Just wondering, my B&W 802d (first gen diamond) sound bright and lack any bass.
What are your opinions on scrapping them for a new pair of FR20’s or… adding a pair of REL subwoofers to them?
1 Like
FR20, but I’m not a B&W fan. REL’s won’t cure bright.
1 Like
wasn’t sure, i’ve read where a subwoofer will make the midrange come alive. i am surprised how little bass i have with the 802’s
1 Like
If switching to the BHK amps and preamp didn’t tone down the brightness then it is inherent in the design of that tweeter and crossover. Some people like it and some don’t. It obviously bothers you and you have spent a lot of money changing out gear to no avail so time to move on. I would seriously try to find a dealer and listen to the FR20’s though. Aren’t you in Canada where there are PSA dealers?
2 Likes
no, i’m in the USA, over on the east coast. PSAUDIO will let me audition them but the cost of having them shipped and return shipping if i don’t like them, isn’t attractive.
But I really don’t have many options, the one large store in Delaware keeps telling me that i should like the new 802 d4’s since Abbey Road and Lucas Studios used them. They are not listening to my concerns, which is a shame. I feel that business is a bit tight right now.
1 Like
If you’re talking about Overture the only thing in there lineup that would interest me would be the SF Maxima Amator. A lot of bright speakers in their lineup.
I was hoping that PSA gear would eliminate the brightness you’re hearing. Are there more adjustments to toe-in (as in less toe-in) that can be made? Or would imaging fall apart?
The PSA gear is famous for a warmer, more pleasing tone, and for not being bright.
Oh, the PSA preamp, and 300 monoblocks have made an incredible difference in the overall tone of my system, for the better. I can now listen to my system for more than an hour at a time without ear fatigue.
Maybe brightness isn’t the correct word (I always struggle with audio terms), I think Paul described it as a upper midrange harshness. I’ve played around with my CD players PCM filters, most which I can hear a subtle difference, but none to my liking.
1 Like
I would audition the new BW speaker series at your dealer’s to compare with your current set. IMO, their sound signature improved over time (less old fashioned British, more modern neutral sounding). Likely, you like the new ones better by a lot.
If still not satisfied, you may try to find other PS Audio customers nearby to audition, or at a dealer/PSA Factory visit when having a trip…
Best of luck in your journey!
2 Likes
How far you from the Boston Area?
I actually used to prefer the British sound, full sounding with the top end rolled off. I had a pair of N802 years ago, and bought the 802D a few years later. First thing I noticed was that they were bright sounding, more like a traditional American speaker at that time.
I’ve heard the 802D3 and thought they were the worse of the 802 series. It sounded as if non of the drivers integrated, that you could hear each individual speaker.
From the little I’ve heard of the entire D4 line, I found them even more piercing to the eardrum
oh wow, quite a distance, in fact never been up that way
Still might be worth reaching out to Paul Manos at The Audio Shoppe in Boston. He was the long time Verity US distributor and still has a couple of new pair in stock plus a few floor models. They might be more in line with what you are looking for. I’ve owned a pair of Otello’s since 2019. He has surely picked up other lines to replace them. I’ve heard that one of them my be Reynaud from France and the Orfeo or Grand Orfeo, both under $20k, could fit the bill with deep bass and smooth AMT highs. I’ve owned five pairs over the years including currently the Abscisse Jubile’.