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Bowers & Wilkins 801 S2 Floorstanding Loudspeakers A lot of speaker for a bargain price Darth Vader looks not appreciated at home so have to go... Superb sound. Not checked if crossovers modified eg per Van Alstine... Wear/tear commensurate with age - very good given vintage and size. As far as I can tell the drivers are all correct - the LED is not visible on the front of one of the speakers - I'm not able to explore this further. Just to reiterate they sound superb... Supplied with rare stands. Not too interested in haggling - almost hope they won't sell...but don't we all often feel that
Very_good condition is the right starting point here: A$3,500 looks fair to slightly strong for a Matrix 801 S2, not a bargain. Comparable used asks I could verify sit around A$2,600 to A$8,100 depending on condition, seller, and whether you’re looking at private-sale versus dealer pricing, so this listing lands near the middle of the real-world spread rather than at a clear discount.
What you’re buying is one of B&W’s most respected old-school large monitors: big scale, deep bass, and the kind of effortless, revealing presentation that still earns a following. The upside is genuine if the pair is complete and healthy, especially with original stands/feet, grilles, and documented ownership; just make sure the foam/surrounds, tweeters, and cabinets are all in good order, because age and handling matter more than cosmetics on these.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Bowers & Wilkins traces its origins to 1966 in Worthing, West Sussex, England, when John Bowers, a passionate audio enthusiast and former electronics shop owner, founded the company with the help of a £10,000 bequest from a satisfied customer, Miss Knight. Bowers, who had honed his speaker-building skills as a hobby while running a radio and TV rental shop with partner Roy Wilkins, launched the venture from the back of that very shop. This modest beginning fueled a relentless pursuit of audio perfection, establishing Bowers & Wilkins as a British icon in high-fidelity sound reproduction.
The brand excels in premium loudspeakers, from flagship studio monitors like the legendary 801 series—adopted by Abbey Road Studios in 1979—to accessible Domestic Monitor lines such as the enduring 600 Series. Its portfolio has expanded to encompass high-end headphones, including the iconic P5 and Zeppelin designs, alongside wireless speakers and formation systems, all emphasizing advanced driver technology, precision cabinetry, and Continuum cones for unparalleled clarity.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, Bowers & Wilkins commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its engineering excellence, musical accuracy, and heritage of innovation. Far from mid-tier or niche, it rivals the elite, blending cutting-edge research from facilities like Steyning with a reputation for reference-grade performance that defines luxury hi-fi.
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