Bought some N802s at a thrift store!

[Race Car Driver]

Hello all! This is my first post. :T
Now that thats out of the way, lets get down the the nitty gritty.
I recently picked up a pair of Nautilus 802s from a THRIFT STORE!! :E
Lets just say, i saved a couple of thousand.... ( around 7700!)
The speakers and cabinets are in great shape, and to be honost, until the night they were purchased, I never heard of B&W.
I work at a local Best Buy in the car audio department (for the past 7 years) and love audio! This week i was looking at buying a full Klipsch system from my work with my discount (S3s, C3, F3s, KWS12, Yamaha HTR 5790, Monster Ultra THX 1000 Speaker cables, and a Monster S5100 surge/filter) but now the plans have changed, from a 5.1 system for the living room to a sweet 2ch system for the bedroom. The 5.1 will still happen, just later.

These sepakers are now in my SMALL (9x13 with 8ft ceiling) bedroom, and I have proceded to move my dresser and shelf downstairs. :lol:
I have a few questions so any comments are welcome.

1) Where, and can I get replacement grills for these, as the two round ones are missing, and one of the main grills the plastic is cracked and missing.

2) Can I get a replacement tweeter, as on is pushed in (such a shame, but im going ot do NO complaining on these!) Id be more the willing to pay to have this repaired as I can only come out ahead on this deal. The tweet still works though.

3) POWER... How much, where, and why? Im finding out these are VERY power hungry. I dont have a huge budget, (another 1000-1500) to spend on eveything I need for a nice 2 ch system. Im looking used. Been following up on Sunfire, and older Carver equipement. (i totally envy you guys, ive saw alot of your setups in the pics posted) I really cant afford much more, but I would like to do some justice to these.

Right now, im thinking pick up and older Carver amp 200 watts or so, although have my eye on a used Sunfire.

ANYTHING i can get from my work I would love to, but am afraid I wont be able to. This whole Hi-Fi stuff is new to me, Im learning the brands, models, and the ins and outs of it all. Audio is nothing new, I love audio, started selling/installing in car audio 7 years ago for Best Buy, and as im getting older (24, lol) am starting to lean more towards Hi-Fi, ( a good thing we will soon have Magnolia Hi-Fi in our stores ) but have ALOT to learn.

Any comments are welcome, and look forward to learning and sharing alot with eveyone.
Chris

[RenoReno2]

You should be able to get the replacement parts at any local authorized dealer

[weijst]

1) You can order replacement grilles at your local B&W dealer. Mind you though they won't come cheap... Not that you have to break the bank, but I remember the ones for the N804 costing app €100 per pair...

2) Replacing a tweeter will be a little more expensive, it is afterall where the serie's name is derived from... Replacement is however not alway neccesary. Compare the sound with the one that's not 'pushed in' by switching the sound from the left to the righ to find out if you're missing out on something... Again, if replacement is a must, ask your local B&W dealer for any details.

Good luck!

[caleb]

Try this - it sometimes works!!
Get a piece of rubber tubing big enough to fit over the WHOLE tweeter and suck on it.

Sometimes the vacuum produced will "pop out" where the aluminium dome on the tweeter has been pushed in - it worked for me.

[sikoniko]

why can't I be that lucky? how did you happen upon them? what made you decide to go there? give us the story...

[DanR]

The phone number for the national distributor is 978-664-2870. Ask for parts. A new tweeter is $99, which includes shipping. You can also order grilles, although I'm not sure of the cost. Probably less than $80 for the 3 you need. As far as amplification- I've said this many times on this forum, you don't need huge wattages as long as you have a good, clean amp with high current capability. My Jeff Rowland is only 135 wpc and drives my 802's with ease. Sunfire is a good choice, so is Rotel, Parasound, B&K. All of which you can get for good deals in the used market. Audiogon and Ebay are the best bets, but watch for scammers. You might have already used up all your luck with that find in a thrift store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ha!Ha!

[Race Car Driver]

why can't I be that lucky? how did you happen upon them? what made you decide to go there? give us the story...

Story time.

My father happend to stop buy this place after work. He know I was going to be buying a system shortly, and when he saw these he called me at work.
He asked if I ever heard of "B&W speakers... by Nautilus maybe?" I said noper, then asked how much. He stated that they were just put out and were priced at $200 each, but he could get them for $140 each. I told him dont even bother as I can get soms new Klipsch F3s for $170 shipped new. He proceded to tell me how funky these looked, and they never looked like any speaker hes ever seen before. So we decided Id ask the home theater guys and call him back.
I asked about 5-6 HT guys and only one "heard of B&W", but didnt know much about them, said they have speakers very similer to the Klipsch. So i then told my self, ok, no need to worry about these used speakers. I then took a quick peek online to see what I could find, and right away was found www.bwspeakers.com. First thing I saw was the "Nautilus".. WOW those are CRAZY looking, they have to be the ones hes talking about!!.. now how much are they??? $20,000 EACH!!! WOW! Im freaking out, quietly.. and try and try to call my father back, but I guess his phone was on silent. I called about 10 times in 10 mins no luck.. I call my sister, no luck, my mom, she answered. She then tells me to page him, so I do and he calls me back. He was just getting in his truck to leave. I tell him to BUY THEM!! He then goes back inside, and gives me the model number Nautilus 802 and description.. im a bit bummed they are not the "Nautilus" but am still quite suprised the the Nautilus 802s are still one of the best speakers they offer at $4k a pop!. Again, i silently freak out and tell him to buy them as thats an 8k pair of speakers.

I go to meet him to bring them home to my place, and he tells me when he was paying for them the manager came out and said.. "you decided to buy them huh? what made you come back" My dad tells him that "My son works for best buy and was gonna buy home stereo this week, and told me just to buy them" The manager then asks if he knows how much they are worth, my dad shakes his head and the manager says "I screwed up huh....... did you get the manuals for those? I have those" He then goes back to get the manuals and comes back like he saw a gost. The mgr tells my dad that they are $4k each and that there was a "stereo" that came with them that just sold for $50....(My guess is it was a several thousand dollar amp or reciever)
He then told my dad that he was gonna go home and get drunk, and looked like he was about to cry.

My first thought on these... WOW they are beautiful... wow they are HUGE...
Then we go and try to move these things... DAMN! These are HEAVY!!! They have to be 150lbs.. yup.. the manual says 154 each.

Im currently looking at this amp. Whats everyone think? I have about an hr to decide.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:B:WN:US:1
Thanks for the replies, ill give that number a call! and keep everyone updated!

[Nick M]

Hahahaha! Good for you!

You have to post pictures!

[DanR]

You should be very happy with your purchase. Plenty of power and a good reputation.

[Race Car Driver]

Just called that phone number, ordered a tweet, both midrange grills and main grill for $185 shipped. Spoke with Eric, great guy!

Getting excited.

[audioqueso]

I hate you Race Car Driver!

[RobP]

Hey do you know how the thrift store got hold of them? I mean someone giving a pair of those to a thrift store????? Someone had to know the value of those. Love to hear that story! Probably some teed off divorced wife.

[Joey_V]

After reading this, I have to say....

I hate you, RCD.

Sorry for bringing up an old thread.... but I had to say it. :lol:

[Aussie Geoff]

RaceCarDriver,

The original 802s are hungry for clean power and just get better and better for it. Modern Digital amps can be very good - try the NuForce Ref 9.02s - they will do a great job... Another favourite is the Rotel RB-1090 (which you can get second hand for under $1500). Also on Klipch's Ebay store they sometimes sell their Aarogon 3002 or 3005 amps at a great price..

Geoff

[tec333]

first time i read this...my jaw is still on the floor!

[tmt]

hehe nice to dig up those year old threads

I did also a very good deal with my 802s a year ago when the new diamond series where introduced (although you can't beat RCD's deal :E ): half of the retail price with full warranty and first owner registered with B&W, they were used for 2 months.

[audioqueso]

LOL
Told you. LOL

[dyazdani]

After reading this, I have to say....

I hate you, RCD.

Sorry for bringing up an old thread.... but I had to say it. :lol:

Would you be mad if I told you I found a pair of Summits at a grage sale?

[P1et]

I cannot believe some people's luck...

[akhter]

Try this - it sometimes works!!
Get a piece of rubber tubing big enough to fit over the WHOLE tweeter and suck on it.

Sometimes the vacuum produced will "pop out" where the aluminium dome on the tweeter has been pushed in - it worked for me.

Another trick is to take 3M Magic tape, and LIGHTLY tape over the dome and then GENTLY pull the tape. The key is to lightly tape it and genly pull it.

EDIT: Just realized this is an old old thread :lol:

[Nolan B]

post a couple of pictures...id love to see them!

[Race Car Driver]

Hahaha! WTF!!! :lol:

When I saw this thread again, I couldnt believe my eyes! (incase anyone missed it, its over a year old )

Anyways, as an update, im no longer at the original house, the B&Ws are now in my living room at my new place, with 5.1 just set up last night.
The system has made alot of progress in the last 2 weeks, still waiting on a few things. Currently I have an old Aragon 4004 running them... it works, but I want more.
Acutally have my eye out for an Rotel 1090, and have considerd a pair of Aragon Monblocks.

Ill post some updated pics here in the following weeks once I feel its closer to complete. I refuse to pay retail for anything, so progression is slow, but it pays off in the end.

(I was up last night till 230 listening to Metallica Black album DVDA and Pink Floyd DSOTM SACD )

[jlr_1304]

im a bit bummed they are not the "Nautilus" but am still quite suprised the the Nautilus 802s are still one of the best speakers they offer at $4k a pop!. Again, i silently freak out and tell him to buy them as thats an 8k pair of speakers.

Are those N802 or not ? I still hate you thought. :B

[Joey_V]

Would you be mad if I told you I found a pair of Summits at a grage sale?

:M

Acutally have my eye out for an Rotel 1090, and have considerd a pair of Aragon Monblocks.

Ill post some updated pics here in the following weeks once I feel its closer to complete. I refuse to pay retail for anything, so progression is slow, but it pays off in the end.

(I was up last night till 230 listening to Metallica Black album DVDA and Pink Floyd DSOTM SACD )

If you fnd the 1090 for $200 at a thrift store, I'm smashing my monitor.

[worldys]

I want to start a hate club in your honor. :x

But seriously, congrats on the sweet deal. Wish we could all be so lucky.

[Race Car Driver]

The N802s are the tip of the Iceburg..
If you saw whatelse I had for what I paid i may be burned at the stake...

Ok , that was braggin.... or was it just fuelin the fire?

I just want to thank everyone on this site, its a great site and ive learned ALOT over the last year! Alot of polite people here, and VERY informitive discussions that I ususally just sit back and read and learn.

Thanks all
Chris

[tec333]

race,

if you ever upgrade to the 802d's , i'll buy your N802's for twice what you paid for em!

actually' i might even be willing to pay 3x what you paid (hehehe)

so how bout it...with your luck you might find some 802D's for a great deal and sell me them N802's!!!!

[dyazdani]

I know I'll be more likely to stop by any Goodwill stores I happen to run across...

[RobP]

You never know what you will find in those places, I check my local goodwill stores all of the time. Its amazing what people give away without checking its value first.

[dknightd]

Come on, 802's for $300 were quite likely stolen. Even a pissed off ex would know they are worth more than that. Of course I could be wrong. . .
On the other hand, this was a "thrift" shop not a pawn shop so I probably am wrong.
I'm still trying to figure out how those expensive and heavy speakers could possibly end up in a thrift shop (unless the thrift shop did curb pickups!)

[Race Car Driver]

No, you are wrong.
If it would be pretty hard to steal some speakers like thes, I know, ive moved them!!! And with haste im sure they would be beat to hell. Also, who steals the owners manuals and plastic wrap for them, let alone who keeps em right out in plain view so when your 300#s of speakers are stolen, they can have the complete owners manuals.
Its a larger chain "thrift store"

Some guys wife died (or he died, i dont remember, the manager told my dad about it the following weeks when he went back), he didnt pay some stuff, everything was repoed/confiscated, then put in a storage locker.
He still didnt pay, it all got taken, and eventually ended up at "SAVERS"

Ever hear of it?
Even have em registered at B&W, sequential serial numbers, im sure if they were hot, i would of had some people knocking at my door by now.

For all i know, they could be bad luck. 8O

[RNKC]

He still didnt pay, it all got taken, and eventually ended up at "SAVERS"

I take it "SAVERS" is some chain in the US? Do they have a website? Just wondering which states they operate in. Next time I'm south of the border I'm might just drop in and take a look around ...