Ask again in a few days. B&W is hosting a press event on Wednesday.
Kal
Kal
B&W Nuatilus
I called B&W today and they told me they are going to replace the current nautilus series with a new series by the begining of the year. Does anybody know anything about this? What typically happen to the value of the nautilus series, once the new series hit the market, Does any body knows what is it going to Looks like?
56 responses Add your response
Boom!goes the value of the current Nautilus/Signature range.This is the reason I didn't buy the 805 Signature's.As far as I know now cheaper version of 805 Sign going to be available(looks more like the Naut 805)But don't take that as a fact as this is based on hearsay.Good news for used buyers though. I ordered Merlin's rather,more of a long term investment perhaps. Spend your money wisely. Good Luck. |
Kal gave the skinny over on AA. Click here |
Hi all, Here's a link to some pics of the new range http://www.hificlube.net/common/ver...seccao=Noticias and this I have copied from another site: My best attempt at a translation Portuguese isn't my strong suite, but I spend waaay too much time in Brazil, so here is my best attempt: International market BW NAUTILUS SERIES 800 D: THE DIAMONDS ARE ETERNAL Report in London Finishing up after arriving from London where I attended at the British Museum, the presentation of the new series BW Nautilus Serialize 800, I didn't want to leave without sharing with the readers the innovation already showing in the pictures of some of the models to open the appetite for the integral Report that will be published soon simultaneously in DN and in HIFICLUBE. BW Nautilus 801D At first view nothing has changed but all the new models “D” have a fabulous diamond tweeter that answers to the 70kHz range and the base driver is now manufactured from a new rigid carbon fiber material. BW Nautilus 800D They maintain all of the aspects of the previous models like the following: the "heads" of "Marlan", the elliptic form of the boxes, the absorption tubes, etc. The bases and the supports were redrawn. Inside the "crossovers" were simplified to the possible limit (the high pass filter, for instance, is constructed from a simple condenser in parallel) and the selection of components was very demanding. BW Nautilus 803D Entirely new is the model 803D that now has 3 (three!) bass drivers BW Nautilus 805S The models S takes advantage all the most recent innovations, less the diamond "tweeter", maintaining the previous aluminum version. BW Nautilus HTM1D (central) Absolutely unbelievable is the center HDM1 D that is the type of speaker that "takes no prisoners". Imposing, powerful and dominant. A column with "head" for strong spirits that like sound of integral movies. |
I had a longer post which seems to have disappeared. So my last post was too brief. To explain, I listened to Opera $10,000 speakers with a diamond tweeter, tubed amp. This was a fantastic speaker for a studio monitor. Extremely analytical and made mincemeat out of many of my favorite recordings. At the time I thought "this is great for use in a studio but not when listening to anything less than a perfect recording". The dealer, of course, was enthusiastic about the speaker saying it was "tactile" meaning you could reach out and touch the singer, vocals were so realistic. Even better than Thiel and without the dispersion / integration problems of a ribbon tweeter so as Levinson's Rosebud of Proac Future speakers. Which was totally true IF the recording was perfect. For those of us who want to listen to their favorite music, not just "audiophile" recordings these speakers were not practical. So forgive me for jumping the gun, I just saw diamond tweeter and assumed B&W is taking the studio monitor to the next level while leaving music lovers behind. Isn't this what diamond tweeters are famous for? B&W makes great speakers, as good as anyone. I was disappointed because, to my taste, B&W speakers are already bright and detailed enough; so I was really hoping they would choose a more realistic voicing for their speakers. It appears B&W thinks otherwise. It was interesting to read Paul Bolin's (I think) review of the $8,200 McIntosh amps. He said something about making his head hurt trying to see how the Mac's lack of detail detracted anything from his listening enjoyment compared to Halcro's super detailed amp. So for music listening how much detail is necessary? Studio monitors are a different story, of course. |
Well, first, just because the diamond tweeter was implemented in one way and resulted in a particular result, it is hard to predict that different tweeter implemented by another design team will give the same outcome. B&W did acknowledge that there had been an earlier diamond tweeter design. Frankly, I see no reason to make presumptions in advance of an audition. Second, I do not necessarily equate detail with brightness although excessive brightness can unnaturally emphasize details. Personally, I want all the details but 'au natural' and not at the expense of accurate tonal balance. Kal |
Is there any reason why "THEATERMAX" is bashing B&W ,especially the natalius speaker line, saying that B&W is going to discontued them? I have not heard anything about "discontinued" only replacing their drivers. Can anyone else elaborate more ? There is a ad on audiogon from "theatermax" about this. |
Armandito They are not discontinuing the Nautilus line.They are revamping the line up.This means that there are even more models in the line up than before.The current models are replaced however with D and s models.Not the same as the current Nautilus range.Old N805 not the same as the N805s-slight differences.Two 803's now the N803D and the N803s. I do however feel that the price increases on certain models are excessive.For research ?? Friend of mine just bought old N802 speakers for a bargain.Good time for used buyers to watch out for bargains. Even more so at the beginning of next year. Good luck Chris |
Cheers Rondney01, Here's some more from a launch in China (I believe thats whwere it was) where the attenedees were given a limited edition B&W watch, they also have some pics of the book with dvd that accompanies the new range and a couple of pics under the banner of 802D but they are clearly 800's and appear be the new Sig800D (nice gloss finish) hooked up to Classe Delta range. It's all in Chinese so enjoy the pics. http://www.avbuzz.com/new_home/w/200412/av/aa/b&w800show/802show2.php#1 |
Rockethouse, that new N800D sounded very colored and mushy. The diamond tweeter offered little to my ears. The tweeter in the previous line was fine as it was. the new one is supposed to go up to 50-60 khz, but it didn't seem to offer more than the previous line. The speakers were hooked up to the new Classe line, the same as your link above. I went into the next room and listened to the old S800 and they sounded much much better with a line of Esoteric gear that blew my socks off. The S800 is a wonderful speaker. I've been very impressed in general with the B&W S & N lines, but the new diamonds were less than scintillating. Perhaps it was because the new speakers weren't yet broken in or something, but the cabinet synergy and the over sound was weak and unimpressive. |
Washline thanks, makes feel a little better hearing that as I purchased a pair of N800's just before the D series rumours started and when I heard rumblings that the differences were huge I was cursing that I did'nt wait that bit longer as common sense had told me that a new model could'nt be far away. That said I'm very happy with the 800's (still being run in)and have no plans to upgade. Break-in could have something to do with what you heard but I would surprised if B&W did'nt do this before putting on a show. I'm interested in the electronics that were used on the Sig800's as next year I hope to upgrade my power amplification and I'm always curious about systems with good synergy...especially when they have 800's in them. Cheers |
In 5response to the posters original question - this may actually cause the price of the original Nautilus speakers to rise rather than fall since they look like such a bargain compared to these new prices and the new speakers would have to be pretty fabulous to out peerform them. (At least Ihope this is so since I bought some store demo N803's at deep discount just 6 months ago) |
Armandita, consider the Classe Delta amps. |
Rockethouse Trickling down technology,Signature tweeter,changing of the crossover....805 Signature without the fancy finish.Price as speculated proved to be correct.805 Signature performance at a lesser price.....glad I didnt buy the Signatures a few months ago.You can imagine what that does to the resale value,which would make any of the old line a good used buy.All this does not make the old line or Signatures lesser speakers.I think the increase in price is too much(all over the world,not only in the States due to a weakend $ )due to the fact that the model count has increased.More models increases production costs.Understand that the new Diamond tweeter is much more expensive,but still find the increase in price on the speakers too much.Beware the D tweeter,touch it and it is gone! Very fragile. B&W are interesting speakers due to the fact that responses are usually either very positive or very negative.Personally I am in the middle.I think value for money wise,the 700 series may be the best buy,unless you can get the more expensive ranges used. Chris |
Armandito The choice is yours,but for those 802's to sound optimal you need plenty,good quality watts and current.At least 200w from the likes of Rowland,Krell,Levinson,Classe etc.Rowland seems to be a popular choice.Dont even think about a HT receiver, will not work.Beware the specs on the receivers,read carefully. Good Luck Chris |