B&W 802 80 Series vs 802 Matrix s3

[theredkni463]

I found a pair of B&W 802 80 Series that a seller would let go for $900 and a pair of B&W 802 Matrix S3 for $1800. I was first wondering if these were decent prices for the speakers and I cannot find much information about them online about the differences between them. Some places are saying that they are the same thing but the photos say otherwise near the mounting points of the speakers. does anyone have any information about them? such as what year, specs, and differences?

 

[painttoad]

the matrix's are ported, the 80's are not. i THINK the matrix series would have more elaborate bracing than the 80s.

series 80-early 80s, matrix-mid to late 80s

i haven't heard either since the 80s so i can't compare them.

i would think that b&w's website would have a section for legacy speakers, they used to anyway.

 

[Buck Rogers]

Yes, Matrix refers to the internal bracing plus some crossover upgrades.

Prices I see are 1,500 to 2,200. So talk them down to 1,500 and go for it.

It's a great speaker, But 200 wpc is pretty much required.

Buck

 

[jeddyd]

I found a pair of B&W 802 80 Series that a seller would let go for $900 and a pair of B&W 802 Matrix S3 for $1800. I was first wondering if these were decent prices for the speakers and I cannot find much information about them online about the differences between them. Some places are saying that they are the same thing but the photos say otherwise near the mounting points of the speakers. does anyone have any information about them? such as what year, specs, and differences?

The S80 was the first version. A sealed cabinet design pretty well made with damping pads on the inside of the cabinet.The Matrix S2 and S3 were a much improved design. A different designer was brought in. The name Matrix is not some gimmick named after the movie but a reference to the complex honeycomb like structure of stiffeners inside the cabinet to make it extremely rigid and to eliminate unwanted frequencies from the rear of the driver's, and to eliminate unwanted resonance in the cabinet. As is obvious if you think about it, sound waves come off the back of a speaker as well as the front. The S2 and S3 are ported. Some say they are bass light but this is not really the case. They do have enough bass but they do not suffer from bass boom. As a result, they're easy to place, the bass is never overwhelming and they are in fact far superior to many modern speakers. The S2 and S3 had improved drivers over the original S80 and the separate mid-range housing was improved.
Given a choice I would choose the later Matrix S2 or S3. I believe these speakers are worth the money being asked for them and will not go down in value but up.