What are your general thoughts of B&W speakers

Never liked them, as many have pointed out they sound "dry" and are uninvolving IMHO. Overall they are hifi sounding and not musical.

I actually like older Matrix 801 S3 better than the newer series...

B&W seem to be like Wilson in that people who don't like them really think they suck. Personally to each his own, tastes very greatly. I own a pair and am not going to change them out for a long time. They work well if properly setup, powered, and matched with equal level electronics. Basically you will get out of them what you put into them. They can be finicky with placement from rear wall as the bass will be muddy if too close. They also excel with higher powered amps.

Manitunc, That was exactly what I read in the post when somebody went to buy B&W but listened also to Sonus Faber. He felt that B&W were more "impressive" but left store with Sonus Faber.

I use mine for home theater and i could not be happier... if you are talking 2 channel....well.... that might be a different story as the two channel guys are very particular about things... Some say wire changes sound others talk about raising their speakers up a few inches make night and day sound difference others have talked about adding foil to their amps and the sound changes... i personally don't hear the differences but again i use my speakers for home theater and i have not tried some of the "tweeks" and i usually buy used so the price for the quality would be a hard argument to make.

in speakers or set up or what ever i have found... that a quality amp "no names" just a quality amp makes a noticeable difference and a good processor makes a noticeable difference.

i am sure that ANY speaker would sound "bad" if not driven correctly and by quality components...

besides that maybe my ears are not as good as others.

Bill