How sensitive is the B&W Nautilus Midrange?


Hi there, I have a pair of B&W Nautilus 803S's in the house (For disclosure I am selling them). I love their sound especially when paired with the ASW-855 crossed over at 40HZ with a Levinson 332.

Anyway I really like these and would like to eventually wind up with another pair of 803's or 802's. My tech told me a story of his friend destroying the midrange on a pair of 800's and I have been scared to play them all that loud seeing as how it is ALOT of money to replace those mids.

When he did this it was playing a MP3 at extreme levels, my understanding is, MP3's play with no peaks and just straight full blown signal

What I am mostly wondering is will I have to worry about beating on a pair of 802's or 803's?
systembuilder

Showing 2 responses by systembuilder

If its any reference my Tech is also the owner of a speaker company that I will leave unnamed out of respect.

He told me the story of hanging out with his buddy and trying to see what would quit first

His new pair of speakers, A pair of Mcintosh MC501's or Him and his buddy

The MC501's and the Speakers won, Him and his buddy quit first, This is what I am looking for, A great HI-FI Speaker that can play at exceptionally high volume without ever feeling like I have to turn down the music before a big peak for fear of blowing things up.

I dont need set it and forget it but I want some speakers that can handle some abuse. B&W's are used for Studios so I would believe they should be able to play steadily over 110DB (I dont need that loud but I want to feel safe)but as things get nicer they become more expensive to maintain and repair.

90% of my music is electronic and I also really dont want to have to cross over my speakers at 80HZ I prefer running full range and using subs at 50 or below typically (Not always but I find most like being crossed over around 40-50 at least for my taste)
I havent played them to anywhere near excruciatingly loud levels, I want to but was nt sure of at what point they would give up.

Thanks I feel confident they can handle what I can throw at them, I dont play to levels of excessively loud but pretty loud while always being too scared of blowing up my speakers

Thanks