Room Size and B&W Speakers

[CountDeMoney]

My listening room isn't large, around 10 feet by 22 feet. Some people say there is no relation between speakers and room size. Others say don't buy speakers that are too large for the room.

My question is, is 802d3 too large for my room? If so, is 803d3 appropriate then? What happens if I buy speakers that are too large? Is there such a thing as speakers that are too large for the room in the first place?

Thank you.

[Venere]

When you say large speakers we can make the assumption this means speakers with good bass extension. The issue with these in smaller rooms is that the can overload the room with bass nodes. Too many variables to predict how any speaker will interact with the room depending on placement, true bass extension, ported vs sealed, etc. Some "large" speakers have very tight bass and some "small" speakers have a mid-bass bump that might be even worse in a smaller room. Sadly, only way to know for sure is to try them. But in general larger speakers are designed for larger rooms. I recently saw some info on Focal's website about the proper room size range (in cubic meters as I recall) for some of their models that I found helpful. Might make a good rule of thumb even for other speaker designs.

[playdrv4me]

I used 802 Diamonds in a bedroom for a time. Probably 14x14 or something. They worked just fine.

However, I *had* 802Ds (D1 generation) in the exact same position in the same room at one point and the bass was horribly bloated and "tubby". It depends as much on the speaker as the room size when you get to a smaller room with a larger speaker. I mean, there are limits regardless, but I can tell you that when I thought my room was the problem, the 802 Diamonds (D2 gen with the completely revamped bass drivers) absolutely blew that perception away.

[Spinpsycho]

Have you thought about going with a bookshelf speakers like the B&W 805D and pair it with a high quality sub like JL F or E series. I use to have a floor standing speakers (683) and recently switched to a 2 way bookshelf speakers with the sub and actually prefer the sound quality over the floorstanding. My room size is 13x17 with 8 feet ceiling.

[tractng]

Originally Posted by Spinpsycho

Have you thought about going with a bookshelf speakers like the B&W 805D and pair it with a high quality sub like JL F or E series. I use to have a floor standing speakers (683) and recently switched to a 2 way bookshelf speakers with the sub and actually prefer the sound quality over the floorstanding. My room size is 13x17 with 8 feet ceiling.

Agree. I have a pair of bookshelf from another brand with JL F113 and the sound is amazing. I had floorstanding once that were huge and didn't care for them after a while.

[CountDeMoney]

Originally Posted by Spinpsycho

Have you thought about going with a bookshelf speakers like the B&W 805D and pair it with a high quality sub like JL F or E series. I use to have a floor standing speakers (683) and recently switched to a 2 way bookshelf speakers with the sub and actually prefer the sound quality over the floorstanding. My room size is 13x17 with 8 feet ceiling.

I just assume that 802D or 803D should sound better than 805D. Maybe I am wrong; would need to listen to them first. 805D certainly costs less.

[Patrick Butler]

Both 802 and 803 feature our FST midrange (something the 805 lacks.) As a technology, FST reduces distortion in the midrange which results in noticeably clearer presentation from sounds such as vocals and guitars.

Then you've got the topic of bass. 802 and 803 Rohacell woofers run from the very lowest frequencies up to roughly 350Hz. So while a sub might give you more power and extension at the very lowest frequencies, you still have 100-350Hz to content with. 802 and 803 both to a better job in that region than 805, or a subwoofer for that matter.

Regards,

Patrick
B&W Group North America

Originally Posted by CountDeMoney

I just assume that 802D or 803D should sound better than 805D. Maybe I am wrong; would need to listen to them first. 805D certainly costs less.

[Spinpsycho]

Originally Posted by CountDeMoney

I just assume that 802D or 803D should sound better than 805D. Maybe I am wrong; would need to listen to them first. 805D certainly costs less.

Yes...both the 802D & 803D will sound better because they're 3 way, the 805D is only a 2 way. The 802D and 803D will have better mid bass and lower bass than the 805D but they're very inefficient Speaker's requiring high current and high wattage type of Amp in order to drive them fully. By going with a 2 way type of bookshelf speakers, its highly recommended that you add a subwoofer to give you the mid bass and lower bass that your lacking vs the floorstanding.... just suggesting alternative....I have demo's many type of floorstanding, electrostatic, and bookshelf speakers and finally deciding with the bookshelf speakers with the sub. I have also noticed owners of 802's adding a sub to their system..I like the sound of the 802, and was at one point of thinking of purchasing them but I realized it would be an overkill in my tiny space.

[Patrick Butler]

Loudspeakers in general are inefficient, converting a considerable amount of power into heat. That said, the sensitivity on products like 802 Diamond are reasonable at 90dB 2.82V/1M. Where they require a competent amplifier is in the low frequencies. Not too difficult to find provided you stay away from single ended tube designs and OTLs. Either way, you pay for good power to the loudspeaker, or the subwoofer.

Regards,

Patrick
B&W Group North America

Originally Posted by Spinpsycho

Yes...both the 802D & 803D will sound better because they're 3 way, the 805D is only a 2 way. The 802D and 803D will have better mid bass and lower bass than the 805D but they're very inefficient Speaker's requiring high current and high wattage type of Amp in order to drive them fully. By going with a 2 way type of bookshelf speakers, its highly recommended that you add a subwoofer to give you the mid bass and lower bass that your lacking vs the floorstanding.... just suggesting alternative....I have demo's many type of floorstanding, electrostatic, and bookshelf speakers and finally deciding with the bookshelf speakers with the sub. I have also noticed owners of 802's adding a sub to their system..I like the sound of the 802, and was at one point of thinking of purchasing them but I realized it would be an overkill in my tiny space.

[playdrv4me]

Originally Posted by CountDeMoney

I just assume that 802D or 803D should sound better than 805D. Maybe I am wrong; would need to listen to them first. 805D certainly costs less.

There are some people who prefer a pair of 805s paired with a pair of good quality subs to any of the floor standers in the 800 series.

For me, this drove me toward the 804. There are still separate bass drivers there to relieve the mid range of also having to handle low frequencies, but the bass drivers are still of a nominal size that keeps the overall tonal balance very neutral. Better yet, the bass drivers allow an easier roll off to a good quality sub.

For those of us who appreciate that "in the chest" bass thump (like me), NOT to be confused with bloomy, tubby or boomy bass, then this is probably even better than having even an all out pair of full size 800s as the reviews I've read for the JL Audio Fathom series have been in conjunction with 800s once or twice, and the reviewer actually stated they were startled at how much more bass extension the JLs actually ADDED even to the sizable bass complement on the 800.

My choice however would be the Fathom F110, since it seems like that is easier to roll off from the small drivers on the 805 and 804, despite the Fathom's Auto EQ feature.