The Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 speaker is the culmination of Bowers & Wilkins' engineering expertise, featuring a Turbine Head for clear midrange, a Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top for exceptional highs, and a Reverse Wrap cabinet for wider sound. It also boasts innovative technologies like Biomimetic Suspension for pure midrange sound and a Decoupled Midrange assembly for minimized interference, all wrapped in a luxurious Leather by Connolly design.
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Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Floorstanding Loudspeaker

Experience the pinnacle of high-fidelity audio with the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4, the flagship model in the iconic 800 Series Diamond. Engineered for uncompromised performance, this reference-grade floorstanding speaker blends cutting-edge acoustic technologies with luxury craftsmanship to deliver extraordinary sonic realism. From its revolutionary Turbine™ Head and Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top to its Continuum™ midrange cone and Aerofoil™ bass units, every detail of the 801 D4 has been designed for absolute purity and power. Whether you’re building a world-class two-channel system or an elite home theater, the 801 D4 redefines what’s possible in premium loudspeakers.

Specifications

• Technical Features: Diamond tweeter, Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top, Continuum™ cone FST, Matrix™ bracing, Anti-Resonance plug, Biomimetic Suspension, Turbine™ Head, Aerofoil™ cone bass units, Flowport
• System Description: 3-way vented-box system
• Drive Units: 1x 25mm (1in) Diamond dome tweeter, 1x 150mm (6in) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2x 250mm (10in) Aerofoil cone bass units
• Frequency Range: 13Hz to 35kHz
• Frequency Response: 15Hz to 28kHz (±3dB from reference axis)
• Sensitivity: 90dB (on axis at 2.83Vrms at 1m)
• Harmonic Distortion: <1% (30Hz–20kHz), <0.3% (100Hz–20kHz)
• Nominal Impedance: 8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω)
• Recommended Amplifier Power: 50W – 1000W into 8Ω (on unclipped programme)
• Max Recommended Cable Impedance: 0.1Ω
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 1221mm x 451mm x 600mm (48.1in x 17.8in x 23.62in)
• Net Weight: 100.6kg (221.8lb)

Expanded Key Features List

• Turbine™ Head: All-aluminum housing isolates the midrange cone for stunning clarity and reduced resonance.
• Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top: Elongated tweeter housing with tube loading ensures pristine highs with exceptional openness.
• Reverse Wrap Cabinet: One-piece curved enclosure minimizes diffraction and enhances sound dispersion.
• Matrix™ Bracing System: Interlocking internal structure reinforces cabinet rigidity for distortion-free audio.
• Biomimetic Suspension: Revolutionary midrange suspension reduces coloration for unmatched vocal transparency.
• Continuum™ Cone: Advanced cone material delivers smooth transitions and natural midrange response.
• Decoupled Midrange Assembly: Isolates the midrange driver to eliminate interference from bass vibrations.
• Aluminum Top-Plate: Strengthens cabinet design and provides a luxurious mounting surface for Leather by Connolly.
• Rear-Mounted Crossover: Isolated for better performance and integrated into the aluminum spine for thermal control.
• Leather by Connolly: Premium full-grain leather detailing elevates the visual and tactile quality of the speaker.

Q&A Section

Q: What makes the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 a reference-grade speaker?
A: It combines cutting-edge acoustic technologies, including a Diamond tweeter, Turbine Head, and Aerofoil bass units, to deliver unmatched audio clarity, realism, and precision.

Q: How does the Turbine™ Head improve sound quality?
A: The all-aluminum housing eliminates resonance around the midrange driver, ensuring cleaner and more lifelike vocal and instrumental reproduction.

Q: What is the benefit of the Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top?
A: It offers a more open high-frequency response by using an extended tube-loading system to reduce distortion and reflections.

Q: Can the 801 D4 be used in home theater setups?
A: Absolutely. These speakers are ideal for both audiophile-grade stereo systems and high-end multi-channel home theater environments.

Q: What is Biomimetic Suspension, and why does it matter?
A: It’s a groundbreaking suspension system that reduces midrange distortion by minimizing air pressure interference, leading to greater clarity and detail.

Q: What kind of amplifier do I need for the 801 D4?
A: Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifiers between 50W and 1000W into 8 ohms for optimal performance.

Q: Does the 801 D4 require special speaker cables?
A: While no special cables are required, using low-impedance cables (max 0.1Ω) is recommended for best performance.

Q: How does the Reverse Wrap Cabinet affect audio performance?
A: It reduces diffraction and enhances imaging by maintaining a cleaner signal path and a more uniform sound dispersion.

B&W 801 D4, 802 D4 and 803 D4 Manual

B&W 801 D4 Info Sheet