The B&W 805V’s are really little miracle boxes. They have a wide and deep soundstage with amazing 3D imaging – but don’t place them too close to walls. The bass is awesome for a speaker of this size, controlled and deep, and even when there is a lot of bass in the recording, the soundstage stays focussed. Acoustics and vocals sound incredibly real and tangible and you can almost forget that you’re listening to a loudspeaker.
I am using it with an Audiolab 8000A amp – and I get very good results. The 8000A can sound a trifle cold with some loudspeakers, but with the 805’s I get a huge 3D sound stage, controlled bass that goes really deep and very real sounding mid range. I use them with an older model passive B&W subwoofer, but they also sound really good without (in my room which is not too big).

I just love these speakers and I do not think there is anything in this price range that can touch them.

Midrange and upper range approaching good planar speakers (in terms of clarity and general sound quality). Bass is reasonable, better than what you'd expect from such a small box (better than the 602, certainly, but this speaker outclasses the 602 in all ways)Very nice sounding speaker. I'm upgrading from a 602, and the difference in clarity is impressive. They also, aside from the depth of bass response (for obvious reasons) sound much sweeter than the NHT 2.5is that I compared them to in the store. Look for good prices on this speaker; the dealer I bought it from told me they were being discontinued, and sold me the pair (they were used, also... still warranted, though) with a set of Audio Anchor stands for $650. I'm very happy with the deal... I think for the $2000 that the setup would cost new that you can do better, though, so I'm giving them 4 stars.

Very good sound, tranparent sound, very accurate and lifelike for classical music

none

I can't find any better sounding speakers in this price range for playing classical music, the female voice sound so real, I have tried and changed speakers for 6 years before I settled with this speakers from late 1995, I still like this pair., even compare to other newer and exotic speakers like Italian compact speakers.
My system consist of :
For Music : Audio innovation tube pre amp and 50 w tube monoblock, Marantz and Rotel CD player, Van Den Hull interconnect and speaker cable (bi-wired).
For AV : Rotel THX Dolby pre-amp, with 2 Rotel THX RB-985 for bi-amp, a pair of B&W DM 601 and a Matrix HTM for front L/R/C, and a pair of B&W THX surround speakers, Monster cabling, with video source from Denon Laser disk player, RCA DVD player, Sony Hifi Video VHS.

Similar Products Used:

a lot of good brands compact speaker

For this type, class and price range this is absolutely the best speaker. In particular, its highs and mid-range are sweet, clear and magical.

For the best speaker in the world -- there are none.

A qualified review of a speaker should be made not within a few weeks of purchase, but after long-term usage. It takes time for high quality speakers to be "burnt in", for them to settle into its new environment, and for the listener to adjust his/her audio components. I've had my 805s now for almost 7 years and only after listening to the 805 demonstration model for four years and comparing them to literally hundreds of other models overseas and in the USA. I was an ardent Bose owner for over 20 years until I first heard B&W 11 years ago. Once I saved to purchase the 805s, I promptly dumped Bose and never looked back -- there simply was no comparison -- like comparing the quality of baseball between MLB and the Little Leagues, the quality automotives of a Mercedes (or BMW) with the Yugo, or the beauty of the Blue Diamond to the $5 Wal Mart imitation. Over the years these speakers have converted no less than a dozen hard-core Bose owners to true believers of musical fidelity and harder-core B&W owners. Two of them, within several minutes of listening to their own CDs on my system, called their wives and told them that the Bose were going and that they were buying B&Ws! And, they've never looked back either!

For its type (book shelf), category (high end) and price ($1600 retail) the 805s are simply the best speakers in the world -- and even bests many full-range, high and mid range (and all mass market), and more expensive models. What is so good about them? I'll focus on its particular strengths to the types of music it excels, namely: classical, jazz, new age, and vocals; also, traditional and modern Japanese, Korean and Chinese music. Ever sat in a piano bar and listened to a singer and/or pianist performing? Well, that is the experience you will get from the 805s. Ever sat in the National Theater in WaDC and listened to a symphony or opera? Well, that is the experience you will get from the 805s. Ever sat in a jazz hall and got totally engrossed in the vocals? Well, the 805s gives you that experience as well. So sweet are these speakers that you can close your eyes and it instanteously transports you to that piano bar, that concert hall, and that jazz hall. So clear that you can hear every breathe of the singer, the guitarist strumming his guitar, and the pianist striking the keys. Close your eyes and you can visually pick out where the locations of every secion in the orchestra! So alive are these speakers that it will give you a listening experience that you will never forget. Magical, sensational, alive, joyous musical experience...what more can I say?

Unless I win the lottery, marry a rich lady, or suddenly inherit millions I shall never part with these speakers (should any of these situations occur, I would purchase the B&W 800N series). They have given me almost 7 years of total musical bliss and they shall be doing so for at least another 20.

Here is my 2 Channel System:
Speakers: B&W Matrix 805
Amplifiers: Rotel RMB 100
Control Amplifier: Nakamichi CA-5II
CD: Onkyo Integra DX-C909 CD Changer, and Rotel CD Drive
RD980 and its digital processor the RDP980
Cassette: Nakamichi 1.5
Cables and Interconnects: Monster
Surge Protector: Panamax Max 1500

Now that the new Nautilus models have replaced the Matrix series, the 805s can be had for about half on the used market. I would not hesitate for a moment to buy them. My highest recommendation for the best speakers in its class on this planet!

Similar Products Used:

Bose 801 (not any more), B&W 602, B&W 601, LM-1

warm musical mids,solid bass,reserved highs

maybe need a high power/ current/ damping factor amp. to power it

I borrowed two amp recentely
with DENSEN b-100 : a bit thin. the vocal is very beautiful,really enjoy the music,but sometimes it let you know how poor some cds are.
with CLASSE' cap-101: it maks some fat bass in my room.very tube-like.
my system:philips cd951>xlo pro125>musical fid e70(68w@8ohm)>vdh cs-122>b&.w matrix805
so i still not find the right integrate amp(below us$2000) to power it,PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH SUGGESTION.THANK YOU!

Similar Products Used:

none

Good imaging, impressive, disciplined bass...

Needs serious placement in the room.

I own the Matrix 805s for about 2 years (baought second hand, made in 1992) and this two yrs went by trying to find the best position for them in my living room (6.5x3.6m) Finally putting them against the long wall, 75cm away from the back wall on 60cm solid (home made)stands is the best location.
I am still amazed of the sound from this small, rock-hard-enclosure.
Bi-amped with my Arcam Alpha 9/9P I got even better imaging.
CD player: Arcam Alpha 8SE.
Very musical

Similar Products Used:

KEF Q60

805s, Krell KAV-300cd, Krell KAV-300i...if its in the recording, I'mgetting an accurate, stable reproduction. Perhaps not as sweet as it gets,
but I want a system which elevates my expectations in source material, not
the other way around. The 805s are truly a rock solid value in high end
audio. Have not found significant advantages with cables.biwire...yet.

My audio/video system:
Denon AVR 5600
B&W Matrix 805 -- L&R Channels
B&W MAtrix HTM -- Center Channel
Paradigm Dipoles -- Rear/Surround Channels
M&K Subwoofer
Pioneer Laser Disc w/ AC-3 Dolby Digital
Denon 2000 DVD Player w/ Digital hookup
Sony VCR
Nakamichi Cassette Deck
Sony Minidisc Player/Recorder
Sony DSS -- Digital Satelite System

Rotel Speaker Selector (for other rooms)
B&W in walls in 3 rooms
Boston Acoustics All Weather Outdoor Speakers on the Deck

The B&W 805s are an excellent soundin pair of speakers. They provide a full sound in home theater showings of both DVD and laser disc. My primary use of the speakers is for audio ( 70%) while my secondary use is video/movies ( 30%). With the music selected on the DIRECT MODE of the Denon AVR 5600, the speakers excel. They sound as good, if not better than, as a band playing right in front of me in my living room. The movie experience in Dolby Digital is breath taking. This week I watched "Face Off", "Con Air", "Twister" and "The Saint", all in Dolby Digital. My friend not only commented on the background music and sound that is brought out into the open in Dolby Digital, but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the music. "Those are awsome speakers", he said.

The B&W 805 are expensive $1600/pair but worth it. I deliberated for some time trying to justify in my mind that I should spend this money on a pair of speakers. After 6 months of patience and saving up, I forked it over. After listening to Ahmad Jamaal and Pat Metheny as tester CD's, I wondered why I waited so long. The base and treble are superb with the midrange very complete and full. After 6 moths I HAD TO HAVE the HTM Center Channel an upgrade from Paradigm CC 350). Very, very happy with the HTM as it is the exact same speaker as the 805s but with the tweeter on the side while it lays on the side. When you hear a helicopeter or airplane coming from behind and left to right, the Center Channel now provides excellent continuity.

I highly recommend the B&W Matrix 805 if you're willing to spend the money.

The B&W Matrix 805s along with a quality subwoofer provids a fuller sound tha the 804s and 803s. I listened with several CDs and found that to be the case . Since they work as they did I bought them instead of the 802s, which run $4500 and sound unbelievable. For the sound quality and price compared to other high end brands that often exceed $5000, the B&W MAtrix 805 are a true bargain.

I rate 4.5 stars out of 5. This is a very high rating in my book. No speaker is a "perfect" 5. The 5 is overused and should be resereved for the "PERFECT" speaker. The B&W Matrix 805s come awfully close, though!

I don't think these are worth the money considering what else is outthere. $1600 for a pair of these things!? I think people get excited
about the "matrix" enclosure. This matrix enclosure is just criss-
crossed MDF. What's the big deal? I'm not trying to sound mean, but
you could by a pair of Linn Keliedh's for less. These things could
destroy a pair of 805's. Have you ever heard a pair of Newform
Research R630's or Audio Concept Sapphire III's? Both cost less but
sound (in my humble opinion) world's better. I have listened to
almost every brand of speaker there is (I'm neurotic that way), and
I don't understand why so many people buy this speaker? Go check out
some other far out speakers before shelling out $1600 for these guys.
They may be worth it, but there are so many speakers that sound
better for less that I can't believe people buy Matrix 805's. I guess
B&W's advertising works!

These are great speakers. I've enjoyed them for 5 years and never been tempted by anything else. Here's a cool fact too: The 805's are the studio monitors used at Abbey Road Studios in London. If the ears at Abbey Road think these monitors carry on the tradition of the Abbey Road sound--that's enough of an endorsement for me.