B&W 803
A floor-standing loudspeaker in Bowers & Wilkins' 800 series, with multiple generations including the 803 Matrix Series 2, 803 nautilus, 803 Diamond, 803 D3, and 803 D4.
Overview
The B&W 803 is a floor-standing loudspeaker made by Bowers & Wilkins, part of their flagship 800 series. Multiple distinct generations exist, including the 803 Matrix Series 2, 803 nautilus, 803 Diamond, 803 D3, and 803 D4. The 803 Diamond was noted in a 2024 forum post as the last generation but no longer the current model.
Specifications
| Exact product name | B&W 803 |
| Manufacturer | Bowers & Wilkins |
| Product type | Loudspeaker, Floor-standing speaker |
| Product family | 800 series |
Context
The B&W 803 has been compared to models such as the JBL L150a, Wilson Sabrina X, and B&W 804, and is often discussed in relation to amplifier pairings, including Mac amplification and Classe Delta series amplifiers. It has been noted for delivering a smooth sound, particularly when paired with appropriate electronics.
Market
No major reliability issues are cited in available sources, though repair discussions exist for components such as the tweeter and bass unit in the 803 Diamond, and service manuals are referenced for the Matrix 803 filter replacement.
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Related Models
- B&W 801 (1979-1992)
- B&W Nautilus 801 (1993-2000)
- B&W DM602 S3
- Akai AM-2850 (1975)
- Akai AP-206 (1975)
- Nakamichi BX-1 (1985)
- Acoustic Research research-ar-17 (1978)
- Acoustic Research AR-19 (1994)
- Acoustic Research AR-1W (1954)
- Acoustic Research AR-28S (1992)