Short answer: the B&W 805S for better sound quality, the Aperion Audio Verus V8B for the lower price. The B&W 805S ranks #81 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $2500. The Aperion Audio Verus V8B ranks #83 at $1499, $1001 cheaper.
What the B&W 805S offers: Bass and dynamic performance are strong for the cabinet size, playing very loud with well-controlled bass distortion. Watch for: CEA2034 spinorama shows directivity breaking down badly starting around 1kHz and staying poor to 3kHz - a wide crossover-region flaw the reviewer called “clearly flawed execution” that leaves vocals sounding recessed.
On the Aperion Audio Verus V8B side: Low-distortion bass that reaches a reasonable level for an 8-inch mid-woofer - the reviewer had no complaints about bass cleanliness, just extension. Set against that: A large mid-range scoop from about 100Hz-500Hz strips out the “meat” of male and female vocals, giving the speaker an overall dull, subdued character the reviewer specifically didn’t care for.
Buy the B&W 805S if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Aperion Audio Verus V8B if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 100 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&W 805S | Aperion Audio Verus V8B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2500 Discontinued | $1,499 |
| Ranked | #81 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #83 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5" woven Kevlar cone mid/bass | 8" Woven Kevlar long-throw woofer, 1.1" Custom Aperion ASR dome tweeter with ferrofluid |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in | 17"H x 10.6"W x 13"D |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each | 28 lbs each |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) | 30Hz - 35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 5.7 ohms nominal / ~3 ohms EPDR minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 50-120W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Recommended Power | - | 20-150W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
B&W 805S: $2500 Discontinued
Pros: Bass and dynamic performance are strong for the cabinet size, playing very loud with well-controlled bass distortion. Horizontal beamwidth stays reasonably smooth through -6dB. Build quality has enough of a “quality feel” that the reviewer said it kept the speaker from the lowest possible rating.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows directivity breaking down badly starting around 1kHz and staying poor to 3kHz - a wide crossover-region flaw the reviewer called “clearly flawed execution” that leaves vocals sounding recessed and masked without EQ correction. A high 4kHz crossover point appears to leave the tweeter’s small sub-enclosure resonating audibly during playback. Discontinued, superseded by the 805 Diamond/805 D4 series. Discontinued.
Full B&W 805S review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5" woven Kevlar cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum) |
| Power Handling | 50-120W |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Aperion Audio Verus V8B: $1,499 Aperion Audio
Pros: Low-distortion bass that reaches a reasonable level for an 8-inch mid-woofer - the reviewer had no complaints about bass cleanliness, just extension. Wide-enough horizontal radiation to give some room involvement without being uncomfortably narrow. HDF (high-density fiberboard) cabinet construction instead of the more typical MDF. Nice aesthetic in the gloss cherry finish (also available in black); solidly built at nearly 28 lbs each.
Cons: A large mid-range scoop from about 100Hz-500Hz strips out the “meat” of male and female vocals, giving the speaker an overall dull, subdued character the reviewer specifically didn’t care for. Two back-to-back resonant peaks (around 4kHz and 10kHz) cause sibilance and an overbearing hi-hat crispness on some tracks; toeing the speakers 30 degrees off-axis helps a little but doesn’t remove the underlying resonances. At $1,499/pair, the reviewer felt EQ shouldn’t be necessary to get a satisfying result out of the box. Minimum impedance (EPDR) dips to around 3 ohms despite a 5.7-ohm nominal rating, so a Class AB amplifier needs to be 4-ohm capable. Bass extension is modest for an 8” driver - measured F3 55Hz/F10 39Hz, getting into the mid-40s Hz in-room rather than truly deep bass.
Full Aperion Audio Verus V8B review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 17"H x 10.6"W x 13"D |
| Drivers | 8" Woven Kevlar long-throw woofer, 1.1" Custom Aperion ASR dome tweeter with ferrofluid |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 35kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 5.7 ohms nominal / ~3 ohms EPDR minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 28 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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