Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: B&W Signature 805 Speakers by Omega14:6

Model:	Signature 805
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$3500
Description:	Prestige Line of B&W Speakers - Book shelf that sounds like & better than most floor models
Manufacturer URL:	B&W
Model Picture:	View

Review by Omega14:6 ( A ) on July 22, 2003 at 14:32:39
IP Address: 207.34.102.197

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for the Signature 805

My first listen to these speakers was about 4 months ago and immediately fell in love with them. So much so that I sold my N802's for the S805's.

For the many reasons I sold the N802's the biggest is the size of my room. The S805's are a better fit in my opinion.

Having auditioned these against mostly other B&W models most notably the N series, I have found them to be worth every penny.

Not that looks make the sound any better but the Gray Tigers Eye on the black stands make the music that much more enjoyable as they are a work of art to behold. The gray tigers eye has so much more depth and pattern to the finish than does the red birds eye.

Having auditioned them with the Classe CDP.10 and currently using the Rotel, I will say that the Classe offered a more smooth refined finish to the music. But the Rotel for the price diffence is not far behind.

The Rotel with the Classe Intergrated 151 is what I am currently using at home with the S805's. Also using the Transparent Speaker Cable with WBT Spades which are a match with the posts of the speakers. Using NBS Interconnect between componets.

After some serious listening with a variety of music I can say that the mids are much clearer and more defined than the 802's. The music is much more liquid. I do not know why I use that word but it is what comes to mind when I listen. It is hard to describe the sound, it is so laid back. Very netural with excellent definition between instruments and a sound stage that is very deep.

I first listened to Diana Kralls "Love Scenes". I love this CD as demo for listening. I sounds like then have a mic for every key on the piano as she sweeps across the keys. The music travels from one end of the room to the other.
The sound was very warm and rich. Her voice was about 4 to 5 feet off the ground, dead set in the middle of the room. It was like she was in front of me on an elveated stage singing personally to me. Compared to the 802's, the best way to describe the difference is that the S805's sounded more personnel, more focused with better imaging.

Even though I have only 50 hours or so on the speakers, they sound very open and musical.

I also listened to the Gladiator Score and other Jazz selections. I found the Gladiator Score very alive. Listen to track number 3, it will give your speakers a work out. Great highs and lows with lots of complexity for your speakers to separate. The S805's did a great job. There was no confusion within the music, very controlled, the speakers did a great job of rendering the score.

I listed the Eminem Show. I am not a big rap fan, but I was reading a review for these speakers and the reviewer mentioned the control the speakers had while playing the Eminem Show CD. He was right. With the overlayed compression on rap CD's and this one being no exception the bass is there 100% and more. The speakers handled the lows very well. It was actually quite amazing to see how low these could go. I did not do measurements, but my ears told me enough. Not to mention the drivers on the speakers moving a foot in either direction. They were kicking while this CD was playing. Quite suprising, it is a well recorded CD and sounded very defined on the speakers. I listened to the edited version for your info.

The lows were also very good with the Jazz selections. One other note was the Satarani Live in LA DVD. Very Good. The S805's produced a very good live show with lots of highs and lots of lows.

I did throw my Sub in for some of the listening as I do admit that the lows are a little weak and rightfully so for a smaller speaker. But for the size the lows are amazing.

I used the new B&W ASW800 Sub. That will be another review, but the combo (S805's and the Sub) just about brought the house down. With the Eminem CD, I think the couch was getting some air time. Very controlled with the FULL matrix bracing they added to this new model. 1000 watts of heart stopping pounding. Very fast and controlled.

The Classe 151 was enough to drive the speakers. Even at high volumes the speaker is very controlled with no distrotion or confusion. Very clear and articulate when driven.

If your in the market for a high quality book shelf speaker or even some of the $3500 or more floor stand models, give the S805's a listen and comparison.

** This review is not from a professional audiophile but a lover of music for the last 20 years and a lover of higher end gear that more realistically produces the recording for our enjoyment **

Product Weakness: Hard to say other than lacking in bass, but once again for the size the bass is very prominent. Although a good sub finishes off these speakers beautifully.
Product Strengths: Very clear and articulate speaker with a very warm overlay to it. Sound Stage and Imaging are 10/10
The mids and highs are very defined and smooth.

More than looks, the sound is nothing to be compared to the N805. And when compared to the N803's & N804's the S805's are a easy choice.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Classe Cap 151
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rotel RCD-02 & Classe CDP.10
Speakers:	B&W Signature 805
Cables/Interconnects:	Transparent / NBS
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz / Gladiator Score / Classic Rock / Eminem Show
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 10 x 7
Room Comments/Treatments:	Echo Buster Wall Panels - Behind Speakers
Time Period/Length of Audition:	50 Hours
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition