Are Bowers and Wilkins speakers overpriced?

@mtrot 

 and they are no doubt using optimal amplification in those settings.

I would not assume this.
Personally, if I am looking at spending that kind of cash on speakers, it would mean I have too much stake in the game to trust a dealer setup, good or bad sounding, even if recommended amplification and other gear is being used.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rJbGXxq5xMjbQS9EA

Dealer setups are one time, temporary events, and everyone's room and contents are different. Some speakers are so big, their size in regular rooms affects room acoustics. Same as a couch.

So in this situation, if I was a serious buyer, I would be asking the dealer to put the setup into near field for me to hear. They will not have an issue with this. Nearfield is the closest one can get a look into what is possible. Everything outside of Nearfield is a compromised illusion due to room reflections.

If after Nearfield you still feel the same way - proceed or look elsewhere.

I havent heard b&ws in a while. Looking at stereophile measurements of the various models they sure seem to have a tailored frequency response. Not that it means they necessarily sound bad. 

     Apparently, there's a difference of opinion concerning whether or not certain B&W speakers lack smoothness in the treble and can become too bright and fatiguing for some.  I've never listened to a pair long enough to have an opinion but I have, over the past 30 or so years, auditioned many B&W speakers in  the mid to top model ranges.  
     As I recall, I never purchased a pair due to my perceptions that they generally sounded a bit lean in the bass and somewhat jacked in the treble. 
     Not a combo I prefer but traits I always remember believing could be remedied through room treatments and perhaps a pair of properly positioned and configured subs.  
     These were remedies I didn't want to invest in or think should be necessary, at the time, due to the already fairly expensive price of the pair of speakers. But I still believe that the sound of most B&W speakers, as well as the sound of the vast majority of other speakers, can be significantly improved through appropriate room treatments, mainly at the first side wall reflection points and the front wall behind the speakers, as well as a pair or more of subs that are properly positioned and configured.

Tim
  
  

805d3 (happy) owner. These are in my office set up and are fed by a McIntosh C47 pre and MC-152 SS amp. Tidal streaming is source. Small room 11’x13’x9’. System components are a perfect match which provides an incredibly full range of sound with exceptional sound stage. Absolutely no sub required. If I was starting over I would buy this same system again. Total audio satisfaction / enjoyment. :)

Negative Commentary? ...Seriously? It’s Audiogon; C’mon Man - perhaps the most complicated and comprehensive place where opinions fly by faster than the jet fighters. B&W’s make good products and have been a hot topic on this forum from the extreme to the absurd. “Does your 805 sound great to Y-O-U?” ...are you having Fun?  ...do you enjoy the hobby? 
Only you can answer this. 
“Me?”...changed from B&W (805) to Joseph Audio and I’m doing jumping jacks of joy. Thinking about Harbeth might be nice too. 
Happiness Abounds.