Since the 80s of the last century, the Bowers & Wilkins 800 series has not only been the flagship loudspeaker of the British manufacturer, but also marks the absolute top of loudspeaker construction. The loudspeakers of the series are used as references in the best recording studios in the world, dozens of Hollywood block coughs have been mixed with them at Skywalker Sound and hi-fi fans around the world appreciate and love these exceptional loudspeakers for their incomparable sound. As B&W announced today, this success story will be expanded to include a new chapter with the 800 series Diamond D3. Every journey begins with a first step: The Bowers & Wilkins 801 S2 from 1987 It all began in 1979 with the legendary 801, from which a complete series developed over time. The technologies for which B&W is known and appreciated today were gradually developed for this series. Such as the "matrix" reinforcement of the housing or the characteristic Kevlar membranes. In 1993 Bowers & Wilkins presented the stunning Nautilus, which still sets standards in design, technology and sound. This was the first time that the Nautilus tubes developed by John Bowers were used, which were later found in all top models of the 800 series. Over the years, B&W has continuously developed the 800 series and upgraded it with top technology. With the introduction of the revolutionary diamond tweeters in 2005, a leap in quality was achieved that experts would not have thought possible. Diamond tweeter with Nautilus technology Since then, the 800 series has also had the designation Diamond in its name to indicate the hi-tech material used in the tweeter. The third generation of the 800-Diamond series retains the hi-tech tweeters, but uses completely new materials and other cutting-edge technologies for the mid-range and bass drivers.
What remains: the diamond tweeter
The ultra-hard high-tech material has already proven to be the ideal solution for a tweeter in the previous Diamond versions. The diamond tweeters only show the first non-linear movements at full load at around 70 kHz, which is far beyond human hearing. This quality is still not possible with any other technology. That's why B&W continues to rely on the diamond tweeters for the new 800 D3 series. However, the Nautilus tube behind the tweeter has been completely redesigned. The housing is now made of a piece of aluminum and is once again significantly less resonant than its predecessor.
New membrane material: Continuum
In the low / midrange, however, a real revolution is about to begin. With the newly developed membrane material Continuum , which has replaced the typical chassis made of Kevlar fabric after more than 40 years, a technology has been developed that allows dramatic sound improvements. According to the British engineers, the result of the switch from Kevlar to Continuum is comparable to the leap in quality that the move from aluminum to diamond tweeters meant a few years ago.Learn more about the Continuum membrane
New bass cone: Aerofoil
In order to keep up with the capabilities of the other Hitech chassis in the bass range, B&W has also completely redeveloped the woofers. Thanks to the interplay of new membrane material and a new shape developed by means of computer simulation, the new Aerofoil membranes offer excellent rigidity with low mass and therefore an extremely neutral stroke behavior even with high deflections. Find out more about the Aerofoil woofers here.
Soft revolution: Turbine Head
One of the most complex new developments of the 800 D3 does not catch the eye at first glance. But the characteristic separate housing for the midrange driver has also been completely redesigned and is now called Turbine Head . Aluminum is now used as the material, and both the external shape and the internal structure have been completely redeveloped. The result is a somewhat slimmer, more filigree look that still shows its traditional heritage straight away. Find out more about the new turbine head here.
Stable construction: matrix housing
The internal struts that give the 800 series cases their legendary stability have also been redesigned. Previously these consisted of MDF, now the internal structure is made of high quality plywood. Fewer individual elements are used, but these are thicker and are supplemented with metal reinforcements made of steel and aluminum. The entire structure is therefore considerably more stable in itself. The 800 models with turbine head also have a particularly stable connection between the head and the rest of the housing. Another advantage of the new design: The bass chassis are now screwed to the matrix housing in such a way that housing resonances hardly stand a chance.
Bowers & Wilkins Series 800 D3 - The Models
No question about it - the new 800 D3 series from B&W currently represents the most technically advanced level of loudspeaker development. Right from the start, the new series comprises seven different loudspeakers, which will immediately replace their respective predecessors. All models have the new Continuum midrange and Aerofoil bass chassis, the 803, 802 and 800 also benefit from the new TurbineHead. All loudspeakers up to 802 are now available in white, black and walnut. Understandably, the engineers at Bowers & Wilikins are taking a little more time with their absolute flagship, so the B&W 800 Diamond 3 is not expected to be available until April 2016. The matching DB-1 subwoofer has been retained in its current form, but is now also available in white. The models at a glance: (for further information please click on the name of the speaker) model Colours RRP (pair) Remarks 800 D3White, black, walnut€ 30,000TurbineHead802 D3White, black, walnut€ 22,000TurbineHead803 D3White, black, walnut€ 17,000TurbineHead804 D3White, black, walnut€ 9,000805 D3White, black, walnut€ 6,000HTM 1 D3White, black, walnut€ 6,000centerHTM 2 D3White, black, walnut€ 4,000center
