When’s the D4 coming?

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

New drivers, new cabinets--shouldn't that be enough for a marked improvement?

New only implies improvement.

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

From what I read, the drivers feature very minimal changes. A new fabric spider? Maybe some improved decoupling on the tweeter.

Yes but it is a new non-fabric spider. This looks like something worthwhile.

It's hard to tell from the marketing write-up how extensive these changes really are. But maybe they translate to a much better performer, who knows. Looking forward to hearing it.

Amen.

[BullittMan]

"It wipes the floor with the old one."

George Weaver
Senior Acoustic Development Engineer - Core

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mosHHo3A-E0

[Rod#S]

Anyone know why B&W seemingly have absolutely no interest in bringing a revised HTM1-D type center channel back to market?

What was so wrong with that monster of a center for them to only offer it the once and never bothered to improve on it with each revision of the 800 series since?

[hdvidguy]

Originally Posted by Rod#S

Anyone know why B&W seemingly have absolutely no interest in bringing a revised HTM1-D type center channel back to market?

What was so wrong with that monster of a center for them to only offer it the once and never bothered to improve on it with each revision of the 800 series since?

I agree. That is one beast of a center!
I have dated N series LCR and the HTM1 cannot keep up with my N802 speakers. Voicing is just not there. Centre needs same configuration.

Thinking most folks use 800 speakers mostly for stereo and not enough market for surround sound components.

[BullittMan]

Same reason the 801 was discontinued... lackluster sales.

[Rod#S]

Remind me, it been a while, when the 801 existed along with the 800, was the 800 still considered the flagship? I think so but just wanted to double check.

I believe the 801 due to it's 15" bass driver had a larger footprint than the 800, is that correct? So room placement of that pair of speakers would have been very difficult which I suppose would be a similar issue with a center speaker the size of the HTM1-D with optimal positioning meaning the left/right speakers may need to be further apart than perhaps what most could accommodate.

[Greg Gale]

Looking at the photos I have seen, I am not enamored with the anodized black finish on the tweeter as shown on the piano black speaker. Does anyone know if there is an option to get the tweeter pod in piano black?

I also liked the silver finish on the midrange ring that was on the previous headed units finished in piano black. Now they have gone with what appears to be a black anodized finish.

Not having to finish the tweeter in piano black had to save them a substantial amount of labor and time to finish as it required 7 coats of lacquer that had to dry in between and a lot of hand polishing. Now they don't need to do any polishing of the tweeter or the top of the plinth now covered with leather.

It appears to me a lot of the changes externally were made to save money, but in my opinion I like the looks of the 802D3 better and my wife thinks the same.

Now the question is does the new one really wipe the floor of the old one? Of course their engineers need to claim improvement. The proof is when this gets out for public audition.

[BullittMan]

Originally Posted by Greg Gale

Looking at the photos I have seen, I am not enamored with the anodized black finish on the tweeter as shown on the piano black speaker. Does anyone know if there is an option to get the tweeter pod in piano black?

I also liked the silver finish on the midrange ring that was on the previous headed units finished in piano black. Now they have gone with what appears to be a black anodized finish.

Not having to finish the tweeter in piano black had to save them a substantial amount of labor and time to finish as it required 7 coats of lacquer that had to dry in between and a lot of hand polishing. Now they don't need to do any polishing of the tweeter or the top of the plinth now covered with leather.

It appears to me a lot of the changes externally were made to save money, but in my opinion I like the looks of the 802D3 better and my wife thinks the same.

Now the question is does the new one really wipe the floor of the old one? Of course their engineers need to claim improvement. The proof is when this gets out for public audition.

At first thought, I too was concerned about the new anodized finished tweeter enclosure not matching the painted midrange enclosure. Once I had the chance to comb through all the live footage my initial concerns were relieved. The anodized finish complements the painted finish nicely and tends to offer a slightly upscaled look commensurate to the diamond driver's pedigree. That said, I still would have preferred the same finish be applied to both enclosures, both painted or both anodized. In any event, I do not perceive it to be a matter of compromise.

As for the midrange trim now matching the bass trim, finally and thank goodness for that! The mismatched trim finishes (silver on the midrange drivers and dark gray on the bass drivers) on the piano black D3 stood out like a sore thumb. So much so that when I was considering the D3 I was wondering how difficult it would be to replace the bass trim with silver rings so that they would match the midrange trim. I learned it would have been very difficult if not near impossible because the frame the bass drivers mount to would also have to change to complete the match.

None of the changes appear to be cost cutting measures on the new 800 Series and it stands to reason that they aren't. The 800 Series is a premium product and if B&W needs to make more money on them they will just pass the costs on to their buyers because they know they will pay for it. Cost cutting measures take place elsewhere in the company's product portfolio.

I agree, the 802D3 is very nice looking, I would go so far to say the best of the bunch with its better design and proportions compared to the rest of the D3 lineup, but it's not perfect. The 802D4 is not perfect either but it's sooooo much closer.

Andy Kerr said it himself when he spoke of the new 800 Series... "Aesthetically and acoustically, this is the most advanced and capable range of loudspeakers we have ever produced. ... This really is everything that we know and everything that we are." Aesthetically speaking for the entire 800 Series history, I can say, they finally got it right.

[BullittMan]

Originally Posted by Rod#S

Remind me, it been a while, when the 801 existed along with the 800, was the 800 still considered the flagship? I think so but just wanted to double check.

I believe the 801 due to it's 15" bass driver had a larger footprint than the 800, is that correct? So room placement of that pair of speakers would have been very difficult which I suppose would be a similar issue with a center speaker the size of the HTM1-D with optimal positioning meaning the left/right speakers may need to be further apart than perhaps what most could accommodate.

Yes and yes.

[JemHadar]

Must say, with my professional hat on, B&W master marketing like no other in their industry.

I owned a pair of Nautilus 802 once, was ready to upgrade to the Nautilus 800, but that speaker was an abomination. Lost interest in the brand. But now, I will look out for an opportunity to audition the new D801 D4.

The Proac Response D100’s (in use to date), still punching above their weight, will be a hard act to follow though.