B&W 804 nautilus OR Revel f30

That's pretty close really. Infact performance wise, it's pretty "side-ways" between the two. I doubt you'll lose with either. You can also biamp either, or throw a Parametric EQ on the "bottom bass" posts for ultimate bass performance with em. Either way, you'll need a good sized room for either of them driven "as is", full range.
Why not try the one you think you want more? I don't think you'll be dissapointed with either with proper set up, and should do well with your gear. Good luck

Hello lchapper,

I was trying to make the same choice as you, about a year ago. I went to one dealer and listened to the N804 and then went directly to the next dealer and listened to the F30. I was more impressed with the F30s. They offered a bigger, better soundstage, more depth and more focused, tuneful bass. Of course, the accompanying equipment was different as well as the auditioning rooms. My preference was just that, my preference. These speakers my show better, or worse, with different equipment and in different listening environments. The best thing to do is listen to both speakers, if that is possible, to get an idea for yourself which speaker works best with your equipment and the type of sound reproduction you are trying to achieve. Good luck and happy hunting.......John

As with anything else in audio/acoustics, the set up, associated equipment, the room, placement of speakers and acoustical considerations, etc, will ALL IMPACT WHAT YOU HEAR! So, if really, the ONLY WAY to know is to try in your system, with your gear, with your set up(you gotta tinker to do it right...and knowledge doesn't hurt)!
ESPECIALLY for the audio enthusiest/novice, YOU WON'T HAVE A CLUE as to what's the potential by simply going to some "foreign" shop with UNKNOWN FACTORS to you, and think you'll be able to tell WHAT'S WHAT!!!...doesn't work that way. A lot of novices would like to think it's that simple..but there's too much involved.
I've heard some of the best gear in the world set up so poorly, with the worst gear, in bad rooms!!! I've worked in a lot of hi fi shops to know this first hand(5 in all).
Anyway, there's no QUICK TRIP to the top! You gotta just try something! I mean, who you gonna trust?...they all got DIFFERENT GEAR!!!!!!
"patience grass hopper..."

Both offer a different sound. Go read reviews of each speaker and you will find out for yourself. The B&W speakers in general do not sound good with poor equipment. They need high current amps to make them sing, more so with the matrix series. The midrange and high frequencies are the key areas you want to note so once you read the reviews, you will know which one you prefer, if you are not going to bring them home to compare which I think you should do.

Peter

Hey lchapper,

As I said before, my preferences are just that, my preferences. The speakers may sound better or worse to the next guy in the next room and that is usually the case. Also, as I said before, you should try and listen to the speakers in your system and hear for yourself which you prefer. Again, good luck and happy hunting......John