Looking For Opinions On The B&W 805N

[aces high]

Looking for anyone to share their experience with the B&W 805N's.

What did/are you powering them with?

How's the bass?

Do/did you consider them bright at all?

I'm going to take a listen to the 805d this week but don't have anywhere to listen to the older 805n's.

Thinking of picking up a mint condition used pair and powering them with a Rotel 1070rb amp and a rotel pre amp. Haven't decided which one I'll use yet.

[DerrellB]

Hey andrew,

I have heard the 805diamonds. Many call them the steal of the diamond serious. I have never heard the 805n but I hear the diamonds are leaps ahead of the N series for reviews that had both. I don't think the 805 diamonds will give you a great Idea of the N series because I read they sound very different. Can you listen before you buy or is this a steal you can't pass up?

[aces high]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

Hey andrew,

I have heard the 805diamonds. Many call them the steal of the diamond serious. I have never heard the 805n but I hear the diamonds are leaps ahead of the N series for reviews that had both. I don't think the 805 diamonds will give you a great Idea of the N series because I read they sound very different. Can you listen before you buy or is this a steal you can't pass up?

I'm working on getting them for a steal, right now I'll say they're very attractively priced. I don't have any illusions that they'll compare with the 805d and I also don't want to spend Diamond series money right now.

From what I've read about them is that they should be warmer sounding than the Diamonds, whether or not that's true I have no idea.

This purchase will be very price dependent so it may not even happen, in other words I will only buy them if it's a steal of a price. They were $2600 with the stands new and they're kind of old now. Have you happened to notice what they've sold for used?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aces high

I'm working on getting them for a steal, right now I'll say they're very attractively priced. I don't have any illusions that they'll compare with the 805d and I also don't want to spend Diamond series money right now.

From what I've read about them is that they should be warmer sounding than the Diamonds, whether or not that's true I have no idea.

This purchase will be very price dependent so it may not even happen, in other words I will only buy them if it's a steal of a price. They were $2600 with the stands new and they're kind of old now. Have you happened to notice what they've sold for used?

seems to me, that most people are wanting just under $2k for them online.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by callas01

seems to me, that most people are wanting just under $2k for them online.

I noticed that, trying to get the number much closer to $1k. If that doesn't happen I'll move on to something else, don't want these bad enough to pay a lot of money for them.

[velociti]

Originally Posted by aces high

I noticed that, trying to get the number much closer to $1k. If that doesn't happen I'll move on to something else, don't want these bad enough to pay a lot of money for them.

You'd be exceedingly lucky to get them for anywhere near $1,000, unless they have cosmetic damage or the seller hasn't done any research on their worth. Hope you get the deal you're looking for!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aces high

I noticed that, trying to get the number much closer to $1k. If that doesn't happen I'll move on to something else, don't want these bad enough to pay a lot of money for them.

because of the popularity of B&W speakers they hold their value due to their large industry name. I have not heard any of the 805s, but I did hear the entry level 804S tower, and it was pretty good, I actually liked the 804S more then the 802D. For $5k, I know a few speakers that are better.... but thats my opinion.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by callas01

because of the popularity of B&W speakers they hold their value due to their large industry name. I have not heard any of the 805s, but I did hear the entry level 804S tower, and it was pretty good, I actually liked the 804S more then the 802D. For $5k, I know a few speakers that are better.... but thats my opinion.

I still plan on getting some of those other speakers, just looking to add some B&W's to the collection along with a few others over time.

The S-series came out before the N-series correct?

[aces high]

Originally Posted by velociti

You'd be exceedingly lucky to get them for anywhere near $1,000, unless they have cosmetic damage or the seller hasn't done any research on their worth. Hope you get the deal you're looking for!

They don't have any cosmetic damage. Like I said I'm trying to get the seller down to that range, whether or not I will be able to is another story. It'll depend on how badly he wants to get rid of them I guess.

[aces high]

I know that Rotel and Classe are supposed to be good match's for B&W. Any other suggestions of what to pair B&W's with?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aces high

I still plan on getting some of those other speakers, just looking to add some B&W's to the collection along with a few others over time.

The S-series came out before the N-series correct?

No,I think the N series was part of the whole nautalis line, then the Diamond series and S series came out at the same time, then they recently dropped the S series, which used an aluminum tweeter in that bullet tweeter instead of the diamond tweeter, and just have the Diamond version now.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aces high

I know that Rotel and Classe are supposed to be good match's for B&W. Any other suggestions of what to pair B&W's with?

McIntosh, you high roller!

[aces high]

Originally Posted by callas01

McIntosh, you high roller!

High roller, I wish.

The problem with Mcintosh is I don't really want to spend that much and they're all really big. Looking for something physically smaller.

I'll keep an eye out and if something comes along at the right price ( cheap ) then maybe I'll consider one.

[velociti]

Originally Posted by aces high

High roller, I wish.

The problem with Mcintosh is I don't really want to spend that much and they're all really big. Looking for something physically smaller.

I'll keep an eye out and if something comes along at the right price ( cheap ) then maybe I'll consider one.

Not sure if you're looking to integrate into a HT or use strictly for two-channel, but how about Peachtree? They'd be a good fit for the warmer sound of the B&Ws, are attractive, and have enough power to handle the relatively efficient 805s. Built-in DAC might be convenient as well.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aces high

High roller, I wish.

The problem with Mcintosh is I don't really want to spend that much and they're all really big. Looking for something physically smaller.

I'll keep an eye out and if something comes along at the right price ( cheap ) then maybe I'll consider one.

personally, I liked NAD and B&W better then the McIntosh and B&W setup.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by callas01

personally, I liked NAD and B&W better then the McIntosh and B&W setup.

Convenient that NAD seems to go well with Dyn's as well. Think I'll have to get out to listen to some Nad gear soon.

[DerrellB]

Originally Posted by velociti

Not sure if you're looking to integrate into a HT or use strictly for two-channel, but how about Peachtree? They'd be a good fit for the warmer sound of the B&Ws, are attractive, and have enough power to handle the relatively efficient 805s. Built-in DAC might be convenient as well.

Man did you hit it on the head with peachtree. I heard the 802 diamonds on MC501's which were spectacular. But for giggles, the dealer had just started carrying peachtree and hooked up a peachtree integrated. Man did the sound blow us away. We were all in there with our bottom lip on the floor. The MC501 were great but for what they cost, they should be. Peachtree was amazing and at the price it cost, we didn't expect it to compete so well with the mc501's. If you want mcintosh, there is a way. If you want Peachtree, there is way.

I think that rotel that you mention was before rotel went to class d amps. I like the older stuff better than the new class d. They havea nice nuetral to warm sound to them. Mcintosh will be warm as well. Peachtree is class d but man you could not tell at all. I havent been a big fan of class d but that changed my mind a little.

[DerrellB]

Originally Posted by aces high

Convenient that NAD seems to go well with Dyn's as well. Think I'll have to get out to listen to some Nad gear soon.

Nad is warm and I suggest whatever you pair with B&W be something close to the warm side as they are a little foward. I think the N series are more laid back than the diamonds but still somewhat foward from what I have read.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

Man did you hit it on the head with peachtree. I heard the 802 diamonds on MC501's which were spectacular. But for giggles, the dealer had just started carrying peachtree and hooked up a peachtree integrated. Man did the sound blow us away. We were all in there with our bottom lip on the floor. The MC501 were great but for what they cost, they should be. Peachtree was amazing and at the price it cost, we didn't expect it to compete so well with the mc501's. If you want mcintosh, there is a way. If you want Peachtree, there is way.

I think that rotel that you mention was before rotel went to class d amps. I like the older stuff better than the new class d. They havea nice nuetral to warm sound to them. Mcintosh will be warm as well. Peachtree is class d but man you could not tell at all. I havent been a big fan of class d but that changed my mind a little.

most of the class d that peachtree runs has a tube buffer in them, so they sound tubelike

[DerrellB]

Originally Posted by callas01

most of the class d that peachtree runs has a tube buffer in them, so they sound tubelike

Yeah they have a hybrid tube setup where the tube is in the output stage of the preamp. It was really nice and I think about 1/4 of the price of a set of mc501's. The biggest thing with the 802's is controlling those woofers and a lot of amps run out of steam. That peachtree produced really nice clean accurate bass with those 802's. Very detailed and liquid highs. It was an amazing experience.