I rebuke my last comments.. I thought this was a different speaker.. These are the worst I've ever heard.

NONE.

Who moves negative critics against this loudspeaker, has not listen to this loudspeaker with attention.It is a real monitor so that garbage in garbage out. If you don't have a serious front end, never you will listen to nautilus very well. Great attention to: amplification not only in terms of power (minimum 100/150 watts), but considering the real capacities of the amplifier to drive this loudspeaker in terms of current available. My actual system is:
Preamp: Audio Research LS16
Power Amp: Jeff Rowland Model 112
CD Player: Marantz 14 Gold
Loudspeakers: Nautilus 802.
J have no words to explain the level of satisfaction.
Who speaks is a very audiophile (20 years about of passion).
J had opportunity to listen to nautilus with Mark levinson 334. The sound was too cool , it seemed passed to X-rays.
Jeff rowland musicality is better in terms of warmth and fastness. Thanks.

Similar Products Used:

Allison ONE.

In response to Tod's review below. I've heard the N802's in a number of systems, driven by Krell, Classe, and McIntosh amps and have never found them to be in any way bright. They have wonderful crystalline highs, but I've always found them to be wonderfully balanced across the audio spectrum. I personally drive mine with a McIntosh MC202 amp, which I've found to be the best combination--very warm and musical. That amp, by the way, is rated at only 200 amps, but it has far and away enough power and control to make the 802's sing beautifully. My experience goes strongly against that of several reviewers who argue that the 802s need a huge amount of power (500 amps plus) to really shine.

Imaging, Soundstaging, Clean Tight, Looks

none

When I bought this speakers two years ago, my audiophile dreams came true. In addition they look great, what made it much easier to convince my wife to buy them.
I use an Accuphase E-211 amplifier, which works great with this speaker (however, my dealer suggests to use a tube amplifier with the 802; maybe I try it later).
In the meantime I improved my equipment with a Sony SCD 1 SACD player and, just a few weeks ago, I put the 802s on SSC bases, especially designed for the B&W Nautilus speakers.
The effect was stunning: the bass control is improved, imaging and soundstage reache a new dimension.
For me it's the best speaker you can get in this class.

Good looks, tall soundstage

Harshness

These are beautiful well engineered speakers. The soundstage is wide, open and ,except for the Dunlavy V, is the tallest I've heard. The midrange is incredible but the highs are harsh and the bass could go much deeper. I litened to these in a showroom that was carpeted and dampened with acoustic treatments. When I took them home to my room with hardwood floors and large windows I had a severe harshness problem. They hurt my ears after 15 minutes. I found my ears trying to shut down in avoidance of the overly aggressive tweeters. After moving rugs, furniture and applying heavy window treatments I still couldn't get rid of the bright and analytical sound. The price for the demo set was tough to turn down, $5200, but I had to take them back. The Vandersteen 3A Sigs worked better in my room and I bought them. They are more musical and less analytical than the 802 N's.
Associated Equipment:
ARC Ref 2
Wadia 861
Levinson 332
Transparent ultra interconnects
MIT 750 HE Biwire cables

Similar Products Used:

Vandersteen 3A sig, Revel, Dunlavy SCV,

Build Quality. Open soundstage. Natural, warm sound. Bottom casters for easy moving.

None

If you want the feeling of having a live performance in the room with you, this is the speaker. The lifelike sound and open soundstage are amazing. I'm running the 802's off of a recently purchased Proceed HPA3 and couldn't ask for anything better in the price range. With video the HTM 1 is the matching center and is another incredible piece. Concert dvd's bring the performance into my listeming room. For 2 channel or video you can't do any better than 802's.

Good looks, build quality very un-bright

Too laid back, ok soundstage

Well everyone that has reviewed this speaker so far either hated them or loved them.. I guess i'm the middle man.
This speaker isn't as bad as some would have you believe and the opposite. It's just not perfect but no speaker is but this doesn't have a chance in hell to be that speaker.
It's soundstage is horrific, and there is no in your face sound no matter what source I fed it. I tried it with Saving Private Ryan.. and when the bullets were screaming by you with the Revel Salons the B&W whispered. On the good side I did like it for classical music but I prefer my jazz on the brighter side so it doesn't do it for me.
At$8000 you could find many speakers that are better, I actually liked the 803 more. The Revels are more expensive at $15,000 but much better speaker but you can get the Legacy Focus which is one of the best speakers I've ever heard and seen for $5600 in a beautiful rosewood finish (the B&W's finish is not too shabby either.. I really liked the black ash finish, very rich color)also the Martin Logan Monolith III for $6000 or an Aerial Acoustics 10T for $8000 which is a better speaker to spend that amount on. 2 stars for value and 3 stars overall.

Similar Products Used:

Revel Salons, Legacy Focus, Martin Logan Monolith III, Aerial Acoustics 10T, B&W nautilus 801 and 803.

Coherent sound, wide sound stage, crystal clear top end and absolutely fabulous mid range.

Price, long break-in period

Related equipment:

B&W HTM Centre Channel
B&W 805 (2) Surround Channels
EAD Ovation pre-pro
Krell 250
Krell AV 300
Pass X5
YBA Passion 1000
Bryston 7B ST (two mono blocs)
Bryston 5B ST THX
Numerous CD players & DVD players
Tara Lab Cables throughout


My experience with the 802's is limited to several months, however, I have listened to them in several systems and have made many amplifier & CD player changes in my own system, always trying to find the "synergy!"

I first auditioned the speakers with a Passion 1000 amp. What music! I spent three hours spellbound in a audiophile store here in Vancouver. The speakers were of course well broken-in. The mid range was absolutely superb. I caution here, however. The bass was not as strong as I wished. I added a different CD layer to the mix and voila; deep, tight bass appeared from nowhere.

I auditioned several other lines of speakers in the meantime. I spent a lot of time listening to the Dunlavy IV A's, the Athena's, the Snell XA 90 PS's and the Aerial 10T's. I already had some Mani II's at home to try as well.

The decision was not easy. The Aerials were great, especially if you go with the entire HT set-up. On their own (with a Classe amp and pre-pro) sounded a bit bloaty in the bass, almost a trace of muddiness. It could have been the amp, the pre-pro, or the room, but the dealer could not alter the sound much when I noted it.

The Dunlavy line is excellent, with the IV A's easily the best of the Dunlavys I auditioned. Their bass was overwhelming. Close listening to an artist I know well and have heard recently live on several occassions made it clear that there was too much bass to be real!

The Mani II's were great but not up to the task of a bonefide HT application. The Snells were fabulous on the bottom end and easily room tunable, however, were a bit forward and in your face. I think they would create some fatigue over the long haul.

The 802's were simply wonderful! They imaged and sound staged with the very best speakers available. They have a unique ability to be heard well when off axis. This is incredibly important for HT, particularly so if not all listening furniture is in the sweet spot. The bass with the Krell and the Bryston amps is deep and top end is clear and sweet, especially with the Pass or the Brystons. I found the Krell a bit dry in the very top end. I am thinking of bi-amping the Bryston 7B's and the Pass for the best of both worlds. The mid range and top end on the 802's is simply wonderful. Rich, full and sweet. It is not bright (at least with the Pass and the Brystons). It is so listenable that you may find yourself spending far too many hours tapping your feet to the super sound of music just as I have. These speakers are very musical and have rythem galore. In the HT mode, the entire system is superb! The EAD and the Brystons really make for a most life-like performance. The smallest almost insignificant sounds associated to the best DVDs are accurately portrayed giving a startling performance.

I will warn you now. If your source is not good, neither will the sound. These speakers (and amps) provide a detailed nuetral product that is extremely revealing. The CD, DVD, players, cables, interconncts, and pre-pro all have to be top notch, because these speakers will tell only the "truth."

I thought I might be of some assistance to some of you who are in the throws of identifying a HT/stereo system. I did a lot of comparisons to get to where I am and am absolutely sure of my decision. No buyer's remorse here! The 802, 805, & HTM are a wonderful combination. They need to be completely broken-in to get the max from them, but once done, you won't find much better at any price!

Match your amp and processor carefully as you would with any speaker. If you are not able to do so immediately, then wait. The wrong amp, etc. will create a poor finished product. These speakers are easily the finest finished speakers I have auditioned or for that matter seen. Then are truly works of art. The styling may not be everyone's cup of tea, however the sound should be if you truly have an "ear" for LIVE music. Remember; live music is the ONLY true standard. Try not and fall into the trap of comparing recorded music over and over. Take music with you to the dealer that you have heard live and then compare; you may be surprised.

I note that some of the reviews are quite negative regarding the B&W. I don't know what it is but I can state without hesitation these speakers are world class. Those that do not like them have every right to say so, however, it is important that before one either "trashes" or 'elates" a product, the homework must be done. Don't pay any attention to this or any other review; GO OUT AND LISTEN FOR YOURSELF. Carefully audition, if you can in your home any product. Then purchase and enjoy!

Similar Products Used:

Ttem Mani II, Dunlavy; IVa, Athena, the Aerial 10 T's, and the new Snell XA 90PS

physical appearance and construction, sonic quality

none so far

I have a long comparison audition between the Nautilus 802 and the Revel Studio and end up chose the Nautilus 802. I found the biggest advantage the 802 have over the Studio is that I tend to enjoy the music more. These speakers image like a minimonitor if not better and you throw in a deep tuneful tight bass.

Similar Products Used:

Revel Studio

VERY Smooth Mid-Range, Nice Soundstage

Bloated Sound, Poor Bass Extension, High Price

I went to audition the 802, Aerial 10T, and NHT 3.3. I was VERY disappointed in the 802. The speaker does sound good (compared to a K-Mart Boom Box anyway), but most certainly does not demonstrate the transparency, dynamics, and visceral low end punch that I expect from an $8000 pair of speakers. The speakers were being powered by Krell. I definitely agree with the reviewer's opinion from the latest Sensible Sound that these speakers are NOT that good. Typical bloated British sound. All marketing and hype. B&W will end up being the Bose of the next decade (I feel that they have ALWAYS been the Bose of high-end).

I liked the 10T, but felt the 3.3 was more transparent and dynamic (not to mention half the price of the 10T!).

Similar Products Used:

Sounded Like Bose on Steroids