Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5

The Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 is a reference-class floorstanding loudspeaker from the prestigious 800 Series Diamond range, engineered to deliver exceptional musical accuracy, sophisticated imaging and powerful dynamic performance. Incorporating many of the advanced acoustic technologies found in the flagship 801 D5, the 802 D5 combines innovative drive-unit engineering with a carefully reinforced cabinet to reproduce music with remarkable clarity, realism and refinement.

At the heart of the 802 D5 is a three-way loudspeaker architecture featuring a 25mm Diamond dome tweeter, a 150mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver and two 200mm Aerofoil bass drivers. Each transducer is designed to address the specific demands of its operating frequency range, helping deliver extended high-frequency detail, lifelike vocal reproduction and a deep, controlled bass foundation. This carefully integrated design enables the loudspeaker to preserve subtle musical textures while maintaining composure during demanding dynamic passages.

The 802 D5 incorporates Bowers & Wilkins' Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top assembly and dedicated Turbine Head midrange enclosure, separating the critical high-frequency and midrange systems from unwanted cabinet interference. Its Matrix internal bracing, aluminium Space Frame reinforcement and solid aluminium spine further enhance structural rigidity and help reduce unwanted resonance and cabinet reflections.

With a published frequency response of 17Hz to 28kHz (±3dB), 90dB sensitivity and an 8Ω nominal impedance, the 802 D5 is engineered for high-performance stereo systems and sophisticated home theatre installations. Its dual 200mm Aerofoil bass drivers provide substantial low-frequency capability, while the dedicated midrange and Diamond tweeter technologies focus on preserving instrumental definition, spatial accuracy and the expressive nuances of recorded music.

Combining reference-level engineering with elegant proportions and premium finishes, the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 is an outstanding choice for listeners seeking the refinement of the 800 Series Diamond platform in a distinctive, high-end floorstanding design.

Feature Highlights

• Reference-class three-way floorstanding loudspeaker from the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond range.
• 25mm Diamond dome tweeter with a diaphragm break-up frequency of 70kHz for extended, highly detailed high-frequency reproduction.
• 150mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver for lifelike vocals, natural instrumental textures and precise musical articulation.
• Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top and dedicated Turbine Head midrange enclosure designed to minimise unwanted resonance and interference.
• Biomimetic Suspension and Anti-Resonance Plug technologies for improved midrange clarity.
• Dual 200mm Aerofoil bass drivers for powerful, articulate and controlled low-frequency reproduction.
• Matrix cabinet bracing, aluminium Space Frame reinforcement and a solid aluminium spine for enhanced structural rigidity.
• Flowport bass reflex technology designed to reduce airflow turbulence and unwanted port noise.
• Frequency response of 17Hz–28kHz (±3dB) and 90dB sensitivity.
• Available in Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut with matching grille finishes.

Key Features

• Diamond Dome Tweeter
  The 25mm Diamond dome tweeter combines exceptional stiffness with low moving mass, helping push diaphragm break-up to 70kHz. By maintaining controlled diaphragm behaviour beyond the audible frequency range, this design supports precise high-frequency reproduction, excellent transient definition and the retrieval of subtle musical information. Cymbals, string harmonics and the delicate overtones of acoustic instruments can be reproduced with a sense of openness and precision.
• Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
  Positioned above the main cabinet, the dedicated solid-body tweeter housing helps isolate the high-frequency driver from vibrations generated by the midrange and bass sections. Its rigid construction is designed to reduce unwanted resonance, while its carefully shaped exterior helps control diffraction around the tweeter. These measures support stable stereo imaging, precise instrument placement and a convincing sense of space within the recording.
• Continuum Cone FST Midrange Driver
  The 150mm Continuum cone midrange driver is designed to control the effects of diaphragm break-up that can introduce unwanted colouration. Combined with Fixed Suspension Transducer (FST) technology, it helps reproduce vocals and instruments with natural tonal character, clear articulation and finely resolved textures. This is especially important for revealing subtle vocal inflections, the body of acoustic instruments and the spatial relationships between performers.
• Biomimetic Suspension
  The Biomimetic Suspension replaces the conventional fabric spider with a specially engineered suspension structure. It is designed to reduce unwanted airflow turbulence and mechanical interference behind the midrange diaphragm, helping minimise potential sources of distortion and colouration. The intended benefit is a cleaner and more transparent midrange presentation, particularly during complex musical passages.
• Anti-Resonance Plug
  Integrated into the midrange driver design, the Anti-Resonance Plug helps manage unwanted resonances within the driver assembly. By addressing potential sources of acoustic interference, it supports clearer reproduction of vocal details, instrumental harmonics and the subtle information that contributes to a more lifelike listening experience.
• Turbine Head Midrange Enclosure
  The distinctive Turbine Head provides a dedicated, highly rigid enclosure for the midrange driver. Its construction helps minimise structural vibration and reduce the influence of the main bass cabinet on critical midrange reproduction. By providing a stable environment for the driver responsible for voices and much of the musical information, the Turbine Head contributes to clarity, focus and precise soundstage presentation.
• Dual 200mm Aerofoil Bass Drivers
  Two 200mm Aerofoil bass drivers deliver the low-frequency foundation of the 802 D5. Their composite cone construction features a carefully varied thickness profile designed to balance stiffness and low moving mass. This helps the drivers maintain controlled movement during demanding bass passages, supporting depth, impact and definition without sacrificing the precision required for high-resolution music reproduction.
• Matrix Cabinet Bracing
  The Matrix system employs an interconnected internal bracing structure to reinforce the cabinet and reduce unwanted panel vibration. By increasing rigidity and controlling structural resonance, it helps prevent the enclosure from adding its own audible character to the reproduced signal. This is particularly important for maintaining clean bass transients, midrange transparency and accurate instrument positioning.
• Aluminium Space Frame Reinforcement
  Aluminium Space Frame reinforcement provides additional structural support within the loudspeaker cabinet. Working alongside the Matrix system, it helps create a stable platform for the drive units and reduces unwanted structural movement. This carefully engineered framework contributes to the overall rigidity required for consistent performance at both moderate and high listening levels.
• Solid Aluminium Spine and Curved Cabinet Construction
  The cabinet features a continuous curved profile secured by a solid aluminium spine. This construction enhances structural stability and helps reduce unwanted cabinet reflections. The distinctive shape is not simply an aesthetic choice; it reflects Bowers & Wilkins' approach to integrating cabinet geometry, mechanical rigidity and acoustic performance in a high-end loudspeaker.
• Flowport Bass Reflex System
  The Flowport bass reflex system uses a specially designed dimpled surface to reduce turbulence as air moves through the port. This helps minimise unwanted airflow noise during demanding low-frequency passages and supports cleaner bass reproduction. The system complements the dual Aerofoil drivers by helping maintain a controlled and articulate low-frequency presentation.
• Three-Way Loudspeaker Architecture
  The 802 D5 assigns high, midrange and low frequencies to specialised drive units, allowing each transducer to operate within its intended range. The Diamond tweeter focuses on high-frequency detail, the Continuum FST driver handles the critical midrange, and the dual Aerofoil drivers reproduce bass frequencies. This architecture is designed to balance resolution, dynamic capability and tonal consistency across a wide range of musical material.
• High Sensitivity and Amplifier Compatibility
  With a sensitivity rating of 90dB and a nominal impedance of 8Ω, the 802 D5 is designed to work with a range of high-quality amplification. The manufacturer specifies a recommended amplifier power range of 50W–500W into 8Ω on unclipped programme material. Its minimum impedance of 3.3Ω should also be considered when selecting an amplifier, particularly for systems intended to reproduce demanding music at high volume levels.
• Premium Cabinet Finishes
  The 802 D5 is available in Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut. Matching grille colours and Leather by Connolly trim complement the cabinet's distinctive form, providing a refined appearance suited to premium listening rooms and high-end home theatre environments.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type:
  Three-way vented-box floorstanding loudspeaker.
• High-Frequency Driver:
  1 × 25mm (1in) Diamond dome tweeter.
• Midrange Driver:
  1 × 150mm (6in) Continuum cone FST midrange driver.
• Low-Frequency Drivers:
  2 × 200mm (8in) Aerofoil bass drivers.
• Frequency Range (-6dB):
  14Hz–35kHz.
• Frequency Response (±3dB from Reference Axis):
  17Hz–28kHz.
• Sensitivity:
  90dB (on-axis at 2.83Vrms at 1m).
• Harmonic Distortion:
  Second and third harmonics, measured at 90dB SPL and 1m on-axis:
  Less than 1% from 70Hz–20kHz.
  Less than 0.3% from 100Hz–8kHz.
• Nominal Impedance:
  8Ω (minimum 3.3Ω).
• Recommended Amplifier Power:
  50W–500W into 8Ω on unclipped programme material.
• Maximum Recommended Cable Impedance:
  0.1Ω.
• Cabinet Construction:
  Matrix internal bracing, aluminium Space Frame reinforcement, solid aluminium spine, curved cabinet construction and dedicated aluminium top section.
• Acoustic Technologies:
  Diamond dome tweeter, Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top, Continuum cone FST midrange, Anti-Resonance Plug, Biomimetic Suspension, Turbine Head, Matrix, Aerofoil bass cones and Flowport.
• Cabinet Finishes:
  Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut.
• Grille Finishes:
  Black for Stealth Black and Dark Walnut; Grey for Warm White and Light Walnut.
• Dimensions (H × W × D):
  Height: 1,218mm (48.0in), including tweeter and plinth.
  Width: 345mm (13.6in) for cabinet only; 413mm (16.2in) including plinth.
  Depth: 556mm (21.9in), including grille and terminals; 589mm (23.2in) including plinth.
• Net Weight:
  91.4kg (201.4lb) per loudspeaker.

Additional Information