STATUS - SOLD
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Description :
The B&W 803 Nautilus is based on the floor-standing design with a two in one cabinet construction, which reduces sound diffraction between the bass and midrange. Besides having a beatifully overall industrial design, it features a few technical design features that augments sound quality. The graceful curves of the cabinet are skillfully moulded layer by layer which helps to eliminate the unwanted resonances caused by flexing of flat and square cabinet walls. The tweeter is placed on the top to ensure that the sound remains focused and time-sensitive so the stereo-image is presented with unparalleled three dimensional accuracy. The loudspeaker cones are made of Kevlar with a method patented by B&W to reduce unwanted standing waves. Golf ball aerodynamics theory points out that dimples improve the way air flows over the surface of any object. It is applied in the case of reflex ports of the B&W 803 Nautilus, they offer a significant improvement over simply flaring the port ends in reducing air flow turbulence at each end of the port, resulting in less chuffing noise and compression at high sound levels.
The integration of the sound of the B&W 803 Nautilus from top to bottom is very coherent and seamless, similar to an electrostatic speaker. But the punch and dynamics are so powerful that no electrostatics can hope to match. The delicacy of the Nautilus tweeter's dispersion is a revelation. The midrange unit - harmonics come through smooth and rich, without harshness or "brightness". It separates instruments very well in a broad yet focused soundstage. The bass response of the B&W 803 Nautilus is excellent down to around 30Hz, with none of the boxiness and that many ported designs pass for bass. The lows are dynamic, extended, solid and taut, very informative as to the timbre and character of the particular bass instrument being played, and exhibits good transient speed along with fullness.
The B&W 803 Nautilus presents with an abnormal level of transparency or detail, where every nuance emanates with gorgeous realism. The vocals, guitars and keyboards are all liquid, crisp and delineated with that perfect amount of warmth and sweetness. It plays vinyl with a very controlled fulmination of sound. Examining linearity and smoothness, it has an unctuous, round, rich character to them. The music never gets harsh in the upper registers or midrange even when it becomes razor sharp. It is phenomenally clear and scrumptiously bereft of grain while the mixed with vibes, guitar, bass and drums. Rock instrumental with synthesizer record features solid, rock hard bangs without boominess. The B&W Nautilus 803 do well on movie soundtracks too, because the clarity of the spoken dialog is so easy to pick out of the background sounds. For the quality of their sound, they are a reasonable size, proving once again that it is not necessary to have a refrigerator-sized speaker to get excellent, full-range reproduction.
Specifications :
Type...............................................3 Way Vented Box System
Drive Units......................................1 x 25mm metal dome high-frequency
......................................1 x 150mm woven Kevlar cone FST midrange
......................................2 x 180mm paper/Kevlar cone bass
Frequency Response.......................42Hz - 20kHz +/- 2dB on reference axis
Sensitivity........................................90dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
Nominal Impedance..........................8 ohms(minimum 3ohms)
Power Handling................................50W - 250W into 8 ohms on unclipped programme
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................29 x 44 x 111 cm
Weight............................................35kg per side
Miscellaneous :
Made in...........................................UK, England
Condition.........................................9/10
Product Information :
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Downloads/Product/Archive/ENG_FP10697_Nautilus-803_info_sheet.pdf(Brochure)
Reviews :
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/b-and-w/nautilus-803/prd_119138_1594crx.aspx
http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=speakers&m=147788 |
