I have owned B&W 802, 803 and 805 all N's. I have also owned 801 matrix. I also had the htm 1 and the scms as well. I have owned Merlin, Dali, Wilson watt puppy 6's, 7's and sophias as well as a host of others. I currently own Eggleston Andra II's.
How anybody can even think the B&W offerings compare even remotely to the others I have listed, I'll never know.
The B&W speakers have two things going for them.
1. They look great
2. When you wise up, get smart and sell them, they sell quickly!!
There are so many fine speakers in this world today it just blows my mind. If i had to pick the top 25 I seriously doubt B&W would make the list. Dont get me wrong they sound good but there are far better choices to choose from.
My two cents worth