Help with B&W Selection

[doggone10]

I am setting up a pretty high theatre room for myself and it is being suggested that I use B&W speakers. The recommended selection is the 801's or 802's. The HTM1 and the scm's for the surrounds. The room is about 15X30. Someone else said that the CM's are ona different driver and are not that compatible with the other pieces. Any ad vice

[Dutch in USA]

Sorry, but you cannot ask that question here when you are serious about spending this amount of $. The advice from someone else makes you buy a MP3 player, not a system of these proportions. Go to the dealer and book a room for 2 hours. Have fun, listen and convince yourself.

[Spookyslow]

Doggone,

I'm not meaning to put words in anyone's mouth, but I think what Dutch is trying to say that, yes, these are two different lines of B&W. Chances are you'll probably hear a difference between the CM's and 800, 801, or 802. Listen for yourself and judge by what your ears hear, your pocket book allows, and what your wife ultimately decides!

Happy Listening.

[Staff]

Dogone,

You will enjoy a high end theatre with B&W... :T

They have replaced the old Nautilus range with the new 800 series range.

Some pairings that make sense (budget permitting).

804S or 803S for Left and Right
HTM3S for Centre
SCMS for surrounds

803D or 802D for Left and Right
HTM2D Center
SCMS fors urrouinds (2 for 5.1 and 4 for 7.1)

802D or 801D or 800D for left and right
HTM1D for centre
SCMS for surrounds (or if you are really into multichanel mustic you could have larger rear speakers...

The price and amplification requirements go up a lot as you move down towards the 801D and 800D range.

"best value" is arguably arround the 803D option...

Regards

Geoff

[weijst]

Sorry, but fot HT purposes one does not (really) need speakers like the 800(D), 801(D), 802(D). Systems like Igor's (http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthr...t=10838&page=3) are downright superb, but - to be honoust - are kinda absurd (no hard feelings there Igor ).

First I'd recommend listening to the 'Nautilus sound' before deciding on an entire Nautilus HT system. I believe it is indeed impressive, but there might be a chance you'll prefer the 700 series more attacking / upfront sound (or at least don't consider the difference between the 700 and 800 serie worth the extra cash...).

Next decide on the front speakers and do remember that a bookshelf can sound pretty impressive with HT when coupled with a good sub, which might save you a considerable amount of money (which of course you'll be spending on better components ).

Then find yourself the matching centre which, now that B&W has introduced a centre for almost every Nautilus model, wont be much of a problem...

With the surround channels I'd try a different approach. You can start combining your frontchannels with models from lower series and go up the ladder until your reach a satisfactory speakers for surround duties. I wouldn't be surprised if you'll end up combining for instance a 602 with the 700 series, or a 705 with the 800 series...

Since the sub can be an important channel with HT, you can use the approach as described above, but then the other way around (until you're not happy anymore.)

I believe that when you follow these steps you'll end up saving a lot of money... Ofcourse when you'll be using your system for music / stereo too, it'll be another story...

Good luck and keep us informed! :T

ps: Ofcourse if money is not an issue my advice is useless...

[doggone10]

is it okay to match up 703 speakers for my surrounds, if I am using the new 800 series "D" for the front speakers?

[Cowanrg]

i couldn't disagree more with weijst. go for the best, go for the glory. but make your own decisions and buy what sounds best to you.

B&W only recommends 801's for very large rooms, as it tends to boom. the 802's are a favored speaker typically.

the suggestion of pairing a bookshelf with a good sub is a nice one, but im sorry, a bookshelf (even a GOOD one) cant give the soundstage of a floorstander. once you hear a HUGE soundstage, you know you cant go back. there isnt a bookshelf/sub combo that could touch a BIG soundstage from a BIG speaker.

there is certainly a difference between getting what you want, and saving money. (here comes the salesman inside me), but since you are choosing 800 series, you probably arent all about saving money, you probably are more interested in good sound.

[DanR]

I agree. The soundstage of the 802's is breathtaking. The 801's are much better suited for large rooms. Studio's like the 801's because of their analytical nature. Why do you think SkyWalker chose the 802's over the 801's. Much more dynamic and musical speaker. Bookshelfs and a sub is nice, but do yourself a favor and listen to the 802's. NO comparison!!!

[fatcat]

703 as surrounds to 802D

I've also considered using four 703s as surrounds and back surrounds to new 802Ds plus the new HTM2D. The FST mid-range cone of the 703 appears to be the same as the old Nautilus series, or nearly so... if the non-diamond tweeters used in the new and old Nautilus series match well as surrounds for the 802D, shouldn't the 703s be a decent option as well? Thoughts, anyone?