B&W Matrix 800: Bi-amping thoughts?

I agree with the similar caliber, but you would want more power if you want the bass to really do what it can.  Those speakers are rated to 800 watts power handling capability and while you don't need 800 watts, you will want more than 100 watts, especially if you enjoy listening at higher volumes.

I kind of assume your pop didn't listen to hard driving music much using only the Defy7.

When I bought my N801s I thought that my 300 watt Mcintosh would get me by but it only took about 10 minutes of listening to realize that the speakers sounded kind of starved in the low frequencies.

I ended up biamping with 130 watts on the highs and 1k watts on the woofers.  This is probably overkill but at the time I wasn't sure how much I really needed and I didn't want to disappoint myself a second time.

The monoblocks really opened up the low end and I have never regretted the purchase.

If I were you I would look for at least 400 watts or more for your low end, and really the more the better if you like to thrash.

Bill

I forgot to add that those are wonderful speakers.  You are a lucky person.

Bill

I can only speak about my own experience.  My N801s are 91db.  The recommended power range is 50 to 1000 watts.  Using my 300 watt amp, volume levels would go high (SPL) but the bass just didn't keep up.  I think a high power high current amp is what will bring those woofers to life.  However, YMMV.

Bill

And, I was surprised to find that when the monoblocks were in play, even lower volumes sounded more filled out.

sorry for the double posts, but I'm kind of a slow thinker.

Bill