Nautilus 805 setup question

I find the N805 sounds best with grills off. Did not have the same localization issues you mentioned: might want to check & make sure all of the mid/woofer screws are properly tightened.

Some tweaks I found very valuable (and fairly easily reversible):

Remove the protective screens in front of the tweeters. They either resonate or muck up the dispersion...but whatever the cause, the speakers sound much better without 'em!

Unscrew the phase plugs from the mid/woofer (quite easy, just grab 'em and turn counterclockwise). You will find the plugs are hollow plastic. Buy some non-hardening modelling clay/putty and pack it into the hollow areas. Make SURE that the clay/putty is a bit recessed at then end so it does not squeeze out & gum up the coil gap! This tweak is a bit subtle at first, but you'll find everything sounds more natural (perhaps that's why B&W went to a SOLID aluminum plug in the N805 Signature?).

Anyway, good luck & enjoy!

David

I did not remove the tweeter grilles. Not only 'cause I'm not into advanced "tweaking" but also because of the risk of damaging them. (Over)Enthusiastic guests are bad enough already ("what's this? a karaoke microphone? Can I try it?") So far no harm done and I intend to keep it that way :).
No loose screws either - BTW - how long does it take before one needs to tighten them, if at all?

Let me just add that my room is an "acoustic nightmare" - it always takes me a lot to set up my speakers acceptably, and even then it's not always perfect; the stands I use are cheap wood stands (had floorstanders 'till now, adequate stands are on their way) and finally, the differences I'm talking about are subtle - if this is not the right place to be paranoid about your system's sound, then which one is? :)

Taking the grilles off makes the tweeter look unlike a microphone. Another tweak makes N805 easier to drive for SET is temporarily taking out the woofer & adjusting the position of the foams inside so that the foams do not block the back wave of the woofer.

I tighten down the woofer screws about every six mounts. How far apart do you have the speakers?
Keith