Yareck

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.38 of 5, 8.00 votes

Price Paid:  $6000.00

Summary:
These speakers tell the truth about recordings (I've bought them for my mastering studio). Harsh tweeter? Definitely not true, it's extremaly clean and just simply tells all the truth. It perfectly reveals all bad equalization made to tracks during the recording or mastering. Yes, exactly, there are many poorly recorded tracks, expecially last years. I didn't even suppossed how many. But these recorded in a top studios by great engineers always sound great. Now I'm waiting for better converter, better amp and better room, but they sound great anyway.

I'm not sure, but I could guess they aren't perfect speakers for audiophile. They're actually can tell more about techniques used during recording, than give a real listening pleasure, however it's a real listening pleasure for mastering engineer.

Strengths:
Nice and detailed midrange, crystal highs and powerful bass. They're revealing every small detail of recorded sound. Great looking besides...

Weaknesses:
Heavy !!

RICKY009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $10000.00 from AUDIO CONSULTANTS

Summary:
GREAT SPEAKER IN EVERY WAY. NOT GOING TO WRITE MUCH EXCEPT TO SAY THAT THESE SPEAKERS NEED HIGH-POWERED AMP(S) TO DRIVE THEM. THE MORE POWER THE BETTER. YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALOT OF CURRENT TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT 15" WOOFER. FINALLY, THE ROOM HAS TO BE RELATIVELY LARGE.

riosabadicci

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $8800.00 from Stereo Unlimited

Summary:
Be sure to use the right equipment to get the most out of 801s. I listened to Krell and Levison and they SUCK because they're too laid back which makes the music lack emotion. Listening should be a moving experience. The top of the line Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) with tube CD and pre-amp and solid state amp blows them away. I listened to at least 20 "class A" rated cables and none compared to Silver Smith. However, the bass was lack-luster until I bi-wired them.

Strengths:
Close your eyes and you'll swear it's live - except with better imaging. Crank them as loud as you want with no fatigue.

Weaknesses:
None.

Robert Lent

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $9500.00 from Audio Classics

Summary:
I have to write this review to say that when I first purchased my Nautilus 801’s and brought them home I was less than excited about the bass response that I was hearing from a speaker that is known for great low end response. I tried everything to get better bass: interconnects, placement, etc. but nothing would work! I was so upset with the fact that I wasn’t getting the bass that everyone else had claimed until I change my CD player and Preamp. Who would have thought that my Krell KPS-30i and Krell KRC-HR were to blame? I would have NEVER guessed it either. I researched every preamp and CD player that was made. Then I read about a preamp from Sony Corp. – the TAE-1 which was made to compliment the SCD-1. I now have a system that makes my B&W Nautilus 801’s come to life! Unbelievable I know, but true, these two components combined with my Krell FPB-600 brought my speakers to life. It’s a wonderful speaker if matched with the right components. My only complaint now is that I wish they were engineered to be much more efficient. These kittens need tons of power. They make my Krell FPB-600 sweat during a long listening session. Outstanding.

Strengths:
Build Quality. Excellent replacement warranty. Oustanding bass response! Excellent engineering design.

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
Wilson Audio WITT-2

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Brack Electronics

Summary:
I listened to these Stunning speakers two years ago and I was imediately aware that B$W got everything right. I'm a music lover and have heard many sytems and had many long nights with my own proac response Two's. If A person listens to many styles of music with each recording having it's own characteristic because of location, equipment and tecniques used. This along with listening to live music on a weekly bassis there should be no problem to see that the 801's are incredibly accurate,uncolored, and dynamic speaker that transports you to the recording location... NO. Forget about extensive listening experience, One should be able to see how great they are with little experience. I'm trying to understand what people want in hi end audio: I had an evening demonstration of the Waveform mach 17(I think they were named) after experiencing the 801's and the owner was trying to tell me how the mach 17's had a flatter response, hence the 801's dont compare at more than twice the price. The 17's did some things really well especially loudness but the bass had an obvious footprint that was apparent on all recordings and they completely missed the open soundstage quality along with resolution that transports you.. So dont be overlly concerned with specs since our ears together with our experiences can determine what is more correct, which turns into an emotional experience... I would/will? take the 801's over a car since a car just takes you to where you need to go and if you tuely love music the 801's with good electonics is life itself. ps: I'm mad at B&W because my experience with the 801's two years ago is still part of me... I guess that's true love -Mark levinson electronics was used-

Strengths:
Everthing

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Wilson/watt/puppy x1grand slam Proac 3.8 Various at audio shows