[ACAVant]

Bowers and Wilkins are releasing an updated 800 series of speakers with tweeters composed of diamond. What? Here's the article:
http://www.convoy.com.au/main/newsdetails.asp?i_id=283

 

[aerius]

I heard one of them about a month or 2 ago, the 802D to be specific. It's the tweeter that isn't there, it really is transparent in more ways than one. No, "omg, the highs!" "wow, listen to that sparkle!", it just does its job and gets completely out of the way.

 

[tennisets]

They're not that expensive, especially not for a reference speaker series. In fact, they're pretty much par for the course. There are a LOT of speakers in the 800 series' price range. Of course, they're expensive if you're new to the hobby (sticker shock can be pretty bad at first), but their price is not at all unusual. Also, this updated Nautilus range with the diamond tweeter has been out for a while now. It's not exactly new news.

 

[ACAVant]

Yeah, the expensive thing was supposed to be as a joke, but I couldn't find the right emoticon for sarcasm

I'm a big fan of the B&Ws and like seeing what they come out with as they've always been pretty innovative. Would love to hear the Nautilus itself though. Has anyone? I only know of a few here down under and guess what, they're all in peoples homes.

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

I knew diamonds would be making their way into audiophiledom .... right after gold interconnects

All jokes aside I have a lot of respect for B&W as a company and I'm glad they could break some more ground.

 

[immtbiker]

They sound better and are less bright than the previous series. Good stuff.

What's next...Berrylium?

 

[JMT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by immtbiker What's next...Berrylium?

Focal JM Labs Grande Utopia Be (Beryllium):

MSRP - $80,000 pair
Weight - 462 pounds (210kg) each (without packaging)

 

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

I was thinking about starting a thread that discussed the DVD “A Sound Experience” by B & W that came in one of the somewhat more recent Stereophile issues. It’s a great DVD that I think everyone should check out if they get the chance.

 

[kyrie]

Actually, isn't diamond a relatively common material used in high-end tweeters?

 

[RnB180]

not diamond and least not to my knowledge.

 

[immtbiker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMT Focal JM Labs Grande Utopia Be (Beryllium):

I know...that's why I gave the wink

They are on the back cover of Stereophile mag.

I will be getting those speakers in my next life

 

[soundboy]

Acoustic Research had diamond on their tweeters several years back.

 

[videocrew]

accuton makes a diamond tweeter that is used by avalon and perhaps a few other manufacturers

 

[Czilla9000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiGHFLYiN9 I knew diamonds would be making their way into audiophiledom .... right after gold interconnects

FYI... Gold is much rarer than diamond. Diamond mines are opperated by a cartel, which makes them more expensive. Platinum and Rhodium(?) are even rarrer.

Synthetic diamond technology is getting more popular. In a few years, Coke cans may be made out of diamond.

Diamond is also a better conductor of heat than silver. I imagine the tweeter could get very hot!



BTW, has anyone built a tweeter out of Cubic Zirconia (the diamond substitute?)?

 

[fujisuma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRESCENDOPOWER I was thinking about starting a thread that discussed the DVD “A Sound Experience” by B & W that came in one of the somewhat more recent Stereophile issues. It’s a great DVD that I think everyone should check out if they get the chance.

You can get this DVD for free from the B&W website http://www.bwspeakers.com/bw800/flash_en.html Click on "Get a DVD" on the bottom right corner. I got mine about 2 weeks after I ordered it. Its a great DVD that goes in depth about B&W's research and development. Has great demo music too.