Has anyone listened to the Nautilus (the original, still listed under the Prestige collection on B&W's website) in comparison with the new 800 series? I realize it is a completely different animal, requiring 4 amps channels/speaker. Looks aside, I wonder if the sound is still a step above, after so many years of development on the 800 series.
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If you look at its price-tag you it should be better.
But as always i think that speakers at this level all sound great.
It's your personal preference which makes the one better than the other. -
Opinions are very subjective, especially at this level. However, if you are looking for a guide (ranking) of the (Circa 1993) Nautilus versus the latest B&W has to offer, it goes something like this (according to one HiFI magazine)...
800D 101
801D 101
N800 100
Nautilus 99
802D 99
N801 98
N802 95
Impressive that the Nautilus can still hold its own after all these years!"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."Comment
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RebelMan
Very interesting, RebelMan. That's about what I would have expected. I wonder if B&W will update the original Nautilus anytime soon...
Has anyone heard anything?Comment
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I haven't heard anything but I wouldn't be surprised if B&W updates the Nautilus with some of the newer technologies that graced the latest 800 series and released this new beast in time for their 40th Anniversary next year."Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."Comment
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There is nothing special about the N800 which you would imagine would make it better sounding than the 802D. While I haven't done an A/B comparison myself... The extensive modifications to the 802 series have resulted in a major improvement in sound quality. I never noticed a dramatic difference between the 800N and the 802N. On the other hand, my A/B comparison with the 802N and the 802D ... blindfolded, you wouldn't even think they were the same brand of speaker much less a similar model. The 802D is head and shoulders better.Blazar!
(HTPC/Panasonic SA-XR55/B&W 802D/HTM-1/SCMS)Comment
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Blazar -- I think you may have misunderstood. We were discussing the original Nautilus (i.e. the snail-shaped black monster), not the N800.Comment
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Hi everyone!
Has anyone listened to the Nautilus (The snail shape) in comparison with the new 800d and 801d?
If you guys do, i just have some questions.
1: What do you think the bass difference between the 800d/801d with B&W Nautilus(Snail Shape)? ... -
I have been planning to upgrade to the 802D or 800D, but am in the rare position of having a wife pushing me for the Nautilus (the snail). It's simply a dramatic piece of sculpture, even if you never turn it on, and is probably the most extraordinary speaker ever made from a design point of view. ... -
Hi,
I don't mean to upset anyone or cause offence but how come there are so many people in America who can have a full blown Nautilus/800d/801d/802d set up. I am a member of a very very big av forum in the UK (1 million members) and one person on there has some 802D's with the rest having... -
As I understand things (and I could be incorrect here) the 800D is unique in that it is the only one (of the old series) to use the M-Cap Supreme Silver/Gold capacitor for the all important midrange section of the crossover network. Both the 800D and 802D share the M-Caps for bass and the M-Cap Supreme... -
I'm at a point in life (pretty old) where I hope to make a "final" configuration choice in a audio / video solution. It's also my first venture out of the realm of "receivers" so a lot of new ground and a very different level of investment. Roughly a year ago, i had somewhat decided...
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