805D3 Stereophile review

[ti33er]

Ps. I also like BRYSTON, punchy revved up signature that mates Bowers quite well... :-)

[PeterMusic]

Originally Posted by ti33er

Hi Hdvidguy

My equipment chain is currently 805D3 on original Stands, Cambridge Audio EDGE-A, Pro-Ject S2 Ultra (USB/Optical) Streamer, ISOTEK ORION Mains, MarkGrant Mains, QED XT40i with Airlock Banana (had QED XT40, Van Damme 2x2.5mm and 2x4mm to compare; makes zero difference, but I like the look of the XT40i so that is place now)

I heard my 805D3 on a NAIM UNITI NOVA at the Dealers and was bright then too

Just before I sold my Monitor Audio Platinum setup, I compared the MA PL200 to these 805D3...the PL200 had a lot more bottom end and presence. The difference in the HF was the PL200 was more of a sSHh tone, whilst these 805D3 are more of a sSHT tone - sharper overall

Being honest, the PL200 is a better speaker musically, but Wife wanted less clutter so I’ve downsized to these standmounts...I will be getting another Subwoofer; had an SVS SB13 Ultra in the mix for a week before it was sold off - it was a better match for the PL200 though, in my experience

I’m up for a B&W DB3D or DB2D or pair of REL T7i...our of money right now though ;-)

Ha! I was leaning to Wilson Sabrinas, but my wife insisted on stand mounts. I agree that 805s are on the bright end of the spectrum, but I love my system. You'll see below that I agree with you on the DB3D, but even the REL would be a big help (I have a T5i on another system). I think the big difference for me though is the tubes in the C22/MC275--they complement the analytical/forward nature of the speakers.

Good luck!

[PHC1]

Long before I built a dedicated room, I always had to fight with bad room acoustics and harsh reflections which take away from listening enjoyment. I retreated to listening to headphones, problems solved and for many years until I learned to simply treat the early reflections, floor and ceiling when possible.

As long as there are no gross non-linearities and break up with a bright sounding speaker's tweeter, treating the early reflection points in the room, will go a long way. If the tweeter is of a crappy design or quality, not much can be done but a tamer room will still sound much better.

If it is just a matter of tweeter energy output and frequency response of the speaker, especially the "speaker to room" response, then there is much hope.

Investing in at least a few good quality acoustic panels, sitting in your listening sweet spot seat, have someone walk the side walls and as you "see" the speaker in the mirror, that is where the panel goes.

Do that for the side walls, then invest into tube traps for corners next and your system will sound VERY different and improved. Don't want tube traps for aesthetical reasons? Next best thing is large artificial plants. They look good and break up the standing waves to make the system sound more coherent.

Floor and ceiling as are as equally important. Floor is easy enough with a rug, ceiling... eh I've done it and my wife was NOT happy.

Bare walls behind the listening seat should also be treated but that is a matter of taste if one wants a livelier sound or a dryer, more direct and intimate sound from the source up front. At that point you are well into listening nirvana.

[bart]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Long before I built a dedicated room, I always had to fight with bad room acoustics and harsh reflections which take away from listening enjoyment. I retreated to listening to headphones, problems solved and for many years until I learned to simply treat the early reflections, floor and ceiling when possible.

As long as there are no gross non-linearities and break up with a bright sounding speaker's tweeter, treating the early reflection points in the room, will go a long way. If the tweeter is of a crappy design or quality, not much can be done but a tamer room will still sound much better.

If it is just a matter of tweeter energy output and frequency response of the speaker, especially the "speaker to room" response, then there is much hope.

Investing in at least a few good quality acoustic panels, sitting in your listening sweet spot seat, have someone walk the side walls and as you "see" the speaker in the mirror, that is where the panel goes.

Do that for the side walls, then invest into tube traps for corners next and your system will sound VERY different and improved. Don't want tube traps for aesthetical reasons? Next best thing is large artificial plants. They look good and break up the standing waves to make the system sound more coherent.

Floor and ceiling as are as equally important. Floor is easy enough with a rug, ceiling... eh I've done it and my wife was NOT happy.

Bare walls behind the listening seat should also be treated but that is a matter of taste if one wants a livelier sound or a dryer, more direct and intimate sound from the source up front. At that point you are well into listening nirvana.

'Sound' advice!

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by bart

'Sound' advice!

Good one, Bart!

[ti33er]

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

Ha! I was leaning to Wilson Sabrinas, but my wife insisted on stand mounts. I agree that 805s are on the bright end of the spectrum, but I love my system. You'll see below that I agree with you on the DB3D, but even the REL would be a big help (I have a T5i on another system). I think the big difference for me though is the tubes in the C22/MC275--they complement the analytical/forward nature of the speakers.

Good luck!

Hey PeterMusic

How do you find the DB3D combination, assume you have lived with this fir a while...does it warm up the midrange a bit (REL High-Level is good at doing this), or just fill in the lowest octave ?

Thanks

[PeterMusic]

I've had this for about 3 years--absolutely a subwoofer adds weight/warmth through the midrange. Except for the beefiest of floor standers, I think every system should have one.

On REL vs B&W--both excellent, of course. I did not try a REL at the DB3D price point because the DBs were designed as extensions of the 800 series speakers, and I loved the preset crossovers and other features in the app. One other detail on the DBs--a poster on another thread was frustrated that he did not have sufficient volume through RCA connections. So I would go with XLR cables if possible, those have been great for me and others.

Do you have a dealer who will let you take a DB home for a few days? That's always my Plan A. If you do not have a boutique dealer, you might try Best Buy/Magnolia (I assume they have 7 day returns). I think you'll love it

[hdvidguy]

Originally Posted by ti33er

Hey PeterMusic

How do you find the DB3D combination, assume you have lived with this fir a while...does it warm up the midrange a bit (REL High-Level is good at doing this), or just fill in the lowest octave ?

Thanks

Or you could go with a Paradigm Sub 2, but your neighbors may hate you!

Every good sub should be able to setup to tune to most speakers and have room EQ.

[ti33er]

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

... because the DBs were designed as extensions of the 800 series speakers, and I loved the preset crossovers and other features in the app. One other detail on the DBs--a poster on another thread was frustrated that he did not have sufficient volume through RCA connections. So I would go with XLR cables if possible, those have been great for me ...

Thanks, the DB3/2D as you mention are made to cross-over seamlessly which is why I’ve been looking at them ...just my concern is that I don’t have tone controls on my CA EDGE-A and the REL T7i (or T9i) allows for tweakery to boost the mid bass; which is why I was keen to know how the DB3D integrates into the mid band?

The SVS SB13 Ultra I had was an excellent Sub but seemed to fill in the lower octave better than the mid bass band and having owned plenty of REL and BK subwoofers in years gone by, I recall how well some were able to add texture to the mids (which is likely out of phase timing/distortion; but it sounds pleasing to the ear ;-)

[ti33er]

Originally Posted by hdvidguy

Or you could go with a Paradigm Sub 2, but your neighbors may hate you!

Every good sub should be able to setup to tune to most speakers and have room EQ.

Lol I know what you mean. That sub would be too big in my Wife’s eyes unfortunately...needs to be white and compact these days... I did nearly get a pair of the Paradigm Seismic 110 once