Bowers & Wilkins 804D5 Speaker

The Tweeter-on-Top retains the 25-mm diamond dome but introduces a new protective grille derived from the Signature models. The new geometry improves acoustic transparency and further reduces diffraction, contributing to a more uniform dispersion.

The low-frequency section, on the other hand, continues to rely on 165-mm Aerofoil woofers, the same ones used in the previous series. The designers chose to focus their efforts not so much on the drivers themselves as on their integration with the cabinet and on controlling structural vibrations. The Biomimetic suspension remains exclusive to the midrange driver: Bowers & Wilkins explained at the 2026 Vienna trade show, where they unveiled the new 800 Series, that they had considered applying the same principle to the woofers as well, but the much greater excursion does not yet allow for the required level of reliability.

The crossover has also undergone extensive refinement. The topology remains essentially unchanged from the D4, with a first-order filter for the tweeter, a second-order filter for the midrange, and a third-order filter for the woofers, but the quality of the components has improved significantly. Making their debut are Mundorf Supreme capacitors and Van den Hul silver internal wiring—previously used in the Signature versions—along with new cable insulation, low-loss brass terminals, and a reinforced crossover mount secured to the cabinet with sturdier anchors. These seemingly minor changes help both improve electrical conductivity and limit the impact of vibrations on the crossover’s performance.

In terms of construction, the 804 D5 is slightly larger in size and, above all, heavier, weighing over 40 kilograms. This figure reflects the increased use of structural components and confirms that the primary goal of the design was to further enhance the speaker’s overall rigidity.

The design evolves subtly, without altering the identity of the 800 Series. The new Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut, and Dark Walnut, combined with the Connolly leather-covered top panel and aluminum accents, give the D5 a more refined look while preserving the design language that has made Bowers & Wilkins speakers instantly recognizable for over forty years.

Listening

The Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 speakers are probably one of the most well-balanced models in the entire 800 Series. These speakers don’t try to impress; on the contrary, they win you over gradually, pushing any technical considerations into the background. They’re one of those products that make you forget the medium and bring the music back to the forefront.

The first impression is one of extraordinary sonic continuity. There is no perceptible transition between the various drivers; it’s as if the tweeter, midrange, and woofer were a single transducer capable of covering the entire audio bandwidth. This is a rare feature even among very high-end speakers and represents, in our opinion, one of the greatest achievements of Bowers & Wilkins with this fifth generation of the 800 Series. The integration between the three drivers is simply perfect. The Diamond tweeter never stands out with artificial brilliance, the midrange doesn’t seek the spotlight, and the woofers operate with such naturalness that they give the impression that everything originates from a single sound source.