804d3 + awesome sub vs 802d3 for tv/movies?
 

I’ve had a pair of 804d3 for a few years and currently have it paired with an HTM1d3 and JL Audio F212v2. However, lately I’ve been thinking about selling my 804 for 802. Is the 5-figure jump to the 802d3 still worth it with such a great sub if 80% of my use is home theater anyway?

Also, are the d4 models coming out soon? The d3 have been out for about 5 years...

AnimeMusic... Welcome to AA! :wave:

I’ve been wondering this too.
Currently have 802n, and Paradigm Sub 2. Looking at moving to 800 D3’s or 802 D3’s. Will I need the sub anymore, not sure. Will need to demo in my house and see. The Sub 2 is so powerful at the low end which is great for movies.

Which N802 do you have? Cherry, Red Cherry or Black?

Cherry. This Color,
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/...mages/1589691/

Nice, red cherry.

Did you make the move to D3s? After 15+ years with my N802's I'm thinking about the 802 D3s. Worthy upgrade or expensive tweak? :thought:

I still have my 802N’s. I’ve heard the 800’s a few times with the same source songs from Tidal and very similar front end as mine. I wish I never listened to the 800’s. They are that good!

The 802D3 are a very very nice speaker. I enjoy the sound tremendously!:banana:

I know what you mean, I want them too :D i heard 800d3 with E-650, it was a dream!! They sound so good!

What’s the rest of your system?

Moving to the 802 will be more then the bass! I've heard the 804's on a Bryston system, then I heard the 800's on simular Bryston system. Oh man, the sound stage opens up way beyond the speakers. Mids and highs will make you smile with the 802 D3's! Oh yeah, more defined bass and lower extension too.

no - better ways to spend the money, most likely.

Sure, front end seems like the best way to start. But the poster has not mentioned what he has so far.

The 802 D3 are in completely different league than your 804 D3. No comparison, not just the bass but everything. Completely different animal altogether. If you have the room for the 802 D3 and are willing to pay the big difference in price I would highly recommend you to make a jump to the 802 D3.

What are your electronics? Are these mainly for HT (surround movies) or both stereo music and HT?

My dad has the 804D3 with MJ Acoustics sub. I have the 802D3 with no sub. We have the same DAC and similar amps. If 80% of your usage is home theater, the 804D3 is more than good enough with a sub. You do not need an 802D3 for movies.

… a matter of opinion. Movie soundtracks can be quite good and benefit from 802D3. I just added the HTM1D3 to my home theater -- along with repurposing a pair of 803D1s. It's a difference I would never want to move away from unless I replace the 803s with 802d3s.

I was thinking about getting a pair of 804 D3 for my two channel stereo system, but my impression is that they have been less well-received by the audio press than previous 804 S through D2. That doesn't mean the press is right! But, I am curious, as I really liked the first 804D, which is the last 804 I've listened to.

If you get the 802-D3 (as I think you should), I'll bet that your audio only listening will increase above 20%.

yes to the 802’s d3, they are really good, except of course for the 800’s d3 those are even better.

I bought my 802ds a few months ago, and can't see that I will ever let them leave the house. They are in my two channel system. If money and wife allow, I would like to add a pair to the theater. I already have the HTM1 D3 in the HT.

802 D3's? What are you using for amp(s) for them?

I am going to audition (again) 802 and 803 d3s next week. I am also torn by this. I have a 2 channel system based on Revel F208s paired with a C2600/MC462 and it sounds magical in my home. I did a side-by-side and for sure, the 803 is a better speaker than the 208. The 802 even more so. For music though, the F208 just seems wonderful, especially without a direct A/B comparison. My current need is more for the HT setup though and I keep going back to the 803s and 802s being "overkill" for primarily HT usage. I do not think the F208s are well suited for HT duty so I do not really want to move them (again - incredibly happy with my 2 channel system). If I buy an 802/803 it seems like they should move to the 2 channel system for sure though since they are "better".

I currently have an HTM2 D3 center channel paired with ML Motion 60XTs in my HT setup. Looking to put the motions to rear duty and upgrade the fronts to better match the HTM2. That is primary motivation. I have also considered 702 and 705 options to build out the system. Currently being amped by an MC205.

Seems like consensus here is to get the best speaker one can buy and enjoy. For sure 802 > 803 > 702 :)

McIntosh MC452. I heard the 802s at the dealer being run by a single MC275.

A penny for your thoughts...
 

Tripitz..... It seems that you've been doing quite a bit of looking into your Home Theater (HM) sound. It also seems like you're keeping things a bit closer to earth, price wise, so I thought that I'd ask for your thoughts on adding speakers to what we already have to expand our 2-channel stereo system into the realm of a 5-channel setup.

As the signature will show, we presently use a pair of N802s for fronts and a pair of N805s (all in red cherry) for a 2-amp system that's controlled by our Mac MX-130. Specifically, the N802s are driven by our Mac MC300, while our N805s are driven by our MAC4200.

The [eventual] idea is to add a suitable center and a subwoofer to these four B&Ws and end up with a decent 5.1 system.

If you happen to have any thoughts on the MartinLogan (ML) Motion 30 center -- or on MartinLogan, in general -- I'd be much obliged to read them.

I'd also like to get your thoughts on subwoofers for home theater? The only sub I've ever really spent any time listening to was in an RX7 -- and that was circa '85! I do have to admit, however, that the sub did add an interesting aspect to the Alpine car audio system that was in that car.