Close to the 801 but at a much lower price
Written: Jan 28 '00
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Pros: Still an excellent system for any user
Cons: Half the power of the 801
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| tfung's Full Review: B&W Nautilus 802 |
Since their introduction in 1979, the original B&W 801 and 802 have gained a reputation as benchmarks against which other speakers are measured; the firm's $40,000/pair Nautilus speakers, with their unforgettable "space mollusk" shape, debuted about five years ago. Combining elements from the two designs into one product line and pricing the hybrid somewhere in between, B&W rolled out the Nautilus 800 Series earlier this year.
Less ostentatious in appearance than their snail-shaped ancestor, the models in the new series also come at a [relatively!] modest price, with the Nautilus 802 costing a little more than a fifth of what the original Nautilus did -- but double that of its Matrix 802 predecessor. It remains to be seen whether audiophiles will find the improvements on an already outstanding product such as the Matrix 802 to be worth a 100 percent price hike.
The Nautilus 802 clearly shows its dual heritage. The spherical enclosure around the 6-inch midrange driver recalls the curves of the original Nautilus, and has the same tapered-tube design to absorb the driver's backwave. Dual 8-inch woofers handle the bass and give the 802 a narrower profile than the 801, with its 15-inch woofer. The cabinet looks traditional apart from its semi-elliptical cross section. B&W claims that the curved back preserves the acoustic advantages of the Nautilus's snail-shell without its exorbitant cost. Inside the cabinet is a legacy from the other parent: The echo-dampening Matrix system, a feature of the original 800 series since 1987. The Nautilus 802's frequency response is rated at 34 Hz-24 kHz and sensitivity is 91 dB; its power-handling ability of 500 watts -- half that of the Nautilus 801 -- marks the most significant difference in performance between the two siblings.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 8000 (a pair)
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Epinions.com ID:
tfung
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Member: Terence Fung
Location: Brighton, MA
Reviews written: 93
Trusted by: 31 members
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