Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5

The Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5 brings the advanced acoustic engineering of the prestigious 800 Series Diamond range into a compact, high-performance stand-mount loudspeaker. Designed for discerning audiophiles who value exceptional detail, tonal accuracy and precise stereo imaging, the 805 D5 combines innovative drive-unit technology, sophisticated cabinet construction and premium craftsmanship in a refined design suited to dedicated listening rooms and sophisticated living spaces.

At the heart of the 805 D5 is a two-way vented-box architecture featuring a 25mm Diamond dome tweeter and a 165mm Continuum cone bass/midrange driver. This carefully integrated configuration allows the loudspeaker to reproduce high-frequency information with precision while maintaining the natural tonal character and articulation of vocals and instruments. The result is a presentation designed to reveal subtle musical textures, transient details and spatial information without requiring a large floorstanding enclosure.

The Diamond dome tweeter is engineered to push diaphragm break-up to 70kHz, supporting exceptional clarity, precision and openness in high-frequency reproduction. Above the main cabinet, the Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top assembly provides a dedicated, rigid housing that helps reduce unwanted vibration and diffraction. These technologies work together to support accurate imaging, clearly defined instrument placement and a convincing sense of space.

The 165mm Continuum cone bass/midrange driver uses Bowers & Wilkins' proprietary cone material to control the effects of diaphragm break-up and reduce unwanted colouration. Its role in reproducing both midrange and bass information is particularly important to the overall character of the 805 D5, helping preserve vocal clarity, instrumental textures and rhythmic definition within a compact two-way design.

Cabinet construction is equally important to the 805 D5's performance. The Matrix internal bracing system, aluminium Space Frame reinforcement and solid aluminium spine are designed to improve rigidity and minimise unwanted resonance. The reverse-wrap cabinet construction creates a continuous curved profile, helping reduce cabinet reflections, while the Flowport bass reflex system uses a specially designed surface to help control airflow turbulence and unwanted port noise.

With a published frequency response of 42Hz to 28kHz (±3dB), 88dB sensitivity and an 8Ω nominal impedance, the 805 D5 is engineered for high-quality stereo systems where resolution, musical engagement and space-efficient design are priorities. For optimum performance, Bowers & Wilkins recommends securely positioning the loudspeakers on dedicated FS-805 D5 stands, which are sold separately.

Available in four premium cabinet finishes, the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5 combines understated elegance with advanced acoustic engineering. It is an exceptional choice for listeners seeking the signature technologies of the 800 Series Diamond range in a compact loudspeaker designed to deliver a detailed, spacious and highly revealing musical experience.

Feature Highlights

• Reference stand-mount loudspeaker from the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond range.
• 25mm Diamond dome tweeter engineered to push diaphragm break-up to 70kHz for exceptional clarity and precision.
• 165mm Continuum cone bass/midrange driver for natural vocal reproduction, detailed instrumentation and controlled mid-bass performance.
• Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top assembly designed to minimise unwanted resonance and support precise stereo imaging.
• Matrix internal bracing, aluminium Space Frame reinforcement and a solid aluminium spine for enhanced cabinet rigidity.
• Reverse-wrap cabinet construction designed to reduce unwanted cabinet reflections.
• Flowport bass reflex technology designed to reduce airflow turbulence and port noise.
• Frequency response of 42Hz–28kHz (±3dB) and sensitivity of 88dB.
• Compact stand-mount design optimised for use with dedicated FS-805 D5 loudspeaker stands.
• Four premium cabinet finishes: Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut.

Key Features

• Diamond Dome Tweeter
  The 25mm Diamond dome tweeter combines exceptional stiffness with low moving mass, helping push diaphragm break-up to 70kHz. This advanced material design supports accurate high-frequency reproduction, excellent transient definition and the retrieval of subtle musical details. From delicate cymbal harmonics to the upper overtones of strings and acoustic instruments, the tweeter is engineered to preserve the openness, precision and fine resolution of the original recording.
• 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 bass/midrange driver. Its rigid construction is designed to reduce unwanted resonance, while its carefully shaped exterior helps control diffraction around the tweeter. These measures support a more stable stereo image, precise instrument placement and a spacious presentation of the recorded performance.
• Continuum Cone Bass/Midrange Driver
  The 165mm Continuum cone driver handles both bass and midrange reproduction in the 805 D5's two-way architecture. Bowers & Wilkins developed Continuum to control the effects of diaphragm break-up that can introduce unwanted tonal colouration. This helps preserve vocal intelligibility, instrumental textures and the subtle expressive details of music, while providing the low-frequency support needed for a compact stand-mount loudspeaker.
• Two-Way Vented-Box Architecture
  The 805 D5 combines a dedicated high-frequency tweeter with a single bass/midrange driver, allowing the two transducers to cover complementary portions of the audio spectrum. This configuration supports a coherent presentation of voices and instruments while maintaining a relatively compact enclosure. The vented-box design further assists low-frequency extension, helping the loudspeaker reproduce musical weight and rhythmic definition beyond what its size might suggest.
• Matrix Cabinet Bracing
  The Matrix system employs an interconnected internal bracing structure to reinforce the cabinet and reduce unwanted panel vibration. By improving structural rigidity and controlling resonance, it helps prevent the enclosure from adding its own audible character to the reproduced signal. This contributes to cleaner detail, more precise imaging and a more convincing soundstage.
• Aluminium Space Frame Reinforcement
  Aluminium Space Frame reinforcement provides additional structural support within the cabinet assembly. Working alongside the Matrix system and aluminium top section, it helps create a more rigid platform for the drive units. This reduces unwanted structural movement and supports consistent acoustic performance during both quiet passages and demanding musical peaks.
• Solid Aluminium Spine and Reverse-Wrap Cabinet
  The 805 D5 features a reverse-wrap cabinet construction formed around a continuous curved profile and secured by a solid aluminium spine. This structure is designed to improve rigidity and reduce unwanted cabinet reflections. The resulting enclosure combines distinctive industrial design with an acoustic approach intended to minimise cabinet-related colouration.
• Anti-Resonance Plug
  The Anti-Resonance Plug is part of the bass/midrange driver's acoustic design and helps address unwanted resonances within the driver assembly. By reducing potential sources of interference, it supports clearer reproduction of vocal information and instrumental harmonics, helping preserve the subtle details that contribute to a natural musical presentation.
• 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. The technology complements the Continuum cone driver to help maintain low-frequency definition and rhythmic precision.
• Dedicated FS-805 D5 Speaker Stands
  The 805 D5 is designed to perform best when securely mounted on dedicated FS-805 D5 stands. Appropriate stand height and rigid support help position the tweeter correctly relative to the listening position while providing a stable platform for the loudspeaker. The dedicated stands are available separately in Black and Titanium finishes.
• Premium Cabinet Finishes
  The 805 D5 is available in Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut. Matching grille colours and Leather by Connolly trim complement the compact cabinet design. These premium finishes allow the loudspeaker to integrate into sophisticated listening environments while retaining the distinctive visual identity of the 800 Series Diamond family.

Technical Specifications

• Product Type:
  Two-way vented-box stand-mount loudspeaker.
• High-Frequency Driver:
  1 × 25mm (1in) Diamond dome tweeter.
• Bass/Midrange Driver:
  1 × 165mm (6.5in) Continuum cone bass/midrange driver.
• Frequency Range (-6dB):
  34Hz–35kHz.
• Frequency Response (±3dB from Reference Axis):
  42Hz–28kHz.
• Sensitivity:
  88dB SPL (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 90Hz–20kHz.
  Less than 0.3% from 120Hz–8kHz.
• Nominal Impedance:
  8Ω (minimum 4.6Ω).
• Recommended Amplifier Power:
  50W–120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme material.
• Maximum Recommended Cable Impedance:
  0.1Ω.
• Cabinet Construction:
  Reverse-wrap cabinet, Matrix internal bracing, aluminium Space Frame reinforcement and solid aluminium spine.
• Acoustic Technologies:
  Diamond dome tweeter, Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top, Continuum cone bass/midrange driver, Anti-Resonance Plug, Matrix 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: 439mm (17.3in), including tweeter.
  Width: 241mm (9.5in), cabinet only.
  Depth: 322mm (12.7in), cabinet only; 363mm (14.3in), including grille and terminals.
• Net Weight:
  16.4kg (36.0lb) per loudspeaker.
• Compatible Speaker Stand:
  Bowers & Wilkins FS-805 D5, available in Black and Titanium finishes. Sold separately.

• Download 805 D5 Technical Information Sheet (PDF)
• Visit the Official Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5 Product Page