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Is the B&W Signature 805 less harsh than the N805?

Some people here say that the N805's are not bright or harsh at all, but I have found that they are a bit unforgiving and harsh on the uppermids-treble and cause fatigue after a while because of the hot tweeter. I have Classe amplification and bel canto dac2, so I think electronics are not that bad, and they are not known for being bright or harsh. Do you think the Sig 805's tweeter is less harsh or bright than the plain N805's tweeter? or is it just about the same? I'm able to purchase the speakers via internet only, so audition is not possible. I'd appreciate any comments. Sorry if my English is not clear enough.

Thank you very much.
Regards from Argentina.
rodolfper6100
rodolfper6100 OP
2 posts
 
Thank you all for the responses. Actually I like the other properties of the N805, I am just complaining of the tweeter, so if the sig 805 tweeter is smoother/sweeter, it would be a perfect speaker for me. Cables are cardas cross. I had already positioned the speakers in the best place for smoother highs, but still the problem.
Anyone else that compared nautilus 805 and signature 805 tweeters? thank you.
vvrinc
323 posts
 
Second AND third member Bigtee's recommendation! Probably the most overlooked "component" in any system is always the room. Sometimes, it's a matter of inches that make a big difference when positioning speakers and/or inexpensive (but effective) room treatments to address the "first reflection" area (among other parts of the listening space).
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
The B&W's (I am about to start an argument here) do sound harsh and annoying to my ear.
They have the omnipresent Kevlar Honk. The transition from the Kevlar driver, which has a very identifiable sound, to the tweeter, is very hashy, and to me again, annoying.
Sorry, IMHO. Though I am not alone in this assessment.
You can band aid it with some cables, but the basic sound of the speakers is definitely colored in that region.
BTW, I have been in the industry for 20 years, and worked with several loudspeaker manufacturers. This malady, is common inside knowledge. You have to be very judicious in how you use the Kevlar, and where you cross it.
Best,
Larry
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Hey Lrsky I was trying to say that in a nice way.I hope your asbestos suit is on stand by..Cuz the flames are coming! LOL
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
I know, Gmood1, pretty slick of you.
I can hear the Kevlar Honk, first(probably not first, but at least most publicly) by John Atkinson of Stereophile. When I owned the CS5i and Jim Thiel used the Kevlar for a midrange driver, it was used across a very,very narrow bandwidth, and didn't exhibit that problem. In a two way, there's no way to hide it.
Believe me, I am not being a jerk, just noting a flaw in one driver.
Larry
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