What Makes Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus Series Stand Out? Let’s Dig Deep

Professional recording engineers prize Bowers & Wilkins for the extraordinary accuracy of their sound reproduction. The question of whether B&W speakers are good merits a simple answer. They offer superb sound quality and striking design aesthetics.The latest Nautilus is the outcome of the most ambitious project Bowers & Wilkins has ever undertaken to create power-packed loudspeakers. But before we dig deep into the prestigious Nautilus series, let’s take a look at the unparalleled legacy of B&W legacy.

A Word On The B&W Legacy

Bowers and Wilkins had a humble beginning in 1960. The coastal town of Worthing in South England turned out to be a place that’s synonymous with innovation for most audio fans. The first Bowers & Wilkins speakers were built here in the early years of the company.

In the 1970s, there were several major milestones for Bowers & Wilkins. The company introduced curved cabinet forms and new cone materials such as Aramid fibre. And it all culminated in the launch of the 801, soon to become the reference speaker of choice for globally renowned recording studios. 

In the 1980s, extensive investment in research led to the establishment of the company’s dedicated R&D facility in Steyning. The era saw Bowers & Wilkins introduce something small and unobtrusive: the “compact monitor”, or CM1. 

The 1990s saw the pioneering work of the Steyning research team realised in spectacular fashion with the launch of Nautilus™, a speaker that challenged the preconceived notions of speaker design. It also saw major product launches at both ends of the spectrum, with the unveiling of the highly regarded entry-level 600 Series and the flagship Nautilus 800 Series. 

In the 2000s, they launched Zeppelin, expanded into the car audio market and launched a revolutionary new speaker technology in the form of diamond tweeter domes. 

The 2010s led to monumental technological change that seemed to bring out the most innovative products.

Also Read: Bowers Wilkins Speaker Range that are Suited for Different Listeners

Fundamental Questions Answered During the Creation of B&W Nautilus

• Is it possible to create a perfect speaker that produces barely perceptible distortion?

• Does a speaker need a box? 

• If you remove the box what would a speaker look like?

• What would the speaker sound like? 

The final outcome was the Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus.

These technologies include the famous tube-loaded tweeter, which can even be found in an adapted form on B&W’s latest revolution in sound performance, the Zeppelin iPod® speaker, as well as the brand’s pace-setting new Custom Installation speakers. 

These are enhanced in terms of performance, as compared to the highly efficient and popular B&W’s high-end 800 Series to the incredibly popular 600 Series.

Nautilus is a sweet spot between form and  function

Nautilus comes in three standard colours: midnight blue, black, and silver. 

Plus there is a special service from the makers to match any colour from a sample or colour reference.

• Redefining sound

The long, tapered damping tubes were a revolution, allowing the drive units to work optimally by gently absorbing stray energy. 

• Shaped by sound

At a glance, you can see Nautilus is no ordinary speaker, and after almost a quarter of century it still defines high-end audio.

• Making magic

Constructing the complex shapes and precision drive units demands decades of experience and exacting attention to detail.

• Crafting a classic

Nautilus is hand-built to order, alongside the 800 Series Diamond™, by a dedicated specialist team in B&W's Worthing factory.

• Infinite colours

Nautilus comes in three standard colours: silver, black and midnight blue. But, as befits such a unique speaker, B&W also offers a special service that can match any colour you specify.

• Setting the standard for the future 

The striking spirals and tubes of Nautilus came from B&W's research into making speaker drive units behave as they wanted: this Nautilus Tube™ technology, for which Bowers & Wilkins won a Queen's Award for Innovation, is now found in almost every speaker they make.

• Thinking beyond the box 

Nautilus is quite unlike a conventional box speaker: to package the unique Nautilus tubes for use in the home, B&W designers developed the striking, and space-efficient, spiral form, from which the speaker takes its name.

• A word on the importance of the Nautilus tube

Conventional boxes contain sound from the rear of the driver, but bring their own problems. Nautilus tapering tubes soak up wayward energy and cut down resonances to the point of insignificance.

Also Read: Ooberpad Unearths the Legacy of B&W Speakers in India & the World

A final word

Hopefully, this blog gave you a quick insight into the prestigious Bowers and Wilkins Nautilus series. To discover more about B&W Nautilus prices and get more information, get in touch with our experts at Ooberpad.