Interesting article in Stereophile about Skywalker sound studios in Sausalito, CA.
They use B&W speakers, like Sony studios in NYC, and Abbey Road in London.
When hearing everything on the record exactly as it was recorded matters, B&W is the ticket …
Like my dealer said, I want piccolos (and everything else) to sound like the real thing.
Proud owner of this storied British brand 
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How do you like your B&Ws?
I sympathize with this position of several great studios having used B&W for a very long time. Proud owner whom also knows there are much better speakers out there. Both my stereo and theater are B&W. Bedroom has Wharfdales.
When I wanted to upgrade my old Polk Audio Monitor 40 speakers, I decided I wanted floorstanders. I originally bought floorstanders from the 600 series, but didn’t like them as much when I got them home. When I returned them, I tried out the 704 S2 speakers and liked them a lot more. I spend a couple hours in the showroom, listening to all kinds of music and in the end decided to purchase them. The smaller size makes it appropriate for my studio apartment and I love the look of the Rosenut finish. The sound is detailed, with incredible midrange. They took a long time to break in, but with ample power they come alive. I like them a lot, and although this like hasn’t quite developed into love, it has gotten close.
Curious - have you cats heard the top of the line Nautilus? I have not, but hope to soon. Unfortunately, B&W isn’t coming to RMAF.
I have B&W 800 Matrix that disappear very well and create a huge soundstage. They are very large speakers so the disappearing act is very impressive.
I have seen the Nautilus but never heard it.
I think that B&W will be at AXPONA.
I’ve always wanted a pair of Matrix 801’s even though I’ve never heard a pair before.
One of the secrets to my happiness with my 704 S2s is to purposely not listen to any of the more expensive B&W speakers.
Well then you won’t want to listen to the 802D2s then. Maybe D3s now. Anyway. I’m not a big b&w fan - but these are really nice. I think you owe it to yourself. 
they do a lot of things really well and I’m a planar guy.
I have the 800 D2s, and I am off speakers merry-go-round.
Unless I win the lottery and can afford Wilson XVXs 
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A long-time 800D owner here. In the 10 or so years I’ve enjoyed listening to them, I’ve yet to trouble them with anything I’ve been able to throw at them. Even with the addition of the Sunlight DS DAC firmware update they continue to impress. They are still able to give me goosebumps at times and I can’t remember ever being fatigued even after long listening periods.
I think they do like to be driven with a firm hand and I will admit that I did augment them with a pair of B&W DB1s but that ‘only’ seemlessly extended the bottom end and well worth the acquisition.
They’ll probably see me out, particularly with reduced finances going into my retirement. My last hurrah will be setting them up properly in a retirement house that I helped design mainly with the 800s in mind. I’m looking forward with excitement to setting them up in the new space. I’m confident they’ll rise to even that challenge.
Sorry for starting this argument here, but in my opinion on the top end High End levels Wilson Audio, for instance Sasha DAW, outperforms each B&W Speaker. I never owned a Wilson (too expensive) but at Munich High End I was always thrilled by those speakers combined with Pass Electronic …
(In the late 90ies I listened with B&W Matrix 802, Series 3. At that time absoluteley great Speakers!)
Studios with B&W speakers often use Pass Labs amplification.
Doubtful there is any argument here being made against Wilson Audio being a higher end speaker in most every case. Wilson’s also come in at a much higher price point, and aren’t the easiest speaker to drive, so a user will need to invest in better amps if you want to make 'em sing. B&Ws are pretty easy to drive…just give them a healthy dose of juice because they aren’t known to be efficient. I’d also say they aren’t bright, though that’s going to be the argument against them from people who do something else.
I grew up on B&Ws, which is most likely why the 804d3s are being driven by my PSA M1200 amps. Sounds very good to me! I’ve gone with REL subs and have no experience with B&W subs. This takes care of the low end my 804s might miss that the more expensive Diamonds probably handle better.
Cheers!
The best demo I have ever heard was Wilson Alexxes with Thor subs and D’Agostino Relentless amps. It sounded very close to live music IMHO.
But it’s not the same budget as B&W.
The other problem is their WAF. My wife says that they either look like trash cans or aliens. Happy wife, happy life …
803d2 owner and love them. I auditioned many brands but the deep controlled bass sold me on these compared to others. The mids are clean and detailed and you don’t have to turn them way up to appreciate there sound quality.
Yes, I love the bass on mine as well. My dealer said that I wouldn’t need a sub, and he was right.
He also said that I would not look back, and he was right again.
I fully agree with you, Phil. Wilson Audio Speakers: Livelike Sound but “difficult” optical design …
New 800 series D4 speakers are rolling out…with nasty price increase once again,no surprise there. And seems they dropped biggest 800 away and it´s called 801 but is not single 15" bass like one would imagine. Curious to hear them ,as always 
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