Accurate and musical presentation, disappear in relation to the music, sound stage extends substantially beyond the speakers in both depth and width, phenomenal bass response from such a small box

None that I've noticed, whilst bass is good, not as good as bigger speakers but remarkable for their size (what can you expect)

I looked for years for the speakers that would form a solid foundation for my long term Audio/Video set up.

Like most people on this site, I cannot compliment B&W enough for these brilliant little speakers.

Please note that the minor point re Bass has arisen since my switch to Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS/THX but has just been rectified by the addition in the last couple of days of the Boston Acoustics PV1000 Subwoofer - I will report in detail on this once I have had a chance to set it up properly and listen for a while.

I was attracted to B&W first by the CM2 which was part of the late 80's, early 90's Concept 90 series - the first time I ever really heard that detached sound (ie; the speakers disappear) undoubtedly because of the Matrix enclosure and I've never heard anything top this. Incidentally I got these for a really good price of only $2250 in Australia (bought the Matrix HTM later as well) when their retail (albeit immediately as they were discontinued) was around A$3500.

Awesome speakers.

Remainder of system:

B&W Matrix 805 Front L/R
B&W Matrix HTM Centre
Boston Acoustics VRS-Pro surrounds
Boston Acoustics PV-1000 Subwoofer
Onkyo TX-SD777 Receiver
Rotel RB-991 to L/R
Sony Kirrara Basso 29" TV
Pioneer DVL909 DVD/Laser Combi Player
Pioneer CT-95 Cassette Deck
Sony SLV-X11AS VHS HiFi VCR
Musical Fidelity X-PSU
Musical Fidelity X-24K D/A Converter (for CD)
Yamaha ADP-1 FM Demodulator (for DD5.1 Laser Discs)
Solid Steel sand filled SL-6 stands for the 805's

Similar Products Used:

KEF 104/4, KEF 103/3, Spendor, B&W CM2, Mission.

I have always liked the sound of B&W's matrix series, and the 805 is no exception. I love the well built solid and compact design. The sound is detailed, rich, palpable, and has a solidity and weight more like live music. And the output and dynamics is surprising for such a small speaker.
Currently I am using the 805s as my L/R surrounds with an HTM center and 802s for my L/R channels. The 805s blend very well when properly setup. Only strong discreet DD signals are localizable.

Until recently I also had a pair of Sapphire IIIs from ACI. While these are nice speakers that excell in certain areas; i.e. imaging, depth of soundstage, I think the 805s outscore them in a broader range of performance criteria.

Highly recommended, especially if you can get a good price on a used pair.

I borrowed the 805 overnight. I dropped it onto the stands used to hold my Monitor Audio Studio 2, and listened to the usual cadre of music. I tried the 805 with each run off a Meridian 505 mono amp, and biamped with an additional Meridian stereo amp running the tweeters. I tried it with and without a Monitor Audio subwoofer.
The 805 is not a rip off, but at its price of $1600 it is not a screaming deal. The speakers are not very well pair matched, and this was easy to verify with a mono FM broadcast that lacked the single point source I have grown used to with my other two pairs of speakers (KEF Ref 3/MA Studio 2). I felt it did best on solo piano. As textures of the music thickened, it begins to fall apart a bit. Choral music fared the worst.

Puzzling item: The speaker was noticably "darker" when biamped, and the pair matching problem seemed markedly worse. I can't come up with a good reason why this would be so, but it was a hard conclusion for me to write off to fatigue or boredom. Ideas anyone?

george

I´ve recently sold my pair of 805´s, which means I wasn´t totally satisfied with them. This is a extremely neutral and analytical loudspeaker which has to be well matched, though it will show your other components weaknesses instantly.They are also very demanding of good recordings. If you didn´t know it allready, most records sounds like crap! In my system, they also sounded a little bright and harsh together with amplification from Electrocompaniet (EC-3MC/AW-250 DMB), and a Pioneer PD-77 cd-player.
Well matched, this loudspeaker puts out an incredible soundstage for a loudspeaker this size, with a strong midrange(maby a little bright), and a very well dissoluted treble. The bass is also good with a truly solid punch(won´t wake up the neighbours though).
Finally, I think this is a true bargain at the price(about 1200 USD in Sweden), and for this craftmanship you usually have to pay a hole lot more. Just knock on it. Solid as a rock!(well, almost)
If you´re looking for a truly accurate speaker, here it is. But if you want a warm or more "romantic" speaker which will happily play all your records without sounding really bad, look elsewhere.

I must first say that this is a biased review. For the very fact that I purchased these speakers shows that I am impressed by them. It is also a bit premature as I purchased them just two days ago - they are not broken in and I have not had a chance to live with them for long. But I will submit this review anyway simply because I am impressed by them right off the bat. The main speakers I compared the 805s to were the 602's, 603s and a Dynaudio 2-way bookshelf (I did not get the model name), costing $2,000. As for the 602 and 603, there is no comparison to be made - the 805s sound better immediately. As for the Dynaudios, it was a very difficult decision. I was listening to both the 805s and the Dynaudios off of premier equipment. For over two hours I would switch between the two speakers, trying to make a decision.
The Dynaudios were completely uncolored, absolutely reveiling of the electronic source and of the recording. They also require tons of wattage to drive. The 805s showed just a touch of coloration. But it was in a way pleasing. The bass was heavier, the treble not as bright, but there was just some aspect of the sound that sounded a bit smoother to my ear. Maybe a spearker can be too revealing and a bit of coloration is not a bad thing.
Anyway, it was really a toss up. I'd be happy with either. I chose the 805s because of their better efficiency, and milder sound. It was a purely personal decision. I can't say one is better than the other, just different. Both are however excellent in my opinion.
In reading many reviews, I find people seem a bit too willing to give anything they buy and like a 5 speaker rating. I cannot do that. The 805s are not the perfect speaker, nor is any speaker I've heard. But they are pretty damn close.

Finaly upgraded from the 602 to 805.Big difference between them, the 805 sound more natural and open.
The difference show up even more when playing the speakers with a good source.
I play Celine Dion song call Vole on my CD player, It was almost like she was in front of me (Got goose bumps). Them I listem with my turntable Mary Black and whow!!!! the 805 blew the 602 away. I play some Led Zeppelin, pop, classical .... No problem. They play all kind off music at a reasonable level. But require
good electronics and source. I have a Cyrus Two with PSX, Marantz 63SE and Linn Sondek. When if I want to listen to loud music (to soud like a disco or rock bar)
I go in the basement and listem to my Paradigm Esprit.(More Bass and presence but not as musical)
As you can see a need a better CD player but that will be later.
If you like music and been in it, get those speakers!!!!!!!!
And buy lots of LPS and CD's Hummmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!! MUSIC!!!!!!!!!

focused soundstage, accurate tight bass, Kevlar drivers kick ass. transparent transition between tweeter and mid (in other words fantastic crossover) build quality (great cabinent) binding posts.

a little pricy

after listening to almost every damn speaker I could find, bar none this was my favorite out of all of them. No matter what kind of music I threw at the 805s, they just performed.
I now know why you see these monitors in Mixing studios. These speakers are so natural sounding so true to the recording that you could probably hear a gnat fart. Its kind of frightening really, after only being able to afford mid priced speakers for so long, buying these was like marrying a rich supermodel...a dream come true. These badboys have not only performed in a 2 channel set-up for me but in my hometheater as well. If you can afford these speakers, there isnt much better out there, and what is out there that is better, cost so much you had better sell a kidney. I think the only thing in the price range that even came close to these were the kef reference models...and they were more money. The build quality and sound of these speakers is a match made in heaven...I have the 805s paired with an A/D/S sub and I highly reccomend purchasing an external sub for these. I like the control I have with an external sub rather than built in cabinet drivers (ie matrix 801 or 802). Run don't walk to pick up a pair of these fabulous speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Boston acoustics, Apogee, Infinity