Yes, the delay lets it slow down......and I'm beginning to think you're right about the matrices not being wired quite right....I bought them on ebay...they have XH-1088BRW on the side of them....
This is what I have for reference but I'll look better for a good datasheet..
The picture is attached....
![IMG_4062[1].JPG](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/3X/a/c/ac62b32060ac59e1dad01638603c82a644d417c4.jpg)