Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

[Steve Henry]

Of all places, my local Best Buy/Magnolia:eek: The very knowledgeable salesmen explained that only two Magnolias in the US were going high end as of this time. The 802's were driven by a pair of McIntosh 600 watt mono blocks with an all McIntosh system. I must be clear that I have not heard many megabuck speakers, but the 802's were by far the best speaker I've ever heard (they should for 12K a pair). In addition to this set up, they had another McIntosh tube front end driving a pair of Martin Logans. They also had several Sonus Faber, Arcam & Marantz products on display. They were also smart enough to have an Oppo in the multi channel room.

But the 802's got my DIY urges stirring. We need 2 tens, a 7" mid & a great tweeter. The look could come from Hi Vi with the D10.8's & the yellow kevlar F6. Throw me your ideas.

[MSaturn]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

what? wow, the big guys just can't keep their hands off ANYTHING. Can't wait til I can buy a stage three turbo kit at autozone for $1000.

[donradick]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

I agree about 2x 10 inchers - did you see the "Redwoods" recently here? A Paul Carmody design for Mike15: http://techtalk.parts-express.com/sh...d.php?t=229916

[MagicO309d]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

One of these days I'd like to try a design with a good, capable 6" pro-mid. It should make for an interesting comparison to the 2" dome mid system that I've been listening to for the past 3 years.

[lunchmoney]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

But the 802's got my DIY urges stirring. We need 2 tens, a 7" mid & a great tweeter. The look could come from Hi Vi with the D10.8's & the yellow kevlar F6. Throw me your ideas.

My current build is not far off... Dayton ref 10, SEAS 7" (ER18), and SEAS 1" tweeter (27TDFC)

In terms of driver size, anyways... can't comment on how they'll compare in actual sound.

[jonasz]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

You can buy the middriver directly from B&W.

[lunchmoney]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

Forget what they're called, but on htguide there's an all Dayton Ref monster with 2 10's a 7 and a nice tweeter.

Big speakers really are nice. Ever since hearing MikeZ's Beasties I've had the bug.

[Face]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

You can buy the middriver directly from B&W.

+1.

It has Accuton like distortion for even less $.

Steve, are you planning to design your own or are you looking for an existing design?

[generic]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

Would those 12K speakers be better then these?

http://philharmonicaudio.com/philharmonic3.html

Only $3000

[Steve Henry]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

+1.

It has Accuton like distortion for even less $.

Steve, are you planning to design your own or are you looking for an existing design?

I can work with either. I've already figured out a way to clone the enclosures. To simplify, I'll probably go plate amp on the 10's & passive on the mid/tweet.

[Steve Henry]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

Would those 12K speakers be better then these?

http://philharmonicaudio.com/philharmonic3.html

Only $3000

As I said, I have not had the opportunity to hear very many high end speakers, including the Philharmonics. So I can't compare. But knowing the designer, I'm sure they are not 9K better, with exception of the dual 10's.

[dcibel]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

Heck, just buy Jeff B's Archos from Salk Sound. You don't need two 10's, just one big powerful 12". :D

[Wolf]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

Heck, just buy Jeff B's Archos from Salk Sound. You don't need two 10's, just one big powerful 12". :D

+100!

Those are one of the best sounding speakers I've heard, commercial or DIY.

Later,
Wolf

[Steve Henry]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

Heck, just buy Jeff B's Archos from Salk Sound. You don't need two 10's, just one big powerful 12". :D

+100!

Those are one of the best sounding speakers I've heard, commercial or DIY.

Later,
Wolf

I have no doubt, but as stated in the original post, DIY is the objective.

(Sorry, screwed up Wolf's quote)

[GranteedEV]

Re: Heard B&W 802 Diamonds Today

I think just about all the vets here could outdo that 802d given some high end drivers and some patience with box construction. Would be cool to see Wolf's revamped 100 piece crossover for the 802d :D

The problem with the 802d is that the crossover sucks.

They cross it over LR2 at 4khz even though the 6" cone is damn near beaming and has some Kevlar breakup near 3.8khz! And it seems the tweeter is a smidgen hot, too! Response is really anything but flat.

I have just about zero doubt, that the Philharmonic ONE speakers should be better than the 802Ds.

That said, the dual 10s are a nice touch that a lot of great DIY speakers just weren't ambitious enough to match.

And... cue some DIY speakers with dual 10" woofers: