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B&W Nautilus 800 vs 802D

I have noticed that the 802D's have started to come down in price and it's not unusual to find a pair of 800's at the same asking price here in Audiogon. I am shopping around and would like to know what other Audiogoners think about these two speakers? I have listend to the 802D's and liked them but not the 800's. I like the looks of the 800 but than again the weight of the 800's might be an issue. I will be loooking to match them up with McIntosh equipment. Specifically a MC-402 and C46.
Side Note: B&W is interesting because so many people have opinions on the speakers. I have owned the 805's, 803's, and 802's. I agree that these speaker's aren't perfect but for the price and sound, I think there really good. I personally have only heard one speaker that blows the 802D's out of the water and that was the Wilson's Maxx, but people forget that speaker's like Wilson and JM Focal Utopia costs thousands more.
I also think B&W works universally well with most audio products on the market. Some speakers you have to be careful what equipment you match them up with. Just my thoughts of B&W.
128x128musicaudio
mrchips
53 posts
 
Put it this way everyone; whatever B&W speaker you may choose or own such as B&W 802D, N800, Signature 800, 800D ... etc. All are fine choices; you can't lose.

I will be listening to a little Art Blakey jammin on drums tonight.

ENJOY.
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
Mr. Chips, you are correct. Accept for aesthics, the 800 signature and the regular 800N, are the SAME.
mike1000
71 posts
 
This was a very healthy dialog. I like hearing about these issues from people that actually own the speakers and have had time to listen to them over a period of time. Thank you!
leonx
101 posts
 
I played with the 802N for over 6 years. I heard the 802D, and I really liked the sound of it in the middle and high's. But I noticed that it gives the same hum in the low freq as the 802N did. This was the reason why I wanted something else. I bought the 800's in Januari this year. You cannot compare it with the 802N. There is no hum in the low freq. The high's are a lot better than the 802N with the tweeter that goed to 50.000 hz. The middle freq are more open. And the low en midd bass is awesome. With the right equipment it can go a step further than the 802D can. But you need a very powerfull amp and a source of a high level. When you have a room smaller than 40mm2 and not a poweramp at least of 300 watts per channel I would buy the 802D, but when you have the room and the right equipment I would go for the 800
leonx
101 posts
 
The 800 has so much more authority in the whole freq. spectrum. I never expected the difference between the 802N and 800 would be that big. The 10 inch units gives you the advantage of a much better midd bass and control in the low freq. I also found the sound of the low freq. of the 802D sounded a little like a subwoofer. But it is so much better than the 802N. The 802N lacked control. And yes the 800 looks so much nicer than the 802D does. When I see the old photo's at my laptop of the 802N, the difference is getting bigger every time.
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