B&W vs. Aerial (1 Viewer)

[John Doran]

i was wondering if anyone has compared the B&W N802 and HTM1 to the Aerial LR5 and CC5.

i live in Toronto, where the only Aerial dealer doesn't actually have the LR5 or CC5.

thanks,

- jd

 

[John Doran]

somebody?

anybody?

 

[Frank_S]

John, I have read numerous threads on this forum regarding your question. Go to www.avsforum.com
Perform a search under B&W vs Aerial, or Aerial.
There's a very long thread in the archives.
Personally, both of them are very nice, I have heard both the 802's and Lr5's, but at different locations. You really need to hear them for yourself If your local Aerial dealer can't let you audition the LR5's, I would have to wonder why. If he's any kind of dealer, he'll bring them in for you in order to listen for yourself. Good luck.

 

[Mike Burke]

I do not own either speaker but I have demoed them a few times (More B&W, the Aerial). For Music I LOVE the N802's and for H.T., I think that Aerial makes one of the best center channels on the market for IMHO B&W's are horrible considering how great their speakers are...I don't know what it is but the HTM series doesn't do a damm thing for me. How would the N802's sound with the CC5? .
IMO, Revel is the company that does the best job at matching the quality of the center to the quality of their mains with Aerial being a close second. In that price range have you auditioned the Revel Studio's and Voice center? The new F50's are amazing and $3k cheaper then new Studios.
Ultimately speakers are like fine wines...everyone's taste is different...that's why I drink beer!

 

[Alex Prosak]

Ultimately speakers are like fine wines...everyone's taste is different...that's why I drink beer!

Being a home brewer, I must differ with this comment. There are soooo many fine beers of different styles available too. Please, put down the Bud Light and try Sam Smiths Oatmeal Stout, Fuller's ESB, Spaten Optimator, Alaska Amber, or hundreds of other fine brews.

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

"I think that Aerial makes one of the best center channels on the market for IMHO B&W's are horrible considering how great their speakers are...I don't know what it is but the HTM series doesn't do a damm thing for me."
That's a pretty extreme way of putting your opinion Mike. I do believe that you are the first person I've ever heard call the HTM speakers "horrible." I must respectfully disagree. While it may not do a damn thing for you, the HTM 1 and 2 speakers are incredible, voice matched perfectly to the rest of the Nautilus line.
Jeremy

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

"Being a home brewer, I must differ with this comment. There are soooo many fine beers of different styles available too. Please, put down the Bud Light and try Sam Smiths Oatmeal Stout, Fuller's ESB, Spaten Optimator, Alaska Amber, or hundreds of other fine brews."
ROFLMAO
Alex, I think all of our HTF friends should try out the Alaskan Amber...incredible brew. I've had a bunch of problems with GCI this week, so if you've mailed me lately about next weekend's get together...I haven't gotten your message. Let me know what's happening.
Jer

 

[Justin Doring]

Both Aerial and B&W have their die-hard fans. Both make good speakers, and both are overpriced in my opinion.

I've heard it been said, on more than one occasion and by more than one person, that the $7,000 (base finish) Aerial 10T sounds about the same as the $2,800 (base finish) PSB Stratus Goldi. After hearing hearing both speakers, I must say that there is more than a little bit truth in that seemingly extreme statement.

Aerial and B&W sound rather different. Aerial is on the warm side, almost to a fault, and the B&W Nautilus series is a bit bright. I'd personally give the edge to B&W in terms of both sound and value. Both companies make great center channels, but I'd probably give the edge to Aerial regarding this, mainly because I prefer warmer speakers for HT.

If you are looking in this price range, however, I'd take a serious look at Revel (makers of the best center channel on earth), Dynaudio, Vienna Acoustics, NHT, Dunlavy, and Martin Logan, as they all, in my opinion, make better speakers and offer more value for your money than Aerial or B&W.

 

[rodneyH]

I must admit, that is the first time I have heard such a negative statement about the B&W center channel in the HTM range. Interesting, especially when the HTM2 is a 805 in a different box, and the HTM1 is a 804, so I don't really understand that statement.

 

[Mike Burke]

Jeremy and Rodney,
As my closing statement says...Everyone's taste is different. Ultimately it comes down to the listener to what THEY prefer.
I LOVE B&W speakers so I am not against them....maybe the demo room/equipment I heard the HTM in didn't do it justice. I know they used a MC-1 processor and I think it was Lexicon 512 amp (aka Bryston 9B for center & surrounds) When I am ready to do my next upgrade I will give the B&W it's fair shake just at a different dealer or try to visit some owner's homes so I can hear it again. It was about 4 years ago when I heard it. Maybe a new audition will make me eat my words but I'd rather have Mr. Prosek's home brew!
Has anyone heard the Signature series center channel?

 

[rodneyH]

was The new Nautulis design out in the 800 series 4 years ago?? perhaps you listened to the matrix?

 

[Mike Burke]

Rodney,

It was definitely the Nautilus series for it was N803 mains, HTM2 center, and N805 rears. I would love to get my hands on the last series Matrix 801's...those are one of my alltime favorite speakers.

 

[rodneyH]

Mike, I see the Matrix for sale on Ebay and audiogon occasionally, you might have some luck finding them there.

 

[Steve Morgan]

Speaking of great Center channel speakers you might audition the Von Schweikert LCR-35 or 50 definetly competes with the Aerials.

Cheers,

Steve M.

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

"It was definitely the Nautilus series for it was N803 mains, HTM2 center, and N805 rears."

If I was showcasing this system, I would have elected to go with the HTM-1 center channel. The HTM-2 seems a better fit for the 804/5 set-up...but I think that the HTM-1 fits much better with the 801/2/3 set-ups.

Definitely check it out down the road in a different set-up. The electronics you heard are definitely top of the line, but they may have not had the system calibrated, room treated, or any one of other possibilities. I'm not very familiar with Aerial and I'm sure they make incredible speakers...but one of the most exciting things to me about the Nautilus line is their center channels. The dialog is so crisp and clean with those speakers it's unreal.

Jeremy

 

[John Desmond]

Since we're talking about "the best center" available. This one must surely be in the running. It includes it's own powered woofers with parametric EQ and vertically arranged mid-tweeter array. ACI quality is second to none, I'd expect this would hold true with the Veritas:
http://www.audioc.com/speakers/Veritas/intro.htm