My preference would be for the N804. I used to sell B&W and Sonus Faber and in a head-to-head comparison of these two speakers the N804 always came out on top. The bass goes lower and is tighter the mids have more warmth and the top end is smoother. We never sold a pair of GPs if we compared them directly to the N804. The GPs do image well and are probably more suited to lush, warm tube gear (which the store I worked for didn't carry), like CJ or Rogue, but for solid state it is the N804 for sure. I am not familiar with the MA Gold series but I also used to sell the Silver series which was okay, nothing great, and it did have a bright and grainy top end. Hope this helps.
Down to 3 speakers, and I'am still confused
After months of listening to speakers, both home demo's, and dealer demo's, I am down to 3 speaker systems that I really like, but I can use some help, and extra ears on this one. I am really losing my mind here...First, my equipment consists of a plinius sa100 mk3 amp, a plinius m14 preamp, a classe .3 cd player (which I will upgrade next, but sounds pretty good) and jm reynaud twin mk3's. Don't get me wrong, the twins are a very good speaker, but I am ready for a floor stander, and I am not crazy about the reynaud line of floor standers. I really liked the reynaud trentes, but call me thick, I really want a floor stander. Ok here goes...yes they sound diff., and they have their own special strong points, but I am confused....The 3 speakers are b&w n804's, monitor audio gold ref. 20's, and sonus faber grand piano home. They are very close in price, which is about as much as I want to spend. I listen to a lot of different types of music (no hip hop, teckno, or country). My room size is 15x20, with wood floors, and a 6x8 rug in front of my present pair of speakers. Any help would be great. Thanks nyrgrs60