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B&W Nautilus: Review

Posted to Speakers 2009-06-07

If you just have to have the best, most unique speakers available on the market today then you may want to check out the B&W Nautilus speaker. While they may not look like your average floor speakers, the power and performance that they provide can rival that of any of its competitors. With a unique design that combines the shape of a nautilus shell and unique tapering tubes the Nautilus speaker is sure to become the talk of your next party.

Measuring 47.6-" x 16.9-" x 43.5-" and weighing 98 lbs, the B&W Nautilus speaker is not meant to blend in with the background. While its unique looks may attract you it's the sound performance that will hook you. The B&W Nautilus speaker utilizes a 4-way tube loaded active crossover system that is made up of a 12-" cone bass, 4-" aluminum/polymer sandwich cone lower midrange, 2-" aluminum dome upper midrange and a 1-" aluminum done high-frequency. The crossover frequencies are 220Hz, 880Hz, and 3.5kHz. These speakers can provide the serious sound power that would please any audiophile. Combine this with a midnight blue and silver finish and you have a speaker that looks more like a work of art than a functional audio device.

Rating:

3.8 out of 5

Features

The B&W Nautilus speaker delivers its high end performance with the assistance of the nautilus shaped cabinet. This design allows the user to hear and experience the music as it was meant to be heard. Sound performance is detailed, vibrant and alive, free from distortion or cabinet diffraction that can sometimes be found with competitor's models. Another unique feature is the use of the tapering tube. While this may make the speakers look like something out of a sci-fi movie, this design allows the speaker to deliver clear sound, free from distortion that can affect the clarity that you hear. This level of sound is accomplished with the use of a tapered tube that assists in shortening the level of sound wave absorption, which helps to decrease the sound level by acting like a horn. This allows you to experience the sound as it was meant to be heard.

Performance

Unlike most other speakers on the market, the B&W Nautilus speaker delivers quality performance that the serious audiophile would crave. With a frequency range of -6dB at 10Hz and 25kHz, and a frequency response that ranges between 40Hz and 20kHz. They also provide a dispersion of 2bB of response on reference axis, allowing users to experience quality sound. The only requirement is that these speakers be hooked up to an amplifier that can provide a continuous 100W to 300W for each channel.

Summary

The B&W Nautilus speaker provides the high quality sound that may be the answers to an audiophile's prayers. While its look may stand out from the rest, its sound can rival that of its competitors. If you are looking for high performance and you don't mind if your speakers end up being the talk of the town, then the B&W Nautilus speaker may be the way to go.

Pros

4-way tube loaded active crossover system
a frequency response of 40Hz to 20 kHz
a frequency range of -6dB at 10Hz and 25 kHz
unique nautilus and tapering tube design
sound as it was meant to be heard

Cons

There are no cons for this product