B&w 801

[magma]

sorry i asked a question that derails this thread
hence the edit

 

[sonosphere]

Oh yes...thats synergy once other factors are similar...I loved the B&W with Thresholds and Krells but not with Adcom

Hi MBR,
Can tell what was the model no. of that Adcom? and what preamp was being used with it?
TIA,
Sonosphere

 

[suri]

hi, there are so many outstanding 3way designs are there with more than 10inch drivers.
like
Stereophile: B&W Nautilus 801 loudspeaker
or else if you want the accuracy there is NS1000M with 12inch woofer.
the taste is subjective. pls look.

yes, taste is subjective, but, of course -

for me, when compared to the (best) lightning-fast Lowther designs-

3way designs are fat and obese grandmothers (long in the tooth)

2-way designs are old women trying to be young-

the best will have to be single driver - two-channel - driven by high end SS amplification -

possibly, bastardized by the addition of a subwoofer (to satisfy subliminal needs)

YMMV

 

[malvai]

There is no perfect speaker...

The latest fad now is a single driver, open baffle design.... driven by tube amps....

its like going a full circle back in time, only this time with much more refined tech...

i have heard such a set up... and liked it for its strengths... but could I live with the weaknesses? I think not.

I do not mind the inherent cabinet colouration... The fact is, that the tubes in a tube set up come with their own 'colour' as well... In the end we all settle for some 'colour' that gives us pleasure.

Open baffle, cabinets, big drivers, small drivers, each have their place and their takers. So lets just say amen to that and enjoy the music - IN WHATEVER WAY WE LIKE!

 

[santhosh]

Hi MBR,
Can tell what was the model no. of that Adcom? and what preamp was being used with it?
TIA,
Sonosphere

Even I have the same questions. Considering that these B&Ws are power hungry, guess it has to be the biggest of the Adcoms - the Adcom GFA Mk II rated at 200Watts per channel @8Ohms, Class AB. I use this amp and it has ample headroom and IMO drives my B&Ws well.

 

[sidvee]

Guys let me add to this discusssion of power hungry speakers. I find that the term is used quite often without referring to what type of music that the individual listens to and what is his room size and his listening position relative to the speakers and his comfort level of SPL's 60,70,80 or 90dbs or even 100dbs. Reason for this is if one prefers easy listening music like small ensemble jazz or other light genres of music then of what use is a humongous 200 watt monster? I have seen and heard numerous installations wherein tube amps with 30-40 watts were driving 86db efficient speakers quite well and quite loud. OK the ultimate control on the woofer may be missing but that is only for head banging music or when an organ is being played. So IMHO the context of a power hungry floor stander with a large woofer and huge amps. would be valid only in case of listeners that have large rooms and listen to large scale music at high SPL's (even if they are infrequent bursts like Western classical) and do not listen to near field. Other than that a decent 100watt SS or a 50 watt tube push pull should be adequate for mere mortals (like me:lol. Just my humble opinion.
Cheers
Sid

 

[malvai]

Very true Sidvee.
Its ultimately about what kind of music and how big the room is. and of course, what floats yer boat!
I once new a guy who had a pair of 800N's in a small 10x8 room... driving them with Levinson monoblocks... he cranked it up really loud and then says "paa ji bass kam nahi lag rahi hai?"
As he was an acquaintance, we never really kept in touch, so dunno if found a suitable speaker or whether he brought his house down!
But yeah, most hi-end equipment when decently implemented to one's own personal taste can take you to sonic bliss...

 

[sidvee]

Very true Sidvee.
Its ultimately about what kind of music and how big the room is. and of course, what floats yer boat!
I once new a guy who had a pair of 800N's in a small 10x8 room... driving them with Levinson monoblocks... he cranked it up really loud and then says "paa ji bass kam nahi lag rahi hai?"
As he was an acquaintance, we never really kept in touch, so dunno if found a suitable speaker or whether he brought his house down!
But yeah, most hi-end equipment when decently implemented to one's own personal taste can take you to sonic bliss...

:lol: now that is Hilarious, but as you stated, if that floats his boat so be it.
Cheers
Sid

 

[sidvee]

BTW I stand guilty of playing the power game as well - with my Usher 718's - wherein I kept upping the amplifier ante till I realized that ultimately my listening habits never even used 1/4th of my current amps. potential - the Odyssey Stratos extreme. I have stopped for now, but that is the beauty of this hobby - seeing how fast your wallet can be emptied for a 10% improvement - isn't it:clapping:
Cheers
Sid

 

[stevieboy]

I invite all the people to hear it for themselves.

Hi Malvai!

First belated Congratulations on your new speakers! :clapping:

Have heard a lot about B&W both sides of the story. End of the day if you've picked em up am guessing they did something good for you!

Could you drop me a PM with your address and phone number? I might be visiting Bombay next week and if I have time I'd like to drop in to meet another vinyl lover, and of course celebrate the new speakers

regards

 

[stevieboy]

but that is the beauty of this hobby - seeing how fast your wallet can be emptied for a 10% improvement - isn't it:clapping:
Cheers
Sid

hahaha grin grin grin so true hyeah:

 

[deba]

Sometimes I imagine the quantum of money I would have by now if not spend on this hobby

 

[malvai]

Hi Malvai!

Could you drop me a PM with your address and phone number? I might be visiting Bombay next week and if I have time I'd like to drop in to meet another vinyl lover, and of course celebrate the new speakers

regards

Sent you my address on PM. It would be really lovely to meet up!

 

[malvai]

BTW I stand guilty of playing the power game as well - with my Usher 718's - wherein I kept upping the amplifier ante till I realized that ultimately my listening habits never even used 1/4th of my current amps. potential - the Odyssey Stratos extreme. I have stopped for now, but that is the beauty of this hobby - seeing how fast your wallet can be emptied for a 10% improvement - isn't it:clapping:
Cheers
Sid

that is so true... which is why i will slam the brakes after I upgrade the CDP... There is sonic bliss and there is sonic insanity!

 

[ajay124]

@Malvai
"There is sonic bliss and there is sonic insanity!"
...and the difference between the two is often indistinguishable

 

[suri]

@Malvai
"There is sonic bliss and there is sonic insanity!"
...and the difference between the two is often indistinguishable

hehe! - the person (so afflicted ) is often noted to have a faraway look with a hint of a (glad) tear at the corner of his left eye.

 

[malvai]

hehe! - the person (so afflicted ) is often noted to have a faraway look with a hint of a (glad) tear at the corner of his left eye.

Can't argue that! :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[denom]

hehe! - the person (so afflicted ) is often noted to have a faraway look with a hint of a (glad) tear at the corner of his left eye.

 

[malvai]

FYI
here is a stereophile review of the 801 s2.

Stereophile: B&W Matrix 801 Series 2 loudspeaker

this should dispel all doubts about this speakers capability.

 

[Kittu]

Picture Perfect eh denom ? :lol: is that some body from your work or neighbour who heard your late night metal journey ....