aluminata.
Accessories: APC S-15, Environmental Potentials EP-2450 power conditioners.—Kalman Rubinson

COMPANY INFO
B&W Group Ltd.
US distributor: B&W Group North America
54 Concord Street
North Reading, MA 01864-2699
(978) 664-2870
www.bowers-wilkins.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
AV-OCD's picture
Submitted by AV-OCD on August 21, 2011 - 1:39am

While the driver motors have been changed in the new 800 series, based on the measurements of the 802D and 800 Diamond, it seems that the only significant difference, (relatively speaking) in the performance of these two speakers is in the FR balance.  Their sensitivity, impedance plots, cabinet resonances (or lack there of), are all VERY similar.  Even the general trends in the FR are remarkably similar.  In the range covered by the new and old diamond tweeter, they both have the same peak at 10K, followed by the dip at 5.5K and a smaller rise at 4K.  Raise the overall treble level 1dB on the 802D, and it would be virtually interchangable with the 800 Diamond.  Likewise, raise the midrange level 1-2dB in the 802D and lower the bass by 2-3dB, and you essentially get the graph for the 800 Diamond.  All of those things combined would certainly make the two speakers sound different, but is the new speaker actually "better"? I have to wonder if Kal would have used the EQ in the Classe prepro to adjust the bass/mid/treble levels of the 802D to mimic those of the 800 Diamond if he would have heard any meaningful difference?

Then again, in the purist world of 2CH audio, where the use of external EQ is often considered rape of the delicate audio signal, relying on the speaker maker to re-map the FR with passive crossover components is all you have.   All hail the new king in town!  Shhh... pay no attention to uncanny ressemblence to the old king, he's wearing completely different clothes, so it surely can't be him.....  ;-)

Here's a little photoshop magic to illustrate the very minor differences between these two speakers.  Red plot is 800 Diamond, with a trasparent layer of the 802D over top.  The bass / mid / treble have been shifted up or down to match the 800 Diamond plot.

JRT's picture
Submitted by JRT on April 23, 2023 - 8:02am

AV-OCD commented, "Then again, in the purist world of 2CH audio, where the use of external EQ is often considered rape of the delicate audio signal..."

While I agree that may be the attitude of some poorly informed "purists", that attitude is foolish nonsense. They cannot properly playback their vinyl LPs without suitable EQ, whether RIAA or otherwise. Their loudspeakers have crossover filters, and the drivers are loaded in alignments which impose specific forcing functions. The room has an alterable acoustic response, while also any changes in the positioning and alignment of the listener and loudspeakers will effect changes in the interaction of loudspeaker, room and listener. That too is a form of EQ.

There are very many forcing functions (combinations of acoustic, electronic, digital) in the recording and playback processes. At the front end of the process(es), consider the effects of choices in microphones, microphone preamplifiers, microphone cable, recording room acoustics, microphone placement, etc.

Improving playback response with suitable parametric EQ (using high quality gear) is something that should be embraced rather than eschewed.

amppeters's picture
Submitted by amppeters on December 9, 2011 - 12:25am

@AV-OCD , posted a fine review here closly perfect  for pure audiophiles , but i am not have deep understanding such technical info thats why  my friend suggested audio solutions for help , I will appreciate your viewpoint on it.

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