B&W 803 D3 vs 802 D2

Hi LPM. I can give you partial advice to your question. I changed from 802 D2 to 802 D3 about 5 months ago and could not go back. The D3 range are a new speaker/s in their own right. I have heard the 803D3 and 802 D3 at my local dealer more than once but I regard this as only a pointer, the real deal being a home demo. I didn't do this on this occasion having the confidence (?) not to. I think the biggest difference between 803 and 802 would be sheer scale conveyed by a larger unit. The head unit (mid/tweeter) on the 802 are the same as on the 800. This part on the 803 is smaller. The overall difference in size between the 802 and 800 is quite small. You would need them side by side to tell. Not the cost though!

A number of mag reviews rate the 803D3 above 802D2 which I can well believe.

The new speakers needed less running in. They are more seamless. Hearing one LS as distinct from four. Much heavier so faster sounding. Greater depth front to back. Better bass, more tunefull. So far no indication to "drive" the room. I think you can dismiss this completely, certainly in my room. The 802 D2 could just, and only just, be caught out here.

So if budget permits then go for the larger speaker. If you choose the smaller you might feel you could be missing out. On the other hand make sure what ever you go for its not too big for the room. In a home demo play music which causes a problem with your existing ones. I f you can find a pair of S/H 802 D2s then that's a good alternative for less money.

Douglas.

I had a demo of the 802D3 back in summer 2016. I had been looking for new speakers for quite some time back then. I'd red much about tne new range but never heard it. The shop also had a SH pair of 800D2. I had a short listend to them too just for the sake of it. I'd read previously that the new range was plus 1 over the old. That is, the new 803 was as good as the old 802 and so on. On this hearing I can say the 802D3 aced the 800D2 by quite a margin so I can well believe what I had already read. Although now some time ago, the differences were speed and clarity for the most part. The bass was also superior on the D3's despite having smaller drivers.

As for room size, I cannot really advise. I've never had a problem of large speakers not working in a smallish room. The best way is to try yourself. I'd rather have a large speaker in a small room than the other way round. I had the lowly 803S prior to this purchase and they actually took some beating.

Good luck

Dave

Thanks for the replies fellas, can you please tell what should the minimum size of room for the 802 D2s?

Just to know if they are gonna work fine in mine, it is 6 x 4.5 meters...

The 803 d3 are a quite appealling, but again im not sure about measurements etc...

I will separate them 2.5 meters from each other, is that to much for the 803s?

Thanks

Your room is similar in size to mine,  but that doesn't mean the 802 D2 will be OK there. They are not as easy to drive IMO as the D3 are. A Naim amp 250DR would be minimum spec. All three speakers benefit from an amp with good bass grip and the best source possible.

You need to set them up to get a good stereo spread without a "hole in the middle". Mine are toed in and pointed straight at me with no problem. If you buy from a B&W dealer at the price you will pay, regardless of model, you should have a home demo as part of the deal.

Speakers are the hardest hi-fi component to buy. They all have the "benefit" from the designer and his/her team in how the end product should sound.

Douglas.