B&W Matrix 1E speakers for sale [Archive]

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Accudazed

16-11-2014, 21:20

Hi all

For sale are my B&W Matrix 1E speakers.

Launched by B&W as a direct response to advances made by Celestion with their Aerolam honeycombe sandwhich walled SL600, the Matrix 1E was a no holds barred attempt to show that they too knew how to build rigid speaker cabinets with a very low resonance Q. They succeeded on all counts - away from the rarified world of lab testing the cabinets easily passed the good old fashioned 'finger tap' test. The walls are totally 'dead' and very solid. B&W's Lawrence Dickie conceived the idea of a multicell reinforcement for the Matrix 1s, filling the whole interior of the enclosure rather than as a reinforcement of the walls. The interior is sufficiently cut away to accommodate the drive units while the multicellular structure is foam filled and linked throughout by communicating holes. Blimey, that's a lot of effort...

Not surprisingly the Matrix 1s got some cracking reviews back in the day:

Hifi News & Record Review January 1987 - "The Matrix 1E were easy to listen to over extended periods, and proved highly revealing of programme quality, this the hallmark of a successful monitor...It is well finished and was built to a high standard in all respects. In a classic monitoring sense, the frequency response was neutral, while it interfaced well with real listening rooms, providing worthwhile extended bass...It comfortably joins my reference listing in the £400 - £800 group". NOTE: they originally cost £600 (that's £1535 in today's money)

Hi-fi Choice July 1988 - "it is a fairly easy amplifier load, and a worthwhile by-product of the sensitivity is an unusually extended bass for its size...it has qualities of subtlety unmatched by more 'fiery' designs, and gave exceptional clarity and focus when bi-wired...Clearly recommended".

As for my 'two penneth', I would have to say that these are superbly accurate and neutral sounding speakers with a surprising amount of bass for a standmounter. Build quality is exemplorary throughout. I've demo'd them against Kef's LS50s (£800) and B&W CM5s (£800). The CM5s were not in the same class. Full stop. Against the LS50s things were less clear cut and very close. I liked the sweet treble of the LS50s and the air that they placed around the instruments but they could not match the bass of the Matrix 1s. Factor in the price of mine though and, well, it's no contest really.

Here's the usual facts and figures:

Dimensions (cm) - H41 W23 D32.2
Weight - 10kg
Sensitivity 86dB (some tests back in the day showed it was 84 - 85 dB)
Drivers - 150mm bass/midrange, 25mm tweeter. Mangnesium die cast chassis.
Cabinet - principally constructed from 25mm mdf
Faceplate - resonance damped thermoplastic
Cabinet finish - Real Walnut veneer
Min recommended amplifier size - 25 watts (although from my experience they work better with something more powerful)
Max power handling - 150 watts
Manufactured - Feb/Mar 1987 and
Can be bi-wired and by-amplified (4 terminals/speaker)
Crossover - high quality polypropylene film capacitors and high power iron dust core conductors. Van den Hul cable throughout. APOC electronic protection for the tweeter.
Max loudness at 150 watts - 102 dBA
Condition - Superb! Please see piccies below. Drivers are completely undamaged/unmarked. The crossover cover and veneer underneath has a few marks from stands which you cannot see when the speakers are placed on a stand.
FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND WORK PERFECTLY

And here ther are:

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/mc3fk4.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/mc3fk4.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/nbdeg6.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/nbdeg6.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/33yoop1.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/33yoop1.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/2zgyqsm.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/2zgyqsm.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/5zpj5w.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/5zpj5w.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/qqwv81.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/qqwv81.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/s2e1b7.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/s2e1b7.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/2dsn6v4.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/2dsn6v4.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/drbdao.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/drbdao.jpg.html)

For sale at £175. As for shipping, I would prefer pickup to avoid destruction by brutal couriers. However, if needs must, I am sure something can be worked out.

Thanks for looking

Steve

Barry

16-11-2014, 23:56

Once again Steve, you have provided a perfect example of a "for sale" adverisment. Clear and detailed description with super photographs!

Good luck with the sale.

southall-1998

17-11-2014, 00:03

Cracking and cool looking speakers!

S.

Accudazed

17-11-2014, 21:12

Once again Steve, you have provided a perfect example of a "for sale" adverisment. Clear and detailed description with super photographs!

Good luck with the sale.

Thanks Barry.

I try to help people make informed choices :)

Superb speakers in every way!!

Cheers

Steve

Accudazed

17-11-2014, 21:13

Cracking and cool looking speakers!

S.

Thanks Shane! :)

Steve

walpurgis

17-11-2014, 21:45

Cracking and cool looking speakers!

S.

You'd like these Shane! :)

Andrei

17-11-2014, 21:52

I love the look of that front baffle. It also seems such a sensible idea that I am wondering why it did not catch on. Looks like you are going to make someone happy!

lonergan2468

18-11-2014, 17:49

Looking for speakers for use as back up...hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

lonergan2468

18-11-2014, 17:55

ODD, do these have to be biwired ?????

Accudazed

18-11-2014, 22:17

ODD, do these have to be biwired ?????

Hi Tim

Not at all. They sound fab with two wires in.

Cheers

Steve

lonergan2468

19-11-2014, 08:38

sorry I mean do the terminals need a connecter ???

istari_knight

19-11-2014, 20:36

They look very cool, loads of gubbins in that crossover ! ... Low S/N too.

Accudazed

20-11-2014, 00:38

sorry I mean do the terminals need a connecter ???

Yes, but it is all done inside with the green and red wires in the picture below. These wires can be found at the bottom of each speaker in the crossover. To access, simply unscrew the cover. The wires are left in place if you do not want to bi-wire the speakers (as shown in the piccy below). For bi-wiring, the red and green wires are unscrewed from the white terminal block which allows the upper two rear sockets to sort out the tweeter and the two lower ones to handle the mid/bass driver. It all takes about 2-3 minutes to sort out. Even a numpty like me can do it!

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/s2e1b7.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/s2e1b7.jpg.html)

I still have the original red and green wires (made by Van den Hull).

Hope this makes sense.

Forgot to say in my ad that I have the owner's manual, brochure and service manual. Oh, and one of the little lugs on the speaker grilles has gone AWOL. Doh!

Cheers

Steve

Accudazed

20-11-2014, 00:42

They look very cool, loads of gubbins in that crossover ! ... Low S/N too.

Ta!

S'only my opinion but these are feckin excellent speakers. You need at least £1k to beat them. And, I've messed up with the price. I've had them since summer 2013 when I paid £275.

Still, I'm prepared to stick by the listed price. It don't look good to give em a price hike now!

Cheers

Steve

Accudazed

24-11-2014, 12:37

Time for a quick bump! :):):):)

Cheers all.

Steve

Accudazed

11-12-2014, 21:20

Yikes - not sold.

Didn't expect this!!

Any takers?

BUMPITY BUMP. :):)

Cheers

Steve

istari_knight

11-12-2014, 21:24

I'd love to try them but aint got the wonga :(

Accudazed

12-12-2014, 19:24

I'd love to try them but aint got the wonga :(

Yeah, I can relate to that!!!

I am only trying to sell these speakers because I need the money.

If only I could avoid paying tax like Google, Rupert Murdoch, Vodafone, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. I would be okay.

Happy Christmas and best wishes for the new year.

Cheers

Steve

synsei

12-12-2014, 19:33

istari_knight

12-12-2014, 19:49

Happy Christmas and best wishes for the new year.

Cheers

Steve

To you too :christmas:

Best of luck with sale... The market is very slow at the moment. If you still have them come new year I'll be in touch.

struth

12-12-2014, 22:39

Accudazed

13-12-2014, 15:58

Mighty sounding speakers these and had I not just shelled out 250 sovs on a battleship build Trio amp I may well have grabbed these for myself. C'mon folks, these are top notch and very well designed speakers at a bargain basement price, treat yourself to an early Chrissy prezzy, you won't regret it ;)

Thanks Dave.

I absolutely love your Trio amp!!! From a golden era of hifi when the Japanese really went for it with build, style, quality, etc. I don't care what anyone says, £250 was a MEGA bargain.

Have a great Christmas and a happy new year!!! :peace::peace::peace::peace:

Cheers

Steve

Accudazed

13-12-2014, 15:59

To you too :christmas:

Best of luck with sale... The market is very slow at the moment. If you still have them come new year I'll be in touch.

Thanks James!

I have a feeling that they will be around for some time!

Cheers

Steve

Accudazed

13-12-2014, 16:05

It is a bit of a surprise they have not been snapped up. I like em but with potential for damage with shipping , it wouldnt be fair on such lovely old speakers like that.... Sure they will sell after xmas though.......if they dont I'll likely take the risk as they'd be nice on the end of my valve jobbies

Thanks Grant.

If you buy they will be well packed.

Cheers

Steve

Have a great Christmas and happy new year!:peace::yay::thumbsup::dance:

synsei

13-12-2014, 17:21

Thanks Dave.

I absolutely love your Trio amp!!! From a golden era of hifi when the Japanese really went for it with build, style, quality, etc. I don't care what anyone says, £250 was a MEGA bargain.

Have a great Christmas and a happy new year!!! :peace::peace::peace::peace:

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve, I'm off to the Cotswolds tomorrow to pick it up, can't wait to get it back hone and into the system. Josiah, the chap I won it from, has promised us a bit of a listening sesh and some refreshments so we are very much looking forward to the trip :)

A very Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you too Steve... :christmas:

Accudazed

13-12-2014, 17:30

Thanks Steve, I'm off to the Cotswolds tomorrow to pick it up, can't wait to get it back hone and into the system. Josiah, the chap I won it from, has promised us a bit of a listening sesh and some refreshments so we are very much looking forward to the trip :)

A very Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you too Steve... :christmas:

That sounds like a great day out!!! Make sure the beast doesn't crush your car's suspension...:lol::)

Some pics of the Trio brute would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

synsei

13-12-2014, 17:43

Ask and thou shalt receive... :D

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/69c5e85f-ea3e-4637-b14a-7d30e2eb04ef.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/69c5e85f-ea3e-4637-b14a-7d30e2eb04ef.jpg.html)

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/a8d1e090-484e-407e-80ed-ba7832d0662e.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/a8d1e090-484e-407e-80ed-ba7832d0662e.jpg.html)

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/b0f04ce0-964c-4364-b854-7a4df6952746.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/b0f04ce0-964c-4364-b854-7a4df6952746.jpg.html)

Accudazed

16-12-2014, 00:34

synsei

16-12-2014, 01:40

Cheers!

Now that's a bona fide 'MANPLIFIER'.

What's not too like?!

Thanks Steve, it may well be the last amp I ever own, it's that good :)

Anyway, I'm sorry for crapping on your sales thread sir, we really should get back to the subject of your gorgeous B&W Matrix speakers. Here's a timely reminder for you folks at home, just feast your eyes on these babies and getcha wallets out. £175 is a steal considering the quality of these speakers :D

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/mc3fk4.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/mc3fk4.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/nbdeg6.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/nbdeg6.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/33yoop1.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/33yoop1.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/2zgyqsm.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/2zgyqsm.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/5zpj5w.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/5zpj5w.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/qqwv81.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/qqwv81.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/s2e1b7.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/s2e1b7.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/2dsn6v4.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/2dsn6v4.jpg.html)

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x388/busaste/drbdao.jpg (http://s1179.photobucket.com/user/busaste/media/drbdao.jpg.html)

Robprog

16-12-2014, 19:59

Hello Steven. If they are still available I'll have them

Accudazed

16-12-2014, 22:32

Hello Steven. If they are still available I'll have them

Hi Rob

Yes, they are still for sale and yes they are yours if you want em!! Thank you.

Do you want to collect or shall I post?

If by post, I will get you a price.

Cheers

Steve

Robprog

16-12-2014, 22:58

Thanks Steve, sold then. Yes, please investigate postage. Cheers. Robert

Robprog

16-12-2014, 23:04

Actually I'll pick up. Much safer that way

walpurgis

16-12-2014, 23:17

You're going to like those Rob. They're a bit special. :)

When you get them, why not start a thread on how you find them. I'm sure we'd all be interested.

Anyway, I reckon you have a bargain.

Robprog

17-12-2014, 11:26

Cheers Geoff I will.

Accudazed

21-12-2014, 21:10

That's it, they are gone and to a great chap too.

I sold them way too cheap but never mind, Roger is a good bloke - I think he will really like them.

By the way, Robert is an absolutely superb photographer. Have a look at his amazing piccies here:

http://www.capturedlandscape.co.uk/

Merry Christmas everyone!! :christmas:

Steve

PS, if you see a pair pop up for sale in the future, make sure you snap them up. No speaker gives so much for so little. A classic monitor.