The first step in being a true audiophile, questioning one’s own sanity, LOL.
If you want to make it really tough on yourself, listen to something like the Estelon Extreme speakers, and then ask the same question again.
On the serious side, you might want to do some more listening, and confirm if your initial impressions still hold true. And if true, which sound do you prefer and what factors are contributing to the sound you are hearing, like what pre and power amps were used to drive the KEF Blade?
And now being more serious, if you like the detail and clarity in your system, you would regret going for something else that does not have that, and you would really miss that detail and clarity.
The other thing is that more bass can sound impressive at first, but once that affect wears away, what else remains about the sound quality and are there enough good things with the Blade to keep your interest long-term?
I know, and I agree with you, I am losing my sanity. Thank you Paul for telling me and everyone in Youtube land that my system is painfully bright, lol. Replacing the preamp and amps with all BHK components, BHK 300, has made everything, even old recordings sound magical. I don’t know what it is, I wish I were a smarter person, but Paul isn’t just a salesman, he is also a person that cares.
I concur.
At least, I think you want musical insight and, maybe, just maybe, next, a bit of gut feeling, or even ‘pants flapping bass’, as Paul was once asked about. Remember, you can get that latter with one or two subs as well, extending the qualities of your main speakers.
Good luck on your journey!
quite a journey…and now as i approach my retirement system, and expensive journey. speakers are difficult enough, then to add subs… i’ll be honest is a bit scary since other that PS audio most purchases are final
I’ve gone through a lot of questioning with my own system.
What I like, what I don’t like, what could be better, trying to improve my system then finding I improved some things and made other things worse.
Listening to advice from others. Listening to myself. And finding they sometimes align and sometimes don’t always align.
Realizing what I like and what I don’t, and why. Then finding the solution, using a combination of my own experience, combined with listening to advice and listening to music, lots of music, and listening to my gut instincts.
Here’s a good follow up question… the 802D4’s, like all the 802’s, I find are lacking in bass. while the Blades have an abundance of bass. I guess I’m asking which is more realistic
The truth lies in the audition. An audition will give you a general idea of the strengths, weaknesses and differences of each. The dealer(s) can be a great consul in the process. Seek out dealer(s) and make an appointment for a listening session.
At the price point, $31k for a B&W 802D4 and $28k for a KEF Blade 1 Meta the cost of travel shouldn’t be a barrier.
Not sure if you’ve seen this. I’m a KEF fan in general, have the reference 1 metas. The Blade 2s seem great! Plus, the blue blades would look great in my house.
My personal choice was FR20, and for me was a GREAT decision. Whether the FR20 is a better choice for you is something only you can answer. An 802D4 might be just the improvement you like over your current B&W speakers. At the same time, the FR20’s sound nice with PS Audio gear.
I previously had 802D3 and I now have FR20. The FR20 for me are much better than my previous B&W. I also use KEF R Meta series for my living room and prefer the FR20 sound.
I find the FR20 sound more balanced and smoother in the upper mid range. Bass is also fuller and more extended. The 802s were a bear regarding placement and always seemed thin and just a little too harsh for me when pushed. I appreciated the detail that B&W brought to the party, but it was at the cost of general listenability. Fatigue would set in quickly and I do not experience that at all with the FR20. I can sit and listen to them for hours.
I have and still love my many B&W non-Diamond tweeter speakers. When I try listening to the Diamond tweeter variations I get fatigued very quickly. It always makes me sad as I was dedicated to B&W for 35 years.
In your initial post you don’t make it clear whether you are listening to the original Blade or the Blade Meta speaker?
The newer Meta version should be a lot clearer with more detail as the Meta cleans up a lot of internal reflections etc.
I wouldn’t consider the original Blades now.