Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 1 (mid-1980s)

Name: Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 1
Brand: Bowers & Wilkins

At 10 kg and just 41 cm tall, this compact monitor hits harder than its size suggests - if you can find a pair with intact foam surrounds.

Overview

The Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 1 is a bookshelf speaker, built for listeners who care more about precision than power. It was introduced in the mid-1980s as the smallest and most affordable model in B&W's original Matrix lineup. It followed the same philosophy as its larger siblings: silence the cabinet, so only the music speaks. Resonance was treated as an enemy, not an afterthought.

Owners report a 2-way design built around a 150 mm Kevlar mid/bass driver and a metal dome tweeter. The combination gives crisp detail and tight imaging. It lacks the deep bass extension expected from floorstanders, but within its range it is consistently praised. One user noted it "sounds fantastic for its size and age," pointing to its clarity and spatial accuracy. Another called it a "classic," and was happy with its long-term performance - provided the aging components hold up.

Each cabinet weighs 10 kg, and the Matrix 1 feels substantial in hand. The external dimensions are 41 cm high, 32 cm wide, and 23 cm deep, so the footprint is modest, but the internal structure is anything but simple. The name "Matrix" wasn't marketing fluff. It referred to an internal bracing system that changed how speaker cabinets could be built.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Bowers & Wilkins
Product Type	Loudspeaker
Model	Matrix 1
Drive Unit - Bass/Midrange	150 mm (5-7/8 in)
Dimensions	41 cm (high) X 32 cm (wide) X 23 cm (deep)
Weight	10 kg a piece
Frequency Response	35Hz-22kHz ±6dB
Frequency Range	55 Hz - 35 kHz (-6 dB)
System Resonance	60 Hz
Sensitivity	reportedly 87dB/W/m (2.83V)
Sensitivity	reportedly 85 dB (1W, 8 Ω)

Key Features

Matrix Bracing System – Cabinet as Structure, Not Shell

B&W didn't just want to damp cabinet vibrations. They wanted to eliminate them. The Matrix series went after "the other great enemy of loudspeaker accuracy: cabinet resonance" with an internal honeycomb of interlocking panels. This wasn't simple cross-bracing. It was a structural lattice that turned the enclosure from a resonant chamber into a rigid, inert mass. Knock on one of these cabinets and you get a dull, solid thud that hurts the knuckles. By turning the walls into "inert, dead structures," B&W kept what came out of the drivers uncolored by boxy artifacts.

150 mm Kevlar Mid/Bass Driver

The sound of the Matrix 1 centers on its 150 mm Kevlar cone. B&W's use of woven Kevlar for driver diaphragms was already gaining attention for its stiffness and low mass, which gave a balance between speed and durability. In the Matrix 1, this material helps maintain clarity even at higher volumes, contributing to the "great imaging and detail" users describe. Time has not been kind to the implementation, though. The foam surrounds on these drivers are known to degrade, a common failure point that calls for inspection before purchase.

Metal Dome Tweeter with Ferrofluid Cooling

High frequencies are handled by a metal dome tweeter, with extended response up to 35 kHz (at -6 dB). Ferrofluid in the voice coil gap was advanced for its time, improving heat dissipation and reducing distortion. But like the foam surrounds, this fluid can dry out over decades, potentially leading to reduced output or complete failure. Owners report that performance is excellent when everything is intact, but maintenance is not optional. It's inevitable.

Historical Context

The Matrix 1 was the entry-level model in the original Matrix series, which launched in the mid-1980s and included the larger Matrix 2 and Matrix 3. As the smallest and most accessible, it brought B&W's advanced cabinet technology to a broader audience. It lacked the scale of its siblings but carried the same engineering approach: precision, rigidity, and sonic neutrality. It stood as one of the most respected compact monitors of its era.

Collectibility & Value

The Matrix 1 has a quiet cult following among vintage audio enthusiasts. Forum users describe them as "classic" and are happy with their performance, especially with powerful amplification - one owner reported driving theirs easily with a Pioneer SX-939. Collectibility is tempered by reliability concerns. The foam surrounds on the Kevlar drivers are prone to rot, and the ferrofluid in the tweeters can dry out, leading to performance loss or failure. Refoaming kits are available, but original replacement drivers are reportedly hard to find and expensive. No official valuation data is available, but listings have appeared with prices around $150 or "Best Offer."