Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5

The Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 brings the advanced acoustic engineering and reference-level performance of the prestigious 800 Series Diamond range into a more compact floorstanding design. Developed for discerning audiophiles and demanding listening environments, it combines sophisticated drive-unit technology, carefully engineered cabinet construction and premium craftsmanship to deliver exceptional musical clarity, precise imaging and compelling dynamic expression.

At the heart of the 803 D5 is a three-way loudspeaker architecture featuring a 25mm Diamond dome tweeter, a 130mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver and two 180mm Aerofoil bass drivers. Each driver is engineered for its specific frequency range, enabling the system to reproduce delicate high-frequency information, lifelike vocals and instruments, and a powerful, articulate low-frequency foundation. This carefully integrated design aims to preserve the detail, tonal character and dynamic contrasts of the original recording.

A defining feature of the 803 D5 is its distinctive Turbine Head, which houses the dedicated midrange driver in a specially engineered enclosure. Combined with the Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top assembly, this arrangement helps reduce the influence of cabinet vibration and unwanted acoustic interference on critical midrange and high-frequency reproduction. The result is a design focused on vocal precision, stable imaging and a convincing sense of space.

The cabinet incorporates Bowers & Wilkins' Matrix internal bracing, aluminium Space Frame reinforcement and a solid aluminium spine. Together, these structural elements are designed to improve rigidity and minimise unwanted resonance. The curved cabinet profile further reflects the relationship between industrial design and acoustic performance, helping reduce cabinet-related reflections while maintaining the distinctive appearance of the 800 Series Diamond family.

With a published frequency response of 19Hz to 28kHz (±3dB), 90dB sensitivity and an 8Ω nominal impedance, the 803 D5 is engineered for high-performance stereo systems where musical resolution, tonal accuracy and dynamic capability are essential. Its dual 180mm Aerofoil bass drivers provide substantial low-frequency performance, while the dedicated midrange and Diamond tweeter focus on preserving instrumental texture and spatial information.

Combining the advanced technologies of the 800 Series Diamond range with a smaller footprint than the larger headed models, the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 offers an appealing balance of reference-grade engineering, elegant proportions and premium finish. It is an exceptional choice for listeners seeking a highly revealing loudspeaker for dedicated stereo listening and sophisticated high-end audio systems.

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 exceptional high-frequency precision and openness.
• 130mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver for lifelike vocals, natural instrumental timbres and detailed musical reproduction.
• Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top and dedicated Turbine Head midrange enclosure designed to minimise unwanted vibration and acoustic interference.
• Biomimetic Suspension and Anti-Resonance Plug technologies for improved midrange clarity.
• Dual 180mm Aerofoil bass drivers for deep, dynamic 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 19Hz–28kHz (±3dB) and sensitivity of 90dB.
• 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 fine-detail retrieval. From delicate cymbal harmonics to the subtle overtones of strings and acoustic instruments, the tweeter is engineered to preserve the openness and precision of the original recording.
• 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 solid-body construction is designed to minimise unwanted resonance, while its carefully shaped enclosure helps manage diffraction. These measures support precise stereo imaging, well-defined instrument placement and a spacious, coherent soundstage.
• 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 deliver natural vocal character, detailed instrumental textures and accurate articulation. This is particularly important for revealing subtle expressive nuances in vocals, piano, strings and other midrange-rich instruments.
• Biomimetic Suspension
  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. This contributes to the goal of cleaner, more transparent midrange reproduction, particularly when complex musical passages demand high levels of detail.
• Anti-Resonance Plug
  The Anti-Resonance Plug forms part of the midrange driver's acoustic design, helping manage unwanted resonances and interference within the driver assembly. By addressing these potential sources of colouration, it supports greater clarity in vocal reproduction and helps preserve the subtle details that contribute to a natural and convincing musical presentation.
• Turbine Head Midrange Enclosure
  The distinctive Turbine Head provides a dedicated, highly rigid enclosure for the midrange driver. Its carefully engineered construction helps reduce structural vibration and minimise the influence of the main bass cabinet on critical midrange frequencies. By providing a stable operating environment for the driver responsible for voices and many of the defining characteristics of musical instruments, the Turbine Head supports clear articulation, focused imaging and a more convincing soundstage.
• Dual 180mm Aerofoil Bass Drivers
  Two 180mm Aerofoil bass drivers provide the low-frequency foundation of the 803 D5. Their composite cone construction uses a carefully varied thickness profile to balance rigidity with low moving mass. This design helps the drivers maintain controlled movement during demanding bass passages, supporting low-frequency depth, impact and definition while preserving the dynamic contrasts essential to realistic music reproduction.
• Matrix Cabinet Bracing
  The Matrix system uses an interconnected internal bracing structure to reinforce the cabinet and minimise 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 in a high-resolution loudspeaker, where cabinet colouration can obscure subtle details and compromise the perceived precision of the soundstage.
• Aluminium Space Frame Reinforcement
  Aluminium Space Frame reinforcement provides additional structural support within the cabinet assembly. Working alongside the Matrix system, it helps create a more rigid platform for the drive units and reduces unwanted structural movement. This engineered framework contributes to the overall stability required for consistent reproduction during both quiet passages and demanding high-output playback.
• Solid Aluminium Spine and Curved Cabinet Construction
  The cabinet features a continuous curved profile secured by a solid aluminium spine. This construction improves structural stability and helps reduce unwanted cabinet reflections. The design illustrates Bowers & Wilkins' approach to combining mechanical rigidity, acoustic considerations and refined industrial design in a loudspeaker intended for high-end listening environments.
• 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, it contributes to the loudspeaker's low-frequency performance and dynamic capability.
• Three-Way Loudspeaker Architecture
  The 803 D5 allocates 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 fine-detail retrieval, tonal consistency and dynamic performance across a wide variety of musical recordings.
• High Sensitivity and Amplifier Compatibility
  With 90dB sensitivity and an 8Ω nominal impedance, the 803 D5 is designed to work with a range of high-quality amplifiers. The manufacturer specifies a recommended amplifier power range of 50W–1,000W into 8Ω on unclipped programme material. Its minimum impedance of 3.0Ω should also be considered when selecting amplification, particularly for systems intended to reproduce demanding music at elevated listening levels.
• Premium Finishes and Craftsmanship
  The 803 D5 is available in Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut. Matching grille colours and Leather by Connolly trim complement its sculpted cabinet and distinctive Turbine Head design. These carefully selected finishes allow the loudspeaker to integrate into refined listening rooms while retaining the unmistakable visual identity of the 800 Series Diamond range.

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 × 180mm (7in) Aerofoil bass drivers.
• Frequency Range (-6dB):
  16Hz–35kHz.
• Frequency Response (±3dB from Reference Axis):
  19Hz–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 80Hz–20kHz.
  Less than 0.3% from 100Hz–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 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: 1,165mm (45.8in), including tweeter and plinth.
  Width: 301mm (11.9in) for cabinet only; 359mm (14.1in) including plinth.
  Depth: 473mm (18.6in), including grille and terminals; 499mm (19.6in) including plinth.
• Net Weight:
  63.7kg (140.3lb) per loudspeaker.

• Download 803 D5 Technical Information Sheet (PDF)
• Visit the Official Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 Product Page