B&W Matrix 801 Series II

Hi Elee,

Ok, no problem. Yes, I have read that too. Definitely the Matrix 800. Looking back, it was a bargain at the price (I believe $15k USD) and will probably blow away the current 800 series, or at least be very comparable. Yeah, you really need to invest money in amps and cables as the 800s are quad wired.

Wemfan

If I acquire the speakers then I will need some help selecting an amplifier.

Wemfan - Good luck with them. We're here to help.
Its always a lot of fun spending others peoples money picking out gear. :^)
If you do get them let us know what the budget is for amp/s and how they sound with your existing amps first.
I am really curious to hear how the Mc tube amp set at 4 ohms, sounds in nearfield with music focusing on strings and vocals.

Cheers

Hi Elee

I would upgrade to the matrix 800, but that would need some serious amp power, possibly more room than I have now.

Despite their menacing appearance the matrix 800's are the most room friendly speakers I have ever owned.
The double woofers top and bottom each excite a different set of waves.
result is the waves cancel each other out. the response is very smooth.
The cabinet for the upper woofer is even heavier than the bottom one as it doesn't have the floor to help dampen it.
the owners manual confirms how different placements worked well during B&W testing.
This includes widely spaced and angled in; as well as in a narrow room shooting straight down.

Another example of how room friendly they are can also be seen from the actual Stereophile review by musician Lewis Lipnick with his 800's

His room was on the small side with low ceilings.

I studied them for a number of years thinking about buying them.
The only time they come up for sale it seems is if the music lover/audiophile is retiring into a small condo and needs to part with them or Divorce. A retiree is how I happened on mine.
Cheers

GOOD NEWS TO REPORT!!!!

I called down to the store a little while ago and made the deal. I will pick the speakers up tomorrow but it may be the weekend before I have the time to get them hooked up and play with them. Anyway, they are mine. Now, to just get these huge boxes home!!!

Congrats Wemfan ... 801 adventure about to begin..