Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: B&W NAUTILUS 805 Speakers by Nicholas Renter

Model:	NAUTILUS 805
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2000
Description:	2-WAY PORTED LOUDSPEAKER
Manufacturer URL:	B&W
Manufacturer URL:	B&W

Review by Nicholas Renter ( A ) on March 18, 2002 at 18:45:30
IP Address: 12.239.97.35

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for the NAUTILUS 805

I've waited about 18 months after purchasing my B&W Nautilus 805's before writing this review. I can sum up my thoughts in 3 words:
I love them.
Here's my configuration:
Denon AVR-3300 A/V Receiver
Denon DVD-2500 DVD Player
Music Hall MMF-5 Turntable
B&W Nautilus 805 Speakers (4)
B&W Nautilus HTM-2 Speaker (1)
REL Strata III Subwoofer
I used to work in a classical concert hall on the north shore of Chicago in college and have also put my time in at a couple of production studios, so I think that I have a decent idea of what music should sound like. When I was auditioning speakers for my new house, I listened to everything I could in order to give the potential candidates a solid workout: Michael Hedges, Rage Against the Machine, New Order, R.E.M., Fleetwood Mac, Natalie Merchant, The Pixies, Dead Can Dance, Enya, Neil Young, etc. In my opinion, if a speaker can't reproduce hard rock as well as a solo female vocalist with minimal musical accompaniment, then the speaker isn't worth listening to.
All of the 805's competition that I was auditioning - Sonus Fabers, Martin Logans, Boston Acoustics, Klipsch, Vienna, etc. - could not perform well in all musical categories. The Sonus Fabers sounded great if I listened strictly to classical guitar, but were awful when it came to the industrial noise of Machines of Loving Grace. The Martin Logans made Enya sound amazing, but make Metallica sound less than appealing. The Boston Acoustics...well, as much as I wanted to like them, fell far short of my expectations. While I didn't expect any of the speakers to perform past their physical limitations (i.e. bookshelf speakers are bookshelf speakers and will only give you so much low end), I did expect them to perform well within their noted boundaries. For me, many of them did not do that.
The 805's, however, made everything sound exceptional.
And I can listen to any and all types of music without apology on the 805's. Frank Sinatra's vocals on "The Very Best of Frank Sinatra" sounds rich and velvety. Nine Inch Nail's computer-exorcized spite on "The Downward Spiral" sounds accurate and tight. Uncle Tupelo's alt-country acoustic masterpieces "March 16-20, 1992" and "Anodyne" envelop me with the sound of 6-string guitars. Tool's "Lateralus" and Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" rock hard with no apologies. The delicate interplay between Stevie Nicks' voice and Lindsey Buckingham's guitar work on Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" becomes obvious - inviting you into their secret world. And Radiohead's "Kid A" - the room immediately becomes energized and you are transcended to a world where their musical vision becomes your reality.
The detail revealed by these speakers is mind-blowing. They are like a candid friend - they produce an honest perspective that leads you down a path to unbeknownst revelations of your musical soul. You hear what the producer / engineer intended. Contrast Veruca Salt's "American Thighs" to their "Eight Arms to Hold You" release. Both are excellent works in terms in production, however, very different in technique and approach. The 805's reveal this. Listen to how Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" was assembled. There is a whole 'nother level to a recorded piece of art - something I learned to appreciate while working in recording studios. The 805's will bring this out.
Note: This is with my 805's driven by a mediocre Denon A/V Receiver. When I auditioned these speakers, I was able to hear them with Krell, Proceed, and McIntosh amps. I appreciate these speakers in my current setup, and have a understanding of their full potential.
The 805's are the biggest bargain of B&W the Nautilus line. For the additional cost, the 804's and the 803's do not give you enough bass to remove your desire for a powered subwoofer (and I highly recommend the REL Strata III). When I was shopping for my 805's, I looked at (listened to) the 804's. For the same price of a pair of the 804's ($3,500.00) I could have a pair of the 805's ($2,000.00) plus a REL Strata III sub ($1,500.00). Now that's a bargain. As a matter of fact, I preferred the mid-bass sound of the 805's over the 804's and 803's. Until you start looking at the 802's, the 805's are the only way to go.
I've read a lot of reviews that complain about the alleged lack of bass. For a bookshelf speaker, I would say that the bass is quite satisfying. I didn't feel "cheated" by the bass when I used the 805's without my REL. I just didn't realize what I was missing. The B&W technical specifications claim -6dB at 42Hz and -3db at 49Hz. I'd say that is pretty accurate - I have my REL crossed-over at 46 Hz and the transition is smooth.
Another thing that I really like about the 805's is the fact that they are bookshelf speakers - this gives you the added flexibility of placement. Even if you choose to go without the B&W stands, the placement options are endless. I agree with a previous reviewer who said, "It seems to me that small boxes give you a better soundstage than larger boxes." This is very true for the 805's.
When I drive the 805's hard, they don't seem to get "louder" as with other speakers I have auditioned. There just seems to be more sound. They are not fatiguing - they just have a greater sense of presence.
Another reviewer said of the 805's, "My experience has led me to believe that the midrange is a key factor in the imaging of any loudspeaker, and the imaging here is as good as one can expect from a midrange this natural and defined." I agree with this, too. I believe that 6 1/2" is about the perfect speaker size for a mid-bass driver, and the mid-bass driver of the 805's can definitely deliver.
For home theater, these speakers do not disappoint as well.
The 805's do need to be well broken in (40 - 60 hours) for them to reach their full potential. They don't sound bad out of the box, but they do get better with age. I understand why used 805's don't sell for much less than what you can buy them for new.
Also, I recommend that you listen to the 805's with both the metal tweeter grill and the cosmetic mid-bass grill removed.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention. These speakers are beautiful. The
craftsmanship is amazing. Personally, I recommend the light cherry finish. REL has cherry finish that matches B&W's light cherry line perfectly.
Bottom line: Trust your ears and buy what you think sounds good. I did, and I bought the B&W 805's. To give these speakers even more credit, I go out with a buddy of mine to Hi-Fi shops in the DFW Metroplex about once a month and listen to the competition. I've yet to come home wishing I had something other than my B&W 805's.
Any thoughts?

Product Weakness: The 805's do need to be well broken in (40 - 60 hours) for them to reach their full potential.
Product Strengths: The 805's are the biggest bargain of B&W the Nautilus line.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Denon AVR-3300 A/V Receiver
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon DVD-2500 DVD Player / Music Hall MMF-5 Turntable
Speakers:	B&W Nautilus 805s
Cables/Interconnects:	Home Depot Specials
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various (see review)
Time Period/Length of Audition:	18+ months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	The 805's do need to be well broken in (40 - 60 hours) for them to reach their full potential.
Product Strengths:	The 805's are the biggest bargain of B&W the Nautilus line.