Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Standmount Speaker Review

[Ed Selley]

The smallest member of the new 800 Series is a technical tour de force; a speaker for which no aspect of the design is ‘good enough.’ Is this the one by which all others are to be judged?
Read the review.

Write your own review for Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4

 

[jonasbaadsgaard]

This design makes me miss the first 805d. That one was simply elegant and beautiful.

 

[Derek S-H]

I am now going to say something obvious and stupid: music is made by people for people.

I know B&W have a studio monitor reputation, and many people do listen to their music forensically, so I'd always regarded the brand as a bit sterile and dry for my tastes.

But it would appear that they've finally recognised that music isn't just about the right notes in the right order at the right speed; it's also about joy and emotion and feel, qualities that can't be scientifically measured but do still exist and add so much to the pleasure of your experience.

It would take a lot to get me to switch away from my PMC 20.26's. They're not perfect but I'm not looking for perfection. Mind you, if my numbers came up and I could move to a bigger, detached house, then I'd definitely add the 801 D4 to the shopping list!

 

[jmbrailsford]

Kudos are now £8500 although if you want a white pair ex display there's a set at £6399 available inc stands.

 

[Paul7777x]

They are not pretty.

But B&W really lost me by having the vile avarice to charge £1200 for stands.

 

[Ruffuz]

They are not pretty.

But B&W really lost me by having the vile avarice to charge £1200 for stands.

Hope you never seen Apple wheels...

 

[Paul7777x]

Hope you never seen Apple wheels...

View attachment 1575120

That is simply obscene.

What kind of fool pays these prices?

 

[encaser]

Since they were bought out, it seems clear that at least a 20% bung has been added to RRP. Scandalous.

 

[Ed Selley]

Since they were bought out, it seems clear that at least a 20% bung has been added to RRP. Scandalous.

I'm not clear what you mean by that? They were £6,250 when they were officially launched and you can buy them in dealers for... £6,250.

 

[encaser]

I'm not clear what you mean by that? They were £6,250 when they were officially launched and you can buy them in dealers for... £6,250.

I meant the new 803 D range, sorry for the misunderstanding

 

[socom23]

Certainly not a fan of the looks, seem very dated.

 

[bogart99]

That is simply obscene.

What kind of fool pays these prices?

The same idiots who queue up for the latest Iphone that does no more than the one already in their pocket.

 

[Toon Army]

Sorry but all I see I see is a couple of Minions! Thankfully they would never make a yellow version.

 

[fordster]

It seems that we’re now finally seeing the results of the previous failed buyout of B&W, insane price rises! Someone has to pay for all the accumulated debt….

As much as I love B&W I have to ask what were they thinking of with this design? It reminds me of Dusty Bin and Daleks. And why did they have to add leather?

I have always aspired to owning a pair of 805Ds but if I was to do so now I’d be looking for any remaining stock of the D3.

 

[Pogg]

Fantastic review and appreciate your brilliant insight. As a piece of Industrial Design these could be welcomed by the most hesitant partner. You certainly wouldn’t spoil it with plant pot placed on top - don’t even contemplate it.

It goes without saying that Sound Insulation and the Room acoustics is very important to hear what these can deliver. Actually we’re seeing allot of public noise about such insulation to the extent of people glueing themselves to motorway roads. That might be going a bit too far, but clearly this is evidence of the enthusiasm for sound isolation from insulation. But why do they look so miserable - you should be happy to own top performance Speakers.

 

[ti33er]

Personally I like the new D4, simply offended by the price hike …I’ve not had a raise in 6 years, in fact they took my Overtime off me last year and earn 20-30% less as a result……which I suspect has happened to most people

 

[Althepo]

I'm an 805D3 owner and having moved them to a different and larger room am finding them somewhat bright with Naim amplification. Do the D4's address this or would an alternative I'm considering (Kudos 606) be a better option? Cheers.

 

[ti33er]

PM me, I can tell you how to effectively resolve this brightness issue; if you’re interested and still own 805D3