English

Limited Warranty

Dear customer,

Welcome to B&W.

This product has been designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards. However, if something does go wrong with this product, B&W Loudspeakers and its national distributors warrant free of charge labour (exclusion may apply) and replacement parts in any country served by an official B&W distributor.

This limited warranty is valid for a period of five years from the date of purchase or two years for electronics including amplified loudspeakers.

Terms and Conditions

1The warranty is limited to the repair of the equipment. Neither transportation, nor any other costs, nor any risk for removal, transportation and installation of products is covered by this warranty.

2This warranty is only valid for the original owner. It is not transferable.

3This warranty will not be applicable in cases other than defects in materials and/or workmanship at the time of purchase and will not be applicable:

a.for damages caused by incorrect installation, connection or packing,

b.for damages caused by any use other than correct use described in the user manual, negligence, modifications, or use of parts that are not made or authorised by B&W,

c.for damages caused by faulty or unsuitable ancillary equipment,

d.for damages caused by accidents, lightning, water, fire heat, war, public disturbances or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of B&W and its appointed distributors,

e.for products whose serial number has been altered, deleted, removed or made illegible,

f.if repairs or modifications have been executed by an unauthorised person.

4This guarantee complements any national/regional law obligations of dealers or national distributors and does not affect your statutory rights as a customer.

How to claim repairs under warranty

Should service be required, please follow the following procedure:

1If the equipment is being used in the country of purchase, you should contact the B&W authorised dealer from whom the equipment was purchased.

2If the equipment is being used outside the country of purchase, you should contact B&W national distributor in the country of residence who will advise

where the equipment can be serviced. You can call B&W in the UK or visit our web site to get the contact details of your local distributor.

To validate your warranty, you will need to produce this warranty booklet completed and stamped by your dealer on the date of purchase. Alternatively, you will need the original sales invoice or other proof of ownership and date of purchase.

Owner’s manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing B&W.

Your Nautilus™800 Series speakers are precision transducers incorporating many innovative techniques unique to B&W and capable of reproducing recorded sound to the highest standards. So that they may perform at their best, it is essential to take time and care with the installation process. In particular, you must regard the listening room as an extension of the speaker. The acoustic character of the room can have a profound effect on the final sound quality.

Please read this manual fully before unpacking and installing the product. It will help you to optimise its performance.

B&W maintains a network of dedicated distributors in over 60 countries who will be able to help you should you have any problems your dealer cannot resolve.

Unpacking (figure 1)

Remove the staples from the top carton flaps.

Fold the carton flaps right back and invert the carton and contents.

Lift the carton clear of the contents.

Remove the polystyrene packing from the end and sides of the speaker.

Open the polythene bag and pull it clear of the base of the speaker.

Turn the speaker right way up and remove the final polystyrene tray and polythene bag.

Remove the transit clamp from the rear of the speaker, following the instructions on the label.

We suggest you retain the packing for future use.

Check in the carton for:

4 spike feet with lock nuts.

2 terminal link cables

Cleaning cloth

Wood is a natural material and veneers vary between batches. Although supplied as single units, systems with consecutive serial numbers (odd number lower) have veneer-matched cabinets. Please be aware that if more than two speakers are purchased for a single installation, B&W cannot guarantee they will all be veneer matched.

Positioning (figure 2)

Do not fit the spike feet until you have found the best position for your speakers.

To find the optimum position in the room may involve a certain amount of experimentation, but as an initial guide:

Position the speakers and the centre of the listening area approximately at the corners of an equilateral triangle.

Keep the speakers at least 2m apart to maintain left-right separation.

The proximity of the speakers to walls affects the sound quality.See the section“Fine Tuning” below.

Stray magnetic fields

The speaker drive units create stray magnetic fields that extend beyond the boundaries of the cabinet.

We recommend you keep magnetically sensitive articles (television and computer screens, computer discs, audio and video tapes, swipe cards and the like) at least 0.5m from the speaker.

Connections (figure 3)

All connections should be made with the equipment switched off.

There are 2 pairs of terminals at the back of the speaker to permit bi-wiring. The lower pair feed the bass and the upper pair feed the midrange and tweeter.

The terminals are insulated to prevent any likelihood of electrical shock, even when the speakers are used with the highest powered amplifiers, and accept a variety of cable termination to suit most applications.

Bi-wiring is the preferred method of connection and involves the use of separate cables from the amplifier to each pair of terminals. The separation of the signal paths improves the resolution of low- level detail and allows the user to optimise the type of cable to the frequency range of use.

Should you not want to bi-wire, perhaps during the initial set-up procedure or because you do not want to see a multitude of cables in the room, short cables are provided to link both positive and both negative speaker terminals together.

When using the links, insert the spade into the slot in the side of one terminal and the crimped pin into the round side hole in the other. There is enough clearance to insert a spade connector from the amplifier into the same terminal as the crimped pin.

Ensure each positive terminal on the speaker (coloured red) is connected to the positive output terminal of the amplifier and negative (coloured black) to negative. Incorrect connection can result in poor imaging and loss of bass.

When bi-wiring, do not use the linking cables. Take extra care with the polarity of the connections as incorrect connection can also impair the frequency response through the bass-midrange crossover and,

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Bowers & Wilkins 804, 803 owner manual English, Limited Warranty

803, 804 specifications

The Bowers & Wilkins 803 loudspeaker is a prime example of high-end audio engineering, renowned for its exceptional performance and elegant design. Part of the 800 Series, which has been celebrated by audiophiles and music professionals alike, the 803 combines advanced technologies with a refined aesthetic.

One of the most notable features of the Bowers & Wilkins 803 is its innovative driver technology. It utilizes a 30mm Carbon Dome tweeter that provides clear and detailed high frequencies, ensuring that even the subtlest nuances in music are preserved. This tweeter is positioned above the mid-range drivers in a unique design known as the "tweeter-on-top" configuration, which minimizes distortion and ensures an accurate soundstage.

The mid-range drivers in the 803 are crafted from a proprietary material called Continuum, which offers improved response and lower coloration compared to traditional materials. This allows the speaker to deliver a rich and warm sound while maintaining clarity and precision across a broad range of frequencies. The bass performance is powered by dual 8-inch Aerofoil woofers, designed with a variable thickness profile to reduce distortion and provide powerful, articulate low-end reproduction.

Another significant technological advancement in the Bowers & Wilkins 803 is its use of Flowport bass reflex design. This feature enhances airflow and reduces turbulence, resulting in deeper, more controlled bass that enriches the listening experience. The cabinet construction also plays a crucial role in sound quality. The 803's enclosure is rigid and carefully braced, minimizing resonance and vibrations that can detract from audio performance.

Aesthetically, the Bowers & Wilkins 803 is stunning. Available in various finishes, including rosenut, walnut, and gloss black, it is designed to seamlessly blend into any environment while making a bold statement. The speaker's sleek lines and premium materials exude sophistication, making it a statement piece in any home.

In terms of connectivity, the Bowers & Wilkins 803 is versatile, allowing it to be used with a variety of audio setups and equipment. Whether you're a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, the 803 delivers an immersive experience that brings music to life with astonishing realism and depth. With its combination of innovative technology, premium materials, and stunning aesthetics, the Bowers & Wilkins 803 sets a new standard for high-end loudspeakers.