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B&W Nautilus 802D, Wilson Sophia 2, or others?

I'm getting the upgrade itch again. My current speakers are Nautilus 802's and I am using a VAC PHI 110 setup with 8db negative feedback. The speaker impedance curve won't let me use the zero feedback setting. Overall the system sounds very good. Areas, I would like to improve would be bass impact or punch, a bit more clarity in the midrange. The room is approximately 15 by 14 with a vaulted ceiling going from 8 to 11ft. It is also open at the very top to a kitchen/dining room area so it acts like a bigger room. It does have a room peak in the 30-40hz range with a null around the 60hz range that I believe robs some impact. I love the looks of the Nautilus speaker and what I have does sound very good. From the reviews I have read the Diamond version improves in the areas I feel need improvement but still presents a difficult load requiring the amp to use negative feedback. The Wilson Sophia might present an easier load allowing Zero feedback with some sonic gain just from that change alone. I am a bit concerned that the Wilsons are ported to the rear since the front wall behind the speakers has seven foot wide french doors in the middle which might present a reflection problem. I have not listened to either speaker but metro Phx has dealers for both. Would somebody that is basically happy with the B&W speakers like the Wilson Sophias or should I just stick with the 802D's? Any other speaker recommendations that are compatible with the VAC amp? I don't like the looks of any speaker that looks like the basic box with drivers in it. Listening preferences are primarily jazz and vocals. I usually listen to music with peaks less than 90db but sometimes crank to peaks around 100db. I don't want it to crap out if I want to crank it. If anyone has upgraded from 802's to Diamond version, I would also appreciate your comments. Thanks
rhljazz
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
Tvad mention some good ones but Sophia's (I read mind you) maybe best value Wilso ever offered.Silverlines good for triode tubes.I'd just ad to list Revel.Very close to price point and very popular among HT/Music buyers (have heard many say it is best combo speaker out there which might mean ou prefer it in music only system.Wouldn't worry about rear port with frenh doors onless slats are open.But with anyspeaker rear wall treatment can really improve system fro carpaet to difussion boxes at pretty high cost.

If current 802 delivers enough bass than 803D goes as low as you model of 802 for price of old 802's or 1/3rd off 802D's.But though they do suck current like all the 800 series.Kalman Rubinson uses his with Bel Canto Ref1000's and their is reason why.You need at least 200-300 and like Maggies but not to QUITE same extent they do like more current and headroom.If I bought B&W again (Always a possibility since I get good brak on them.I have a $7K German horn w/MC woofer at easy 8 ohm/94db though I worked for 6 years sellling B&W Matrix and the speaker you own now) I swap out to get SS power instead of tubes I use now.Think some speakers really benefit from tubes B&W,Wilsons,Revel need it less than others.Maybe what you want is new amp or a speaker that really get's benefit from/shows off tubes?That would be different in my mind than either B&W or Wilson (though as you mentoned less od load probem with latter).Good luck.
Cheers
Chazz
sashav
72 posts
 
I considered and auditioned both, 802D and Sophia II, in the end purchased PMC IB2.
audio_bliss_tx
2 posts
 
Personally, I do not like the 802D at all with any amps I've auditioned them with. These may not be my cup of tea, but I know many others really like them. To each their own, that is why we have many options.

I have a couple recommendations, which are both from Dynaudio. The Confidence C2 and C4 are just amazing. The clarity and being able to listen for hours is what draws me to the Dyn's. They are also very good for both male and female vocals.

Another recommendation is the Aerial Acoustic Model 9, but it's boxey in appearence, which it sounds like you want to stay away from. Still, a very nice sounding and dynamic speaker.
bar81
791 posts
 
The only caveat with the Revels is that they're part of the Harmon Specialty Group and who knows whether it'll be around in a year after KKR has its way with the parent company.
audiooracle
387 posts
 

You can get a far better speaker than the Sophia or B&W and still get an easy to drive speaker.

Find a Usher dealer it may take a drive to do so, but the BE 10 which sells for $14,400.00 is in an entirely different league of construction and sound quality.

The Usher employs a pure beryillium midrange and tweeter and are in fact the only company in the world to make a pure beryillium midrange driver in an affordable speaker!

The woofer is an Eton 11 same woofer used in Avalon, Kharma, Marten and many others.

Cabinet is 2inch thich birch over mdf with internal dampling materials and lead.

This is a $30k-$40k product. I do not ship out of territory so please contact Usheraudiousa.com and see if you can find a pair.

The Sophia is a very fine speaker and I would take it over the B&W but the Usher is built and sounds like a much more expensive speaker.

We are at HE 2007 on room down from Wilson who was showing the WP 8 and many people commented that we were getting as good a sound in our room.

The only issue with Usher is not enough dealers yet and the advertising doesn't really address how good they really are.
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