description Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Overview
The 801 D4 is the flagship of the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series, widely regarded as the industry standard for recording studios and high-end home systems alike. It features the signature Diamond Dome tweeter and a Continuum cone midrange, delivering unparalleled detail and natural vocal reproduction. The 'Turbine Head' housing isolates the midrange from the bass cabinet, ensuring zero coloration. It is a powerhouse speaker that combines technical precision with a luxurious aesthetic, making it the definitive choice for those who want to hear their music exactly as the artist intended.
info Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Specifications
| Type | Floorstanding Loudspeaker |
| Weight | 29.5 kg (each) |
| Tweeter | 25mm Diamond Dome |
| Midrange | 150mm Continuum Cone |
| Impedance | 8 Ohms (Nominal) |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB SPL (2.83V/1m) |
| Bass Drivers | 2 x 200mm Turbine Technology Bass Drivers |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 30kHz ±3dB |
| Dimensions (H X W X D) | 1350mm x 300mm x 432mm |
balance Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Pros & Contras
- Exceptional Detail Retrieval: The Diamond Dome tweeter delivers incredibly detailed and accurate high-frequency reproduction, revealing nuances often missed by lesser speakers.
- Natural Vocal Reproduction: The Continuum cone midrange driver provides remarkably natural and lifelike vocal reproduction, minimizing coloration and distortion.
- Powerful and Controlled Bass: The Turbine Technology bass drivers offer deep, powerful, and well-controlled bass response, minimizing distortion even at high volumes.
- Advanced Matrix System: The rigid Matrix bracing system significantly reduces cabinet resonance and vibrations, ensuring a cleaner and more accurate sound.
- Optimized Bi-Amping: The dedicated amplifier sections for the tweeter and midrange/bass drivers ensure optimal power delivery and performance across the frequency spectrum.
- Premium Build Quality: Constructed with high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, the 801 D4 exudes a sense of luxury and durability.
- High Cost: The 801 D4 represents a significant investment, placing it out of reach for many audio enthusiasts.
- Requires Powerful Amplification: To fully realize its potential, the 801 D4 requires a high-quality and powerful amplifier, adding to the overall system cost.
- Placement Sensitivity: Optimal performance is highly dependent on room acoustics and speaker placement, requiring careful setup and experimentation.
- Size and Weight: The substantial size and weight of the speakers can be challenging to accommodate in smaller rooms and require careful handling.
- May Reveal Flaws in Source Material: The exceptional detail retrieval can highlight imperfections in poorly recorded or compressed audio files.
help Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 FAQ
What is the difference between the 801 D4 and the 800 D3?
The D4 features a redesigned Diamond Dome tweeter with improved stiffness and a new Continuum cone midrange, resulting in enhanced clarity, detail, and a more natural soundstage compared to the D3.
What kind of amplifier is recommended for the 801 D4?
Bowers & Wilkins recommends a high-quality power amplifier with a minimum output of 200 watts per channel. Integrated amplifiers or separate power amplifiers from reputable brands are suitable options.
How do I best position the 801 D4 speakers in my room?
Experiment with speaker placement, ensuring they are equidistant from the listening position and away from walls to minimize bass buildup. Toe-in can be adjusted to fine-tune the soundstage and imaging.
What is Turbine Technology and how does it benefit the sound?
Turbine Technology utilizes a flared bass port design to reduce turbulence and distortion, resulting in a cleaner, more powerful, and more accurate bass response with improved transient performance.
What is Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4?
How good is Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4?
How much does Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 cost?
What are the best alternatives to Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4?
What is Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 best for?
The Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 is ideal for discerning audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who demand the highest levels of sonic accuracy, detail, and performance and are willing to invest in a premium audio system.
How does Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 compare to KEF Blade One Meta?
Is Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 worth it in 2026?
What are the key specifications of Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4?
- Type: Floorstanding Loudspeaker
- Weight: 29.5 kg (each)
- Tweeter: 25mm Diamond Dome
- Midrange: 150mm Continuum Cone
- Impedance: 8 Ohms (Nominal)
- Sensitivity: 90 dB SPL (2.83V/1m)
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