Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 805V

A bookshelf loudspeaker using woven Kevlar and Matrix bracing for reduced cabinet resonance

Overview

The Bowers & Wilkins Matrix 805V is a bookshelf loudspeaker from the Matrix 800 Series, designed as a compact version of the 804 Matrix. Manufactured by Bowers & Wilkins, a company founded in 1966 in Worthing, England, the speaker is part of the Matrix line introduced in the mid-1980s to combat cabinet resonance. The 805V features a 25mm metal dome tweeter and a 165mm woven Kevlar cone driver, housed in a rigid cabinet reinforced with the proprietary Matrix bracing system.

Specifications

Drive units	1x 25mm (1 in) metal dome high-frequency, 1x 165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar cone bass/midrange
Frequency response	49Hz – 20kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Frequency range	-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz
Sensitivity	88dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
Harmonic distortion	2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m) <1% 100Hz – 20kHz <0.5% 150Hz – 20kHz
Nominal impedance	8Ω (minimum 4.0Ω)
Recommended amplifier power	50W – 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
Dimensions (H x W x D)	425mm x 238mm x 307mm (16.7 in x 9.4 in x 12.1 in)
Net weight	10.5kg (23.1 lb)
Finishes	Rosenut, Cherry, Black Ash

Design

The Matrix 805V uses the Matrix bracing system—an internal honeycomb of interlocking panels that transforms cabinet walls into inert, non-resonant structures. This design directly addresses cabinet resonance, a key enemy of speaker accuracy. The speaker also features a Flowport™ bass port and inherits design principles from the larger 801 Matrix, including attention to diffraction control through cabinet shaping.

Context

The Matrix series was introduced in the mid-1980s as Bowers & Wilkins’ solution to cabinet resonance. The 801 Matrix became a reference monitor in classical recording and mastering. The Matrix 805V belongs to the Matrix 800 Series, which includes the 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, and HTM models. It is described as the bookshelf version of the 804 Matrix, offering scaled-down performance with shared technologies.

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