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Opinions on B&W 801F, prior to Matrix and Nautilus

Need advice. I have an opportunity to purchase a pair for 1300$ but I read their bass is overwhelming and it requires a monster amp. Alternatives are Monitor S6, Thiel CS1.6 or Wharfedale Diamond 9.6, all new. I can afford a pair of Vincent SP-997 monoblocks, a NAD C272 or a Quad 909 power. This is for a first generation model 801F, not the Matrix or Nautilus versions. Suggestions welcome.
michelc1953
tabl10s's avatar
tabl10s
1,075 posts
 
I'd pass BIG TIME. No longer supported and the driver's will be hard to me by if they differ from the one's used in the Matrix which are 16 ohm and no longer madeand cost $300 to repair.
parksfamily38ae
1 posts
 
I have had a pair of 801's for approx 20 years - of constant
use. The cross-over was the only thing that has given me
a problem - even after I had a failure in the driving amp -
it put approx 50 volts dc into the speaker - nothing blew up.
B&W replaced all the caps in two cross-over circuits for ~$100
CDN. I use ~ 100 watts/channel ( real watts ) with good results. We also have a pair of B&W 610i's and 602 S3 ( this year vintage ) - the old 801's are the least coloured.
Listening to them as I write this.
parksfamily85be
1 posts
 
I made an error on my email address so here it is again.
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