Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
96/100
Value for Money
88/100
The 805 D4 Signature pairs crystalline detail with a remarkably expansive soundstage, making this compact two-way feel far larger than its dimensions suggest. SoundStage Solo found its midrange expressive and dynamically unflustered, while HiFi News praised its added smoothness, insight and immersion. Deep, taut bass and luxurious cabinet engineering complete an exceptionally revealing high-end standmount.
Pros
Expansive, precisely layered soundstage with convincing depth and a strong disappearing act.
Exceptionally articulate midrange and treble detail, with clean vocals, crisp cymbals and excellent composure at high levels.
Taut, powerful bass for a compact standmount, avoiding boom and overhang.
Superb luxury construction, including an inert braced cabinet and immaculate premium finishes.
Cons
The forward, well-lit upper-midrange and treble balance can expose bright recordings and may not suit listeners seeking a relaxed presentation.
Deepest bass extension and large-scale dynamics remain behind bigger three-way or floorstanding models; dedicated stands add substantially to the investment.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently describe an exceptionally revealing, controlled and immersive standmount, combining abundant detail with a notably composed presentation. It is more forthright than laid-back, however, with some listeners noting elevated upper-midrange and treble energy.
Bass
92/100
For a 6.5-inch two-way standmount, the bass earns unusually strong praise: reviewers call it deep, powerful, juicy and tight, with no boom or port-induced thickening. The very lowest octave is absent versus larger Bowers & Wilkins models, but several reviewers found a subwoofer unnecessary for music.
Mid
94/100
The midrange is a major strength, described as astonishingly pure, expressive and highly articulate. Vocals have vivid presence and fragile texture, while the driver is praised for revealing fine detail without losing the musical whole; one measurement-led review did find the middle registers slightly recessed.
Treble
91/100
The diamond tweeter is repeatedly praised for crisp cymbals, crystalline purity, speed and exceptional high-note clarity. It remains clean rather than harsh in several auditions, but its forward, well-lit upper registers can expose bright recordings and may not suit listeners seeking a relaxed balance.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
This speaker's ability to disappear is among the most enthusiastically praised aspects of its performance. Reviews report expansive, wraparound staging with exceptional depth, precise image solidity and convincing layering, even if it cannot match the physical scale of the larger 800 Series models.
Dynamics
94/100
Reviewers find the 805 D4 Signature fast, impactful and remarkably composed at serious volume levels. It handles delicate low-level shading and sharp transients as confidently as loud rock crescendos, with repeated comments about its freedom from strain or congestion.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
96/100
The curved laminated birch-ply cabinet, extensive internal bracing and cast-aluminium rear section are repeatedly described as exceptionally inert and robust. Reviewers also lavish praise on the deep, flawless finish, leather trim and beautifully executed tweeter housing; this is craftsmanship commensurate with a flagship standmount.
Value for Money
88/100
At roughly £10,000-£11,750 or US$12,000 per pair before the recommended stands, this is a costly compact speaker in a fiercely contested market that includes rivals such as Magico's A1. Nevertheless, reviewers find its resolution, finish and overall performance appropriate to the asking price, with one describing it as a way to approach the larger 801's character for substantially less money.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Dimensions
- Height: 440mm (17.3in) Width: 240mm (9.4in) Depth: 373mm (14.7in)
- Net weight
- 15.55kg (34.3 lb)
- Technical features
- Diamond tweeter Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top Continuum™ cone bass/midrange Matrix™ Anti-Resonance plug Flowport™
- Description
- 2-way vented-box system
- Drive units
- 1x ø25mm (1in) Diamond Dome high-frequency 1x ø165mm (6.5in) Continuum™ cone bass/midrange
- Frequency range
- -6dB 34Hz to 35kHz
- Harmonic distortion
- 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m on axis) <1 % 90Hz - 20kHz <0.3% 120Hz - 20kHz
- Nominal impedance
- 8Ω (minimum 4.6Ω)
- Recommended amplifier power
- 50W - 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
- Max recommended cable impedance
- 0.1Ω
- Frequency response
- 42Hz to 28kHz ±3dB
- Sensitivity
- 88dB spl (2.83Vrms, 1m)
- Cabinet finishes
- California Burl Gloss Midnight Blue Metallic
- Grille finishes
- Black Black
Manufacturer's Description — Bowers & Wilkins
The 805 D4 Signature stand-mount loudspeaker is compact and powerful. It features fully optimized technologies, including that all-important Diamond Dome tweeter and Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top. It’s proof positive that small can still be beautiful.
- Diamond Tweeter
- Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
- Continuum™ Cone Bass/Midrange
- Matrix™
- Anti-Resonance Plug
- Flowport™
Compact and powerful
The 805 D4 Signature stand-mount loudspeaker is compact and powerful. It features fully optimized technologies, including our Diamond Dome tweeter and Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top. It's proof positive that small can still be beautiful.
Diamond Dome tweeter
One of our most significant accomplishments over the past two decades, the ultra-stiff, supremely accurate Diamond Dome tweeter is the perfect combination of low mass, exceptional stiffness, and outstanding accuracy. Fifteen years after we introduced it, we haven't found a better tweeter dome technology.
All-new tweeter grille
Our Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top housing features an elongated form with a longer tube-loading system and an all-new design of tweeter grille, producing an even more free and open sound with high frequencies.
Upgraded crossover
Our 805 D4 Signature uses upgraded rear-mounted crossover designs mounted on stiff aluminum spines. This isolates the sensitive capacitors from the unwanted effects of air pressure within the enclosure and makes for a very effective heatsink to ensure optimum performance when in use.
Continuum™ Cone
Thanks to its composite construction, the Continuum™ Cone avoids the abrupt transitions in behaviour that can impair the performance of a conventional drive unit. The result is a more open, neutral performance from the 805 D4 Signature. Voices and instruments can be heard with precision and transparency.
Achieve the best possible performance for your 805 D4 loudspeakers with these dedicated stands.
Discover 801 D4 Signature
The 801 D4 Signature is an optimized version of our most advanced loudspeaker. It features meticulously evolved technology, carefully crafted design, and unique finishes that culminate in the pinnacle of performance. This is Bowers & Wilkins' flagship loudspeaker perfected.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Signature
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustipower — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- ADVANCE ELECTRONICS — in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
and 311 more verified dealers