B&W vs JM Lab

I too had the Nautilus 805's as well as an HTM-1. While I always loved listening to them and I never had a problem with them, the first time I heard the JMlab speakers I knew I had to make the change. I sold all my B&W stuff and got a pair of JMlab Electra 906's and an Electra 901CC. My new JMlab stuff, to me sounds better in everyway as compared to my old 805's. I just wish I could have afforded to go with the Mini-Utopia, cause that was even better, of course like you said it should be for the extra cost. The 906's run at 2k a pair while the Mini-Utopia's run at 7k a pair. Interesting note, the magazine Absolute Sound is going to be putting up the Electra 906's as there speaker of the year in one of their upcoming magazines.

brandonblair@telocity.com

i listen too many times gr.utopia,utopia and b&w 800 with many differents amps.
b&w 800 is a monitor speakers and needs very good powerfull amps.once you find the right amps,i think its one of the best speakers(for 15.000$).
i never liked utopias(except small ones)as a state of art speakers,with every kind of amps,it sounds good but not enough to be the best for thier price range.
i personelly have kharma speakers.

I hate to say it, but, the nautilus 800 is definately not a monitor speaker....

I also prefer the JM Labs to B&Ws in all cases. The mini utopias are to die for - simply outstanding. JM Labs however can sound thin with a lean amp so go for one with gusto and soul (especially true for the cobalt series - Electras and utopias are not as picky).

just saw a jm lab utopia for sale. however, my room may be too small for it. would one advise buying a bigger speaker and then treating the room, or settle for a smaller speaker, such as the Mezzo. I love big orchestra pieces like the works of Mahler, and big sound is very impt. to me. thanks.

I don't understand why any audiophile needs to defend their choice of speaker. It's their money, their ears, their preferences.

However, given your musical tastes, I can certainly see where you might prefer the JMLab utopia line. They are very special when reproducing acoustic instruments.