Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 (2021)

Name: Bowers & Wilkins 805
Brand: Bowers & Wilkins

At 11.5kg, this compact speaker carries the weight of serious engineering in every gram.

Overview

The Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 is a stand-mount speaker from the 800 Series Diamond lineup. It was introduced in 2021 as the most compact model in the range. It has a bookshelf footprint, but it uses the same high-end materials and design principles as Bowers & Wilkins' flagship floorstanders.

The speaker is built around two drivers: a diamond dome tweeter and a Continuum cone for the bass and midrange. The crossover is set at 350Hz and 4kHz. The cabinet uses Matrix bracing and an anti-resonance design to suppress internal vibrations, which keeps the output clean and uncolored. When unboxed, the tweeter assembly may feel loose. That is intentional. It is part of a decoupling system that isolates high-frequency resonance, and it is not a defect. The grilles attach magnetically, and the heavier bass/midrange grille is the one to watch. They ship separately so nothing shifts in transit.

Positioned as a high-end stand-mount option, the 805 D4 demands serious amplification, with a recommended range of 50W to 120W into 8Ω. Its sensitivity of 88dB (2.83V, 1m) suggests it’s not the easiest load to drive, though the nominal 8Ω impedance (dipping to a minimum of 3.0Ω) indicates it should work with most quality amplifiers. The frequency response extends from 34Hz to 35kHz (±3dB), covering both deep bass and ultra-high frequencies with authority.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Bowers & Wilkins
Product type	stand-mount speaker
Tweeter	Diamond dome tweeter
Bass/Midrange driver	Continuum cone bass/mid
Frequency Response	34Hz - 35kHz (±3dB)
Sensitivity	88dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
Impedance	8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω)
Recommended Amplifier Power	50W – 120W into 8Ω
Crossover Frequencies	350Hz, 4kHz
Dimensions (H x W x D)	440 x 238 x 362mm
Weight	11.5kg (each)
Cabinet Construction	Solid body, anti-resonance design with Matrix bracing
Series	800 Series Diamond
Launch Year	2021

Key Features

Diamond Dome Tweeter with Decoupled Mounting

The 805 D4 uses a diamond dome tweeter, which is a hallmark of the 800 Series Diamond line and is known for extended high-frequency response and low distortion. The tweeter is mechanically decoupled from the cabinet. It sits on a separate substructure so vibrations from the speaker body don't affect high-frequency clarity. That is why the assembly can feel loose when first handled. Bowers & Wilkins has confirmed this is intentional and not a fault.

Continuum Cone Bass/Midrange Driver

Matrix-Reinforced Anti-Resonance Cabinet

The cabinet uses Matrix bracing, an internal lattice structure that stiffens the enclosure and reduces panel resonance. Combined with the solid body construction, this minimizes coloration from cabinet vibrations. Independent testing noted resonant modes on aluminum surfaces at 855Hz and 1100Hz. The overall enclosure was described as inert when tapped, which suggests effective damping in critical areas.

Compact Form in the 800 Series Diamond Line

The 805 D4 is the smallest model in the 800 Series Diamond range and brings flagship technologies into a stand-mount format. It measures 440mm high, 238mm wide and 362mm deep, which suits smaller rooms or nearfield listening. Each speaker weighs 11.5kg, owing to the density of the materials and the internal bracing that keeps the cabinet rigid.