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B&W Speaker Score!

I have a pair of B&W 802 S2 that I like but have had the upgrade bug for a while.  A recent purchase of a pair of Thiel CS-5 fell through so I kept on looking for something interesting and a good deal.  I stumbled across a pair of B&W Nautilus 802 only a few hours away- the final purchase price is $2K.   The seller provided lots of detailed pics and they look great.  The only issues are one of the tweeters is dented (I just purchased a new one for $150) and there are no grilles, which isn't a deal breaker for me as I remove them anyways. 

I'm pretty excited to get them home and see how they sound with my Threshold S500/II and newly acquired Parasound P5.  I just wanted to share my find- the timing could not be better as it takes a bit of the sting out of tax day.

Cheers.
dastro
dastro OP
42 posts
 
I was going to tell you how those speakers sound, but every time I do, I seem to start a war. I had the same speakers. Check to make sure all of the bass drivers are working because they blow very easily. Also check all of the screws. They have a tendency to work themselves loose.

My advice would be to make sure the speakers are in good working order and sell them. You can't fix them. Any money you put into them will be wasted. Its not you're amp. Pass is one of the better matches for those speakers.
Hi sfall,
Wars are necessary from time to time :-).  Please tell me your opinion!  The fact you "had" them tells me you didn't love them.

I've checked everything, all ok.  Yea, my Threshold sounds perfect mated to the Matrix 802 S2.  I love all my electronics, I don't feel like swapping out everything to try to make a speaker work.  I know some do, but no thanks.
rhljazz
1,253 posts
 

Are the speakers bi-wired or single wired?  If single wired what jumpers are you using?  N802's are less aggressive single wired to the bottom terminals and using the B&W supplied jumpers.

The speakers should be aimed such that the outside of each of your shoulders is the target.  Too much on axis will be bright.

dastro OP
42 posts
 

Are the speakers bi-wired or single wired? If single wired what jumpers are you using? N802's are less aggressive single wired to the bottom terminals and using the B&W supplied jumpers.

The speakers should be aimed such that the outside of each of your shoulders is the target. Too much on axis will be bright.
Bi-wired.  Toe in, distance, all placement positions tried.  thanks.
gregkohanmim
153 posts
 
Dastro - You obviously know what you're doing and you are totally correct that with bass filter that you're going to get more perceived extension out of your matrix speakers - which it's great to know that you love them so much.

Perhaps in the end the 802s aren't for you, but a couple more things to look at assuming that you've completely ruled out any obvious defects (and I agree that the dented tweeter will have little effect).

Have you checked that the transit lock screw is off and that the midrange drawbar tension is OK?

Are the midrange center plugs tightened appropriately?

Are the bass port plugs in?

Finally - are you sure that they're adequately broken in (perhaps the original owner never used them)?

In the end, even if you prefer your s2's, you might consider keeping the N802s considering what you paid and went through to acquire them.  Either way, it's a bummer that they're not "singing" to you.

Greg
dastro OP
42 posts
 
Greg- all components have been checked and rechecked.  They're definitely broken in- the previous owner used them frequently.

I don't think there are any technical issues with them- the previous owner is a veteran of this hobby and had quite an extensive collection of various, high end gear.

It's interesting to me that their sound puts me off so much.  They just sound superficial.  Even my wife, who doesn't care about audio whatsoever, commented without solicitation that they didn't sound right.

Oh well, the journey continues...


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