Price Paid:  $80000.00 from Melbourne

Summary:
Unlike almost everyone else here, not only have I actually listened to these speakers, but I have owned them for a couple of years now. They are the main Front speakers in a system that uses 4 B & W Nautilus 801s as Sides and Rears, B & W HTM centre channel, and the Krell Master Reference Subwoofer. Amplification in this system is from 13 Krell 650W Monoblocks - 8 of these are for the snail-shell Nautilus, which differs from most other speaker designs in that it is active: the crossovers come in a separate box, split the signal, and pass it to each amplifier. 4 drivers per Nautilus = 4 monoblocks per speaker. The Nautilus also come with their own, silver-stranded speaker cable, about 8ft long. No need to shell out $20k for high end speaker cable, although the interconnects to 2 crossovers and 8 amps reduces this saving. I am a serious audiophile, it is a life long passion. When purchasing my system, I was lucky enough to have the choice of anything. I bought the Nautilus because, quite simply, they are the best speakers in the world. Others cost more, none sound better. One consequence of the design is that reflections from the wall behind the speaker are not an issue: mine are in front of a large expanse of glass. They take a lot of driving, hence the 650W monoblocks. This is not a speaker to connect to 15W valve amps! However, this is no party speaker - I have blown 2 tweeters at high but not extreme listening volumes. The Nautilus 801s, on the other hand, can take all the punishment I give them and then some - this speaker, although also expensive, is better value for money. A wonderful cross between an audiophile monitor and a PA speaker. By comparion, the snail shell Nautilus has a sweeter treble, less colouration, and better dynamics and detail resolution. These speakers are a work of art, a triumph of both aesthetic and acoustic design. If you have the money, you will not regret this purchase. Mine are piano-gloss black, and need frequent dusting; the silver ones look mad too.

Strengths:
* awesome detail * sweetest treble you'll hear * 10hz bass response * very musical * active speaker=maximum dynamics (each amp + cable only processes the signal for 1 driver, not all 4 drivers mixed together) * weigh 110kg each with their own granite base * watching the free-floating bass driver bounce in and out is coolŒ

Weaknesses:
* 12" bass driver goes deep and fast but cannot produce the same punch as the 15" driver on 801s. I would recommend a top subwoofer such as the Krell (2600W self powered and weighs about 200kg) * needs a *lot* of interconnect cable * 8' speaker cable reduces options for locating the crossovers and all the amps * tweeters can't take the power of the other drivers; external crossover design increases risk of damage‡

Similar Products Used:
Wilson WAMM, JM Labs Grand Utopia, Apogee ribbons, MBL Radialstahle there is no comparison! h

Price Paid:  $50000.00 from B&W Retail store in

Summary:
This is the best of the best.. There is nothing better.. You can try to look but there really isnt.

Strengths:
Nothing but perfection

Weaknesses:
Price.. but its worth it

Similar Products Used:
B&W 801 (2 of them) Paradigm Moniter 9 (4 of them) Klipsch Promedia (Micro System)

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
ok, how can anything sound life like? i mean, how can you compare these to a concert experience? When your at a concert, they use speakers tens of times cheaper, so it must be easy to reproduce. as for singing and orchestra recordings and stuff, no ones PA gear is gonna record the sound the exact way it occured. So forget listening to speakers that make it seem like the person is in the room with you. Just a thought, otherwise, its dam good sound. very very very very good. i dont need to say anymore, i dont own it either, jsut listened to them

Strengths:
There are more expensive speakers out there..didnt you know that? so to get something this unique and visually stuning and consists of so much engineering and technology...all in one small package..thats somethin. i dont want no 100K 7 foot tall 300lb speaker in my living room

Weaknesses:
what is this? that doesnt go with anything in my house. a cheap sony stereo would look more classy and modern than this

Similar Products Used:
b&w 802

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Price Paid:  $60000.00 from Sold at Custom Elect

Summary:
I am writing to defend B&W for making such an excellent speaker. I work at a high end audio store and have sold these speakers. Simply put it is the best speaker I have ever heard and I have heard quite a few high end speakers but that is just my opinion. When it comes to audio everyone has their own opinion and some will defend it rather harshly. No two people will hear things exactly the same, yes it will be very close but we all will come to different conclusions about what sounds good. That is exactly why there are so many different speaker manufacturers and audio companies in the world today. Personally I love these speakers. I have never heard anything sound so smooth and detailed. Reading other reviews on this speaker was entertaining. Yes we could spend money on other things, even other people, but why aren't you people bashing Ferrari and musical instrument companies that sell super high end products? If I had the money to buy these speakers I would.

Strengths:
Superb imaging, smooth, lifelike, detailed sound. A beautiful conversation piece!

Weaknesses:
Yes they are pricey, but you get what you pay for if you truly want the best (I hope not to make anyone mad, just telling you what I think). Oh and be careful, after installing a pair for a customer his maid stuck a broom through a midrange. They are very expensive and timely to replace. My advice, rope them off and get rid of the pets!

Similar Products Used:
Meridian, TagMcLaren, Magneplanar

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Well i''m getting to become an audiophile... i''ll have to say these speakers are DAMN SEXY. And believe me quality comes at a price. People are sure complaining.... Good heaves not everyone complained, otherwise technology would have not even progressed to where it is today... Why don''t people complain about the roads government builds, spending billions of money... Yeah sure they won''t, they use it.... Imagine every one having the same car :(.... hehe would be a hard time for COPS.... Time and Technology changes....