What amp for B&W 803 MATRIX S2 fronts for HT only?

If you're not trying to spend too terribly much, you might try to go after an Adcom 5802. You should be able to find one for ~$800. They'll plenty of power for the 803's (or any other speaker for that matter). They're smooth and detailed without but don't really get overly bright. I think it's a great match for the tonal balance of the Matrix 803.

other options? what about if i got 801 nautilus?

If this is *just* for HT, then do you really need floorstanders if you have a good sub? What is the rest of your setup?

hi Baranowski

The B&W 801s are a great, great speaker...part of the 'legend' of B&W. The key is you will really need 2 things (among other things) to get them to sound right. Huge power to drive the speaker and particularly to control the bass, and room. not necessarily a huge room, but certainly not a small second bedroom.

If you have a very, very high-current amp with large power reserves that is well regarded for driving power hungry speakers and particularly is known for good bass control, go for it. It is a special speaker. And relative to many SOTA speakers it actually costs a lot less even brand new.

Again, i would have thought the high-powered Classe, SS McIntosh (not so sure about tubed Macs given some may feel they powerful but not quite voiced to be as 'damped' in the bass as some SS amps are)...these are good options among many for you to consider.

again, given the cost differential on second hand market, if you have the room and power, i would certainly say 'go for it!' :)

My set up is old. B&W cdm1's front and 602's rear. My center tweeter broke that is what started me looking. My rooom is a dedicated HT room. about 25' by 25' but i use the other half for billards. I have Large commercial grade JBL's for stereo listening and they are amp't by themselves. I have a pioneer elite 92txh that have "pre outs" for addtional amps. I know the aps for the 801's need to be big and bad and will cost lost of $. I was hoping tofind some used stuff to make it work. I believe that these speakers are designed WAY more for listening 2 channel. what who be a great price for the 801's?