Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5
Reference Floorstanding Loudspeaker – 800 Series Diamond
Product Overview
The Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 brings the advanced acoustic engineering of the prestigious 800 Series Diamond range into a refined, traditionally proportioned floorstanding loudspeaker. Designed for discerning audiophiles who value exceptional musical transparency without the imposing dimensions of the larger models, the 804 D5 combines sophisticated drive-unit technology, precision cabinet construction and premium craftsmanship to deliver a highly revealing listening experience.
Its three-way architecture features a 25mm Diamond dome tweeter, a 130mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver and two 165mm Aerofoil bass drivers. Each transducer is engineered for its respective frequency range, helping preserve high-frequency detail, natural vocal reproduction and a well-defined low-frequency foundation. This specialised configuration is designed to maintain musical coherence while revealing subtle textures, transient information and the dynamic contrasts within a recording.

The 804 D5 incorporates the Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top assembly, which separates the high-frequency driver from the main cabinet, together with a dedicated Continuum FST midrange system. These technologies help minimise unwanted resonance and interference, supporting precise imaging and a more convincing sense of space. The Diamond dome tweeter is engineered for exceptional stiffness and low moving mass, while the Continuum cone addresses diaphragm break-up to preserve the natural character of voices and instruments.
Beneath its elegant exterior, the 804 D5 features Bowers & Wilkins' Matrix internal bracing system, aluminium structural reinforcement and a solid aluminium spine. Its curved cabinet construction is designed to improve rigidity and reduce unwanted cabinet reflections, allowing the loudspeaker to reproduce musical information with greater clarity and precision. The Flowport bass reflex system further supports low-frequency performance by helping control airflow turbulence and port noise.
With a published frequency response of 19Hz to 24kHz (±3dB), 89dB sensitivity and an 8Ω nominal impedance, the 804 D5 is engineered for high-quality stereo systems and demanding music enthusiasts. Its slim cabinet profile makes it an appealing choice for listening rooms where space, interior aesthetics and high-end acoustic performance must work together.
Combining the essential technologies of the 800 Series Diamond family with a more conventional floorstanding form, the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 offers a compelling balance of refinement, precision and practicality. It is designed for listeners who want to experience the intricate detail, spatial realism and expressive dynamics of their favourite recordings through a sophisticated reference-class loudspeaker.

Feature Highlights
- Reference-class three-way floorstanding loudspeaker from the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond range.
- 25mm Diamond dome tweeter engineered for precise, detailed and extended high-frequency reproduction.
- 130mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver for natural vocals, instrumental accuracy and refined musical textures.
- Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top assembly designed to reduce unwanted resonance and improve spatial precision.
- Dual 165mm Aerofoil bass drivers for articulate and controlled low-frequency performance.
- Matrix cabinet bracing and a solid aluminium spine for enhanced structural rigidity and reduced cabinet colouration.
- Flowport bass reflex technology designed to minimise airflow turbulence and unwanted port noise.
- Frequency response of 19Hz–24kHz (±3dB) and sensitivity of 89dB.
- Elegant floorstanding design available in premium finishes, including Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut.

Key Features
- Diamond Dome Tweeter
The 25mm Diamond dome tweeter combines exceptional material stiffness with low moving mass. Its diamond diaphragm is engineered to push break-up behaviour beyond the audible frequency range, helping maintain accurate high-frequency reproduction and excellent transient definition. This supports the retrieval of subtle musical details, including delicate cymbal harmonics, string overtones and the fine spatial information that contributes to a convincing stereo image.
- Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
The dedicated tweeter assembly is positioned above the main cabinet to help isolate the high-frequency driver from vibrations generated by the other drive units. Its rigid construction is designed to minimise unwanted resonance, while the carefully shaped housing helps manage diffraction. These measures support precise imaging, stable instrument placement and a more spacious presentation of the original recording.
- Continuum Cone FST Midrange Driver
The 130mm Continuum cone midrange driver uses Bowers & Wilkins' proprietary cone material to control the effects of diaphragm break-up that can colour reproduced sound. Combined with Fixed Suspension Transducer (FST) technology, it is engineered to reproduce vocals and instruments with natural tonal character, excellent articulation and finely resolved textures. This is particularly important for preserving the expressive nuances of singers, acoustic instruments and complex musical arrangements.
- Anti-Resonance Plug
The Anti-Resonance Plug is part of the midrange driver's acoustic design and helps address unwanted resonances and interference within the driver assembly. By reducing potential sources of colouration, it supports a cleaner presentation of vocal detail and instrumental harmonics, helping preserve the subtle information that contributes to a natural listening experience.
- Dual 165mm Aerofoil Bass Drivers
Two 165mm Aerofoil bass drivers provide the low-frequency foundation of the 804 D5. Their specially engineered composite cone construction is designed to combine rigidity with low moving mass, helping maintain controlled diaphragm movement during demanding passages. This supports bass definition, rhythmic precision and dynamic impact while complementing the detailed midrange and high-frequency presentation.

- Matrix Cabinet Bracing
The Matrix internal bracing system uses an interconnected structural framework to reinforce the cabinet and reduce unwanted panel vibration. By improving rigidity and controlling structural resonance, it helps minimise cabinet colouration that could otherwise obscure fine detail or affect the apparent positioning of instruments. The result is a more acoustically stable enclosure designed to let the drive units perform with greater transparency.
- Solid Aluminium Spine and Curved Cabinet Construction
The cabinet is formed around a continuous curved profile secured by a solid aluminium spine. This construction contributes to structural stability and helps reduce unwanted cabinet reflections. The carefully considered geometry reflects Bowers & Wilkins' approach to integrating acoustic performance with industrial design, allowing the 804 D5 to maintain a refined appearance without neglecting mechanical rigidity.
- Flowport Bass Reflex System
The Flowport system incorporates a specially designed dimpled surface intended to reduce turbulence as air moves through the bass reflex port. This helps minimise unwanted airflow noise during demanding low-frequency passages and supports cleaner bass reproduction. Working alongside the dual Aerofoil bass drivers, the system contributes to a controlled and articulate low-frequency presentation.
- Three-Way Loudspeaker Architecture
The 804 D5 assigns high, midrange and low frequencies to specialised drive units, allowing each transducer to operate within its intended range. The Diamond tweeter handles high-frequency information, the Continuum FST driver reproduces the critical midrange, and the dual Aerofoil drivers deliver bass. This configuration is designed to balance resolution, tonal consistency and dynamic capability across a wide range of musical material.
- Amplifier Compatibility
With 89dB sensitivity and a nominal impedance of 8Ω, the 804 D5 is designed to work with a range of high-quality amplifiers. The recommended amplifier power range is 50W–1,000W into 8Ω on unclipped programme material. Its minimum impedance of 3.0Ω should also be considered when selecting an amplifier, particularly for systems intended to reproduce demanding recordings at elevated listening levels.
- Premium Cabinet Finishes
The 804 D5 is available in Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut. Matching grille colours complement the cabinet finish, while the slim proportions and carefully sculpted surfaces allow the loudspeaker to integrate into refined listening environments. Its understated appearance conceals an advanced acoustic design developed for high-resolution music reproduction.

Technical Specifications
- Product Type:
Three-way vented-box floorstanding loudspeaker.
- High-Frequency Driver:
1 × 25mm (1in) Diamond dome tweeter.
- Midrange Driver:
1 × 130mm (5in) Continuum cone FST midrange driver.
- Low-Frequency Drivers:
2 × 165mm (6.5in) Aerofoil bass drivers.
- Frequency Range (-6dB):
20Hz–35kHz.
- Frequency Response (±3dB from Reference Axis):
19Hz–24kHz.
- Sensitivity:
89dB SPL (2.83Vrms at 1m, on-axis).
- Harmonic Distortion:
Second and third harmonics, measured at 90dB SPL and 1m on-axis:
Less than 1% from 90Hz–20kHz.
Less than 0.3% from 120Hz–8kHz.
- Nominal Impedance:
8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω).
- Recommended Amplifier Power:
50W–1,000W into 8Ω on unclipped programme material.
- Maximum Recommended Cable Impedance:
0.1Ω.
- Cabinet Construction:
Matrix internal bracing, aluminium structural reinforcement, solid aluminium spine and curved cabinet construction.
- Acoustic Technologies:
Diamond dome tweeter, Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top, Continuum cone FST midrange, Anti-Resonance Plug, 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: 1,101mm (43.3in), including tweeter and plinth.
Width: 238mm (9.4in) for cabinet only; 308mm (12.1in) including plinth.
Depth: 337mm (13.3in) for cabinet only; 392mm (15.4in) including grille and terminals.
- Net Weight:
40.3kg (88.7lb) per loudspeaker.
Additional Information