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In Reply to: RE: B&W 801 S2 Fatigue VS. 802 S2 No Fatigue? posted by 34885 on January 25, 2017 at 14:46:53
After more critical listening, my overall impression is that the bass EQ helped, but not as much as originally thought. I may have been wanting to hear a difference more than I did. I've decided to change speakers. The fatigue is still present and the loose/muddy/slow/detached bass just isn't cutting it.
For some reason, I love the idea of an older speaker. I think it's fun to own gear that was once only a dream back when it was new and at a price point that was laughable back in my poor high school, college, and post grad years.
I've decided to look for some older, large Infinity models (separate post) and possibly some ADS L1590's. I have a pair of ADS L400 hooked up in my TV room along with an entry level sub and that ADS top end sparkle is very sweet.
Follow Ups:
The Threshold shouldn't be matched with any speaker that leans towards the bright side. And you did mention your Yamaha's preamp may be contributing to any brightness. What surprises me is that combination worked fine with your original B&W's.
I don't know which model Yamaha you have, but I would think a dedicated pre-amp should help things sound better all around. And maybe, just maybe, help the 801's sound better.
The ADS or Infinity's you mention in your new thread may be the answer without changing out your Yamaha.
Best "old classic" matches for your amp would be 80's Infiniity, KEF, VMPS, Martin Logan, Apogee and Magneplaner lines. That's quite a range, and fortunately you are lucky to have an amp that can run the required impedance loads.
Sounds like you are purchasing without having the opportunity to preview. Would be really good if you can borrow product to audition.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
Thanks for all the feedback and advice!
After lots of listening and experimenting with speaker placement, I've given up. I have gone back to my 802 S2's and they just sound so much better. I can listen to them at fairly high levels with zero fatigue. They sound much more balanced and natural. Sure, on some material I miss the deep bass extension, but with the Anodyne EQ, the 802s sound even better than before.
Additionally, I'm still surprised that the 801s mids and highs are so different than the 802s. The 801s are much, much more revealing and the source material and gear differences are more readily ascertained.
Something interesting happened when listening to a Sun Kil Moon track on the 801s. I've heard the particular song on the 802s hundreds of times but on the 801s I heard something that threw me. I thought to myself, "what the hell is that sound?" I thought maybe it was some strange distortion or even something clawing on a nearby window or wall. It turned out to be the the guitarist's pick rapidly striking/strumming/scraping on his nylon strings.
Anyways, I've decided to try to find the 801's a good, new home where they can be appreciated.
You're right about it being about trade offs. Sure, you could hear the pick, but along with that came harshness. If you were to continue, you would end up having to build your system around the 801's until you got to a point where you could just enjoy the music.
Fun to explore, but as you said, everything sounds more balanced now That's not an easy thing to achieve in itself.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, and the many more that I'm sure will come when the "itch" returns.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
I have owned and loved the B&W 801 S3 on sound anchor stands. I had it in a big room 30x18. Driven by High current amps. Sounded fantastic, tight bass that went low and very good imaging due to the movable head. I had no fatigue. I should not I'm a vinyl guy and maybe that helped tame them. I also should mention my hearing is not good over 10K but good below that.
I have now in my bedroom system, and used them in my main rig when I got them a mint pr of ADS L910's with built in stands. They are an excellent speaker and can even be put close to walls. These were designed for Studios editing classical music. I highly recommend them.
Some others have mentioned Wilsons. I now have a pr of 8's that work very well on my long wall. They are the best sounding speakers (To me) so far. I did get them used at a great price.
My room is treated and I used their set up technique.
Sometimes you just head down the wrong road.
A room has a tremendous final effect on a speaker's sound.
If the speakers has no defects issetup within reasonable perimeters and related equip is good and correct then the room is usually the first look.
Edits: 02/09/17
Sorry to hear the 801's didn't work out.
If you go with the ADS 1590's, amp match-up will have a big influence on sound. This was especially so with the ADS 1090's, 1290's and 1590's. The 1590's were available with ADS's own amps that would slide in back at the bottoms. They were okay, but you really needed loads of current. So you should be fine with your Threshold amp.
I have heard the Infinity IIB's with Threshold. Excellent match. I don't know what availability is like on the Infinity's now or how well they have withstood time. The EMIT drivers in particular.
Good luck with your search!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
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