B&W 802 Nautilius really the best?

The N802's are certainly a fine speaker. But also in this price range and besides the Thiels are: Waveform Mach 17, Dunlavy SC-IV/A, Snell Type A, API Energy Veritas 2.8, Magneplanar MG20, Martin Logan MIII, KEF R4, and others.After listening to all of them, I purchased one of these speakers, but it was NOT the B&W.

Just purchased 802's and love them, however, my wife and I preferred the brightness of the Thiel...however, they are prone to blow (tweeter, midrange, crossover) when played at loud volume. We really wanted the Thiel but determined that the hassel of having to hav them serviced and then the manufacturer lecturing about loud volume was not worth the hassel. We are pleased with the 802's but still want a pair of Thiel (maybe when they are more robust).

listen to a set of magneplaner mg-20 bi-amped.

I bought N802s and I'm very happy with the sound. I have not compared the Theils but the closest speaker I've heard in that price range would be the Hales transcendence 5 and 8. Have a listen and compare.

I have owned B&W's for 20 years, & thought I wanted the 802's. To be sure, I spent months listening & comparing. I selected Martin Logan SL-3's over the higher priced offerings from B&W, ProAc and others. In my very large room, with my components, the SL-3's are far more "live" than the competition. Sorry, B&W, I demoted my old pair to the home theater room.