Unknown wood on B&W 802 series 80

Hazardous guess: some type of gall wood ... less likely Rose wood variety.  Definitely need a wood-nut here.  Striking!  Let us know how they sound!

They are unique for sure, I like them, I agree not factory finish.

It is unusual they are not book-matched, however, whoever had it done might have a woodworker friend who had a limited amount of this very interesting veneer, not enough for book-matching.

My woodworker had a small ’flitch’ (veneer sliced in layers from the same tree) of Rosewood, he had saved for many years for a small special project (saved from before it became illegal to import Rosewood). Just enough to make my speaker enclosures book-matched.

I sent the link to my woodworker, asked him what it is, I’ll let you know what he says.

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Discoloration from strong daylight?

Will you be using them near windows where daylight could effect the wood color over time?

Mine are in strong morning daylight, and Rosewood is susceptible to discoloration problems. I remember my woodworker telling me he added a slight tint, then the final finish to prevent dis-coloration. If yours will be subject to strong daylight, you might want to talk to a woodworker about their finish, or just keep an eye on them, if any sign of change, they are worth protecting.

good listening to those beauties, Elliott

My woodworker's reply

" Looks like sap rosewood or it could be one of those Central American ones like sappy santos rosewood or cocobola."

From your pictures it looks like someone did a pretty good job on them. I would prefer something closer to book matched, however, for $750, if the functionally is good, I think you made a great deal.

Did anyone notice that the grills on the Bass section are not in the same location on each speaker.  I owned 802's in the late 80's and I don't remember the Binding Post looking like that.  Also, the "Head" should be wired with a coiled XLR type cable.  My cable failed and it took months to get a replacement from the Factory.  

Definitely someone has refinished/refurbished them.  I would exercise caution before buying.  Remember, these speakers are around 30 years old.  B&W's sounded a lot different back then compared to the Modern "Nautilus" type tweeters found in today's 802's.