Survey: B&W

The only B&W I would own: Nautilus 800
The B&W with best price/performance ratio: Matrix 801 S3

I agree with Phasecorrect in regards to the Nautilus line
being way overpriced. The Nautilus line did not deserve a 2x
markup from the S3 Matrix line. The N801 should be a $7500
speaker, not $11,000. And $16,000 for the N800 is almost
laughable. It's a nice speaker, but not $16,000 nice.

On the other hand, I think some of their less expensive
speakers are terrific values, especially the DM series.

I had 805's, 802s3, & now have 801s3 with Northcreek crossovers and a bass filter from Listenup. I love these speakers alot. Sure there is always something better & people like to knock down B&W. But let's ask the million dollar question? How many B&W speakers have you owned and with what gear!!!!!!!

Great Topic
Jim

I've been very happy with my 802 Matrix IIIs, though I couldn't justify an upgrade to the 802 Nautilus. I do think the Nautilus line is overpriced, but I guess someone has to pay for the R&D.

Looking at B&W distortion specs:
DM601s3 2nd and 3rd order harmonics:
<1% 88 - 20kHz (90 dB spl, 1m)

Nautilus 804 2nd and 3rd order harmonics:
<1% 70 - 20kHz (90 dB, 1m)
<.5% 150 - 18 kHz

At ~1/10 the cost of N804, the 601s3 is a fantastic value looking at specs like these. Small cabinet has little resonance so don't need expensive curved cabinet of Nautilus. Even has the tweeter tube.

The 601 is a good $450 entry level speaker...but lets not get carried away...it is by no means a NAutilus product...even with the tweeter and "specs"....