My system:
N802
(Nautilus) HTM2
N805
Mark Levinson 432 powering the N802
Proceed Amp3 for everything else
Proceed AVP2
Mark Levinson 390s CD transport
Magnum Dynalab FT101 FM tuner
various consumer-grade DVD players, Blu-ray etc
Revo internet radio (great little device!)
I listen primarily to 2-channel audio but the setup is obviously there for movies as well. I know intellectually that for movies I've been missing a bit on the deep bass stuff, but an explosion is an explosion and I don't much care about that stuff. But 2-channel audio is a completely different matter to me. I simply adore hearing the slightest bit of detail when the strings pluck or when the woodwinds breathe. I admire how the best orchestras in the world can play as one when they go from a delicate pianissimo to a full, thundering forte.
And it's here that I sensed, on a handful of recordings, that my trusty and much-loved N802 weren't reproducing everything that was on the CD. For casual listening it wasn't a big deal. But when I was listening, I mean really listening, I could just tell that there was something not quite there.
Finally, after years of running a 5.0 surround system (again, most of that in 2.0) I decided that it was time to get that .1 channel. Courtesy of Audiogon I came across an ASW855 for sale.
I was challenged to get the 855 installed. It's big! It's much bigger than I thought it would be. Now that it's been here for about a month, I have to admit (sheepishly) that it's probably a little too big. It's about half the height of my N802 and it's much bigger around the waist. This is one serious sub.
But looks aside, what matters most is the sound. And here I have to say, I'm absolutely delighted with my new sub. It sounds exactly as I would expect an 800-series speaker to sound.
What's interesting is that it seamlessly integrates (sonically) with the rest of the system. I don't hear the sub but I do notice there's much more bass now. The sound is detailed and quite musical. It can be loud without ever becoming boomy. And when I have the movies going - yup, those explosions really can shake the walls. (Literally!!)
I have the processor setup now to send everything below 30Hz to the sub. That means it actually doesn't come on very much. But most of the time I can't tell if it's on or off; so seamless is the sonic integration of the system. I have a recording of Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique (Berlin Philharmonic under Maris Jansons). In the final movement, the big bass drum sounds like it's coming from where it really was for that recording - slightly left of centre at the rear of the orchestra. My sub is on the left of my left N802 yet the sound is coming from the other side!
Sub.....N802(left)....Sound....N802(right)
I have another recording of the organ at St. Suplice in Paris. When the organist hits that low C, well let me tell you, that is one fine instrument they have at St. Sulpice! And this is one fine sub that the crew at B&W have crafted.
If I had to do it again I would probably go for the ASW825 simply because of the size. But I'm very happy with the 855. I think in fact, that the 855 is the first and last sub I'm ever going to buy.
Now if I could just win the lottery so I can upgrade the N802 to the Nautilus snail ...
N802
(Nautilus) HTM2
N805
Mark Levinson 432 powering the N802
Proceed Amp3 for everything else
Proceed AVP2
Mark Levinson 390s CD transport
Magnum Dynalab FT101 FM tuner
various consumer-grade DVD players, Blu-ray etc
Revo internet radio (great little device!)
I listen primarily to 2-channel audio but the setup is obviously there for movies as well. I know intellectually that for movies I've been missing a bit on the deep bass stuff, but an explosion is an explosion and I don't much care about that stuff. But 2-channel audio is a completely different matter to me. I simply adore hearing the slightest bit of detail when the strings pluck or when the woodwinds breathe. I admire how the best orchestras in the world can play as one when they go from a delicate pianissimo to a full, thundering forte.
And it's here that I sensed, on a handful of recordings, that my trusty and much-loved N802 weren't reproducing everything that was on the CD. For casual listening it wasn't a big deal. But when I was listening, I mean really listening, I could just tell that there was something not quite there.
Finally, after years of running a 5.0 surround system (again, most of that in 2.0) I decided that it was time to get that .1 channel. Courtesy of Audiogon I came across an ASW855 for sale.
I was challenged to get the 855 installed. It's big! It's much bigger than I thought it would be. Now that it's been here for about a month, I have to admit (sheepishly) that it's probably a little too big. It's about half the height of my N802 and it's much bigger around the waist. This is one serious sub.
But looks aside, what matters most is the sound. And here I have to say, I'm absolutely delighted with my new sub. It sounds exactly as I would expect an 800-series speaker to sound.
What's interesting is that it seamlessly integrates (sonically) with the rest of the system. I don't hear the sub but I do notice there's much more bass now. The sound is detailed and quite musical. It can be loud without ever becoming boomy. And when I have the movies going - yup, those explosions really can shake the walls. (Literally!!)
I have the processor setup now to send everything below 30Hz to the sub. That means it actually doesn't come on very much. But most of the time I can't tell if it's on or off; so seamless is the sonic integration of the system. I have a recording of Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique (Berlin Philharmonic under Maris Jansons). In the final movement, the big bass drum sounds like it's coming from where it really was for that recording - slightly left of centre at the rear of the orchestra. My sub is on the left of my left N802 yet the sound is coming from the other side!
Sub.....N802(left)....Sound....N802(right)
I have another recording of the organ at St. Suplice in Paris. When the organist hits that low C, well let me tell you, that is one fine instrument they have at St. Sulpice! And this is one fine sub that the crew at B&W have crafted.
If I had to do it again I would probably go for the ASW825 simply because of the size. But I'm very happy with the 855. I think in fact, that the 855 is the first and last sub I'm ever going to buy.
Now if I could just win the lottery so I can upgrade the N802 to the Nautilus snail ...
I'm still fiddling with my settings but I don't want to change them too frequently. I like setting, then listening for a week or so. I take my time with these things.
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