OK, given you have a pair of speakers you enjoy time is on your side. Again, good luck in your search. Also, congrats on the generation of a 3 page thread! :-) |
xyobgyn, Thanks for responding. I'll keep my eye out for a pair. I hope I'll find prices like you did. I also wonder whether you (or anyone) might know how the Matrix 805 compares with Bowers & Wilkins' 685 S2, DM1, or DM2. Thanks, Jay
Jay15206,
I saw your response just now, sorry for the delay. I
have 2 pair of B&W Matrix 805. One bought many, many years ago for
$750, and the second pair more recently, alas, I can not find my auction
for the most recent. I do buy with Esnipe, and I am patient. I also
have a pair of HTM, the horizontal version of the Matrix 805. I bought
them one at a time as they are often sold that way. I bought the first
to scavenge for parts for my 805 that I thought was damaged, in fact,
once I got it down off the high shelf, it was a loose cable! So, I
bought a second for a bedroom small system. The most recent HTM I did
find on my Ebay auction list, it was purchased for $250.
Looking at Ebay, at completed, or sold auctions, I do find the following:
Matrix 805 pairs: 3/18 $525, 2/26 $499, 2/18 $550, 1/29 $601, 1/25 $540, 1/15 $575 etc...
Matrix HTM single: 3/24 $349, 2/27 $210, 2/19 $260, 2/10 199.
In
fact, I follow the prices closely as the old Matrix series has great
value. I have also a pair of 804s, 3 of the 802's I've used for LCR for
years in HT set up.
I would break even selling my pair of HTM for $500 plus shipping I think, but I love them!
(Fed
by an Oppo 105 direct into a Bryston 3B ST, or, occasionally into a
Bryston XLR 10B with bass going to a PCS-8 from B&W, all driven by a
Bryston 5B ST.)
xyobgyn:
"B&W Matrix 805 used
Used is about $500, and will retain that value for some time. Remarkably hard to beat for $500"
The only ones I've seen for sale recently ran $795 unless they
were seriously damaged. There's a pair without tweeters for $395 on
eBay, $749 for a pair in which two front clips on tweeter housings were
broken and glued back on.
There was a pair on Audiogon for $795
IIRC a week or two back. I guess they sold for that amount, as I no
longer see them when I search. There's even a guy who's had a pair for
$995 on US Audio Mart since September.
If you have a pair you'd like to sell for $500, xyobgyn, please let me know.
|
Really hard to beat BA in this category. Their new A series with a return to a dome tweeter is a nice addition. In the used market I prefer the older lines that dont utilize the V metal tweeter. These are plentiful and affordable, although some might need refoaming. |
I would also look into a used pair of Dynaudio DMs. They were significant better than the Elac B6 in every way, when I owned one. I would imagine that the Elac UB5 is closer to the Dynaudios. Honestly...you will never be happy with a $500 dollar speakers :p. I personally would save up and little more and buy either the KEF LS50, Harbeth P3ESR or Vandersteen 1C. Good luck! |
KEF LS50, Harbeth P3 need save not only a little more, it's 2 to 3 times, it's hard to beat the Wharfedale Denton, the romantic sound, heritage build, and fantastic price |
