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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.
- Diamond Tweeter
- Solid body Tweeter-on-Top
- Continuum™ Cone FST
- Anti-Resonance Plug
- Biomimetic Suspension
- Turbine™ Head
- Matrix™
- Aerofoil™ Cone Bass Units
- Flowport™
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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Professional Reviews 95/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
96/100
Build Quality
97/100
Value for Money
91/100
The 801 D4 unleashes deep, controlled bass, explosive dynamics and a remarkably three-dimensional soundstage. Hi-Fi News admired its vivid musical insight, while SoundStage Solo found sweeter treble, more natural midrange presence and immense scale. A lavishly engineered reference floorstander, it makes orchestral, rock and intimate vocals feel thrillingly immediate.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Deep, fast and exceptionally controlled bass combines serious impact with tonal nuance.
Expansive, sharply focused imaging places performers precisely within a large, dimensional stage.
Effortless dynamic range remains clean and composed from delicate passages to concert-level volume.
Exceptional cabinet construction, finish and luxury detailing match its reference-level performance.
&
Cons
Needs powerful, high-quality amplification and careful system matching to reach its full potential.
Its 100kg-per-speaker mass and need for generous room space make installation demanding.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
Reviewers describe an exceptionally complete, revealing and musically compelling presentation, combining immense scale with fine low-level resolution. It demands suitably powerful, high-quality partnering equipment, but is reported to remain composed and involving from intimate acoustic recordings to concert-level material.
Bass
97/100
The two 250mm bass drivers are repeatedly praised for delivering unusually deep, powerful and controlled low frequencies. SoundStage Solo heard fast transient attack, rich tonal nuance and outstanding control, while HiFi News found the low end menacing and room-energising without becoming overblown.
Mid
95/100
Voices and instruments are described as clear, tactile and convincingly present. SoundStage Solo found the midrange more natural and "flesh and bone," while HiFi News praised the intimacy and focus of vocals and the clarity with which instrumental expression is resolved.
Treble
94/100
The revised diamond tweeter is widely described as cleaner, sweeter and better integrated than before, while retaining strong detail retrieval. SoundStage Solo specifically found the highs agile, tonally correct and balanced, without the edge that could affect the preceding generation with less sympathetic recordings.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Reviewers report a large, highly convincing three-dimensional stage with precise and stable placement. Sound Advice heard performers located reliably with depth behind the speakers, and SoundStage Solo found that enormous scale did not compromise sharply focused, realistically sized images.
Dynamics
97/100
The 801 D4 is repeatedly credited with exceptional dynamic range, impact and ease at high volume. It can move from delicate low-level material to full orchestral, rock or club-scale peaks without tonal change or audible stress, provided the amplification is capable enough.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
97/100
Construction and finish receive emphatic praise. Reviewers highlight the highly rigid, extensively braced cabinet structure, aluminium components, substantial plinth and luxurious Connolly leather detailing; SoundStage Solo considers panel fit and assembly among the industry's best.
Value for Money
91/100
At $46,000 per pair, this is unquestionably a specialist high-end purchase that also calls for expensive amplification and adequate room space. Nevertheless, SoundStage Solo judged that materially dearer speakers may offer little more and described the 801 D4 as difficult to challenge within—and even above—its price class.
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Authorized dealers for Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
and 276 more verified dealers