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Review: B&W Nautilus800 Speaker

Category: Speakers

My previous speaker was the Nautilus 802. I purchased the 800s thinking that it would be a nice upgrade to the 802s. To my surpise it turned out to be a completely different speaker. They look similar but they are nothing alike. My listening room is very samll, about 11' X 16'. Even though the 800s are significantly larger, they were not near as room dependant as the 802s. I would always struggle to find the right balance between soound stage depth and low frequecy response. I never did get it right, and I chalked it up to the samll room they were in. Once the 800s broke in (about 40hrs) I had them set up in in about two hours, and they remain in the same position today. Anyone would expect good bottom-end out of these speakers. With two 10" drivers and B&W's matrix enclosure, good bass was a given. Again the 800s far exceeded my expectations. The low frequency response was outstanding! It is very very low and accurate with great definition in lower midbass range. Many speakers I have listened to over the years have low exstention but give up a little in the midbass range (Martin Logan Prodogy). The 800s have updated crossovers, tweeters and midrange drivers. These upgrades have made a huge difference in the overall sound. The sound is much richer and warmer with a more intimate sound stage. By that I mean even though the 800s are larger they image more like a good pair of bookshelf speakers on stands, w/ tremendous bottom end. This would probably change if they were in a larger room. My only complaint is like almost all B&W speakers they require some care when matching components and they will make a bad recording sound really bad. I use an AR tube pre amp to soffen the highs with a very neutral and much improved Bryston 4Bsst. I have tried several different amplifiers but I found the Brystons sound for the money to be unbeatable. Stereophile said the 800s were the best speakers they have ever heard at home, and I would definitely agree!

Associated gear
Audio Research LS-15, Bryston 4B-SST, Denon DVD-5000

Similar products
MArtin Logan Prodogy, B&W NAutilus 802
berjar
2 responses Add your response
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Berjar,

Fascinating review. I'm astonished that you listen to the 800s, or even the 802s, in an 11 x 16 room.

I have a brand new pair of 803s, still breaking in, in a 13 x 17 room. They energize so much air that I can't imagine trying their bigger brothers, even if I could afford to. (Perhaps our suspended wood floors limit how much energy the house can handle.)

We demo'd the 804 vs. 803 vs. 802 at our dealer in a room similar to ours, and decided the 803 soundstaged just right for us. I felt like Goldilocks, "Too small; too large; ahh... just right!" Of course a bit more low bass would be nice, we roll off just above the lowest note in Bach's C minor Passacalglia. For that I would love your 800s! Totally agree that the Nautilus show up shoddy recordings and equipment of course. They're the ultimate GIGO speakers.

As always in audio, YMMV. Enjoy the music.
4bucc
14 posts
 
I was using B&W Matrix 800's with the Krell KBX crossover. I bought it all used for about half of a Nautilus 800 pair. I just purchased a pair of Nautilus 800's. The reason I changed had a lot to do with the wife and daughter. Anyway, after about 40 hours of break in, the Nautilus's are approaching what I had with the Matrix 800's. If they sound as good, I will be happy. In light of this, if you can find a pair of Matrix 800's,a KBX, and a broad minded companion that will put up with their unique look, the Matrix is an inexpensive (relativly) way to get an excellent sound. They sound fantastic.
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