B&W Nautilus 801 (1998)
A flagship floorstanding loudspeaker with radical enclosure design and high-fidelity driver integration
Overview
The B&W Nautilus 801 is the flagship model of Bowers & Wilkins’ 800 series, introduced in 1998. It's a three-way, bass-reflex floorstanding speaker system designed for both professional studio use and high-end home audio. The speaker commands attention with its sculpted, curvaceous form and advanced acoustic engineering, built to deliver seamless driver integration and minimal diffraction. It was conceived not just as a speaker, but as a statement—physically imposing and sonically visceral.
Specifications
| Weight | 104kg |
| External dimensions | Width 522 x Height 1,111 x Depth 690 mm |
| Frequency response | 37 Hz to 20 kHz ± 2 dB |
| Frequency characteristic | 23 Hz to 30 kHz -6dB; 29 Hz to 22 kHz -3dB |
| Output sound pressure level/Sensitivity | 91dB/2.83V/m |
| Nominal impedance | 8 Ω |
| Crossover frequency | 350 Hz, 4 kHz |
| Recommended power amplifier output | 50W ~ 1,000W (at 8 Ω) |
| Woofer size | 38 cm / 15" |
| Woofer material | Paper / Kevlar composite cone |
| Midrange size | 15 cm / 6" |
| Midrange material | Kevlar cone / woven Kevlar FST suspensionless |
| Tweeter size | 2.5 cm / 1" dome type |
| Tweeter material | aluminum-dome |
Design
The Nautilus 801 uses a three-way design with separate enclosures for each driver, all housed in a curved, 3.5 cm thick cabinet made of elliptically backed wood with internal honeycomb bracing to reduce coloration. The midrange is enclosed in a high-gloss black Marlan shell and features a Fixed Suspension Transducer (FST) for faster response and cleaner sound transmission, while its frame minimizes airflow resistance. The tweeter is mounted in a microphone-like structure, and the entire system employs Nautilus tapered tube technology to vent rear driver energy. The bass-reflex system uses a dimpled Flowport port facing downward onto a tapered base, and each enclosure is isolated via IsoPath—a liquid suspended in a polymer base. The cast metal base contains the crossover and dual WBT speaker terminals. Exterior finishes include black ash, cherrywood, and red-stained cherrywood veneers.
Context
Developed as a top-level reference speaker for both professional and home use, the Nautilus 801 represented the pinnacle of B&W’s engineering at its 1998 debut. Lessons from its design were later applied across the Nautilus product line, reinforcing its role as a technological flagship.
Market
Originally priced at $11,000 USD, the Nautilus 801 was positioned as a premium statement speaker, with expectations of flawless presentation—cosmetic defects were noted as particularly jarring at this price point.
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