Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 805 (1995)

Name: Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 805
Brand: Bowers & Wilkins

At 9.5kg, it feels solid in your hands. Not heavy, but dense.

Overview

The Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 805 is a bookshelf/standmount loudspeaker introduced in 1995, though some sources suggest a 1993 debut. It belongs to the Matrix series, and the whole series is about keeping cabinet resonance down through structure. Owners report a speaker that decades later is still a good listen. One long-term user calls it “still a treat to listen to,” with a presence that “regularly returns to the spotlight” in well-kept systems. It was engineered for neutrality, with a design philosophy rooted in studio accuracy rather than domestic flattery.

The Matrix 805 is not a flagship like the 801, but it inherits the core of its larger siblings: a rigid, acoustically inert enclosure and a driver complement focused on clarity. The 165mm Kevlar cone mid/bass driver and 25mm metal dome tweeter sit in a cabinet that resists flex and ring. Knock on the side panel and it gives back a dull thud. No rattle, no resonance, just mass.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Bowers & Wilkins
Model	Matrix 805
Type	2-way, bass reflex
Enclosure	Matrix
Drive units	1x 25mm (1") metal dome tweeter, 1x 165mm (6.5") Kevlar cone bass/midrange driver
Frequency Response	55Hz - 20kHz (±3dB)
Sensitivity	87dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
Nominal Impedance	8Ω (minimum 4.3Ω)
Recommended Amplifier Power	50W - 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
Crossover Frequency	4kHz
Dimensions (H x W x D)	405 x 238 x 298mm (16 x 9.4 x 11.7 inches)
Weight	9.5kg (20.9lbs)
Finish	Black Ash, Cherry, Mahogany

Key Features

Matrix Bracing System

The defining feature of the Matrix 805 is its namesake bracing system. It is an internal honeycomb of interlocking panels that turns the cabinet from a potential resonator into a rigid, inert structure. B&W identified cabinet vibration as “the other great enemy of loudspeaker accuracy,” and the Matrix design goes straight at it. The speaker doesn't color the sound with boxy overtones or panel ringing. When struck, the cabinet responds with a solid, dead thump. As one line has it, “if you knock on a Matrix-series B&W cabinet, your knuckles hurt. That’s the point.”

165mm Kevlar Cone Bass/Midrange Driver

25mm Metal Dome Tweeter

Historical Context

The Matrix series originated in the mid-1980s, a response to traditional box speakers whose cabinets often resonated and smeared transients. The flagship 801 Matrix became a standard in recording studios, particularly for classical music, where its accuracy was valued over sonic embellishment. The Matrix 805 arrived later, officially in 1995. It brought the Matrix bracing and Kevlar driver technology to a smaller, bookshelf-friendly format. It was never marketed as a “mini 801,” but the lineage is clear in its construction and intent.

Collectibility & Value

Market listings suggest the Matrix 805 holds some value among vintage audio enthusiasts, with recent asking prices ranging from $700 to $898.88 USD, or $750 AUD in Australia. One listing declares, “Here is your chance to own a legend in the speaker world.” There is no documented original MSRP, and production end dates remain unconfirmed. No systemic failures are recorded, but replacement tweeters are available, which indicates that driver degradation, particularly in the metal dome unit, is a known issue for long-term owners. Maintenance and parts sourcing are not formally supported, so repairs fall to third-party or generic solutions.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ BOWERS & WILKINS MATRIX 805                                     Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $1,445                                  Latest          $1,040 │
│ Median    $1,226                                  Trend                — │
│ Low       $1,040                                  Volume           ~2/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ $2,000 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│ $1,571 ┤                                                                 │
│        │.                                                                │
│        │                                                                 │
│        │                                        .          .             │
│ $1,000 ┤                                                                .│
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │█                                       █          █            █│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-06                      2026-07                      2026-08│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

eBay completed sales. Excludes accessories, parts, and non-working units. Hover points for details.