Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Review – 801 carat sounds
From time to time, Bowers & Wilkins enhances select speakers with “Signature” versions. The 801 D4 and 805 D4 have recently received these optical and acoustic upgrades, leaving their mark on sound quality. Lothar Brandt
Previously, “Signature” models were rare. The legendary “Silver Signature” based on the Matrix 805 compact speaker was introduced in 1991 for the company’s 25th anniversary. Ten years later, for the 35th anniversary, the Signature 800 and Signature 805 followed. The Signature Diamond emerged for the 40th anniversary. Now, B&W has launched the current flagship 801 D4 Signature and the compact 805 D4 Signature without a specific anniversary.
B&W enthusiasts can still find a significant milestone: 30 years ago, the famous “Nautilus” was introduced. The revolutionary design with its shell-like bass enclosure remains unique and reappears this year in the exclusive “Abalone Pearl” finish. Other features of this technological marvel, like the “Turbine Head” enclosure for the midrange driver and the tapered tweeter tubes, continue to influence B&W’s top speakers today.
The “Signature” editions embody these advancements. B&W emphasizes that the standard versions of the fourth series with diamond tweeters remain available, and both the 801 D4 and 805 D4 (02/23) remain top-tier speakers.
Technical Tuning
Both new Signatures maintain the same dimensions and driver configurations as their base models. However, the €50,000 801 D4 Signature and €12,000 805 D4 Signature (per pair) boast several detailed improvements.
In the 801, for instance, a new aluminum plate slightly angled to cover the bass cabinet is adorned with Connolly leather – blue for Midnight Blue, black for California Burl Gloss. Special openings and bracing have further improved this plate’s resonance behavior. This plate also supports the leather-clad, mechanically optimized plastic collar for the “Turbine Head,” which houses the 15-centimeter FST midrange driver with its Continuum diaphragm and biomimetic suspension.
The 25-millimeter diamond tweeter features a newly designed protective grille. Close inspection reveals the Signature’s finer hexagonal structure compared to the standard version.
The 25-centimeter bass drivers of the Signature models have black lacquered baskets. Bowers claims to have modified the steel specifications for the magnet’s casing. The basses in the 801 are aided by an aerodynamically shaped Flowport, now aluminum instead of plastic.
The 805 D4 retains its plastic Flowport. However, the 165-millimeter woofer with its silver aramid diaphragm has received an optimized pole plate on the magnet and an enlarged ventilation hole to further reduce distortion. Both Signatures’ crossovers now feature doubled bypass capacitors, improving the filters’ performance. The crossovers, with air-core coils and Mundorf “MCaps” and “MCaps Supreme,” are visually impressive.
Sonic Tuning
Listening sessions revealed the impact of these upgrades. At both the Swiss B&W importer and the acoustically optimized listening rooms, the 805 D4 Signature impressed with its musicality. Few compact speakers globally match its wealth of information and precise spatial imaging. The 805 D4 Signature surpasses even this high standard.
It’s important not to use combative language like “outdo,” as the standard 805 D4 is already excellent. The Signature shares the same acoustic genes but with subtle enhancements. The remastered “Götterdämmerung” vinyl revealed the Signature’s increased musical cohesion and detail, particularly in differentiating the voices of the three Norns. It excelled in detail fidelity and micro-dynamics.
The 805 D4 Signature handled Efrat Alony’s “Alla Salma Infidel” and Entering Polaris’ “Atlantean Shores” with finesse, though it remains limited in bass power and maximum volume. These limitations are shared with its base model. The result is a fantastic compact speaker full of grace and charm.
The “big” Signature also impressed. The 801 D4 Signature, when properly powered, can create an extraordinary aura. The 801 D4 already brought “more splendor and atmosphere” to the listening room, and the Signature enhances this even further. The dramatic finale of “Götterdämmerung” was delivered with such power and precision that even a Wagner skeptic could be overwhelmed by the soundscape.
Despite its higher price, the Signature offers an astonishing improvement in cohesion. It tightened the bass and delivered hard rock impacts with greater authority, showcasing an enhanced performance even at high volumes. Bob Dylan’s “Man With The Long Black Coat” was particularly mesmerizing with this speaker.
Conclusion: Bowers & Wilkins has achieved more than just a visual upgrade with the latest Signature models. The subtle yet distinct acoustic improvements make these the best 801 and 805 speakers B&W has ever produced. Congratulations!
Top Components
The diamond tweeter has crowned B&W’s premium series for four generations, giving the “Diamond” series its name. The current top model is the 801 D4 for floor-standing speakers, and the 805 D4 for compact speakers. Their 25-millimeter diamond tweeters are housed in round, tapered “Nautilus” enclosures.
In the Signature models, the tweeters feature a newly developed protective grille with a finer hexagonal structure, enhancing spatial imaging.
Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature
This 3-way floor-standing speaker features a downfire bass reflex port and crossover frequencies at 360 Hz and 2.3 kHz. The on-axis frequency response is balanced with reserved lower midrange and slight variations above 2 kHz. The extended frequency range spans from 25 Hz (-3 dB) to over 40 kHz. The speaker maintains clarity at high volumes with good time-domain performance and minimal delayed resonances. Maximum SPL: 106 dB. Efficiency: 84 dB (2V/1m). Impedance: 3.4/4 Ω. Power requirement: 40/180 W (4 Ω).
Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature
This 2-way speaker features a bass reflex port and crossover frequency at 2.3 kHz. The frequency response is balanced with slight variations above 2 kHz. The frequency range extends from 36 Hz (-6 dB) to 40 kHz. A peak in harmonic distortion appears at 900 Hz, but without delayed resonances. Maximum SPL in the bass: 99 dB. Efficiency: 80 dB (2V/1m). Recommended amplifier power: 75-95 W (4 Ω).
In sight
1) 150mm Continuum cone midrange driver
2) 2x 250mm Aerofoil cone bass drivers
3) Bi-wireable binding posts
4) Alloy plinth lifts cabinet and reflex port dear of the ground. Interchangeable wheels/spikes are included
ORIGIN UK
TYPE 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker
WEIGHT 101 kg
DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 451×1,221x600mm
FEATURES
25mm Diamond Dome tweeter
150mm Continuum cone midrange driver
2x250mm Aerofoil bass drrars
Quoted sensitivity: 90dB/1W/1m (8ohm)
DISTRIBUTOR B&W Group Ltd
WEBSITE bowero-wilkins.co.uk
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My review here is on the 800d3 that is currently in the system, all while waiting for the ordered 801d4. Looking forward for their arrival.
Thanks,
Mike