Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature Loudspeaker Review
In the world of high-end audio, there are a handful of speakers that consistently garner respect for their quality and craftsmanship. The Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature Speakers are among these few. The "D4" in the name indicates this is the fourth generation of the 801, a model that has long been a part of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship offerings.
The Signature Editions are exclusive editions released periodically, featuring both functional and aesthetic improvements. These models have a deeper significance, tracing back to 1991 when Bowers & Wilkins introduced the Silver Signature speaker. Created as a tribute to the company's founder, John Bowers, the Silver Signature embodied his dedication to audio. The 801 D4 Signature carries forward this legacy. The Bowers & Wilkins Signature line is known for introducing improvements beyond those found in the standard models.
Specifications
The 801 D4 Signature improves upon the 801 D4 by adding both functional and aesthetic upgrades. The speaker’s construction combines a predominantly aluminum framework in a multi-ply wooden shell. At the core of the design is a 25mm (1-inch) Diamond Dome tweeter, made from synthetic diamond, which is engineered to reduce distortion by a combination of its extreme stiffness and astonishingly low mass, contributing to pistonic behaviour that extends way up beyond the audible range.
The Diamond Dome is mounted in an extended Solid Body Tweeter housing that both decouples it from the main structure of the speaker and also helps absorbs the diaphragm’s back wave through its extended housing. The tweeter's grille has also been redesigned, which promotes a more open and unrestricted sound, according to Bowers & Wilkins.
Accompanying the tweeter in the "Turbine Head" section of the speaker is the silver mid-range driver. This 165mm (6.5-inch) ‘FST’ drive unit is also decoupled – isolated – from the assembly that houses it and is crafted from Continuum, a proprietary Bowers & Wilkins-developed material known for its exceptionally transparent presentation, even when compared to the brand’s older Kevlar drivers.
Directly beneath the mid-range driver, the aluminum top plate has been re-engineered with machined-out holes to alter its resonant frequency to reduce unwanted ‘ringing’ in the structure: it’s teamed with a modified, leather-trimmed collar that fits into it and which includes strategically placed sections of Techsound damping material. The combination of the two creates a mechanically quieter location for the midrange Turbine Head housing – and the new top-plate design is also more rigidly coupled into the top of the cabinet, contributing to the overall stiffness of the speaker enclosure itself.
As for the dual 250mm (10-inch) Aerofoil bass drivers, the 801 D4 Signature introduces a new bass unit with upgraded steel components in the top and mid plates, which are designed to lower inductance and reduce current distortion. The speaker also features an improved bass port assembly, with the Flowport flare now made from cast aluminum instead of plastic, providing greater rigidity. The crossover, which is bolted to the interior of the metal rear panel, also received an update with tweaked bypass capacitors.
These speakers are a 3-way bass reflex design with a frequency response of 15Hz to 28kHz ±3dB and a sensitivity rating of 90dB. The nominal impedance is 8 ohms, but it can drop to as low as 3 ohms, so a capable amplifier is essential to get the best performance—something you'd certainly expect at this level. Recommended amplifier power ranges from 50W to 1000W, but with the dip in impedance, you'll likely want more than 50W to truly drive these speakers effectively.
Design
The 801 D4 speakers are available in two finishes: the striking Midnight Blue Metallic, as seen here, and the more traditional California Burl Gloss. The front baffle features a subtle curve, with each driver housed in distinct pod enclosures that add a refined touch to the overall design. Although magnetic grilles are provided to cover the drivers, the speaker's elegant design might tempt you to leave them uncovered.
The Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature speakers make a statement in any room. They weigh 221.8 pounds each and stand 48.1-inches tall, 17.8-inches wide, and 23.6-inches deep. On the rear panel, you'll find two sets of five-way binding posts for LF and HF, allowing for bi-amping or bi-wiring. Heavy-gauge jumper wires are included in the box, which you can use to run the speakers in a single-wired setup.
Setup
Given the size and weight of these speakers, there was no way my wife and I could get them into the house on our own. Thankfully, Bowers & Wilkins arranged for Elite AV, one of their local Vegas dealers, to assist with unboxing and moving these massive speakers inside. The speakers come with wheels on the bottom and adjustable spikes covered by a magnetic puck, but due to their weight, wheeling them on carpet was a bit challenging. It ultimately took three of us to get them into the room. If you're planning to place these on carpet, be prepared to get some help to move the speakers — a big thanks to Elite AV for their assistance.
For room placement, I positioned the speakers about 26 inches from the wall with a very slight toe-in, even though it’s not needed. My testing setup included a Trinnov Altitude16 powered by a Trinnov Amplitude16 for home theater use, paired with a Kaleidescape Strato V player. For dedicated two-channel listening, I used both a Hegel H390 and a Michi X3 Series 2.
Performance
When you cue up Bridgit Mendler's "Atlantis" on the 801 D4 Signature, the dual 10-inch drivers show what they can do. As the bass drops in, the drivers manage to capture the layers of the sub-bass, which pulses with a hypnotic rhythm. Each bass note is tight and controlled, with no lingering resonance that could muddy the mix.
Throughout the track, even during the more subdued moments where the bass takes a backseat to the vocals and effects, the 801 D4 Signature captures the texture that adds overall depth to the music. The drivers render the bass with such precision that you can discern slight variations in tone— whether it’s the subtle decay of a note or the faint echo that contributes to the track’s spacious feel.
Listening to Béla Fleck and the Flecktones' "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" on the 801 D4 Signature, the midbass performance is where these speakers truly excel. The distinctive bassline, with its funky, resonant groove, comes to life with incredible clarity. The speakers capture the rich, warm tones of the midbass, delivering each note with a punch that feels both controlled and impactful. The sharpness and texture in the plucking of the bass strings give you a real sense of the physical interaction between the player and the instrument.
What’s impressive is that you don’t need to crank these speakers to feel the bass hit you in the chest. Even at moderate listening levels, around 75-80dB, the 801 D4 Signature delivers enough punch to make the midbass resonate deeply, ensuring you feel the impact as much as you hear it.
The soundstage created by the 801 D4 Signature is nothing short of remarkable, effortlessly filling the entire room with a sense of presence and scale. The accuracy of the soundstage is especially striking; as I listened through various tracks, I could pick out every performer and instrument, each occupying its own space, almost as if I could pinpoint their positions in the recording studio. The speakers create a wide and deep soundstage that immerses you in the music as if you're sitting in the middle of a live performance.
The 801 D4 Signature handles dynamics with ease, whether it’s capturing subtle nuances or delivering powerful crescendos. The speakers respond quickly to changes in volume and intensity, bringing out both the delicate details and the full-bodied energy of each track. While they do require a significant amount of power to really wake them up, once you do, you're in for a treat.
Moving on to the high-frequencies, the 801 D4 Signature proves to be an articulate, clear, and focused loudspeaker. During a late-night listening session, I threw on some classic Guns N' Roses, specifically "Sweet Child O' Mine." Axl Rose's iconic voice came through with remarkable clarity and detail. The tweeter captured the unique timbre and energy of his vocals. Whether it was the raspy edge in his higher notes or the smoother passages, the 801 D4 Signature delivered.
Despite the livelier character of the 801 D4 Signature, I never found Axl Rose’s voice—or any other elements of the track—to be overly sharp or fatiguing. The clarity of the tweeter extended to the other instruments in "Sweet Child O' Mine" as well. Slash’s iconic guitar riff was rendered with incredible detail, each note ringing out with a purity that made the track come alive.
The cymbals and high hats were crisp and well-defined, cutting through the mix without overshadowing the rest of the band. Even the subtle background elements, like the echo of the snare drum and the reverb on the guitar, were easily distinguishable, contributing to a rich, immersive soundstage.
And while many will be using these speakers primarily for 2-channel listening, they also excel in a home theater setup. Watching the new Twisters movie on the 801 D4 Signature speakers was a memorable experience. The detail in the sound was so clear that during the storm scenes, you could almost feel the objects flying around the room. The speakers handled the shifts from quiet moments to the chaos of the twister seamlessly.
Conclusion
The Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature speakers are some of the best I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. With a hefty price tag of $55,000, they are certainly an investment, but they deliver performance that matches the cost. Whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie, these speakers deliver in a way that makes them competitive with even more expensive models in the market. It’s clear that Bowers & Wilkins has crafted a speaker that delivers on its promise, making it an AVSForum Top Choice for 2024.
FAQ
What distinguishes Bowers & Wilkins Signature models from their standard offerings?
Signature models are known for their no-holds-barred performance, unique and distinctive beauty, and special-edition exclusivity. Each model has its own unique identity while maintaining common threads with its predecessors
What inspired the creation of the Silver Signature speaker by Bowers & Wilkins?
The Silver Signature was created as a tribute to the company's founder, John Bowers, who passed away in 1987. It was designed to encapsulate his ideas and legacy, marking the 25th anniversary of the company in 1991.
What are the most expensive Bowers & Wilkins speakers currently on the market?
The most expensive Bowers & Wilkins speakers currently on the market are the iconic Nautilus, priced at $100,000 per pair.
