Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: B&W Matrix 802 Series 2 Speakers by Belgarchi

Model:	Matrix 802 Series 2
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$???
Description:	3 ways Floorstanding speakers ~1990
Manufacturer URL:	B&W

Review by Belgarchi on April 25, 2010 at 10:11:03
IP Address: 216.80.143.3 Add Your Review
for the Matrix 802 Series 2

These speakers were considered as 'reference' in the 90s, and I see them as 'classics' today.
- There have two 8" polypropylene woofers (3.5 kg each!) with cast frame and very heavy magnet, loaded by a front vent. Compared to today's woofers, their Xmax looks limited, but it is not very important with a bass-reflex load. Internal volume ~50 liters. Enclosure 3/4" chipboard ( I would prefer 1"). The enclosure was reinforced by a patented wood 'matrix' inside.
- The 5" medium is made of woven kevlar fibres. Gorgeous, very opened cast frame. Separate enclosure made of molded metal, totally inert (the 'knock' test is dangerous for your finger). I like the 5" diameter, I think that use of 7" medium in many '2010' 3-ways speakers is a mistake.
- The tweeter is a 1" aluminium dome, protected by a grill, and is located on top of the medium enclosure, in free air. The magnet is small, and I don't know if it is made of neodynium.
- The crossover, located in the bottom of the enclosure, is easily accessible. Fx 400 and 3000 Hz. Fourth-order acoustic Butterworth. B&W wanted to make this crossover small enough to be easily accessible. The result is that the components are of so-so quality : ferrite core inductors, electrolytic caps, etc. The tweeters are protected electronically.

Upgrades often recommended are short steel stand and removal of the tweeters' electronic protection. I didn't try these.

I recommend a power amp of minimum 2x80W to drive these speakers.
They sound great. Deep, powerful bass, if not very defined. (the stands could, perhaps, improve the definition)
Exceptionally good medium, natural, detailed; better than most '2010' expensive speakers.
The highs are smooth, they don't attract attention.
Better at medium to high level, a little bit 'muddy' at low level.
Excellent, deep and wide soundstage.
Good, if not exceptional, dynamic.
Excellent horizontal and vertical dispersion.

What I like also a lot about these speakers: they are practical. Their width and depth are small, their port is on the front, the medium-highs head is orientable. And their weight - 32 kg - is 'manageable'.

I kept them 5~6 years in my main system and used them with many different sources, preamps and power amps. They are not too difficult to drive, but love power.

Product Weakness:	Low range could be more defined. Components of the crossover could be better.
Product Strengths:	Technology (even in 2010), sound - especially medium range -, practicality

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Many
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Many
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Many
Speakers: See review
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber 8VS
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Various
Room Size (LxWxH): 30 x 20 x 15
Room Comments/Treatments: Neutral
Time Period/Length of Audition: 5 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster Cable Pro 3500
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Many
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Many
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Many
Speakers:	See review
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber 8VS
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Room Size (LxWxH):	30 x 20 x 15
Room Comments/Treatments:	Neutral
Time Period/Length of Audition:	5 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Cable Pro 3500
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner