B&W Nautilus 800.....where's the bass?


Is it a well known fact that these speakers lack bass? I just bought them used...two years old....and am very dissappointed in the low end. My CDM 9 NT rears have more bass than these. No kidding. Is this a known problem with this speaker, or could there be something wrong? Since the 9's and the 800's are playing at the same time on the same system I do not think there is any need to list the equipment, but I will just in case it matters.
Sunfire Theatre Grand 2 processor ( all speakers are set to large)
Denon 3910 CDP
Adcom 300 by 7 ( 800's are bi amped with four of the channels.....phase is correct)
speaker wire is 14 guage in a very thick outside jacket
Thanks for your help.
baffled
B&W's, especially the 800 series are used in many reference systems. People who understand how to drive them know how wonderful these speakers are. Driving 800's with an Adcom is like asking a whale to swim in a small pond. IMHO, the 800's need at least 300 watts a side before they begin to breath properly...they may even leave the water and do a few rollovers!
To those of you who have been following me I have said all along that speakers are the most important part of any system. When you get to speakers this high up in the food chain. You can tell the difference in amps, wires, etc. We need understand we all hear differently. And as we get older our hearing changes too. And from what I understand it's not for the better. Not like cables that need to be burned in. Been reading everyones input, thanks. I would have to revise my pervious statement to include volume as a factor. I listen to a level higher that most. The only reason I know this is the average person when they come over to visit they ask me to turn it down. I didn't think about this when I added my input. Loudness does matter. BIG X FACTOR!!!!! SO I can easly see where 2 people listen to same speaker and walk away with different impression Based on volume alone. All speakers have there sweet zone. I have McIntosh XTR 28 that I love loud. I have B&W for the softer moments in my life.
This is baffled....the Audiogoner formerly known as ahcjmh1@prodigy.net. I started this thread eight months ago when I was just getting my feet wet in this hobby. I am happy to say that I found SOME of the bass when I replaced my Adcom amp with Classe. I found ALL of the 800's bass when I replaced my Denon 3910 with a Musical Fidelity Tri Vista tube CDP. All cables have also been replaced. I have an Aesthetix Calypso on the way. These speakers continue to amaze me as I upgrade my digital front end. No complaints....no worries......just good music.
Thumbs up. I'm happy for you. Be careful with the tubes on on your speakers. They will reveal the hiss of tubes if you use them on preamp. This drove me nuts with my Conrad Johnson PV 9. Think about bi amping. You will open up the next door on your journey. Good luck