B&W 802D - How They Make It

SoundGame · « **on:** 15 Mar 2012, 03:28 am »

I came across this YouTube video of the making of an 802D speaker. Just a fascinating combination of technology and talent. My, how advanced speaker building techniques have become:

http://www.ultrahighendreview.com/the-making-of-a-bw-802d-loudspeaker/

Laundrew · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 12:53 pm »

Always a treat to watch videos such as this - thanks for posting SoundGame.

be well...

Levi · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 01:23 pm »

I like where they put the x-over. Thanks for sharing.

spinner · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 03:17 pm »

Beautiful example of quality production...thanks

DaveNote · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 08:45 pm »

SoundGame, you always find the most interesting stuff.

I think I now know why I prefer my PMC MB2is. I bet the workers at PMC go much more slowly when they work.

Dave

spinner · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 09:31 pm »

But they don't make their own drivers.

spinner · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 09:36 pm »

Fantastic .( You do realize the video is sped up !? ) I love a company that does the whole thing,

rmurray · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Mar 2012, 09:38 pm »

Yes. that works for me as well.

SoundGame · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Mar 2012, 04:26 am »

Quote from: DaveNote on 15 Mar 2012, 08:45 pm

SoundGame, you always find the most interesting stuff.

I think I now know why I prefer my PMC MB2is. I bet the workers at PMC go much more slowly when they work.

Dave

Thanks Dave, my wife would say it's becasue I spend way too much time looking up / reading about audio on the internet. Glad so many have enjoyed the video!

jjc1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Mar 2012, 03:07 pm »

I just heard the 802s yesterday. Fabulous speaker! I can buy the demos for $12,000. Full warranty. Sounds good to me but maybe too pricey for me.

So now I am considering the 803D or 804D. Does anyone own or had experience with these?

SHV · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Mar 2012, 03:41 pm »

"But they don't make their own drivers."
*********
In the video, they show fabrication of all three types of transducers. Do you mean that the magnets and coils are out sourced?

Steve

spinner · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Mar 2012, 04:00 pm »

I meant PMC doesn't make their own.

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Mar 2012, 05:31 pm »

Nice find, Soundgame. You are truly the Bryston Circle's Director of Research. Please convey to your wife that we need your efforts and would be lost without you!

D.D.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Mar 2012, 06:26 pm »

PMC does make their midrange and tweeters. We did a factory article a while back. I went to PMC and watched them being built. I've also been to the factory where the 802D's are built. (and we did a pretty extensive article on that as well)

Both companies take an equal amount of care in building their products, and from what I could see both take a fairly long time to build by hand.

tim92gts · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Mar 2012, 10:47 am »

Quote from: jjc1 on 18 Mar 2012, 03:07 pm

I just heard the 802s yesterday. Fabulous speaker! I can buy the demos for $12,000. Full warranty. Sounds good to me but maybe too pricey for me.

So now I am considering the 803D or 804D. Does anyone own or had experience with these?

Not sure about your local pricing but i chose PMC (BB5i) over B&W (801d) for deeper bass
and a tighter sound (all subject to demo conditions of course).
If you get the chance i'd advise a demo with the PMC MB2i before you shell out.

Tim

redbook · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Mar 2012, 10:53 am »

Pmc uses Scanspeak or Seas tweeters as far as I know. Perhaps they are modified at PMC to better suite their designs. If you like the sound of soft domes they are good but the diamond of B&W would warrant a close listen (at that price range). At this point I'm considering the 803Ds

tim92gts · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Mar 2012, 12:39 pm »

Quote from: redbook on 19 Mar 2012, 10:53 am

Pmc uses Scanspeak or Seas tweeters as far as I know. Perhaps they are modified at PMC to better suite their designs. If you like the sound of soft domes they are good but the diamond of B&W would warrant a close listen (at that price range). At this point I'm considering the 803Ds

They'll sound good on the end of a pair of 7Bs!

Rod_S · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Mar 2012, 01:06 pm »

My 802 Diamonds definitely sound great powered by the 4B-SST. It would be nice to someday use a pair of 7B-SST²'s though. I'm currenty bi-amping with 4B-SST's.

Mad Max · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Mar 2012, 02:43 pm »

Quote from: jjc1 on 18 Mar 2012, 03:07 pm

I just heard the 802s yesterday. Fabulous speaker! I can buy the demos for $12,000. Full warranty. Sounds good to me but maybe too pricey for me.

So now I am considering the 803D or 804D. Does anyone own or had experience with these?

I have a pair of the 803D's powered by 7B's, love 'em! They are a very nice sounding speaker. I find the bass is nice and tight, while the mid's and highs are incrideble. Mind you, the mid's on the 802 and 800 is better.

Cheers,
Mad Max

jjc1 · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Mar 2012, 03:06 pm »

Going to audition the 804Ds next weekend. Will report back

Surprised to hear that the mids are better on 802 than the 803 since they have the same driver. Guess it's the enclosure.