3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2

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Tyreman

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3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« on: 25 Nov 2017, 04:21 pm »
May I ask the forum people if they feel that a 3B SST is sufficient to drive a pair of B&W Matrix 803 S2


Speaker pertinent specs below:


Description
Drive Units
Frequency Response
Sensitivity
Nominal Impedance
2 way vented-box system
1 x 25mm metal dome - high frequency
1 x 165mm Kevlar® - midrange
2 x 165mm Cobex® - bass
35Hz – 20kHz ± 3dB on reference axis
90dB spl(2.83V 1m)
8 ohms (minimum 3.7 ohms)
Power Handling
Dimensions
Finish
50W – 250W into 8 ohms on
unclipped programme
Height: 1017mm Width: 258mm
Depth: 334mm

Thanks in Advance forum people :D

Mag

Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #1 on: 25 Nov 2017, 06:05 pm »
IMO it can drive the speakers but if you listen to your music loud like 92 decibels +. You will run short on watts, clipping the amp. :smoke:

mcgsxr

Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #2 on: 25 Nov 2017, 06:40 pm »
I am never that great at the math, but with 90db speaker would a 150 wpc amp not drive these well over 100db without clipping?  The math would indicate 111db.  THAT"s way loud for me (I typically listen at 85-90db).

Tyreman

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Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #3 on: 25 Nov 2017, 07:00 pm »
I am never that great at the math, but with 90db speaker would a 150 wpc amp not drive these well over 100db without clipping?  The math would indicate 111db.  THAT"s way loud for me (I typically listen at 85-90db).

That's what I kinda wondered as well-+
But lets see the opinions

Mag

Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #4 on: 25 Nov 2017, 10:13 pm »
Oh, I got my amps mixed up. :duh:

I have a 3B-ST, 3B-SST, 3B-SST2. My SST has been upgraded to a 2.

Yes the SST can drive a speaker like my Paradigm Studio 100 v2, but I had it shut down several times over the years from thermo-heat on heavy bass passages in music at above 92 decibels SPL.

You have to keep the amps cool if you are playing music loud. 8)

jimangie1973

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Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #5 on: 26 Nov 2017, 01:00 am »
A 3BSST will drive those just fine.  Your speakers appear to be 4 ohm nominal in the bass region where most music power resides.  3BSST will do 250 watts cleanly into 4 ohms.  I've got a 3BSST driving 4 ohm speakers and have never clipped it.

Elizabeth

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  • So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #6 on: 26 Nov 2017, 01:12 am »
It TOTALLY depends how loud you are playing music.

If you have an average listening space, say 14' by 28'..
And play combo jazz,or Classical quartets, at an average peak dB of say 80..
Sure, absolutely no problem.

If you like to play Death Metal at 110dB..
No way enough power.

So.. someplace in between is the transition from totally fine.. to not enough.

Other folks saying they play... (with no mention of HOW LOUD) is useless.

So.. I ask "How loud do you  (the op) play music?
You can download a free app for a dB meter. and see how loud your average playing music is from your listening position.
I find I listen at 60dB (C weighted average peak) a lot. With LOUD (for me) being peaking at 80dB (I would never get to 85dB..)

I used to listen louder.. But now I am old, and no longer need to force my neighbors to listen to MY musical choices, like I used to when I was young. LOL

servingko

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Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #7 on: 26 Nov 2017, 01:14 am »
I am using a 3B2 to drive a pair or Middle T speakers which are 2db less efficient and no problems.  With my B135 the lights just barely flicker, but that is at sound pressure levels I don't listen at, more of a "can you believe how great these sound even at this level?!"

TJ-Sully

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Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #8 on: 26 Nov 2017, 01:15 am »
Hey Tyreman, my thoughts are if you enjoy music with clean clear crisp and heart felt bass, you may wish to consider the 4B series of Bryston amps. I have a 4BSST2 and it does a wonderful job with any speaker i connect to it - with wonderful bass.  It looks like those 803's reach the 35Hz frequency range - so i'd bet the 4B would better reveal the speakers dynamic potential. 
Good luck!
TJ

rob80b

Re: 3B SST driving B&W Matrix 803 S2
« Reply #9 on: 29 Nov 2017, 03:13 pm »
I’m with Elizabeth on this one…how loud is loud?….also of retirement age but I still like to crank it up once in a while…... 
Previously ran a pair of Celestion SL6Ss (8ohm, 82db sensitivity) and Dynaudio 1.3MKIIs (4ohm 86db) pretty loud (90 plus dBs) in a 15 x 25 living room with a 3BST with no problems, obviously a bigger amp might bring better fluidity and ease to the table but the 3BST never clipped nor showed signs of strain.
Currently driving a pair of Dynaudio Special 25s, 4 ohms at 88dB sensitivity in a more modest 10’ x 15’ x 10’ space but with a 3BSST 2…. had a 4BSST (overkill?), which was an improvement over the 3BST, but decided to down size to the 3BSST 2 with no apparent hit in dynamics or distortion when playing loud and again was IMHO a slight improvement over the 4BSST in my set-up.
But again how loud is loud?, space size?…a bigger amp will offer you more reserve power for demanding dynamics but the 3BSST will be more than sufficient in a moderate size room for most discerning music lovers…heavy metal or classical. : )