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™
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 801 D4 is our best yet, upgraded with extensive aluminium bracing to reinforce key stress points.
 
Turbine™ Head
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.
 
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 optimised form alongside crossover components of the highest quality. You want our reference loudspeaker? This is it…
 
  

Technical features
Diamond tweeter
Solid body Tweeter-on-Top
Continuum™ cone FST
Anti-Resonance plug
Biomimetic Suspension
Turbine™ Head
Matrix™
Aerofoil™ cone bass units
Flowport

Description
3-way vented-box system

Drive units
1x ø25mm (1in) diamond dome high-frequency
1x ø150mm (6in) Continuum cone FST midrange
2x ø250mm (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
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB,1m on axis)