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Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4
Our most compact headed model brings all the technical advantages of a dedicated midrange enclosure - the Turbine™ Head, with its decoupled midrange cone - to a smaller footprint that's easily accommodated in any home.
Small wonder
803 D4 may be notably more compact than the 801 D4 or 802 D4, but it still bristles with technical innovation, most obviously in its use of a three-box construction. Its 130mm (5-in) midrange cone is carefully isolated from the impact of its bass cones thanks to its Turbine Head enclosure.
Reverse Wrap cabinet
Instead of a conventional loudspeaker box, our cabinets are made from a continuous curved section of wood, with the drive units mounted at the heart of the curvature. This stiffer, more inert structure resists mechanical resonances far better and also ensures better dispersion of sound.
Enhanced Matrix™
Matrix bracing uses interlocking panels to reinforce loudspeaker cabinet walls in all directions internally, reducing resonance and creating a more believable soundstage. The Matrix assembly in 803 D4 is our best yet, ensuring optimum scale, power and intelligibility.
Aluminium bass pods
803 D4 mounts two Aerofoil™ bass cones in twin solid aluminium bass pods, each of which is clamped into an aluminium plate fixed to the stiffest part of its curved cabinet. Formed as single pieces of metal, these stiff structures provide the perfect mechanical location for those powerful bass cones.
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.
Step up for more power
803 D4 features all the most iconic ingredients in the 800 Series Diamond range including, of course, that famous headed enclosure. It is, however, smaller than its other siblings. Step up to the 802 D4, and you’ll get both larger 200mm (8-in) bass cones and a larger 150mm (6-in) midrange driver.
Dealers selling Bowers & Wilkins near you
Anchored by an incisive turbine-head/diamond tweeter top, the 803 D4 delivers an expansive, razor-sharp soundstage and peerless micro-detail, with controlled yet powerful bass extension that reaches into the 20Hz region. Reviewers such as Jamie Biesemans and Tom Waters note its tonal coherence and dynamic authority, though it rewards careful setup and stout amplification.
Pros
- Exceptional, holographic imaging and large, well-layered soundstage when positioned correctly.
- High-resolution treble and mid clarity from the diamond tweeter/turbine-head architecture, yielding detailed, refined top-end.
- Powerful, controlled bass with deep extension and good articulation for a speaker of its size.
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Cons
- Very placement- and room-sensitive — small changes can trade off imaging for bass.
- Requires a high-quality, high-current amplifier to unlock its dynamics and authority.
- Measured/subjective notch in the upper mid (~2–3 kHz) and some off‑axis treble unevenness that may affect voicing in certain rooms.
Sound Quality
93/100
Bass
94/100
Dual 180mm Aerofoil woofers and vented-box design deliver authoritative extension and weight; multiple reviewers report strong, room-filling bass down to ~20 Hz in-room. Some reviewers still recommend a sub for certain listening setups, and one noted a narrow response notch at ~60 Hz, but overall control, impact and extension are repeatedly praised.
Mid
92/100
Continuum 130mm mid and careful cabinet decoupling yield very natural timbre, microdetail and coherent midrange performance praised across reviews. Measurements and listening notes identify designed dips (the 'BBC dip' and a ~2–3 kHz notch) that slightly colour the upper mid but do not materially harm musicality or vocal presence.
Treble
93/100
Diamond tweeter and turbine head deliver exceptional resolution, air and sparkle without perceived harshness according to several reviewers. One reviewer’s single-shot measurements showed some unevenness off-axis/at specific angles, but subjective reports emphasize refinement and lack of brightness.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Multiple reviews describe exceptional imaging, holographic projection and large, well-layered soundstages when speakers are carefully placed. Placement/room sensitivity is noted — great results depend on correct setup — but when set up correctly the 803 D4 is elite in imaging.
Dynamics
92/100
Reviewers report excellent micro- and macro-dynamics, impressive slam and orchestral authority without running out of steam. Not the absolute most efficient/demanding speaker, but it offers wide dynamic range and handles high SPLs cleanly with suitable amplification.
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Build Quality
96/100
High-engineering pedigree: turbine head with tuned mass dampers, decoupled midmount, Aerofoil cones, premium finishes and Connolly leather top are repeatedly praised. Fit, finish and mechanical design are described as top-tier for the price.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive floorstander baseline applied. Speaker offers quality bi-wireable terminals, robust binding posts and industry-standard passive connectivity; no deduction for being a passive design.
Value for Money
88/100
At the stated price point reviewers call these a strong value relative to the flagship line — 'a lot of performance' for the cost and good resale value. High-end pricing is acknowledged but many reviewers felt performance justified the investment compared with peers.
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