Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://www.avpasion.com/bowers-wilkins-presenta-serie-800-d5/
B&W Announces New 800 D5 Series: Flagship Speakers with Diamond Dome Tweeters
The new 800 D5 series includes significant improvements in acoustic, mechanical and electrical aspects to further enhance the performance of the previous generation.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, British renowned audio company Bowers & Wilkins has unveiled the fifth generation of its iconic lineup and acclaimed Diamond Dome tweeter, the new 800 Diamond D5 series. The new D5 incorporates numerous technological innovations and design refinements, further solidifying the 800 Series' position as one of the most respected and iconic high-end speaker product lines in the world.
The manufacturer states that this new 800 D5 series is the most meticulously developed speaker lineup in Bowers & Wilkins history. Designed to reproduce original recordings with the highest fidelity, it comprises a total of seven different models. The lineup starts with the 805 D5, a stand-mount two-way speaker, and progresses through three-way floorstanding models: the 804 D5, 803 D5, and 802 D5, culminating in the 801 D5, the reference model and flagship of the series.
Completing the lineup are two high-performance center speakers designed for top-tier home theater systems: the HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5. Let's now delve deeper into Bowers & Wilkins' new 800 D5 series.
Refined Iconic Design
Bowers & Wilkins opted for refinement over revolution in the design of the new 800 D5 series speakers. New design elements, from the top plate and rear structure to the speaker module tweeter body trim ring and grille, have been completely revamped with a newly enhanced and more durable paint process, creating a harmonious blend with the overall finish.
All finishes have been renewed compared to the D4 generation. A new dark walnut finish combines dark metal details with black Connolly leather trim; a new stealth black finish features dark metal details; and a warm white finish, featuring champagne color details, offers a warmer and more modern aesthetic. The finish portfolio is completed by matching finished turbine head assemblies and new light walnut with champagne color metal details.
Beyond these new finishes, the 800 D5 series benefits from even stricter manufacturing tolerances to further elevate the perceived quality level. Minimizing visible transitions between surfaces, concealing fixed points, and significantly reducing gaps between panels result in a more uniform and refined appearance. The paint quality and finishing processes have also been improved for enhanced completion.
Newly Evolved Technologies
As previously mentioned, the new 800 D5 series builds upon the design and finish improvements to elevate the performance of previous generations to a significantly higher level. This is achieved through a series of acoustic, mechanical, and electrical refinements.
Key technological innovations include a space frame bracing system that increases enclosure rigidity and reduces unwanted effects from vibration and resonance. The result is a more realistic and three-dimensional soundstage. Additionally, a new mass damper with a profile carefully redesigned to fit the shape of each enclosure has been introduced.
As a result of the modeling and simulation work undertaken during the development process of the 801 D4 Signature, the new 800 D5 series features a completely revised aluminum top plate. It boasts thicker aluminum ribs, more mechanical fixing points, and new decoupling elements for the tweeter assembly, including the turbine head and solid body tweeter. All these contribute to more precise mechanical behavior in the upper section of each speaker.
Furthermore, it incorporates a new Enhanced Matrix that significantly improves the rigidity of critical areas around each transducer's front panel. By using carefully profiled thick aluminum sections to reinforce each aperture and further bracing them through rear ribs, the Enhanced Matrix works in conjunction with the space frame bracing and the new aluminum top plate to substantially increase the enclosure's structural rigidity and further reduce unwanted resonances.
Another notable innovation in this new lineup is the introduction of an aluminum sub-enclosure for the Continuum Cone FST midrange driver in the 804 D5 model. Derived from the high-rigidity turbine head structure used in the larger tower models of the 800 D5 series, this enclosure isolates the midrange transducer and provides a significantly more stable mechanical decoupling point. As a result, it delivers a spatial expression close to that of standalone head models like the 803 D5, enabling a more open and natural reproduction.
All models in the new 800 D5 series feature the latest generation diamond dome tweeter protection mesh grille originally developed for the 801 D4 Signature. The new design maintains the same level of protection for the dome while offering increased acoustic transparency. This results in improved resolution and a noticeable improvement in off-axis performance.
Moreover, all midrange, midwoofers, and woofers in the new lineup feature low-distortion magnet motors based on components derived from Signature technology. This enables higher resolution, better transient response characteristics, superior dynamics, and a cleaner, more precise reproduction.
On the other hand, all 800 D5 series models incorporate improved crossover components derived from Signature speakers and feature a new internal wiring structure and higher quality connection terminals. This results in a significantly higher level of resolution.
Furthermore, in all stereo models of the new lineup, the crossover filter is housed within a fully aluminum plate and securely attached to both the enclosure and the space frame bracing reinforcement system located at the rear using robust M8 and M4 fixing points. This solution further increases the structural rigidity of the enclosure.
Bowers & Wilkins 800 D5 Series Release Date and Pricing
Bowers & Wilkins' new speakers were unveiled at the high-end exhibition currently taking place in Vienna. The manufacturer announced that the new 800 D5 series will be available for purchase starting September 9th, with the following pricing:
• 801 D5 €50,000
• 802 D5 37,000 Euros
• 803 D5 30,000 Euros
• 804 D5 18,000 Euros
• 805 D5 12,000 Euros
• HTM81 D5 12,000 Euros per unit
• HTM82 D5 10,000 Euros per unit
• FS 805 D5 1,800 Euros A high-performance floor stand specially designed for the 805 D5
• FS HTM D5 1,300 Euros A stand designed for the HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5 center speakers
▶ Original source: https://www.avpasion.com/bowers-wilkins-presenta-serie-800-d5/
