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Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4
Built to similar proportions as the flagship 801 D4, the 802 D4 offers much of the performance of its sibling, including the same Turbine™ Head enclosure for its midrange drive unit, yet is more affordable overall.
- Diamond Tweeter
- Solid body Tweeter-on-Top
- Continuum™ Cone FST
- Anti-Resonance Plug
- Biomimetic Suspension
- Turbine™ Head
- Matrix™
- Aerofoil™ Cone Bass Units
- Flowport™
Absolute elegance
802 D4’s svelte proportions and beautiful painted or real-wood-veneer finishes make for an elegant living-room companion – but one that doesn’t compromise on performance. Perfect for reference-grade stereo listening and an excellent choice in home theatre applications.
Aerofoil™ bass cone
Our Aerofoil bass cone technology remains an outstanding solution to the conundrum of combining low mass and high stiffness in bass cones, thanks to its carbon-fibre skin and variable-profile foam core. Now, we have added the foam Anti-Resonance Plug for lower distortion and even cleaner bass.
Aluminium top-plate
Every stereo model in the new 800 Series Diamond™ range has a significantly upgraded cabinet with an all-new aluminium top-plate. This also provides a perfect mounting point for all-new Leather by Connolly trim, with luxurious black leather for dark cabinets and light grey for lighter finishes.
Decoupled midrange assembly
Like its floor-standing siblings in the new range, 802 D4 has a dedicated midrange cone using three key Bowers & Wilkins technologies: the Continuum™ cone, Biomimetic Suspension and midrange decoupling, the latter ensuring minimal interference from the operation of the loudspeaker’s bass drivers.
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.
One of our best
802 D4 is a very special loudspeaker in its own right, with a thrilling blend of performance and style that other loudspeakers will find hard to emulate. Only one model in our range can best it – the flagship 801 D4, which has 250mm (10-in) bass cones in a more substantial low-frequency enclosure.
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Professional Reviews 95/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
96/100
Build Quality
97/100
Value for Money
92/100
The 802 D4 combines controlled bass, open midrange expression and ultra-resolving treble, creating a vivid three-dimensional presentation that stays composed at live-like levels. Rafael Todes found it more natural and integrated than its predecessor, while hi-fi+ highlighted its emotional force and holographic imaging. This is full-range reference sound with genuine musical momentum.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Deep, fast and exceptionally controlled bass delivers full-range authority without sacrificing tonal detail.
Sweet, accurate treble and an open, weighty midrange reveal fine detail without the harshness associated with earlier generations.
Expansive, precisely layered imaging remains stable even at very high listening levels.
Exceptional cabinet finish, bracing and mechanical engineering support genuinely reference-class build quality.
&
Cons
At 88.1kg each, these speakers need a large room, sensible access and specialist help for installation.
They benefit from careful incremental positioning to achieve their best bass balance and imaging.
Their revealing, monitor-like character can expose compressed or poorly recorded material.
A substantial run-in period is needed before the treble fully focuses and excess resonance subsides.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
Reviewers describe an unusually complete, reference-level presentation: deeply controlled bass, open and expressive midrange, sweet yet exceptionally revealing treble, and expansive, precisely organized imaging. Its character is highly transparent and monitor-like, but reviewers also found it emotionally engaging, physically authoritative, and more forgiving of imperfect recordings than expected.
Bass
97/100
The twin 8-inch bass system earns repeated praise for going very deep while retaining exceptional control, speed, tonal variety, and separation. StereoNET calls the low bass controlled and varied, while hi-fi+ found it nuanced enough to distinguish the character of individual instruments without blurring low-frequency detail; Future Audiophile says a subwoofer is unnecessary for satisfying full-range listening.
Mid
96/100
The midrange is consistently described as open, transparent, detailed, and convincingly weighty. Future Audiophile heard it as solid, punchy, and accurate, while StereoNET praised the believable body and nuance of strings and guitar; Audiophile Style particularly highlights the extra life and layers brought to vocals.
Treble
95/100
Reviewers find the diamond tweeter exceptionally resolving and airy without the stridency associated with some earlier 802 generations. Future Audiophile praises minute-detail retrieval without excess brightness, and StereoNET describes the treble as accurate, focused, gentle, and notably sweet once the speakers had run in.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Imaging is a major strength, with reviews citing notably wide staging, substantial depth, and sharply placed three-dimensional images. hi-fi+ describes instruments occupying clear individual spaces and the speakers throwing shapes into the air, while Audiophile Style heard a wider stage with less demanding toe-in than its previous reference.
Dynamics
96/100
The 802 D4 is repeatedly portrayed as effortless with both microdetail and large-scale musical force. It stays composed at very high output, delivering visceral impact and substantial air movement without audible smearing; Future Audiophile reports it remained unfazed beyond 100dB.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
97/100
The cabinet, finish, and mechanical execution receive emphatic praise. StereoNET calls the finish among the finest available at any price, while Future Audiophile considers the parts and build quality unmatched; hi-fi+ details extensive bracing, decoupling, metalwork, and carefully executed structural improvements.
Value for Money
92/100
At $34,000, the 802 D4 is plainly a costly loudspeaker, but reviewers broadly regard the outlay as justified within this rarefied market. hi-fi+ argues that serious rivals struggle to compete and may cost roughly twice as much, while StereoNET explicitly calls it good value and Audiophile Style reports no buyer's remorse despite the substantial expense.
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