I proudly own a pair of Matrix 801s SII I bought new back in the late 80s. I was using a Nakamichi PA7 power amp, but then upgraded in a BIG way to a Mark Levinson 336 power amp, and I think it has enough power--and the speakers sings! The only concern I have with my speakers is that repair parts for them are for the most part nonexisitant. The woofers are not made anymore, and that is a problem for anyone considering buying a pair used. If the woofer goes out, one must decide on replacing both of them with another brand of higher quality and going for an outboard crossover to dial the speakers back to specs. I plan to retire mine to my second system and drive them with a pair of Krell FPB 250 mono blocks. Any others have plans for their B&W M801s? |
I have a pair of 801 series 3 that I used to drive with a Rotel 200 watt RB-990BX. The setup sounded good, but shifted up to really great when I put in a pair of Bryston 7BST 500 watt monoblocks. The change for the better was immediately apparant in both detail and musical heft. I also installed the Northcreek crossover upgrades about a year ago and I am very pleased with the futher improvement in bass response, dynamics and sound staging that resulted. I prepared a lengthly .pdf with photos of the installation detailing my experience with the Northcreeks that I would be happy to email to any Audiogon member who wants to read it - just drop me an email through the Audiogon server. |
I have a pair of 801 series 3 that I used to drive with a Rotel 200 watt RB-990BX. The setup sounded good, but shifted up to really great when I put in a pair of Bryston 7BST 500 watt monoblocks. The change for the better was immediately apparant in both detail and musical heft. I also installed the Northcreek crossover upgrades about a year ago and I am very pleased with the futher improvement in bass response, dynamics and sound staging that resulted. I prepared a lengthly .pdf with photos of the installation detailing my experience with the Northcreeks that I would be happy to email to any Audiogon member who wants to read it - just drop me an email through the Audiogon server. |
Thanks eveyone for answering my email question. I didn't really mean to smash the quality of the Natilus series of speakers. I just think that when a company is asking $8000 plus for the 802 Natilus and above then I would like a little nicer finish than the dark or light cherry that B&W is putting on there speakers. Monitor Audio at one time made the cabinets for B&W and has had access to some very rare and exoctic finishes. B&W now has there own factory doing there wood working finishes for them and they just don't have the beauty of the former say 801 or 802 Matrix two or three in especially the Rosewood finish which blows away the finish that B&W now offers. The Natilus 800 does offer the Tiger Eye and I belive a Birds Eye Maple that is very attractive but there again it should be for $20,000. As far as the new bullit head on top the 802,801,800 its very nice but its got a more contempary look and thats fine if thats what you like but I prefer a more traditional look when it comes to speakers in general. As far as sound goes I would think the new series is better but everyone has different opinions on this subject. I'am 47 years old and have been doing this for 30 years so I guess I'am a little old fashion and like the old stuff better in alot of ways. This subject was not intended to offend Natilus users or owners but is just my personal opinion and everyone has a right to his or hers. "Happy Listening" |
Jjmali, apparently I was unusually ignorant when i bought my M802's -:), so didn't really comprehend the need for a lot of power until recently. I have a 240 wpc C-J MF2500A coming this week, which I'm hoping will "do it for me". I also agree with Kevziek about how revealing they are. Sometimes I feel like owning these speakers is like "wearing a hair shirt"--they are great, but you may go insane trying to upgrade your other components to a level that will make them sound their best. The plus side is, you learn a lot about other components you try as you will hear everything. I've also just bought a Cary pre-amp; I'm hoping the SS power of the MF2500A with the tube warmth of the Cary will make for a nice combo. Pls. e-mail me if you have any more insights. I also like to learn more about the Northcreek crossovers. thanks, steve |
I also own 802 III's, but I don't understand your criticism of the Nautilus series. They seem very well built. Although I have never heard the comparison, a couple of acquaintances have told me they chose the 802 over the 801, because they felt there was a "hole in the middle" due to the large bass driver in the 801. The 802 uses two 8-inch bass drivers. Despite criticisms about B&W, I find my 802's very competitive & revealing speakers. I think some people don't like them because they don't warm up the sound or plump up the midrange, and they reveal the faults of the other associated components. I know that I can hear very fine small details my Vandersteens never could, but the detail is not shoved in your face. It is just there to be heard deep into the mix. Of course, the addition of the Northcreek crossovers improved sonics so significantly that I think my speakers are halfway between a stock 802 III & a Nautilus 802. |
It was a pair of B&W 801 III connected to a big Krell amp that got me hooked on the hobby. |
I had owned a pair of B&W 801 series 2 and have just recently traded in for B&W n802. The matrix 801 is a great speaker that I have used for about 10 years. I have to slightly disagree with the comment that the classe dr9 are not a good match. With a single dr9- about 100wpc the sound as I recalled was ok. But at that time I purchased a 2nd dr9 and bridged it. The sound jumped a quantum level in that it woke the speaker up. There was a sense of drive and excitment that was not there with just one dr9. I also found that biwiring the speaker help improve the sound. Also I puchased the anodyne bass aligment filter which also improved the sound. If you have any other question please feel free to e-mail me. Albert |
Steve, The 802's are nice, aren't they? I am loving mine. It is amazing how much power they crave though. It was tough to imagine, considering their relatively small size. I ended up going with an Innersound ESL 300 to supply the juice. It was designed for electrostats, and I feel as though any less power for the 802's would leave me high and dry. What do you drive them with? |
Having listened to many high end speakers over the last 30 years driven by various quality electronics, my ears prefer the B&W 801 matrix s.3 speakers driven by Krell's most powerful class A amps. I love big orchestral music and nothing I've heard has reproduced the weight of that music as well as the B&W/Krell combo. One improvement to the factory M801s I've really enjoyed is the addition of Northcreek external crossovers. |
I was a B&W dealer (hobby type) for several years and found the MK 1s and 2s easy to drive and that they sounded good with about everything. That said, I would think a high current amp of considerable size would work well. Some of the older Krells are showing up at reasonable prices. I was a Krell dealer also but not at the same time. I would avoid the KMA 100s as my pair blew up twice. I would also not use the Classe DR 9 as I think it's deficiencies would aggravate those of the 801. Have not used their later models. I think you will not be disappointed ; I have thought about picking up a pair myself, notwithstanding the fact that I have more now than I can manage. I would get stands for them if possible. Drop me a line if I can be any help. Stan |
I've also noticed the used price of M801's--not that much more that M802's. My theory is their relative low price is due to their huge, heavy size, & how much power they need. And it must be very difficult to ship them, which limits their resale. And the looks--well, IMO, most people wouldn't call them "sexy", at least, they're not sleek looking like the Nautilus Series. But I think you're right in considering them a great speaker, & a bargain used, if you can deal with the size & need for big amps. Based on what I know about B&W speakers--they need lots of SS power to sound their best. Like.....Bryston 7BST's, the larger Krells, or the like. I'm thinking, hold out for SIII's, but then I've never heard the SII's. One of my first "high end" listening experiences was hearing M801SIII's at a dealer fed with the most expensive Krell gear they had. It was pretty amazing, wish I could remember the models of Krell CDP, pre, & power amps they were using. I own M802SIII's, & I keep thinking that they're a speaker that can "do just about anything", when fed with enough power, & matched with really high quality components upstream. Good luck; hopefully you'll hear from people who own M801's as well. |
I hate to pick, but I cannot understand how you would call the build quality "cheap" on the new Nautilus series B&W's. I personally own a pair of Matrix series 802's (similar in build to the 801's) and they simply don't compare (in any way) to the Nautilus series. I have had quite a bit of experience with the Nautilus series. I have spent thousands of hours listening to a pair of Nautilus 802's, and they SMOKE the matrix 802's in every capacity. |
I hate to pick, but I cannot understand how you would call the build quality "cheap" on the new Nautilus series B&W's. I personally own a pair of Matrix series 802's (similar in build to the 801's) and they simply don't compare (in any way) to the Nautilus series. I have had quite a bit of experience with the Nautilus series. I have spent thousands of hours listening to a pair of Nautilus 802's, and they SMOKE the matrix 802's in every capacity. |
