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Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4
The loudspeaker that sets the standard other high-end designs will be judged by for years to come. Endowed with every new technology the 800 Series Diamond has to offer, the reference-quality 801 D4 is an instant icon.
40 years of excellence
Innovation. 801 D4 is defined by it. In each of its incarnations over the decades, 801 has always been the most advanced loudspeaker that we know to make at that particular point in time, a showcase of all our newest technologies and most original thinking. Small wonder it has become an icon.
The ultimate Matrix™
The all-aluminium Turbine Head houses our Continuum™ midrange cone in a stiff and critically damped enclosure to eliminate unwanted resonances. At the same time, it’s decoupled from both the bass enclosure and the tweeter body. The result? The most realistic midrange sound yet.
Turbine™ Head
The all-aluminum Turbine Head houses our Continuum midrange cone in a stiff and critically damped enclosure to eliminate unwanted resonances. At the same time, it’s decoupled from both the bass enclosure and the tweeter body. The result? The most realistic midrange sound yet.
Biomimetic Suspension
Sometimes, making a big difference takes unconventional thinking. Our new Biomimetic Suspension revolutionises midrange performance by greatly reducing the unwanted air pressure and coloration that a traditional fabric spider can generate. The result? Midrange transparency you wouldn’t believe.
The science of sound
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We question, we examine, we understand and then we evolve. We use computer modelling to explore and reimagine every aspect of loudspeaker design. Learn more about all the technologies that combine to make 800 Series Diamond so special here.
The state of our art
801 D4 is our flagship and the most powerful model in the new 800 Series Diamond range. Its no-compromise design includes all our most advanced technologies in their purest, most optimized form alongside crossover components of the highest quality. You want our reference loudspeaker? This is it…
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Thrilling dynamics and a vast, three-dimensional soundstage make the 801 D4 a reference-class floorstander, marrying authoritative, room-energising bass with a refined, airy treble and coherent midrange. Reviewers from HiFi News and SoundStage Solo praised its integration, detail and build.
Pros
- Deep, authoritative low end with fast transient attack and room-energising impact.
- Outstanding dynamics and headroom — effortless micro/macro slam even at very high levels.
- Refined, better-integrated treble with a present, natural midrange and strong vocal focus.
- Exceptional build and enclosure engineering (Matrix bracing, aluminium top-plate, premium finishes) that reduce cabinet resonance.
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Cons
- Needs high-power, high-current amplification and a top-tier system to realise its potential.
- Very large and heavy — positioning and setup can be challenging and the speakers demand a generous room.
- Flagship-level price places them at the top end of the market, limiting accessibility.
Sound Quality
95/100
Bass
96/100
Multiple reviewers praise deep, powerful, controlled bass from the twin 250mm Aerofoil woofers (SoundStage Solo, HiFi News, Audiophilepure). Descriptions include "super-nuanced low-end", "room-energising" impact and "punchy and remarkably controlled" response, and the spec shows very deep extension (15Hz–28kHz).
Mid
95/100
Reviewers consistently note a more present, natural midrange with strong vocal focus and intimacy (SoundStage Solo, HiFi News). Comments such as "flesh and bone" and "astonishing in the intimacy of its focus" indicate excellent timbre and crossover coherence.
Treble
94/100
The revised Diamond tweeter and Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top yield sweeter, more integrated highs with detail and refinement (SoundStage Solo, HiFi News). Reviewers highlight reduced etch compared with prior models and improved integration with mids, preserving air without harshness.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Several reviews describe enormous, three-dimensional soundfields with precise instrument placement and wide-open panoramas (SoundStage Solo, HiFi News, Audiophilepure). Imaging is repeatedly praised for clarity, depth and believable venue ambience.
Dynamics
95/100
Dynamics are a standout: reviewers report startling micro/macro slam, effortless headroom and the ability to play extremely loud without strain (SoundStage Solo, Audiophilepure, HiFi News). Descriptions like "near-zero limitations" and "big slam just cannons out" support a top-tier dynamics rating.
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Build Quality
96/100
Construction and finish are described as luxurious and mechanically sound with high-quality materials (Connolly leather, aluminium top-plate) and excellent assembly tolerance (SoundStage Solo, HiFi News). Features like the milled Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top and substantial plinth underline premium engineering.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive tower baseline applied. Reviews note bi-wiring/bi-amping provision and supplied spade jumpers, plus a substantial plinth with spikes and wheels, but as a passive design the connectivity score follows the passive baseline.
Value for Money
86/100
Very expensive (~46,000 per pair) but reviewers consider them an apex offering a 'banquet of tech' and hard to better at this level (SoundStage Solo, HiFi Advice). High performance relative to peers earns a strong value score despite the premium price.
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