Comments from the late Wes Phillips.....

"So, is the B&W Nautilus 801 the speaker for you? It could be---I've never wanted to keep a review pair more. But, while the speaker is expensive at $11,000/pair, that ain't a patch on matching it to a pair of topnotch stereo amplifiers, or the even greater expense of four high-end monoblocks. You'll also need to mate the speaker to a room that supports huge amounts of deep bass---the N-801 will easily overload small or flimsily built rooms. You'll also have to accept its need to be pushed ever so slightly; the speaker just doesn't come alive at low levels.

But that's about it for shortcomings. The Nautilus 801 is incredibly dynamic, images and soundstages like crazy, and has that special magic that marks it as one of the great loudspeakers".


Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/...VyF6KJyzxX2.99

I think I have what I need to try the 801 Nautilus.
Power, sources, room, modest expectations, desire...
except speaker cables.
I don't know what other speaker, new or old, in about the same current monetary range, would compete with these speakers?
These ones are Cherrywood.
Thank you guys for the reply's.
I am drawn in a couple of directions, speaker wise.
The 801 Nautilus has captured my attention.
I listened to them but not at my home.

If you have the space, give them a go. If you don't like them you won't have any trouble selling them and getting your money back, so there's nothing to lose.

excellent point

Slightly different topic but isn't it just crazy what's happened to speaker prices. This pricing wasn't that long ago. What does the corresponding d3 model go for now25-30k? I'd love to know what the margins are on theses.

Margins have probably increased a bit but it's probably also true that the BOM is also higher, with diamond dome tweeters, more expensive materials, and a higher quality fit and finish etc.

Although average salaries are only 20% higher than they were 20 years ago, in my part of the world at least, property values have really gone wild, and that does indirectly drive people's spending habits.

if i remember well, b&w dealers get 40% off retail

I'm quite pumped about the 801 Nautilus in many ways.
I have them, in their original boxes, sitting in my back room.
I want to do some things in the room where they are destined,
and I am quite busy for a bit right now with other things.
They will have to be patient, like me.
They are not out of my mind very much.
I feel very fortunate and content.
Maybe like someone who has a fine vintage automobile or such?
They are going to look soooo good and sound soooo good, too!
They are going to fit in here like a key in it's lock.

I was trying to justify more expensive speakers than the 801s when the 801s appeared.
Speakers that would be 'up the chain'?
Like you've pointed out, I won't lose anything for trying the 801s.
The 801 Nautilus is distinctly 'up the chain', for me.
I know, "not for everybody", and I've thought about, "what if I never tried them"?

Big congrats! Your going to have a lot of fun with these speakers. Just a few years ago these were among the best speakers in the world with very close relatives chosen to work in both Abbey Road Studios and Skywalker Sound.

Remember if they sound harsh don't blame the speakers, look upstream at electronics and cables. If the base is boomy, look at the room tuning.