Bowers & Wilkins has unveiled the latest generation of its flagship 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers, marking the British hi-fi brand’s 60th anniversary with what it describes as the most advanced speaker range in its history.
Launched at the High End Vienna Audio Show – the first time it’s been held there – the new 800 Series Diamond D5 lineup introduces a raft of acoustic, mechanical and aesthetic upgrades designed to push performance beyond that of the outgoing D4 generation.
The range will be available from September and comprises seven models, with prices starting at £10,000 for the 805 D5 standmount speaker and rising to a wallet-wilting £43,000 for the flagship 801 D5.
The 800 Series has long occupied a special place in the world of premium audio, with versions of the speakers used in recording studios around the globe, including some of the music industry’s most respected mastering facilities. The new D5 generation continues that tradition, while introducing technologies first seen in the company’s Signature models.
Among the headline upgrades is a new aluminium “Space Frame Bracing” system, designed to reduce cabinet vibration and resonance. Bowers & Wilkins says the result is a cleaner, more three-dimensional soundstage. Floorstanding models also benefit from redesigned aluminium plinths featuring tuned-mass damping to minimise unwanted vibrations.
The company has further strengthened cabinet rigidity through an enhanced version of its Matrix bracing technology and an all-new aluminium top plate. The aim is simple: reduce enclosure coloration and allow the drive units to perform with greater accuracy.
Elsewhere, the D5 range gains upgraded drive-unit motor systems, revised crossover components and higher-quality internal wiring. The brand claims these changes deliver lower distortion, greater resolution and improved dynamics across the range.
The visual design has also received considerable attention. Four new finishes — Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut — replace the previous D4 colour palette, while tighter manufacturing tolerances and improved paint processes are intended to give the speakers a more luxurious appearance.
For those with suitably deep pockets, the range includes the 801 D5 (£43,000), 802 D5 (£32,500), 803 D5 (£25,500), 804 D5 (£16,000) and 805 D5 (£10,000), alongside dedicated centre-channel models for home cinema installations.
Whether the improvements justify the substantial investment remains to be seen, but if first impressions are anything to go by, Bowers & Wilkins is determined to ensure its most iconic speaker series remains firmly at the pinnacle of high-end audio.
