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B&w 801

kortex

kortex

Active Member
I have located a pair of what I believe to be B&W Matrix 801s ("circa 1986") for sale. The seller refers to them as DM801s, but I've never heard them referred to as such. My two questions are...

1) Is there any merit to the DM801 being different from the 801 matrix?
2) Is a black finish less desirable than a wood finish? I looked on eBay and two pairs of wood finish B&W 801s have sold for ~$2000 recently. This person is asking $1200.
 
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The Matrix is the DM. Made in the 80s in black ash, walnut, rosewood, and other type of wood veneer. Original price were around the 5000.00$ mark.
 
801(F) S80 are sealed enclosures. 801(F) S80 have nothing to do with Matrix, which is a later development. Some say the S80s are the most desirable 801s.
I prefer wooden finish, it depends on your taste.
If I had known how these sound I would have bought them years earlier. Breathtaking soundstage and blackest bass. 1200$ is not a steal but if they are in good shape why not. They just sound far better than 1200$.
And this slowly should have its place in my signature: Especially these need serious Amplification. They make a Yamaha PC4002M clip easy in a 24m² room, for sure at a listening level you could not take for hours but one, one may need to feel the music from time to time :).
Maybe you should give them a listen with a proper amp before buying. I would buy them again (I had to drive 1100miles for mine).
 
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kortex said:
I have located a pair of what I believe to be B&W Matrix 801s ("circa 1986") for sale. The seller refers to them as DM801s, but I've never heard them referred to as such. My two questions are...

1) Is there any merit to the DM801 being different from the 801 matrix?
2) Is a black finish less desirable than a wood finish? I looked on eBay and two pairs of wood finish B&W 801s have sold for ~$2000 recently. This person is asking $1200.
Click to expand...

If the 801's are from 1986, they will be "Series 80" - the first generation of the 801's and 802's. I have a pair of 802 Series 80. 801's have the massive woofer, so, you may want to rotate it 180 degrees and play them that way to prevent the voice coil sag. I would love to own a pair of 801's. $1200 is a little high if they are the first series, depending on the cosmetics. I think black finish have the least resale values compared to other finishes.
 
So I've just stumbled across a set of Matrix 801 Anniversary, in white. Condition seems to be great, but I don't know how much to pay. Anyone care to hazard a guess? I was thinking that $2300 or so was fair. They are stock, and they don't have stands or anything.

Thanks much,
Alex
 
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