B&W Nautilus 802D, Wilson Sophia 2, or others?


I'm getting the upgrade itch again. My current speakers are Nautilus 802's and I am using a VAC PHI 110 setup with 8db negative feedback. The speaker impedance curve won't let me use the zero feedback setting. Overall the system sounds very good. Areas, I would like to improve would be bass impact or punch, a bit more clarity in the midrange. The room is approximately 15 by 14 with a vaulted ceiling going from 8 to 11ft. It is also open at the very top to a kitchen/dining room area so it acts like a bigger room. It does have a room peak in the 30-40hz range with a null around the 60hz range that I believe robs some impact. I love the looks of the Nautilus speaker and what I have does sound very good. From the reviews I have read the Diamond version improves in the areas I feel need improvement but still presents a difficult load requiring the amp to use negative feedback. The Wilson Sophia might present an easier load allowing Zero feedback with some sonic gain just from that change alone. I am a bit concerned that the Wilsons are ported to the rear since the front wall behind the speakers has seven foot wide french doors in the middle which might present a reflection problem. I have not listened to either speaker but metro Phx has dealers for both. Would somebody that is basically happy with the B&W speakers like the Wilson Sophias or should I just stick with the 802D's? Any other speaker recommendations that are compatible with the VAC amp? I don't like the looks of any speaker that looks like the basic box with drivers in it. Listening preferences are primarily jazz and vocals. I usually listen to music with peaks less than 90db but sometimes crank to peaks around 100db. I don't want it to crap out if I want to crank it. If anyone has upgraded from 802's to Diamond version, I would also appreciate your comments. Thanks
rhljazz

Showing 1 response by oscar44

It is interesting how different perceptions can be. I have heard the Sophia 2 and the Watt Puppy 7 on several occasions, the last driven by EAR tube gear. I also have heard the 802D driven by McIntosh SS monos. Different rooms, different gear, and different sounds. To me, I was quite surprised at how boomy the bass on the Sophia 2 was playing Holly Cole. The dealer blamed the recording. I blamed the space and the gear (with a different amp this was mostly but not fully cured). The room was quite small and the wall boundaries were too near also. Not a good way to sell Sophias. On the Puppy 7 or on the B&W 802D, there was no boom. This Sophia experience, from a Wilson dealer, was enough to put me off them even though I suspect they would work much better in my room. I'll never know. I found the Puppy 7's to be much better and would really prefer those over any new Sophia --but again, the rooms were not identical. All this is to say that you just have to hear for yourself, and ideally in your space. Speakers sound different to different people with different gear and different spaces. For the record, I thought the 802D was closer sounding to the Eggleston Andra 2 which is a great speaker, and offered better music to my ears than the Sophia, and perhaps even the Watt Puppy 7 (though the latter were certainly impressive too but the Wilson sound is a little hard on my ears, that's all I can say, it's a personal thing). I think B&W don't have the same image or cache as the Wilsons (company too big, sold at chainstores etc) but I believe the economy of scale they operate under with their huge market means they offer great value for money (think who's paying for all those wilson adverts and the lexus-level of service). I think the reviews of the 802D generally in the audio press called it right, it's a really good speaker, superb on classical and acoustic. It was not boomy on rock for me (I actuallly found it bright), but it sure does have real bass that will require placement to be addressed. And I am not a bass fan! As others have noted, your own gear is pretty good and you should never underestimate the potential of tweaks, set-up and positioning. A system has many variables at work and the room is primary.

Best of luck