I'had the opportunity to swap my "old" MATRIX 802 S2 B&W to an MATRIX 802 S3 version.Those speakers are incredible, pure, deep bass, micro detailed you can see the band in front of you.
I heard a lot of other speaker (Martin Logan; Infinty, Bose, ect) but the 802 is far from those.
Also very interseting in placement (smallest than the 801)so wife is happy.

If you like classical music and human voice try it.

I know that a new serie is now available from B&W (800 Nautilus serial) but the price for the 802 Nautilus is realy not the same.
So you could perhaps have a 802 S3 second hand for a very interesting price.

Great dynamics, very detailed, revealing and fast, huge sound stage, very good imaging

Can sound too bright with some electronics and cables, lacks bass in the deepest register (below 40 Hz)

I have been using the B&W Matrix 802 S3 for a year now.
My other equipment:

AVM V1 Pre-amplifier
2 x AVM M1 high current Monoblocks (100 W)
Musical Fidelity X-Ray 24K CD player
Kimber 8TC speaker cable
Harmonic Technology Truth Link Interconnects

I was immediately impressed with the sound staging, dynamics, detail and spped of these speakers. Initially I used them with Transparant the Link interconnects, which resulted in a sound that overemphisized the top end, resulting in some edginess and glare with some soprano vocals. After upgrading the The Harmonic Technology truthlink, the B&W's now sound very natural, open and far more relaxed.

I am really happy with the balanced sound I have achieved with the system. The AVM is a very fast amplifier that controls these speakers very well, the X-Ray CD player is a very neutral sounding CD player which is capable of extracting incredible detail, and the Harmonic Tech cables just helps the music to flow in a relaxed and natural way, without emphasizing any part of the music spectrum.

I listen mostly to Classical, Jazz and Opera, and thanks to my tolerant neighbours I am able to listen a realistic levels. The B&W 802s are able to portray the dynamics and realism of live concerts if partnered with good equipment and would recommend them very highly.

Similar Products Used:

B&W Matrix 805s

I always feel that the B&W 802 series 3 is a little blurry in the bass.I think the problem lies in the 5 or 6 iron-core inductors for the
woofers. Does anyone know any successful mod on the crossover?

I just purchased a set of these a couple days ago. I listened to them at the local musicstore last year but didn't have the funds to buy. I picked these up at a fairly good deal
from someone upgrading to the Nautilus ($$$$) 802's. These are definitely the
best sounding speakers I've had the pleasure to own. I'm running a SonyES CD player,
Denon AVP-8000 pre-amp, and Adcom GFA-7000 power amp. Whatever CD I put in, it sounds phenominal! I listen to a lot of different kinds of music and haven't been
dissapointed with a recording yet. These speakers have incredibly detailed highs,
perfect imaging, and low accurate bass. I've read where some have said the bass
isn't strong or clear enough...I beg to differ!! These speakers get five stars and anyone
interested in owning a pair, can probably find a deal on a used set.

Hello.
Back in 1991, when I had just graduated from University and gotten my first real pay check, I went shopping for an audio system.

When I heard the 802s in the showroom, I was floored. Never before had I heard anything like it. It was the closest thing to sublime. However, I couldn't afford the 802s on my paycheck, and settled for the DM600s instead.

Over the years, I hankered after the Matrix 802s which had evolved to an 802 series 3. And just when I figured that I would be able to afford a pair some time in the near future, B&W did what every self-respecting manufacturer does - introduce an improved model and price it for the American (money-is-never-an-issue) audiophile. Charging what Wilson Audio does has become the goal of virtually every fine loudspeaker company. After all, why charge less, when you sell more each time you hike the price.

I do not deny that the Nautilus 802s are superior, (I actually persuaded my cousin to buy a pair), but where does that leave poor slobs like me? Now that the Nautilus 802 is more than two times the cost of the Matrix 802s, getting the loudspeaker of my dreams is simply out of the question. And B&W does not seem to want to fill the void left by the demise of the matrix 802s (at that price point).

I've tried to find subsitutes:
Martin Logan SL3s, KEF Reference 4. They're all pretty exciting in their own way, but they lack the magic of the 802s. Some how, the alternatives lack intimacy. They don't tantilize and titilate like the matrix 802s.

I've decided to try to do something about it. I've created an on-line petition in the hopes of getting B&W to put the matrix 800 series back on the production line. The url of my petition is http://www.awedio.com.

If any of you feel the way I do about the matrix 802s or any other matrix 800 model, please participcate in my on-line petition. I hope to tally the results after about 6 months. When you get to the awedio.com site, please click on the Surveys link to get to the Matrix 800 Series petition.

And please, do pass this message on to other B&W Matrix 800 series fans.

fast, articulate, linear, non distorting, good soundstage, powerful

can be too loud for a small room

The best dynamic speaker I have ever owned. can play loud without changing the charater of the music and are compact. I bought the last one that my dealer had. These speakers do need some room to sound their best in.
If you can find a good used pair, jump on them. Their overall sonic balance is excellent with just enough warmth to flesh out the music but very fast and coherent. The can do discotheque and jazz and sound honest to both styles. I think the new nautilus line are overpriced and not much better (the law of diminishing returns).

Similar Products Used:

kef 104.2,PSB stratus gold, Vandersteen 2ce signature, Thiel 2.2, martin logan aerius i,

Superb imaging; uncoloured, detailed and transparent sound. Superior build quality.

Deep bass below 50Hz inadequate especially in large rooms, slight hardness at the very top end.

After living with the older 802's since 1983, and loving the sound, I upgraded in 1997 to the 802 S3 Matrix. Since they were side by side for a few days I could compare them, and the sheer improvement in transparency and detail theat the new ones have is breathtaking. Being quite neutral they sound good on almost everything, but outstanding with vocals. They are quite revealing of even subtle changes in system set up and one can easily use very good components with these speakers. Using a 15-18 inch, taut sounding subwoofer with these will raise the sound quality well into serious high end. My previous 802s did not need replacement for 14 years and I expect the same value from these.

Similar Products Used:

802(1983), B&W 805 Matrix (rear channels).