B&W 805S.. Anyone listen yet?

I couldn't agree with what is quoted below more in regards to the 805s. In fact I agree spot on with most of Wrightstuff's review here. This is someone who listened and took their time evaluating. Well done!

"But when it came to listening, there were some surprises in store. Straight out of the box, the 805s speakers were a substantial improvement on the N805 in every respect I can think of. Bass was not only more controlled, but also seemed to extend further. With or without the subwoofer, the improved 805s bass is of an upgrade-worthy level. I always felt a sub was a priority with the N805, but I can honestly say that might not be the case with the 805s. I don't know what the measurements show, but my ears tell me the sound from the 805s is more expansive and has more of a "wholeness" about it. The midrange has the same positive qualities I enjoyed with the N805, particularly with male voice, but I think any perceived change for the better in the midrange is really down to the better bass control which seems to improve everything else about the speaker. At the top end, the sibilance I noticed with the Signatures has vanished, and what sibilance there was with the N805 has been smoothed further. Yet the highs are not at all diluted. Listening to flute and female voice, I heard at least as much detail and extension as with the N805, but also a smoother, absolutely non-fatiguing sound. For me, this was a genuine, valuable improvement – enough to make the upgrade essential."

No one is contesting the difference between the Nautilus 805 and the 805S that you have quoted above. It's clear the 805S is better.

Where the fog lies is the difference between the Signature 805 and the 805S.

I listened to the Sig 805 as well, not necessarily side by side. Other than sex appeal I like the 805s sound better, certainly doesn't mean it IS better. Whereby with the 805N the 805s IS definitely better. The two (sig & 805s) are different speakers by a fairly large margin though, particularly in the driver implementation between the two. The tweeter is also different and I am pretty sure they weren't using the Mundorfs in the Sig.

I thought there was a wee-bit more inner detail with the Sig, where the 805s was smoother and more balanced in its presentation. I also thought the 805s sounded considerably larger. To the 805s represents a better overall value than the signature.

The differences between the sig 805 and the 805S are large, yet the sound difference is not that large.

805S uses a different woofer, tweeter, cabinet, wiring, and crossover than the sig 805.

The above could also be said about the difference between the N805 and the sig 805.

I firmly believe that the sound of the sig 805 vs. the 805S is strictly a preference, they are that close. I love the finish of sig, and prefer it slightly to the 805S in terms of sound quality. Having said that, the 805S is obviously the better value at $1000 less retail than the sig.

I also believe that the sig 805 really needs to be heard in your own listening room to appreciate them. Same with any speaker, really.

But the real dream lie in an 805d...If it were $6k more I would find a way to get one! Fingers crossed. : )