What center to use with Matrix 802 Series 3

[mpauline]

I am considering purchasing some 802 Series 3 speakers. These would be used primarily for home theater. I need a matching center but not so sure that I can find anything that will match.

I originally bought an HTM1 with intent to switch to a full B&W system. Just sold it with thoughts about switching to something else but I miss the performance of it so much that I need to get back into B&W's.

My room is a dedicated theater. Only 12 feet across and 23 feet long (approx dimensions). Speakers cannot be more than 2 feet from front wall.

Would I get better performance from the Matrix 802's and a center or should I go with something newer? I did consider 804's and an HTM3S however it is at the top of my price range.

Thanks

[stuofsci02]

Have you considered 805s with the HTM4s? This should save you about $2300 on the used market and these speakers will be easier to place with a narrow room. If you add two subs, this would make quite a nice setup.

Cheers

Stuart

[mpauline]

Have you considered 805s with the HTM4s? This should save you about $2300 on the used market and these speakers will be easier to place with a narrow room. If you add two subs, this would make quite a nice setup.

Cheers

Stuart

Thanks Stuart. I had not really thought of bookshelf speakers however they may work quite nicely with two subs as you suggest. Need to find some to audition. I was going to buy 804's and an HTM3s but would cost me about $4500 and need to ship from Saskatchewan without having listened to them. Decisions, decisions!

[stuofsci02]

Thanks Stuart. I had not really thought of bookshelf speakers however they may work quite nicely with two subs as you suggest. Need to find some to audition. I was going to buy 804's and an HTM3s but would cost me about $4500 and need to ship from Saskatchewan without having listened to them. Decisions, decisions!

I saw those speakers in Saskatoon on CAM... For the price I would snap them up...

[aarsoe]

You should of course get the HTM matrix. Matches in voice, look, feel etc.. Pretty sure you should be able to find one on the used market.
If everything else fails I have one, but shipping will be an issue so suggest looking at Audiogon, Canuk etc first..

[Joawen]

I don't agree aarsoe, the 802 series3 are really good speakers and the little HTM with the same treble and midrange is simply not.

[aarsoe]

Think the biggest issue will be voicing and looks. If that is important then nothing else really matches the matrix series - but sure you can get better than a 20+ year old center speaker..

[IceG]

I agree with Joawen and respectfully disagree with aarsoe.

The 802S3 Matrix speakers are tremendously good with excellent dynamic range, very good bass and power handing and good treble. I had them and replaced them with the 802 Nautilus. I now use the 802 Matrix as my rear speakers where the rotatable head makes positioning so much easier. From experience of auditioning I would rate the 802 Matrix as the equal of the 803 Nautilus, perhaps a little less transparent. Buy them!

When the Matrix speakers were my FL/FR I had a Matrix HTM as the centre and Matrix 805s as surround. The 805s are fantastic little monitors so I figured the HTM (same spec in horizontal format) would be a good centre. Wrong. It was muddy and totally incapable of keeping up with the 802's power. When set to "small" in the processor (Meridian 565 in those days) it was acceptable on quiet material, when set to "large" it was just unacceptable. I upgraded to a digital active Meridian centre which was much better. Without any experience of an audition, at a minimum I would go for the Nautilus HTM1 as a reasonable sonic and quality match; equivalent to the HTM3S I believe.

Again, don't miss out on the 802S3s - they are just so good.

[IceG]

I forgot to mention; you will need a decent power amp, capable of say 300W into 4ohms, to get the best out of the 802S3s.

I started with Audiolab 8000Ms, then went biamped with more Audiolab and finally went Chord SPM1600 (4 x 200W bi-amplifier).