How sensitive is the B&W Nautilus Midrange?


Hi there, I have a pair of B&W Nautilus 803S's in the house (For disclosure I am selling them). I love their sound especially when paired with the ASW-855 crossed over at 40HZ with a Levinson 332.

Anyway I really like these and would like to eventually wind up with another pair of 803's or 802's. My tech told me a story of his friend destroying the midrange on a pair of 800's and I have been scared to play them all that loud seeing as how it is ALOT of money to replace those mids.

When he did this it was playing a MP3 at extreme levels, my understanding is, MP3's play with no peaks and just straight full blown signal

What I am mostly wondering is will I have to worry about beating on a pair of 802's or 803's?
128x128systembuilder

Showing 1 response by acheung

I had a pair of nautilus 802 which I replaced with the 802 diamonds and I played both very loud (ie I can't hear what the person beside me is saying). I think the 802's don't sound their best unless they are played at higher volume. Hi-fi+ had a review of the 802 diamond which said the design team assessed the 802 at very high sound levels. That being said my cousin has a 800n speaker, which he blew the midrange driver. In his case ,he had by passed the cross over and powered the 800n with 3 amps and an active cross over.