B&W 805 models...

From oldest to newest:

Matrix 1
Matrix 805
Nautilus 805
Signature 805
805S

MATRIX 805 .......BUILT YEAR 1990 THRU 1998
NAUTILUS 805 .....BUILT YEAR 1998 THRU CURRENT ?
SIGNATURE 805 ....BUILT 2002 THRU CURRENT
i HOPE THIS WILL HELP A LITTLE FOR YOU WHICH IS OLDER ,NEWER OR THE NEWEST EXCEPT THE 805S ?

In order from oldest to newest, to the best of my ability:

805 Matrix, 805 Nautilus, Signature 805 ( a fancy version of 805N ) , and finally the 805S is the newest, and bosts all the newest technology that trickled down from their flagship D-series. I have had 805M and 805N and there was a definite improvement. Have fun, don't worry......

Pescolar, the Signature 805 is no longer current. They do not make any of the models listed except the 805S. Every model has it's own unique set of technology. Fife hit it dead on.

Is the 805S better than or equal to the 805 signature?

"Is the 805S better than or equal to the 805 signature?"

Depends on who you ask. I've owned both. Both did things that I liked. My preference, I liked the sig 805 better. The 805S is still a fantastic speaker. Alot of people disagree with me. I think partly because most want to like the new stuff out there.

I forgot to add the B&W Silver Signature!

The Natuilus 805 is not necessairyl better than the Silver Signature. Depends who you ask.

Therefor the order from Oldest to Newest:

Matrix 1
Matrix 805
B&W Silver Signature SS25
Nautilus 805
Signature 805
805S

According the British HI FI Choice (May 2005 issue), the 805S significantly outperform the Sig 805, sonically speaking.

Marketing or... - I don't know.

BTW - many roumors about (possibly?) newcoming 805D - presumably improved 805S in several areas, with major gain in Diamond tweeter...

S7horton,
i apologized,your right.

I have these speakers pair of 805N, and a pair of 805S I bought the new. Started out with 805N as a stereo set up then upgraded room 5.1 So bought the 805S and HTM4 for center. These are outstanding speakers. But lack low bass. I would not recommend these speakers without using a sub. Let me add this too. I would add a self powered sub to all speakers. This really takes the low end of the main amps and speakers.

Sorry to resurrect a 15 year old thread(!), but I am not finding an answer in my Googling.  

I heard a new pair of 805's over the holidays and was impressed.  I have a smaller listing room and think that this speaker may work well in my space.

In searching the secondhand market, I am confused by all of the models.  I am thinking that I'd like to pick up a newer pair, but what are the models and timing from the past 15 years?

Sorry to resurrect a 15 year old thread(!), but I am not finding an answer in my Googling.  

I heard a new pair of 805's over the holidays and was impressed.  I have a smaller listing room and think that this speaker may work well in my space.

In searching the secondhand market, I am confused by all of the models.  I am thinking that I'd like to pick up a newer pair, but what are the models and timing from the past 15 years?

@andy727I would stick to the D series of the 805, there's a D2 which started around 2009 and the still current D3 version which started around around 2016 (I think). 

Depending on your budget either will give you a good sound in a smaller room but I'd suggest a subwoofer to go along with them. I've heard the D3 with a JL D110 sub combo and it was fantastic!

Thanks for that, exactly what I was wondering.  I'll start with trying to find a good D3 pair..