B&W Matrix 803 Series 1 Black Ash Speakers, Made in England

B&W Matrix 803 Series 1 Black Ash Speakers, Made in England

Iconic B&W Matrix 803 Series 1 floorstanding speakers in black ash finish, made in England, offering classic three-way Matrix performance, deep bass, and superb imaging in a slim, room-friendly cabinet, very good condition.

The original Matrix 803 (Series 1) uses B&W’s patented Matrix internal bracing to dramatically reduce cabinet resonances, giving a cleaner, more open soundstage and excellent detail retrieval. This three-way bass-reflex design partners a 180 mm Cobex bass driver with a 180 mm Kevlar midrange and a 26 mm ferrofluid-cooled metal dome tweeter, delivering fast, tuneful bass, clear mids, and extended, airy highs. With 90 dB sensitivity and an 8 ohm nominal impedance (4 ohm minimum), they are relatively amplifier-friendly but really come alive with quality power in the 50–200 watt range. The black ash real-wood veneer and slim footprint make them easy to integrate visually into modern or vintage systems, while still offering genuine full-range performance for serious two-channel listening.

As a made-in-England model from B&W’s golden Matrix era, the 803 S1 is still highly regarded for its dynamic, “slammy” presentation that works brilliantly with rock and pop yet remains controlled and reasonably refined with jazz and classical. The rear panel features a bi-wiring terminal panel with gold-plated screw posts, B&W’s APOC protection circuit, and acceptance of banana plugs for flexible connection options. An optional external Variable High-Pass Alignment Filter was available for the 800 series, extending and tailoring low-frequency performance; many enthusiasts still consider it a desirable upgrade when found. This pair in black ash is in very good condition overall for its age, with drivers operating correctly and cabinets presenting well.

Key Specifications (Matrix 803 Series 1):

Type: 3-way bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker

Drive units: 1 × 26 mm metal dome tweeter (ferrofluid-cooled), 1 × 180 mm Kevlar cone midrange, 1 × 180 mm Cobex/polymer cone bass driver

Frequency range: 32 – 22,000 Hz (overall), approx. 54 – 20,000 Hz ±2 dB on reference axis

With optional external high-pass filter: extension down towards roughly 23–28 Hz in-room, depending on alignment setting

Sensitivity: 90 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)

Nominal impedance: 8 ohm (minimum approx. 4 ohm)

Recommended amplifier power: 50 – 200 W into 8 ohm

Features: Matrix cabinet construction, bi-wiring terminal panel, APOC protection circuit, gold-plated screw terminals with banana plug option

Finish: Black ash veneer with black cloth grilles

Country of manufacture: England

Condition: Very good cosmetic condition for age, fully tested and working as intended

Dimensions: (Height x Width x Depth) 1017 x 285 x 334 mm (40.0 x 11.2 x 13.1 inches)

Weight: 26.3 kg (58 lbs) each

At about 58 lbs per speaker and just over one metre tall, the Matrix 803 S1 offers serious cabinet volume and structural rigidity without overwhelming a room, producing deep, articulate bass and wide, stable imaging that still competes strongly with many modern designs in its price range.

Made in England, these B&W Matrix 803 Series 1 in black ash are a sought-after classic, combining proven Matrix engineering, real-wood veneer, and genuinely full-range, dynamic sound that makes them an excellent long-term anchor for a serious two-channel system.

Backed by Radique Audio’s 90-day warranty and our perpetual trade-back policy, you can purchase with confidence; asking $2195.